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champions. Last year, on a cold December evening in Indiana, the Buckeyes' season went awry. This year, on a cool October evening in Indiana, the Buckeyes are trying to get back on track. The path to a Big Ten championship used to simply end at Indiana. Now it runs through Indiana. The Goosiers have what the Buckeyes are after. And something that the Buckeyes haven't had for 6 years. Revenge is a dish best served on the go. And the Buckeyes waited 10 months to repay this debt. It's the Big Ten champions against a team looking to inherit the throne. Buckeyes, Goosiers, football fever starts right now. On a crisp October morning, the eyes of the college football universe are fixed on Bloomington, Indiana.
Good morning and welcome to Football Fever. I'm Dave Holmes, with me are Obie Sitwell, Jay Richardson, and Ben Buchanan will join us from the studio in a minute. Obi, I've been to Indiana Memorial Stadium many times, but this is the first time I've been here since Indiana became the real Indiana, and this time it feels different. What exactly? You know, you can feel it in the atmosphere, they write about it in the newspapers-22 wins in a row, they're charged. This is a different Indiana.
They have much higher expectations for this game. They have never hosted a home game of this magnitude before. This will be interesting. Yes, it feels that way on campus this morning. This 22- game winning streak is impressive, and the way they did it is even more impressive, because this team is battle-hardened. Let's see how they achieved those 22 wins in a row. Indiana knows how to win tight football games. If you think back to last year's championship run, they had that narrow win over Iowa, a dramatic three-point comeback in Happy Valley, a 13-10 win over
Ohio State in the Big Ten finals, and then a win over the Miami Hurricanes- a team the Buckeyes couldn't beat. This year-a tight game against Northwestern, a match where everything was decided by one possession, and a 20-17 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. So, the Indiana Goosiers know how to win close games, and that's what Ryan Day was talking about. He was asked about it on Tuesday. What was it about Kurt Signetti's Goosiers that allowed them to pull off this 22- game streak? This is what he replied. Well, I think any coach will tell you before a game: nothing that came before has any meaning before this match. Um, well, when you seem to be 4 of 13 on your third attempt and four times in the red zone you
only score 10 points, that's not good. So you don't win many games when that happens. And I think the important thing is that it's a good reminder of how important these situations are. And I think Indiana handles winning situations as well as anyone in the country. You know, the fight for the ball, the decisive moments of the game, the third downs, the red zone. Um, so we have to be in good shape this week and have to win in those aspects. And that's what we emphasize every week. Yes, third down, red zone, penalties, game situations. And Obi, it's interesting that this is all what we've been talking about: this Ohio State team needs to improve.
They had problems on their third attempt. They had problems with penalties, with the red zone. And Ryan Day says the Goosiers will bring all of those elements. What are your thoughts on this? Yes, you know what? It's interesting because they're talking about situational football. But in reality he is talking about processes. That Cignetti really taught the team how to handle the game process. Not with the entire victory, not with the entire scale of the victory, but with the processes. And they believe it. And that's what worries me, because I'm curious about how Ohio State will handle the processes and the ups and downs of the game. And do they really believe in
Coach Day's process? Because Indiana believes in Coach Sik's process. Does the Ohio State football team believe, do the players believe in Coach Day's process? You know, on a micro level, it's a revenge game. This is the easiest way, if we want to follow the narrative, we'll say it's a rematch game for the Big Ten title. But if we look more broadly, Obi, I think there's a bigger problem here. Ohio State has lost to Texas in its last three close games They lost to that Goosiers team. They lost to the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl. So, for you, what is the bigger story today? The narrative of a rematch against Indiana or the overall picture of
Ohio State having to prove to themselves that they can get back to winning games like this No, I think it's the latter. I think it's faith in yourself. The revenge factor here is about 50/50, because you can look back and see where Ohio State actually hurt themselves, right? So that kind of weakens that whole revenge aspect to some extent. But if you look deeper and talk simply about self-belief and true comeback. I find it interesting that both teams have questions for themselves. Chatted with the fans, just being in that atmosphere last night. And they have doubts because they don't know how well they compare to last year's team. Like, are we really who we think we are? Ohio State is in the same situation. That's what makes the game so
interesting, and I think that's what will carry it into the fourth quarter, where maybe the kicker makes amends with a last- second field goal. That's my feeling, but it will be interesting. You know, this is an interesting point because the Goosiers have won 22 games in a row. This Indiana team has won six in a row, and I think the Buckeyes can count on that. This is a different year. I don't think this team is as good as last year's. The question is whether the Buckeyes are as good as they were last year. Let's plug in the rest of our broadcast team, Ben Hill and Jay Richardson, who are now in the studio in Columbus.
