The day has finally arrived for Ohio State to play their first game in 2024 against the Akron Zips.
The Buckeyes should blow Akron away, and the game shouldn’t even be competitive. However, Ohio State will be facing a handful of competitive games this season against Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan, and they put together a roster to do it.
© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State attacked the transfer portal this offseason, bringing in star players Caleb Downs, Will Howard, and Quinshon Judkins and returning many of their starters.
A report showed that Ohio State spent around $20 million in NIL money on this year’s roster, which got Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin reacting to it. He said he knows that money is higher than NIL money given out at other programs, and another SEC coach had something to say about the Buckeye’s loaded roster.
Nick Saban Goes After Ohio State’s Roster
Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban is one of the new hosts on ESPN’s College Gameday and isn’t a fan of the Buckeyes $20 million roster.
Saban stated,” I just wanna say, you guys keep talking about a $20 million roster. If you don’t pay the right guys, you’ll be out of luck.”
Nick Saban on Ohio State’s roster:
“I just wanna say, you guys keep talking about a $20 million roster, if you don’t pay the right guys, you’ll be shit out of luck”https://t.co/tkZ8XvQCxx pic.twitter.com/JUAEgLTTvF
— On3 (@On3sports) August 31, 2024
Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day speaks to players during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Saban knows a thing or two about rosters since he has won seven national championships as head coach, and he’s totally right: If you’re paying the wrong guys, $20 million means nothing.
Two weeks in, and we’re already getting Classic Saban. 😂 pic.twitter.com/yrrEYthw0q
— Bryant-Denny Stadium (@BryantDenny_UA) August 31, 2024
Ohio State has to make sure it pays guys who want to be Buckeyes and are in for the team and not themselves. If the Buckeyes have great players but aren’t team first, then it won’t matter how much money they give out because they aren’t going to win anything.
It will be interesting to see how Ohio State’s talent comes together this season. Hopefully, they will listen to Saban, come together as one, and become a team, all trying to reach the same goal.
