Paul Finebaum blasts Ohio State's 'laughable' non-conference schedule ahead of Big Ten play
Once again Ohio State rolled this weekend to finish out their non-conference schedule. Defeating Marshall 49-14 in Ohio Stadium on Saturday as they now head into their Big Ten schedule.
It’s no secret that the Buckeyes were not really tested to start the college football season, outscoring their opponents 157-20 in their first three games of the season. A reality that college football analyst Paul Finebaum clearly has a problem with and discussed on The Matt Barie Show.
“I’ve always been a big fan of that administration up there, but I mean what we’ve seen from Ohio State this year is really beyond words,” Finebaum said. “The fact that they took the road less traveled, they played the worst non-conference schedule I have seen. And Georgia had a reason for it last year, if you remember, they had that game with Oklahoma. Can someone explain what Ohio State’s reason and rationale has been this year?”
Ohio State is one of the few teams in the FBS that does not face a Power Four opponent in their non-conference schedule this college football season. Matchups that in some cases represent some of the most highly anticipated and exciting games of the year.
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“I was with Brian Kelly Saturday and he played you UCLA, which is not that big a deal, but it’s still better than any of those three. He played USC. We’ve seen all the other games Florida–Miami and Georgia-Clemson, I mean that is laughable,” Finebaum said. “What Ohio State has done is truly a travesty, and I know they won’t be held accountable, because they’ll run the table with either no losses or one loss and it won’t matter. But it’s still embarrassing.
Ohio State entered the college football season with a national championship or bust mentality. Regarded nationally as a program with one of the top roster’s in the country after retaining a majority of their top talent and adding numerous key players through the transfer portal. Matched with a non-conference schedule that definitely avoids risk and a potential costly loss, and according to Finebaum, also sells fans short.
“It’s a complete and total rip off of the fan base, the Ohio State fans who support the program,” Finebaum said. “Now Ohio State fans, most of the ones I meet, they’re like sheep. You can just lead them anywhere, you can lead them to slaughter and they’ll say, ‘Thank you sir, may I have another?’ But I would be up in arms at money you have to spend to support a program like that. Especially with a $20 million payroll last year to have those type of garbage games on my home schedule.”
“I just think of all the fans I run into at airports every Friday morning and one from Ohio State this week was berating me, and I’m like what do you guys done?” Finebaum asked. “I mean you’ve lost to Michigan three straight years and you’re playing some middle schools basically to get ready for your Big Ten schedule.”
Finebaum’s comments were definitely harsh, taking shots at the Ohio State program and fan base. But both will gladly take the criticism if it results in the Buckeyes taking back a Big Ten title and winning a national championship this season.