Good morning, guys Bucks have to play clean in this game. They had eight penalties for 65 yards last week against Maryland, and two of those violations essentially allowed Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington to reach the end zone. If Ohio State wants to win today, they must definitely fix the penalty situation. Yes, Ben, it all comes down to the mistakes they make themselves and the violations before the draw. These are things that can definitely disrupt an offensive drive and continue a defensive drive for the other team. If you don't fix that, and if you're Ryan Day, you know you're in for a close game against Indiana, and you definitely don't want to play a close game against Kirk Cignetti.
Believe me, that hasn't been playing in Ohio State's favor lately. Now I look at the past, the discipline, and the things they can fix. Remember Maryland 2023: Ohio State-10 penalties for 81 yards. Remember that team from the north in 2022: Ohio State's nine penalties against Michigan. And then against Michigan in 2021-10 penalties again. So it seems like a lot of times in these big, big, big games and honestly, in these crucial moments, we see a false start on Ohio State's offense, or a delay violation, or something serious like a delay on defense, or something that just continues the other team's drive or stops Ohio's drive, and that shouldn't happen, guys.
Discipline will be the main thing, because one thing you can say about the team under Kirk Cignetti is that they are extremely disciplined. Their whole philosophy, Cignetti's philosophy, is that we will not be the ones to defeat us. Make them do it. Let them make their first mistakes. We will stick to the schedule and do our job. I believe Ryan Day understands how critical this is and you have to have a disciplined team against an opponent like Indiana. I'm telling you right now, this is important. Discipline is crucial in this football game, without a doubt. We'll see if the Bucks can be a more disciplined team today.
Okay, in our review of the offense from Atlas Butler, we need to talk about quarterback Julian Seyin. For the first time all season, he's playing against a quarterback who is just as elite at the position. Jay, what does Julian really have to demonstrate to ensure the Buckeyes' success today? Oh, listen, I like this confrontation. You know, Indiana versus Ohio is such an interesting chess game, from the coaching to the defense, the receiving line, and then the quarterback, which I think is critical. So, Josh Hoover, when you actually look at this guy, man, he looks a lot like Julian Seyin from Indiana. And I think Indiana has a few different threats on the wings and a little more variety in what they can do with their receivers, but Julian Sejin has a
top-tier, high-level player, a guy capable of going to the next level-Jeremiah Smith. So, if Julian wants to be great today, he's going to have to make some plays with his feet. I think Indiana's defensive line isn't great, it's not elite, but it's good enough. They have one or two guys who can get to the quarterback. We all know that Julian doesn't play well under pressure, and he doesn't like a "dirty" pocket. No quarterback likes it, but he really struggles when he gets into trouble in the pocket and has to maneuver while looking downfield.
Julian has to work his feet quickly in the pocket. It should have fantastic pocket feel. Be able to feel where the pressure is coming from. Have an understanding of who is behind you, who is ahead, and keep looking out into the field. And lastly, Julian, pass that ball forward. When you run it, we don't want to see receivers going back to fight for the contested ball. Launch it. Trust your arm and your receivers. We love Julian's play between the lines. When it comes to playing outside the lines and long distance, he needs to throw the ball better so receivers can run under him. When he starts doing that, man, this
Ohio State offense is going to take it to a whole new level. This will be serious. Yes, it could be even better. This is a special player. He needs to prove himself in today's special game. Well, another player who should definitely show up today is running back Bo Jackson. With his backfield partner, Master Teague, out, Jackson will have a big load against the Hoosiers today. Jay, what do you expect to see from Bo Jackson, and do you think we'll see more of Legend Teague today? Oh, great question.
Listen, I hate it when Master Teague is out of the game, man. In the locker room, they call him "old man" because he's a true veteran. And his absence will be felt. But I'll tell you about Bo Jackson - he's starting to add. He's one of those backs who gets better with every ball he carries, he has a better feel for the game. He's not always great in the first quarter. Because it becomes almost fantastic at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarter. And when he goes beyond 17-18 outs, he shows his best game. I would like to see that. I don't know how much Ohio State trusts Isaiah West right now. And I know they really want Legend to finally open up, to finally become one of those guys you can rely on, because he has a huge talent. I said that against
Boston. I said, " Dude, Legend Bay, if this guy touches the ball five times, one day he's going to do something you've never seen before," and we saw it. The only question is, will he be able to stick to the program? I think he'll get his chances today, and I think Legend Bay will leave this match as one we'll all be talking about later, around 4:00 PM. Almost like Reggie Bush. Is this a good comparison? I mean, he's just like lightning, he takes off in an instant. Ohio State's true Big Ten running back, running between the guards, but he's so bright. Reggie Bush, Percy Garvin, he's one of those guys who can do magic if you give them enough of the ball. It would be great to see this today.
