Drive the Lane Podcast: Talking through rough weekend for Ohio State

After a rough weekend of Ohio State Sports, Andrew and Joey are back to talk about what happened in the playoff game against Clemson, give away their football season awards and discuss the loss in basketball to West Virginia.

Then they give their New Year’s Resolutions and finish the show by taking calls and answering questions from the listeners.

Drive the Lane is proudly presented by High Street Tees.

The official game day bar of Drive the Lane Podcast is Threes Above High.

The guys also put together a list of their top-10 Ohio State football and basketball moments of the past decade:

10. Ohio State hires Coach Chris Holtmann (June 9, 2017)

This is more of an important moment than it is a top moment for Ohio State. It was sad to see former coach Thad Matta go, but we can already see what Holtmann is capable of doing for the program. He is two for two in making the NCAA Tournament, and a third seems to be on the horizon this season as the Buckeyes have already beaten Villanova, North Carolina and Kentucky and are currently ranked second in the country. When looking back, we will definitely view this as a top moment.

9. Ohio State’s hail Mary win over Wisconsin (October 29, 2011)

Let me set the scene a little bit. Amid scandals and rumors, Jim Tressel is no longer the Ohio State coach and Terelle Pryor is no longer the Ohio State quarterback. It was a season of disappointment that ended at 6-7 with a loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl. One of the season’s only highlights was a win over No. 15 Wisconsin at home which included a 40-yard touchdown from then freshman Braxton Miller to Devin Smith which ultimately secured the game. This was a sign of what was to come from the emerging star at quarterback.

8. Evan Turner’s buzzer beater against Michigan (March 12, 2010)

Any time there’s a buzzer beater, there’s a chance for that shot/game to be a memorable moment. Add to it the fact that it was against Michigan and in the Big Ten Championship, and this is remembered as an all-time shot. Turner’s teammates mauled him after the shot went in, and Thad Matta almost gets a technical for screaming at the ref and celebrating. Turner would go on to win Naismith Player of the Year, with this shot being the equivalent of his Heisman Moment.

7. Ohio State Basketball wins at Duke (November 29, 2011)

Ohio State was ranked No. 3 and Duke was ranked No. 3, and it was the Buckeyes who went into Cameron Indoor Stadium and won by a final score of 85-63. This was one of many monumental moments for this Ohio State team that ultimately went on to the Final Four. William Buford’s 20 points, Jared Sullinger’s 21 points and 8 rebounds and Aaron Craft’s 17 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds help set the tone for the entire season. This game felt very similar to Ohio State’s beatdown of the Tar Heels at North Carolina just a few weeks ago.

6. Ohio State’s Elite 8 NCAA Tournament run (March 2013)

This tournament run was extremely memorable for Thad Matta and the Buckeyes as it was fresh off their Final Four run and the departure of Jared Sullinger and William Buford. As a two seed, the Buckeyes entered the tournament on the backs of Aaron Craft and Deshaun Thomas. In round one they beat Iona 95-70, then behind a last second game winner from Aaron Craft (maybe the highlight of his career) they beat Iowa State in the round of 32, then LaQuinton Ross hit a buzzer beater against Arizona in the Sweet 16 before the run was cut short with a loss to Wichita State in the Elite 8.

5. Ohio State football beats Alabama in the Sugar Bowl (January 1, 2015)

This game may have the signature video of the decade, the clip of Ezekiel Elliott watching himself on the video board on the way to a touchdown. Zeke finished with 230 yards and two touchdowns, which was one of the best games of his career. Michael Thomas and Evan Spencer hooked up for a trick-play touchdown that resulted in one of the greatest catches in Ohio State history. The Buckeyes were not only the underdog in the game, but they were told that they shouldn’t have even been in the playoff. After trailing early, the Buckeyes would go on a 28-0 run and win by a final score of 42-35.

4. Ohio State’s decade of dominance over Michigan

This really dates all the way back to 2004, as the Buckeyes have won 15 out of 16 matchups in The Game since then. But since 2010, the Buckeyes have won 9 out of 10 and are currently on an eight-game win streak. Within that streak is Urban Meyer’s 7-0 record against the Wolverines, and Jim Harbaugh is winless in the rivalry. Some may want this one ranked even higher, and considering it is a decade-long moment it may be hard to disagree with them.

3. Ohio State hires Urban Meyer (November 28, 2011)

After the worst season in Ohio State history since 2004, Urban Meyer is hired to coach the Buckeyes. It would change the course of football history. Meyer would go on to have a record of 83-9, win three Big Ten conference titles, go 7-0 against Michigan, post a 54-4 record in Big Ten Games — and, of course, he won a national championship. A simple paragraph doesn’t do justice to Meyer’s legacy at Ohio State. Maybe the most impressive thing he did was leave the cupboard full for Ryan Day, who picked up right where he left off with another Big Ten crown.

2. Ohio State Final Four run (March 2012)

This was the furthest an Ohio State basketball team got in this decade, and it was after a 25-6 record that the Buckeyes entered the tournament as a two seed. In the tournament they beat Loyola, Gonzaga, Cincinatti and then Syracuse to cut down the nets and get to the Final Four. The team was led by Aaron Craft, Deshaun Thomas, Jared Sullinger and William Buford. This was a such a memorable and incredible season for Thad Matta’s Buckeyes, and they finished with a final record of 31-8. They ultimately lost in the Final Four to Kansas by a score of 64-62, but making it all the way there and season highlights such as a win over Duke have this season and run second on moments of the decade.

1. Ohio State wins the National Championship (January 12, 2015)

Ok, so this is the big one. This feels like the moment that will end up being the top moment of the century come 2100. With a third-string quarterback, Ohio State had the worst odds of any of the playoff teams — and won it all. Ohio State beat Oregon and Heisman Trophy-winner Marcus Mariota by a final score of 42-20. Ezekiel Elliott had 246 yards and four touchdowns, and this was absolutely the best game of his career. Cardale Jones passed for 242 yards and a touchdown and added 38 rushing yards and a score as well. Urban Meyer holding up the trophy after the game will forever be an image associated with the Buckeyes, and this easily was the top moment of the decade.