‘There’s no debate’: FOX’s Gus Johnson talks Buckeyes’ playoff hopes ahead of Big Ten championship

No. four Ohio State enters Saturday’s matchup with No. 14 Northwestern in the Huge Ten championship recreation as the topic of limitless debates.  

Did the Buckeyes (5-Zero) play sufficient video games in 2020? Ought to Ohio State even be within the Huge Ten championship recreation? Is that this group worthy of Faculty Soccer Playoff consideration underneath second-year coach Ryan Day?  

FOX play-by-play analyst Gus Johnson — who will name the sport at midday ET on FOX together with colour analyst Joel Klatt and sideline reporter Jenny Taft — is not listening to these questions. This would be the 10th Ohio State recreation Johnson has referred to as over the previous two seasons.

MORE: OSU vs. Northwestern preview  

“There is not any debate,” Johnson informed Sporting Information earlier than turning up the quantity. “Did you hear me? There is not any debate. The Huge Ten did what the Huge Ten was presupposed to do. Ohio State is likely one of the finest groups in America. We’re not going to penalize probably the greatest groups within the nation. Among the best groups in America just isn’t going to be penalized by their convention with some guidelines that had been made throughout unsure instances in sports activities — particularly in school sports activities. Interval. Come on. Let’s not stand on ceremony.”  

The Huge Ten waived its eligibility necessities for the Huge Ten championship recreation on Dec. 10, a call that adopted the cancellation of Ohio State’s rivalry recreation in opposition to Michigan. 

The Buckeyes’ schedule has been questioned — however they nonetheless have an offense that averages 46.6 factors per recreation led by 2019 Heisman finalist Justin Fields. Ought to the two-year starter be thought of for the award once more this season?  

“He is a Heisman finalist,” Johnson mentioned. “There is not any doubt about it. Like I mentioned, let’s not stand on ceremony. You possibly can’t penalize these children. They did not do something improper. It is COVID, and it has an impression on everyone.”  

Northwestern (6-1) is seeking to finish Ohio State’s string of three straight Huge Ten championships. The Wildcats received the Huge Ten West for the second time in three seasons. Indiana switch Peyton Ramsey steadied the offense, and the protection permits simply 14.6 factors per recreation, which ranks second within the FBS.  

Do the Wildcats have a convention championship upset in thoughts?  

“They’d need to play the perfect video games they’ve ever performed of their lives, and Ohio State must play perhaps their worst,” Johnson mentioned. “I feel Northwestern goes to play them exhausting and hard, however with regards to Ohio State they’ve a number of the finest gamers within the nation. That is the place execs go to discover ways to be execs.”  

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To Johnson’s level, the Buckeyes are 20.5-point favorites. The five-game pattern, nevertheless, appears to be part of a bigger dialog. How does Ohio State stack up in opposition to the opposite heavyweights in No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Notre Dame and No. three Clemson? That’s the place these debates have been popping up extra typically, and it facilities across the Buckeyes’ protection.  

Ohio State has allowed 23.2 factors per recreation, which is sort of 10 extra factors than final season’s unit, which featured All-Individuals Chase Younger and Jeff Okudah.  

“They misplaced the No. 2 and No. three picks within the NFL Draft, so perhaps they don’t seem to be pretty much as good, however what’s that imply?” Johnson mentioned. “What is nice? They’re nonetheless undefeated. They’ve had one sort of shut recreation with Indiana, which was by no means actually doubtful. We’ll see how good they’re once they play Clemson or Notre Dame or … Alabama.”  

That’s an anticipated situation that excites Johnson. 

“Clemson, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Alabama? I’ll get some particular popcorn for that,” Johnson mentioned. “I am not going to say Northwestern cannot win, but when these 4 groups get to the ultimate, then it is on.” 

The Faculty Soccer Playoff pairings shall be introduced Sunday, and Johnson — like most different school soccer followers — is taking a day-by-day method due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“Let’s maintain our fingers crossed that we’ll have the Huge Ten championship,” Johnson mentioned. “As soon as we get there, let’s sit again and luxuriate in this recreation. 

“We’ll see a big-time recreation and Ohio State has that probability to maintain transferring on and signify the convention within the (Faculty Soccer Playoff),” he mentioned. “We’ll get out of the roaring ’20s and get on to some new pastures in 2021.”