Well, the Goosiers and Buckeyes said goodbye to a few big stars, but those who replaced them in Bloomington and Columbus didn't flinch. How the new faces of each team prove that where talent leaves, opportunity comes. This is "Football Fever". Stay with us. Goosiers definitely had to change their strategy this year. Both teams have lost many players since 2025. Ohio State lost top defensive talent: Arvell Reese, Sunny Stiles, Caleb Downs, Caden McDonald, and Davidson Igbinosun-just a few of the core players who left. We will miss them. Now all five have moved on to the NFL and are dominating their teams. The Bucks also lost some serious depth on offense as Carnell Tate joined those Silver Bullets in the pros. And,
of course, there are not enough of them. But the Goosiers also lost a lot of guys. OSU may have lost one receiver, but Indiana lost two playmakers: both Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Serratt went to the NFL and are missed as well. But the program's biggest loss was the guy who gave them, uh, the ball, as we know it. Fernando Mendoza is gone, now playing for Jay Rich's Raiders, and he's hard to replace at quarterback. A hole in the offense the size of Mendoza was filled by Josh Hoover, who transferred from TCU and started the season in great form. In the first six games, he threw 17 touchdowns and, most importantly, no interceptions. Okay, Jay, those are certainly impressive results, but is Hoover a quality
replacement for Mendoza, and how will the Silver Bullets be able to keep him off balance today? Listen, I like how you said "Raiders." Next time, just emphasize the "R", for example, "R- Raiders". Okay, I'll do that. Now to your question: yes, Hoover is actually a fantastic replacement. He is truly a mirror image of Julian Sain from the other side. You're used to Mendoza: 6-foot-4 , 240 pounds, a big, physical quarterback who can just take down a linebacker. This is not Josh Hoover's game, okay? He is about 6 feet 1.5 inches tall, weighs about 205 pounds, and looks a lot like Julian.
Surgically precise in the pocket, fantastic between the lines, not very strong in the runs; he only has 42 yards on the season, and those are likely forced rushes to avoid a hit. But it's accurate, you know? A QBR rating of 88-that means the guy is making the right decisions. And if you look here, he has enough pocket sense and speed to escape danger and fall to the ground, because he's a small player and doesn't tend to get hit like that. But he is excellent at moving the ball down the field, using short and medium passes. He has two fantastic receivers, Becker and Marsh, to whom he can give the ball and set up the team's play. He is a point guard. He's a fantastic quarterback, actually very underrated.
Few people talk enough about Josh Hoover. 17 touchdowns and zero interceptions. We often talk about possible result. So, maybe. Definitely the best outcome. maybe he doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Quite a good playmaker. Well, to learn more about Indiana's new quarterback, we're taking the floor to Bloomington. David Obei, what are your thoughts on the new leader of the Goosiers? You know, it's crazy because you mentioned 17 touchdowns and zero interceptions. But at TCU, he had a reputation as a player who would give the ball to the wrong team.
I mean, in just the last month at TCU, it seems like he threw eight interceptions. So earlier this week, I asked Ryan Day about Josh Hoover's transformation and what he sees in the Goosiers' quarterback He plays very effectively and they do a good job of putting him in a system where they take care of the ball. And that's one of the reasons why they're so successful and have won so many matches-because they protect the ball. So it's worth giving credit to their game plan. Yeah, and if you read between the lines, he's essentially saying that whether it's Fernando Mendoza or Josh Hoover or whoever Kurt Cignetti works with, he's probably going to play smart.
Yes, you know what? This is the psychology of the game, you know what I mean? There was something about Hoover that Cignetti saw and said, "Listen, if I tweak this a little bit calm him down in certain situations, I think we can make him a leader." "But, you know, one of the things that interests me is what happens when these zones are blocked, right? » You know, if Ohio State's pass rush can actually get to him, because it's a whole different situation when you're lying on your back or even thinking about that possibility, and I think that changes everything. With a QBR of 88, great-17 touchdowns, no interceptions, that's great. But when the zones get tight and you're trying to protect your ribs, back, legs, and everything else because
you're worried about the pass rush, things can be very different. Yeah, and if you're sitting at home and wondering, "Well, how did he suddenly start throwing interceptions?" " Remember Julian Seyin last year, he looked invincible at the beginning of the season when the Buckeyes were blowing everyone away." And what happened then? Indiana's pass rush got to him, Miami's pass rush got to him, and suddenly Julian Sayin came down from heaven to earth. Still good, but not the same Seijin he was at the beginning of the season. So, Obi, part of the responsibility today will fall on you to make Josh Hoover's life unbearable.
