I was hoping there would be a news conference today announcing Holtmann had been relieved of his duties. Gene Smith won't lose face by doing that after he just renewed him for no good reason.

I don't see this as a bad thing. Depth at a couple of positions at this point is important. 

But it does reinforce the fact that O-line recruiting is critical right now and Justin Frye needs to step it up big time. The time is now. I just don't see a lot of nasty in the O-line. I want a LeCharles Bentley type who will beat up on his own teammate and then get meaner with the competition. 

Give your son a happy birthday by not taking him.

If Gene Smith doesn't fire Holtmann, he should be fired himself.

This is an absolute disgrace.

Might be time to move on?

It is past time to move on.

To me, CJ Stroud to Ohio State is what Dan Marino was to Miami. Great stats, individual accolades, memorable moments, but never gaining the ultimate prize. 

Let's just hope that the Buckeyes don't fall into the same 20+ year period of mediocrity that the Dolphins have seen since Marino retired. 

Chris Holtmann’s been here before.

And more than once.

Enough said.

It seems impossible that Sam Hubbard is already in his 5th season in the NFL.

If Jim Knowles defense held up for only one scoring drive series, oh let's say the one where Lathan Ransom was out on an island a la UM, got beat and fell down for good measure, and then OSU went on to beat TCU for a natty...would the pundits be saying that everyone else was chasing UM? 

It might cost some transfers and a recruit or two, but the Holtmann experiment has lasted too long. Gene won't pull the plug. I don't think he has the stomach to do the right thing after signing him to an extension. That would be tremendous loss of face. So Buckeye fans will be forced to endure at least another season of painful mediocrity after this travesty before consideration is given to make a needed change.

He hasn't changed to date and there is no reason to think he will now.

All the reminders in this article and comments by posters regarding how close Ohio State has been to additional national championships in my lifetime has thoroughly depressed me for the day. 

John Greenleaf Whittier had it right: "For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been'."

But don't forget Ohio State is elite in offensive efficiency! 

I would suggest that our ranking was inflated by performances against less than stellar teams. Yes we turned PSU over and JT has a monster game but they racked up 430 yards of offense and moved the bal with ease at times while putting up 31 points on us. Maryland had 405 yards and 30 points and UM had 530 yards and 45 points. Anyone with a pulse offensively was successful and UGA proved that all too clearly. 

I appreciate that Noah Ruggles takes responsibility for the missed kick. But a 50 yard kick is no gimme. Most of his kicks during his tenure were 45 yards and less and OSU did him no favors in the series leading up to his kick to get him closer.

But I don't think that many Buckeye fans are blaming Noah Ruggles for the loss. It was a bad kick. But if a college basketball team scores 85 points and loses by one point because a player misses a shot from half court at the buzzer, the missed heave is not the cause of the loss. You shouldn't let the other team score 86. Likewise, when OSU scores 41 points, it should not have to rely on a last second long kick to win the game. Something else went badly wrong, and in this case it was Jim Knowles defense.

What would Nick Saban do with Jim Knowles after 2 such games to end the season? 

That loss had a $2 million dollar price tag on it. 

That loss had a $2 million dollar price tag on it. 

No help Jim Knowles just like UM

2nd and 1 still haunts me.

Jim Knowles defense continues to get gashed for 20+ yard plays.

Agree. I don't think it was effort as much as it was players being put into situations they could not handle, especially on defense.

Joel Klatt was right when he said Ohio State did not use the defensive scheme all year that they employed in the last game of the season. I am no expert but I even knew we were in trouble with our CBs on islands. It was just weird as was the offensive play calling from Day. Add that to the virtual disappearance of our freshman RB who carried us the 2 games before The Game, and I still can't believe what I saw.

Good story. Good young man.

The question once again comes to mind regarding the wisdom of letting him play again so soon, much like JSN trying to come back against Toledo. I understand the complexities of certain injuries, but it just seems like the staff involved let these guys play way too quickly.

I would love to see X stay as he is a favorite of mine. But he really needs more snaps to get the exposure he needs and in a limited capacity he already showed what he can do. I’m just not sure his status is going to change if he stays. EA is gone. And Proctor seems like a candidate to transfer if he wants to play in college another year. I really thought that after that game ending hit in the B1G championship game against Wisconsin a few years ago that he was on his way to great things but injuries and mental lapses this season seem to have really derailed him. 

I admire Knowles trying to take the heat for defensive breakdowns.

I wonder what the reaction will be like if the defense gives up 40 points and 450 yards to UGA?

Will there be more of a grace period with the first year of a new defensive system? Or will the reaction be more negative?

Agree. But I think it has to be controlled aggression.