Kirk Herbstreit challenges Ohio State's perception: 'It's a hardened team that's been through a lot of shit'

The fact that Ohio State spent $20 million on its roster during the offseason has been well-documented during the 2024 season. According to ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, the national perception of the team Ryan Day pieced together is all wrong.

Ahead of Penn State vs. Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, Herbstreit explained where that $20 million went and how the Buckeyes have used it to help lead them to the College Football Playoffs national semifinal against Texas.

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“The perception is they went out and bought $20 million — the reality is they paid $20 million to keep their guys from leaving and going elsewhere,” Hersbtreit said. “The perception is wrong with Ohio State. The perception is they went out and found players.

“The reality is, it’s a veteran defense. … Guys have been there forever, won a lot of great games, lost a lot to Michigan, lost to Oregon, lost to Georgia. It’s a hardened team that’s been through a lot of shit.”

"The perception is wrong with Ohio State… It's a hardened team that's been through a lot of shit." pic.twitter.com/et2GIQdW6f

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 9, 2025

Most of those who aided by compensation to stay on Ohio State’s roster were around for consecutive 11-win seasons in Columbus. While they hadn’t made the playoffs during that run, they were in the mix both seasons. Looking for even more in 2024-25, then according to what Herbstreit said, most of those stars were willing to stay put — at the right dollar, of course.

With that massive amount of cash largely stay within the Buckeyes program, Ohio State still had to dabble in the transfer portal for some of its star players. That includes Jeremiah Smith from the high school recruiting scene as well.

“Nine of their 11 starting defensive players are three-year starters. They’ve been there for three years. They’ve lost some tough games, and that’s what I think is interesting about this team,” Herbstreit continued.

“They brought in Caleb Downs, who’s a great player. That’s it. That’s the only guy on defense. They brought in a backup running back who hasn’t played a ton. They brought in Will Howard, and they brought in a center from Alabama (Seth McLaughlin), who’s hurt.”

Keeping the roster from last season intact has paid off, and one victory now seperates the Buckeyes from competing for a national championship.