Yes, you know what? You want to look at the defensive backs, because we'll Indiana wide receivers, but they have to work together, right? Ohio State's defensive backs will only be as good as their pass rush. And he will have to provide a consistent pass rush. So we'll see what Matt Patricia, with his defensive guru skills, can come up with to make sure they get Hoover. Get to Hoover and put him on his back. Yes, that Josh Hoover from TCU is in there somewhere. They have to open it today if the Buckeyes want to beat the Goodgers. Next on Football Fever, we'll break down the wide receivers' matchup and
get ready. For the first time in a long time, Ohio State has an opponent with quality receivers that are almost as good as their own. More " Fever" right after the break. Well, as we all know, Jeremiah Smith is truly the talent of a generation. He has racked up 916 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in just the first six games this season, breaking all of Ohio State's receiving records along the way. He's so good that we often forget that for the first time in a long time, Ohio State doesn't have a true second receiver. But Bloomington has its own receivers 1A and 1B.
We're talking about Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh. They simply tear apart the opponents' defenses. Both have over 500 receiving yards and 14 combined touchdowns this season. Jay, I can't believe I'm saying this, but isn't it crazy to suggest that OSU might not have the best receiver duo on the field today, even with Jeremiah, huh? So what do you think about this? Jeremiah is worth like 10 receivers. I mean, especially with his numbers, right? But I want people to understand, I care about it because yes, I think Indiana has the better receiver duo. Look at Charlie Becker: 30 receptions, 529 yards, eight touchdowns. And you're thinking, "Okay, what about Nick Marsh-number two?"
No, not at all. You're right, Ben, it's 1A and 1B, because Nick Marsh's numbers are almost identical. 29 receptions, 528 yards and six touchdowns. And you're like, "Oh my god, who am I supposed to protect? Who am I supposed to switch cover to ?" Both of these guys are truly elite. And then look at the physical data of both receivers, Becker and Marsh. Becker, excuse me, let's start with Marsh. He's 6'3", 210 pounds. He's not a small receiver at all. He's the second- largest receiver on Ohio State's roster, maybe third because of a young Chris Henry Jr. And then you look at Becker, 6'4 ", 210 pounds, and you think, man, Becker's a lot more agile than you think.
You watch their recordings, you look at him and you're like: okay, you know what? Yes, he's a pretty tall guy. So, what do you think this host corps and Cignetti are going to do, Ben? Who do you think they will hunt? So, you're looking for big defenders. Who do you have? Well, because. They'll put pressure on Matthews, right? They'll go for Jermaine Matthews. I say: be prepared for this. You are going to go after the smallest defenders. We've already seen this in previous games. They are starting to pick on certain players on the Ohio State defense. I have a feeling they'll be the ones they'll hunt. He should be ready to play. On the other hand, you have Devon Sanchez at 6 feet 2 inches tall. Probably not the kind of guy you
should attack too often. This will be an extremely interesting chess game. And, of course, the offensive line needs to make sure they don't have time to pass. Let's see if the Buckeyes' defensemen can improve their game today. They will definitely need that in this match. Well, to learn more about this pressing issue, let's connect with Dave and Obi in Bloomington. Hello, guys. Greetings. Yes, I just want to reassure the YouTube commenters. We are not suggesting for a moment that anyone is on the level of Jeremiah Smith. This is not a question of the first receiver. It's one plus two, and we think Indiana has a very
powerful duo: Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh. And that's what Ryan Day was talking about earlier in the week. These guys, in particular, run routes very clearly act confidently in contact, have excellent body control, reliably catch the ball and play very confidently against man-to-man defenses. They are great at executing slants, as well as their feints and over-the-shoulder feints. And it's clear that they are taught at a very high level there. So, of course, Becker made some important game-changing plays in the crucial minutes. And Marshall is playing as well as anyone else right now. So, this is a huge challenge for our defense. And again, we're talking about winning one-on-one duels. We have to win our one-on-
one duels, regardless of whether we are ahead or behind, whether we play individually or in a zone -it doesn't matter. Yes, Indiana has very good receivers. And, Obi, they had Omar Cooper Jr. last year. He went in the first round to the New York Jets. They have two more guys here with first- round talent. And Charlie Becker has quite the pedigree, Obi. Yes, you know what's interesting. I was able to talk to his father, Dave Becker, who once played for Ohio State. Some of you should look at this. And he played the linebacker position. I know Ryan Miller, Greg Balazari, some of you remember Dave Becker. So, it was interesting to learn that his
son was actually from Nashville and played for Indiana. Dude, he comes from a very humble family. When I was able to chat with him a little bit and correspond with David, it was just like his journey, Charlie's journey was one where he remained humble. You can see the work ethic he displays on the field. A 6-foot-4 wide receiver. I mean, the athletic ability that Charlie has, it's really interesting to watch him make those playmaking moments even during that championship run. And what kind of game-changing moments is he going to create, considering this is probably his last year here, right? The last year of playing in such a big match. I think he has an internal drive to prove that he's the best receiver, despite Jeremiah Smith.
