What if we’ve been wrong about Ohio State this entire time? Stephen Means’ Halftime Thoughts

ARLINGTON, Texas -- What if we’ve been incorrect astir this Ohio State squad nan full time?

What if a 14-7 triumph complete Texas successful Week 1 was only viewed arsenic immoderate awesome accomplishment because preseason expectations told america it should beryllium viewed arsenic such?

What if we didn’t salary capable attraction to nan truth that nan Buckeyes’ regular-season schedule fell isolated and they ne'er sewage tested because of it?

What if nan thought of this squad was ever amended than what nan reality ever was, but it sewage to hold until December earlier playing personification bully capable to really expose it?

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Ohio State is dealing pinch a double-digit shortage for nan first clip since going down 10-0 against Penn State successful 2024. That’s been made imaginable by Miami controlling nan crippled pinch an elite violative line, resulting successful a clip of possession of 19:15 to 10:45.

It’s because Jeremiah Smith missed a regular artifact connected a bubble surface that fto Keiontae Scott prime disconnected Julian Sayin — his 3rd consecutive crippled pinch an interception — and return it 72 yards nan different measurement for a touchdown connected what was a chance to move a reddish area travel into points.

It’s because Gabe VanSickle was thrown into nan fire, replacing an injured Tegra Tshabola astatine correct guard, and nan Hurricanes’ protect statement had a section time pinch it, sacking Sayin 3 times while pressuring him connected practically each driblet back.

Indiana made OSU bleed successful nan Big Ten Championship Game. Miami did a batch much than conscionable that.

The Hurricane dominated nan Buckeye successful a measurement that suggested that nan second didn’t moreover beryllium connected nan aforesaid field. They dominated nan trenches, controlled nan clock, and made one-dimensional pinch that 1 thing, having nary occurrence whatsoever. And they talked plentifulness of trash and picked their spots to beryllium chippy on nan way.

That sounds a batch for illustration what Michigan spent 4 years doing earlier nan Buckeyes yet ended that streak this season.

Maybe Ohio State comes retired nan different broadside and finds a measurement to triumph this game, and tin position this arsenic a infinitesimal wherever it answered nan telephone erstwhile adversity hit.

Or possibly it folds, because we were incorrect astir what this squad was tin of nan full time.

Stephen Means covers Ohio State shot for Cleveland.com while besides serving arsenic nan big of nan Buckeye Talk podcast. Prior to covering nan Buckeyes, he sewage acquisition moving astatine nan Akron Beacon Journal...