Mailbox: Disdain for the NIL era and joy at Ohio State's possible rematch with Michigan

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com

On Ohio State football

Dear Editor: After watching the embarrassing loss to Michigan, I am wondering if the coaching staff for OSU plans to show up for the game against Georgia. The coaching staff was absent and obviously missed the bus to the last game.Chet Ridenour, Worthington

Dear Brian: The USA Today network article about next year's Heisman hopefuls contained a small bit on Marvin Harrison Jr. Of course, we know non-QBs have no chance as Heisman voters only know how to watch the guy who has the ball on every play. But, the writeup included the observation that "regardless of who takes the snaps (as OSU QB in 2023), Harrison and this offense will put up big numbers." That is the definition of being taken for granted. This line of thinking is why no OSU head football coach has won a Coach of the Year title in at least 40 years, and why our QBs can't win the Heisman. It is a form of a compliment, but it denies recognition to people who have to work extremely hard to make winning look so easy that it can be taken for granted.

Doug Shoemaker, Westerville

To the sports editor: After realizing it's over, here is my viewpoint: Three weeks ago, Justin Fields set a rushing record for NFL quarterbacks. Four weeks ago, C.J Stroud showed his skill as a runner against Northwestern. If coach Day was concerned about C.J getting hurt, then bring in one of our baseball coaches and teach our quarterbacks how to-SLIDE. There were many openings, and that could have made the difference in the game. Think about it. It could also have won C.J the Heisman.

Bary Alan Leeman, Bexley

To the editor: Ohio loves the Buckeyes, and it is time to show it. Georgia is going to be a challenge but our team can leash the Bulldogs if we believe and support them. Let us show our better angels and lift our Buckeyes to victory through positive thoughts. The haters for sure will call for Mike Vrabel to replace Coach Day if OSU loses, but let’s go with the coach and team we have not we with coach and team that exists only in fairy tales. Go Bucks and show C.J. the Woody is with him and not against him.

Michael Oser, Columbus

To the sports editor:

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

AND I HAD PLENTY TO DO.

I STILL CAN'T STOP THINKING

HOW WE GOT BEAT BY THE BLUE.

WHEN WE CAME UP SHORT

THE CITY WAS IN SHOCK

THE PARTIES WERE CANCELED

THIS WAS NO TIME TO ROCK

THE BANNERS NOW HUNG AT HALF MAST.

COULD IT BE TRUE?

TWO YEARS IN A ROW WE GOT BEAT

BY BIG BLUE!

THE CITY WAS IN MOURNING.

OUR NUMBER TWO SPOT WAS LOST.

PENALTIES AND BIG PLAYS

CERTAINLY COST.

THE BUCKEYES STILL FILLED WITH HOPE

WHEN NEWS FINALLY CAME

THAT UTAH CLIPPED USC

PUTTING US BACK IN THE GAME!

HAPPINESS RETURNED,WE ALL HAD BIG  SMILES

IN HOPES THAT STROUD WOULD PASS FOR MILES.

GIDDY AND BUZZED THE GLOOM HAD BEEN SHRED

NOW IT WAS VISIONS OF PLAYOFFS THAT WOULD DANCE IN OUR HEADS.

WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE ROSE SUCH A CLATTER I SPRANG FROM MY CRIB TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER.

MUCH TO MY DELIGHT HE APPEARED IN A SLEIGH

IT WAS WOODY HAYES DRESSED IN SCARLET AND GRAY.

HE LOOKED DOWN ON US WITH A WINK AND A FLASH

AND SAID, BOYS, CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY

NOW KICK GEORGIA'S ASS.

GEORGIA COMES IN ALL BULLY AND PUMPED

BUT IF OUR D HOLDS UP THE DOGS WILL GET PUNKED.

ONE STEP AT A TIME.

WE WILL CLIMB THAT LADDER.

AND MAYBE ANOTHER SHOT

AT BIG BLUE IS ALL THAT WILL MATTER.

Martin Osmond, Powell

On college football

To Brian: I thought this NIL arrangement was to allow companies to pay athletes to endorse their products. But when I hear about collectives, it seems to have become something very different. Isn't that a surprise? It's looking more and more like boosters just paying players, but it's all respectable now. And for those looking to transfer, it's just become free agency for amateurs, and then there's the impact on recruiting. One thing I would like to see, though, would be provisions in those contracts that would withhold a considerable amount of that money from a player − oh, I mean student-athlete − who chooses to skip a bowl game.

Dennis Singleton, Dayton

To the sports department: I, like many of the Buckeye Nation fans, are disappointed at the position we’ve been put in. That is, the NCAA rolled over on the NIL issue and now have left it to the college presidents and athletic directors to raise monies to support the NIL needs. Where were those entities when the huge TV deals were signed for multiple millions? It appears they all rolled over like so many fans suspected they would. That is, it's become our responsibility to support the NIL needs of OSU athletes. Let’s face it , we’re now supporting sports teams just like professional sports fans support their teams. Face it , it is the National College Football League, or NCFL. The college presidents and athletic directors need to get together sooner, not later, to protect the games we love.

Dan Cutillo

Dear Mr. White: Ah, December football: High school and NCAA D-III playoffs; third-string NFL QBs (Flacco) and third-team ones (Mayfield) getting meaningful snaps during the NFL’s 17-game slog and, lest we forget, the flag-waving hype machine turned up to “11” for Army v. Navy.

Hope everyone read Rob Oller’s “12-team CFP both tasty and tough to swallow,“ a comprehensive look at how the new playoff format will change college football and particularly the December experience. (He finds the prospect of, say, Florida State visiting Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium in late December particularly appealing.) Also, now that the NFL has concluded Christmas Day is not just for Santa and LeBron James, look for that league to continue to evolve as well. Its habit of scheduling prime-time games based on reputations with a dash of “recency of events bias” added has led to some gruesome matchups once the Bucs, Rams, Packers, Steelers, Broncos, Browns and Raiders decided to take 2022 off. Expect the NFL to increasingly “flex” their late-season lineup to get rid of pairings that seemed like a good idea at the time. And, lastly, when will both the NCAA and NFL refuse to abandon an entire December Saturday out of deference to Army v. Navy? My guess is: very, very soon.

Jon Armstrong, Columbus

More from the Mailbox:

Ohio State football coaches' bonuses in wake of Michigan loss adds to the pain

Ohio State lost to Michigan in football, and readers aren't happy

How dare Ohio State fans think about football at a Columbus Blue Jackets game!

Ryan Day, CJ Stroud get lifetime passes for Kamryn Babb's emotional Ohio State TD

Ryan Day outcoached, OSU line is soft, and about the Woody vs. Day comparison ...

Ryan Day is a better coach than Woody Hayes ... unless he loses to Michigan again

Kudos to the performance at the Ohio State-Iowa football game ... by the bands

List of best Ohio State football home games should include these crushing losses

Ryan Day, Ohio State football not preparing properly in case of CJ Stroud injury

'Aloof' Ohio State football players need to stop ignoring their adoring fans

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Disdain for NIL, joy at a possible OSU vs. Michigan rematch: Letters