You know, at the beginning of the show, Obi, we were talking about whether this is a rematch or whether this is a whole new year? For Jermaine Matthews Jr., this is definitely a revenge game, as they tore him apart in the Big Ten Championship. And I was standing outside the Ohio State locker room as they walked off the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. Everyone hugged Jermaine Matthews Jr. His head was down. I've never seen a player so upset when he came out of the tunnel. You know he wants to win today. Yes, you know what? This is the type of game you think about and prepare for in the summer. Those are the things you think about in the
gym, how they took advantage of you, your youth and inexperience, right? When you're struggling to make the last approach. I think both juniors, not just Matthews Jr. but also Earl Little Jr., have to have a very good match today for the Buckeyes to win. Well, last year everything was decided by a shot that went left. We saw how the shot mattered earlier this season against Texas. Next in the program "Football Fever". If this is truly a four- quarter game, how do we feel about Ohio State's special teams ? We will analyze this subsection as the " fever" continues From 50 yards for the win and a spot in the national championship. The ball is in flight. Didn't hit.
He twisted it. And Georgia will survive. Hit it from 30 yards today. Trying to extend Ohio State's lead to nine points. And he missed. Hawkins. Not what he was hoping for when he returned to play football at Texas. Oh, these are some of the most painful moments in Ohio State history. Decisive shots, missed at crucial moments, cost us the game. But the Buckeyes' kicking problems create an interesting perspective on the role of the kicker and how they are remembered.
Take Noah Ruggles for example. Of the 68 shots he took in his career, the guy missed only 12 times. But he will forever be remembered as the guy who missed the shot against Georgia that could have put Ohio State in the championship final in 2022. And you know, they would win. The same goes for Jaden Fielding. Like Ruggles, he only missed 12 times in his entire career with the Buckeyes, but he is remembered as the kicker who missed against the team from the north in 2024. You just can't do that. This gave them a resounding sensational victory over Columbus. And he just missed another one. Oh my God, against Indiana. A field goal that could have tied the score and given Ohio State a chance. He missed, and the Goosiers became Big Ten champions. And that
brings us to 2026. We thought we had solved our hitting problems, Ben, but they're back Connor Hawkins misses a vital shot against Texas. I was at the stadium during that game. This would put the game out of reach for the Longhorns. If he had scored, Ohio State would have won. He missed, and that's all. He also hit the post against Iowa, so I have to ask you, Ben, because you know, I'm tough on kickers. Are you confident that Hawkins can turn things around and suddenly become the reliable player that Ohio State needs? We know, Jay, I'm an optimist on this show. So, of course, I have to say that I have confidence in him. But I will say this: With kickers, just like with quarterbacks, you probably get too much praise
when the ball goes in and too much criticism when it doesn't, right? But Connor Hawkins is a great kicker. I will say that before this year, yes, I believe he can be a reliable player. And I will say this with a slight caveat, explaining here. He showed it at Baylor, did n't he? And you'll say, "Well, it's at Baylor, it's different from Ohio State." " Fair enough, we can talk about it goals, perfect 37 of 37 conversions, longest-54 yards. He has proven he has the power to hit 50+ yards. That's why Ryan Day and the team invited him through the transfer portal, he was probably the best player available. But we know, Jay, these shots-they're a whole different story when it comes to Ohio State:
100,000 spectators in the stadium and millions in front of the screens. It's a different matter, even if you take the distance over 50 yards. He has three hits out of four from 50+ range. However, we don't need those 50-yard shots. We need you to confidently score from 40 yards and closer when the game is at stake. And the fact is that the pressure, you know, is felt completely differently at Ohio State. So with all due respect to the achievements at Baylor, it's time to raise the level of the game. And as specialists, excessive hype, like: "hey, be more energetic, listen to this kind of music, scream before the game," doesn't help us. For me, the most important thing is to stay cool, calm, and collected, like during a golf swing. How are you going to direct the
ball straight between the goal posts? I am confident that he will be able to handle the challenge thanks to his training. He's a really reliable kicker. Oh, you're much more confident than me. Ben, listen, when you come to Ohio State, they expect perfection from you. It is very difficult to prepare for such high-pressure situations. Ben, how do you think coaches should simulate pressure in training? Because later we will have to imagine that it will take a well-aimed shot from Connor Hawkins at a crucial moment.
