Buckle up, football fans – Ohio State's methodical approach is turning heads, but is it hiding a game-changer or just playing it safe? You won't want to miss how Ryan Day's strategy could redefine Big Ten dominance.
Greetings from the Skull Session, your go-to spot for the latest buzz in college football.
First off, a big shoutout to Indiana's head coach, Curt Cignetti, who's decided to hang up his whistle after a successful run with the Hoosiers. He's inking an eight-year deal that makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the game, pulling in a hefty $11.6 million annually. Talk about a well-deserved retirement plan – you can catch the details right here (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/the-big-ten/2025/10/158765/indiana-s-curt-cignetti-becomes-college-football-s-third-highest-paid-coach-with-eight-year-contract-worth-11-6-million-per-year).
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 16, 2025 (https://twitter.com/IndianaFootball/status/1978914872730484763?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
And boom! Ohio State just landed another massive commitment for their 2028 recruiting class: a five-star defensive lineman named Jameer Whyce. This is huge for the Buckeyes' future – check out the full story and excitement (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2025/10/158760/five-star-2028-ohio-defensive-lineman-jameer-whyce-commits-to-ohio-state).
BOOM (https://twitter.com/hashtag/BOOM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Ohio State's second commitment for the 2028 recruiting class is a five-star defensive lineman.https://t.co/5hF08c2G6C pic.twitter.com/mZHyOIYaBU (https://t.co/mZHyOIYaBU)
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 16, 2025 (https://twitter.com/11W/status/1978905939156832365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Wishing you a fantastic Friday, everyone.
FLASHBACK TEN YEARS: Michigan Wrestled with a Critical Snap Fumble.
Joe Rexrode from The Athletic dropped a gripping oral history piece yesterday, recounting that infamous moment when Michigan fumbled a crucial snap against Michigan State. It features insights from coaches like Mark Dantonio and Tom Izzo, players such as Jake Butt, and commentators including Sean McDonough. It's a riveting read that dives into the chaos – definitely worth your time (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6717831/2025/10/16/trouble-with-the-snap-michigan-state-michigan-punt/).
But here's where it gets controversial... Wisconsin, currently at 2-4 and winless in Big Ten play, is battling it out in a tie for last place with teams like Michigan State, Penn State, Rutgers, and Purdue. Yet, Ohio State's Ryan Day isn't taking them lightly. He emphasizes that the Buckeyes need to ramp up their energy to match the Badgers' fiery determination this weekend at Camp Randall Stadium.
“Luke Fickell is an exceptional coach with a proven track record of tough, smart play,” Day remarked on Wednesday. “Even though their season hasn't met expectations, the film shows a defense that's among the nation's best. A couple of big breaks could ignite their offense and turn things around. Road games in this conference are always tough, no doubt about it. We're sticking to our routines, but we know they'll come out desperate, with everything on the line. We can't just match their intensity – we have to exceed it.”
Wisconsin's Luke Fickell echoes that urgency, saying his team has nothing to lose against the top-ranked Buckeyes. For beginners, this means the Badgers might play more aggressively since they're not worried about preserving a lead – it's all about going for broke.
“I think what sometimes limits us is our own pursuit of perfection,” Fickell explained. “Facing the No. 1 team means embracing imperfection. It's about rising to the challenge, recognizing that mistakes happen, and speeding up the game to improve. Holding back for flawless play won't win it; against a powerhouse like Ohio State, we need that spark of freedom.”
Fickell also points out that Ohio State's evolving confidence, boosted by a new quarterback and fresh talent, adds another layer of difficulty. Their complementary style – where offense and defense work seamlessly – has grown throughout the season, making them harder to crack.
To extinguish that fire, Ohio State's strategy is simple: jump out quick and smother the momentum. “We need a strong start and give it everything we've got to secure the victory,” Day said on his radio show (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2025/10/158756/ryan-day-radio-show-ryan-day-thinks-ohio-state-will-have-a-full-group-ready-to-roll-against-wisconsin-expects-the). “Let's dominate!”