Oh, we'll definitely need this, for sure. The thing is, I could say a lot of complicated things here. It's impossible to perfectly recreate the atmosphere of 100,000 spectators under the spotlight and millions on TV, right? But what you can do is create scenarios where the outcome of the training depends on winning or losing. You probably saw that when you were at Ohio State, Jay, and in the NFL too. I remember when I played at OSU, Coach Tressel called the kickers at the end of practice, and it was exactly that scenario with consequences. So: "Hey, 40 yards, left hash, Ben, you score-and no sprints at the end, let's go have dinner and rest." If not, then sprints for the next 10-15 minutes, right? Something is at stake. from which the entire team
either benefits or suffers. I remember this from the days of Urban Mayer. I was also a Panther under Urban. He did the same thing with the Panthers. The whole team gathers around: "Ben, I need this punt to the 10-yard line, 4.5 seconds in the air, 40+ yards, or else.". Who coped with the task? It doesn't have to be based on fear, but there has to be something at stake, right? You have to feel that pressure, and when that moment comes in the game, you say, "Hey, I've been here before, I've done that, I can handle it." Ben, does Connor need to buy a Rolex to hit the ball like you? Well, of course, yes. That would, that would help a lot. That would help everyone, as we know.
Okay, friends, here we go. The hype surrounding Bryce Underwood's strong arm has hit some bumps, some very serious ones. But is it the interceptions he makes or the combination itself? We don't know. We'll share our thoughts on the unrest in the north when Welcome back to Bloomington, Indiana, where the undefeated Hoosiers, the fifth-ranked team in the country, host the Ohio State Buckeyes, who have a five- one record and are in fourth place. Both, it's such a pleasure to come to such a big game. Meanwhile, they're Michigan Wolverines host Penn State, and what's most surprising about the season's midseason break is that both teams are still looking for their first Who needs it more, since both programs look broken right now
You know what, Dave? I would say Michigan needs it more. I say that because I think there are more things in disarray at Michigan right now. You're talking about quarterback play, offensive linemen, tight ends, tackles, and so on, right? To the head coach, to the sports department, to the administration. Well, you know, there's a lot of confusion out there, and there's only one thing that solves it, right? This is a victory. Yes. I think Michigan needs to win this game just to salvage the season a little bit.
This is interesting. You make convincing arguments. I'm not going to argue with anything you say, but I think there's a guy named Matt Campbell who woke up in a hotel in Ann Arbor this morning and thought, " Nobody needs a win tonight more than I do," because Matt Campbell is going to Penn State, and James Franklin-whatever you say about James Franklin, they've been consistent. James took you to 10-and-2 every year, sometimes 11-and-1, he took you to the playoffs. So I think Matt Campbell must be feeling a lot of pressure. But you know who else feels the pressure more than anyone else? Bryce Underwood. Oh. Oh my God. Let's invite Jay and Ben now. Guys, I want to have a broader discussion about the Michigan Wolverines.
Jay, Bryce Underwood came in and all the Watch out." Well, now they've got a little buyer's remorse here. So, Jay, do you think there's a chance that Bryce Underwood will be Oh, Davey, I know people in Michigan probably regret that Bryce didn't stay at LSU and take that money there. Mhm. I really think there's a chance he'll be benched. We saw Kyle Whittingham discuss, like, hey, you're going to have to make some tough decisions. I don't want to blame it all on Bryce Underwood because I'm not sure he has a great support team, and I don't know if the offensive system he plays in is built around him. Rather, he is trying to fit into this system. But when you look at his game, you see very, very serious mechanical errors. You see a poor reading of the
progressions. We know he has a strong hand. We know he's a big, physically strong guy who can run. But you just don't see enough of it on film, and it looks like he's trying to deal with everything on the field and not playing relaxed. I have a very, very bad feeling that at some point he will end up on the bench and it will be $12 million down the drain. And I 'll be frank, Ben, O.B. Dave, no one deserves this more than that team. Karma is something else, isn't it? You know, it's funny that you mentioned that $12 million figure. And, of course, we have to take all this skeptically, because we don't have the documents. But this is the number that was announced-12 million. Ben, this is a new world, because before,
if you didn't like a player, you put him on the bench. Everything you invested is a scholarship. Do you think they feel a financial connection to Bryce Underwood? 100%, guys. Look at this. This is an example of what we see in major college football, modern major college football, where all of this just muddies the waters. There is no other way to say it. It's play and pay, right? What to do when you have a boyfriend who seriously doesn't live up to expectations? It is debatable whether he was underdeveloped? What is the scheme there? What else? It doesn't really matter. He is not playing at the level that the University of Michigan needs right now. And should we
put him on the bench, right? So it's the teams, the donors, the alumni, all the stakeholders, and Kyle Whittingham and this staff, whether they want to or not, are going to feel the pressure to get him out on the field. This is a huge investment . These investments do not pay off. We are talking about return on investment (ROI). It's a term we now use in major college football. This doesn't work. Hmm, it's just fascinating to watch what's happening in Ann Arbor. And, as Jay said, it couldn't have happened with a better team.
Yes, what Kurt Cignetti definitely didn't do was trust 12 million teenagers. He built his program through the transfer portal and experience. Next up in " Football Fever, " we'll take a look at Indiana's plan. And is Ohio State trying to emulate him? Stay with us. Time for our fantastic photo of the week from G&J Pepsi. A family photo of the Vesco and Thomas families spending the day at a Buckeye away game. I will say this, one of my favorite things about this job is the opportunity to visit different campuses and experience their atmosphere. Obi, did you have a favorite college town when you were playing that you thought was a good place to go?
Well, not necessarily when I was playing, but with Football Fever, I would definitely say that the best time I had was at Purdue. Purdue was a fun city to be in and a great place to have a good time. Great restaurants, great pizza. So I would choose Purdue. Yes, we had a good pizza here yesterday. Okay, let's talk about how Kurt Cignetti built this team through the transfer portal. Earlier, Obi, we talked about Bryce Underwood in the last block. You're giving $12 million to a guy who hasn't proven anything yet.
Now we're starting to see teams saying, "You know what? Go somewhere else. Show us you're worth something. Then we'll start paying you." "What do you think about this new business model? You know, I think it's interesting. It's like business and corporations, right? Are you going to give a chance to a guy who's just out of college, or are you going to give it to someone who's more experienced, right? They have a resume, and you can say, 'Okay, here's some of their proclivities.' So I think college football has taken some of that. Cignetti has mastered it perfectly.
Mhm. Yeah, it's interesting because, you know, when you watch a guy in high school, you have questions about the level of competition on the video. Even with Arch Manning, I remember when the Arch Manning clip came out, he was the best quarterback. People were like, 'Yeah, but look at these guys he's playing against.' They look like teenagers from Division VI." Isn't that right? And you saw some of this coming to light. But Kurt Cignetti found a way to use other players' college records and put them to good use. Ryan Day talked about this earlier this week. We have to give credit to Indiana.
You know, you have to give credit to Coach Cignetti. You have to give credit to the Boise coaching staff for what they did. And I think they have a very experienced team. And these guys played a lot of matches. And if you look, many players in all three phases of the game have had over 1,000 plays in college. So he did a very good job and their staff did a very good job of bringing in guys who are mature and have played a lot of football before. And it started, of course, with the involvement of a few guys from James Madison. But he continues to find not only those who have played a lot of football, but also those who fit his culture and are good football players, which is what we are seeing this season.
I've heard a lot of Buckeyes fans say, "Why don't we do what Indiana did?" "Well, actually you do." It's just that Ohio State starts with a better overall talent base out of school, and they develop more players, so you don't necessarily have to go there. But, Obi, if you look at recent history, they turned to the transfer portal and found a way out. Yeah, I mean, look at Will Howard, he was " one and done," right? It's interesting because what they're really buying-and I don't want to talk about athletes as a commodity, but I mean, from an athletic perspective, you're buying leadership, right? When you take someone from the portal, you bring leadership, you bring a winning mentality, you know? But you also bring maturity. So there are certain
things you have to deal with when a player is a freshman, right? What you will encounter in a freshman or sophomore, you will not encounter in someone who is at the end of their career, maybe in their third or fourth year. They only have one or two years left, three at most. Their sense of urgency is on a whole other level, and I think that's what Sig has been banking on when it comes to Indiana football. And Ohio State did the same. Yeah, I don't think Ohio State should follow their example, because like I said, they're different things. By choosing for Ohio State, you can get the best players. Indiana is trying to build an entire program through the portal. The Buckeyes almost
look at it like, " Where's the hole in us?" Here comes Caleb Downs. Now we need a junior. "Yes, right?" We're losing a running back to the NFL, let's bring in Quinshawn Jenkins. This is how they look at it. It's like closing holes here and there. Yeah, and you also use those people who are already there to bring in other players, right? You use this fundamental leadership and maturity, because look at Jeremiah Smith. Now, who is he mentoring, right? Chris Henry Jr. So, you use the top players, the top recruits coming out of the school, to bring in others. And that's a luxury for Ohio
State that many universities don't have. Yeah, well, I'll tell you what. This is interesting. It's interesting to me that Indiana is beautiful. It's interesting that a game like this matters. I have been to this place many times. But I've never had this feeling before. I can say that we are approaching the start of the match on Fox 28: Buckeyes vs. Guzirs. More football drive and final thoughts after the break. Time for our Hyundai game keys: Because it's in the punch. Jacoby Jackson is out today, so Bo Jackson will have to take over. The cover guys, I mean the OSU defense. Last time they played Indiana, they got a good deal. It's time to prove your mettle against two first-round-level receivers. And just about the hits-
God, Connor Hawkins. If it all depends on you, you should score. Jaden Fielding missed last year, and Connor had a chance earlier this year when he converted three of four against Texas. But they will remember the one that was most needed. That's the specificity of this business. We've discussed this before. Both, but regarding the first key-Because in the blow. There is no Jacoby Jackson. That could matter today, because Jacoby was gaining a lot of tough yards. What? Yeah, but you know, it reminds me of Ezekiel Elliott.