And this is the part most people miss: the unsung hero elevating the entire defense.
How elite is Caleb Downs? “He's the top defensive player in college football,” Day declared on Wednesday. Absolutely spot on.
Despite modest stats – 28 tackles, two for loss, and one interception so far – the third-year defensive back snagged midseason All-American nods from outlets like The Associated Press (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2025/10/158754/buckeyes-arvell-reese-jeremiah-smith-caleb-downs-named-ap-midseason-first-team-all-americans), The Athletic (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/skull-sessions/2025/10/158741/skull-session-buckeyes-continue-to-rack-up-midseason-all-american-awards-ohio-state-s-slow-pace-of-play-feels-controlled), and CBS Sports (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/skull-sessions/2025/10/158697/skull-session-ryan-day-says-the-buckeyes-expect-to-be-great-and-expect-to-win-all-the-time-caleb-downs-and-arvell-reese). Why? Because Downs is the glue holding Ohio State's defense together, often called “the guy who orchestrates it all.”
“We see Caleb's on-field impact, but his real magic is in leadership – communicating, unifying the team, and boosting morale,” Day noted. “It might fly under the radar for some.”
Even Fickell acknowledges Downs as one of Ohio State's standout players, highlighting his versatility that complicates defensive reads.
“The key is his deceptive positioning, but that doesn't diminish the frontline's strength,” Day added. “He elevates everyone.”
Day elaborated: “With some inexperienced players early on, veterans like Caleb and Sonny Styles brought guidance and poise. That's invaluable and often overlooked. Caleb isn't just talented; he's transformative, making his teammates excel. That's the mark of a true great.”
A quick nod to Nick Saban's retirement – we're forever thankful for his legacy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mvFS4nzGiQ&pp=ygUaV2UgYXJlIGV0ZXJuYWxseSBncmF0ZWZ1bC7SBwkJ_AkBhyohjO8%3D).
Now, for a potential debate: Is Ohio State's deliberate pace a masterstroke or a missed opportunity?
In last week's Skull Session (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/skull-sessions/2025/10/158741/skull-session-buckeyes-continue-to-rack-up-midseason-all-american-awards-ohio-state-s-slow-pace-of-play-feels-controlled), we broke down Ohio State's play tempo: averaging 60 plays per game, ranking 132nd in FBS – right behind teams like Cincinnati, Miami (Ohio), North Carolina, and UL Monroe. Is this intentional control?
Day's radio insights confirm it: “Huddling lets us align everyone, adjust plays, and stay alert,” he said. “We value the huddle for its strategic edge. We can shift speeds when needed, but efficiency reigns. Our depth and injuries influence the slower pace, yet if we can rack up yards fast, I'm all for it.”
He chuckled about recent drives against Illinois: “Two three-and-outs? Not the plan. Let's grab those first downs and keep rolling. We'll dictate the rhythm that suits us best, focusing on explosiveness and points.”
In Day we trust – completely.
SONG OF THE DAY: "Luxury" by Jon Bellion.
CUT TO THE CHASE: Ace Frehley, the iconic original lead guitarist of Kiss, passed away at 74 (https://apnews.com/article/ace-frehley-dead-kiss-36d8ed5073bc169bf1e14ea1dc13f30e)... FIFA reports over a million tickets sold for the 2026 World Cup in North America (https://apnews.com/article/fifa-world-cup-tickets-aa5ec608f51b398174b1c234d85f8def)... A Texas farmer spotted a car-sized object and discovered lost NASA gear (https://apnews.com/article/nasa-equipment-parachute-west-texas-field-7463639a9a085d2ec7d1640776c85fa8)... D'Angelo's music was truly eternal (https://www.theringer.com/2025/10/15/music/dangelo-death-obituary-legacy-albums-songs-music).
Is slowing down the game against powerhouse defenses a smart tactic, or does it risk losing momentum? Do you agree with Day's trust in the huddle, or think Ohio State should always go fast? And on Downs – is leadership more crucial than flashy stats in football? Drop your thoughts in the comments – let's debate!