Many times, Ezekiel Elliott only really came on late in the third and fourth quarters. He had the ability and strength to wear down the opponent's defense. I think Bo Jackson will finally get a chance to wear down the defense. Jay mentioned 15-16, maybe 17 ball carries. I think it will actually be good for Ohio State. It's funny that you mentioned Zeke Elliott and his play in the endgame, because I remember this same arena in 2015, in a game that was never supposed to be tight. Then Zeke Elliott had three touchdowns of over 50 yards in the second half. He then decided the fate of the match.
Obi, do you think it will be an even game again today? I think so. You know what? People ask us all the time, right? Yes, all the fans when they walk by Hey, what do you think? Honestly, I'm starting to feel like this is going to be a four-quarter game. I think it goal or a last-ditch play in the final seconds. I feel exactly that atmosphere. I could be wrong, but that's how I feel right now. Yeah, let's hand it over to Ben and Jay, guys. Final thoughts before the game. I think the game will be intense, and let me tell you, Indiana loves these conditions. This should worry Ohio State fans, but the Buckeyes have to find a way to win such a
close matchup. So, I think it would be a perfect scenario if Ohio State managed to pull out a 24-21 victory in a tight battle. Yes. Should be a great match, guys. Okay, Jay, what are your final thoughts before the Buckeyes take on the Goosers? This is a confrontation between top 5 teams. Today, everyone is watching this. That's why, that's why you're going to play for Ohio State, man. Ben, we're about to see the biggest test for Ohio State since last year's Big Ten championship, since the playoffs. I mean, this game will probably determine
the balance of power in the Big Ten, the battle for conference dominance. Indiana is fighting for dominance in the Big Ten. In recent seasons, they have shown that they can maintain this level. Ohio State, I know people are going to say I'm exaggerating a bit , but this looks like a matchup that Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes are bound to win. I understand that even if they lose, if they continue to play flawlessly, they can still make the playoffs. It's not about the playoffs. It's about the Big Ten Conference. The point is for Ryan Day to prove he's a big-game coach and can beat Kirk Cignetti even when he doesn't have his best lineup or a Heisman-level quarterback. This is a must-win
for Ohio State. It's simply a matter of the college football hierarchy. You don't want certain teams to have a chance to upset that balance, and that's exactly what Indiana is. Of course. If they win this game, it will officially be clear that they are now the new leading force in the Big Ten. This cannot be allowed. Honestly, I don't want the game to be tense. I think Indiana's weak point is their secondary, everything that happens behind. Ohio State can take advantage of this. If the line defense is solid for Julian Seyin, watch out, Ohio State could win by two touchdowns. If the defense sags a bit, there will be holes and positional errors-it will be a tense game, and that doesn't bode well against Kirk Signetti.
Let's see who will become the X- factor today. You know, when you look at this, we're talking about big moments in college football. I have my hopes up for Jeremiah Smith. Is this a Heisman-worthy moment, Day, or are you just doing everything you can to win this game? You know what? I don't think you can go into a game thinking, "We have to win the Heisman for Jeremy Smith." No, no, no, no, no. You have to go into the game thinking, "We have to beat Indiana." "And Ryan Day has to think, 'I have to outplay Kirk Cignetti,' which I have n't been able to do yet." Yes, let's see what the X-factor will be today. I think that requires solid play on offense, defense, and special teams.
We'll see who becomes the new king of the Big 10. Hopefully it'll be Ohio State, and it'll continue like this. Great work, as always, my friend. Nation of Bakayev, fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a great game today. This concludes our Football Fever program. The Bakay vs. Guzer match will start in a few minutes on Fox. Don't forget to tune in to tonight's postgame show at 11:00 right here on ABC. In the meantime, enjoy the game, good luck to everyone, and go for it, Buckeyes!
