It sounds like the Ohio head coach has not done his homework on Ohio State, and that is something that immediately sparks conversation, debate, and maybe even a bit of frustration for fans who know just how big of a deal preparation is when it comes to taking on the Buckeyes. Any time you hear someone downplaying Ohio State, or making it seem like they are just another opponent on the schedule, you can tell right away whether that coach has taken the time to understand the program, its culture, and what it actually means to line up against one of the most consistently dominant teams in college football. For years, the Buckeyes have carried the weight of expectation not just within the Big Ten, but across the entire college football landscape, and pretending that you can just walk into that kind of matchup without an immense amount of research, strategy, and respect is asking for trouble. That’s why this whole situation feels so compelling—because it touches on the larger question of what makes a coach credible, what kind of preparation separates winners from those who get embarrassed on the national stage, and how fans are going to respond when they feel like their program isn’t being taken seriously.
When you think about Ohio State, you think about a program that has built itself on precision, discipline, and preparation. Coaches who have gone up against the Buckeyes know they have to bring their A-game not just on the field but in every detail leading up to kickoff. Game plans need to be airtight, scouting reports need to cover every angle, and coaches need to understand what Ryan Day’s team is capable of doing in all three phases of the game. That is why, if it even appears that an opposing coach has not done his homework, it raises red flags for fans, analysts, and even players. It isn’t just about looking unprepared—it’s about sending a message that you’re not taking your opponent seriously. Against most teams, maybe you can get away with that. Against Ohio State? Not a chance. The Buckeyes thrive when they sense weakness, when they see that an opponent isn’t ready for their speed, their physicality, and their ability to adapt in-game.
Part of the issue, too, comes from the way Ohio State has been viewed historically. They aren’t just another program you can overlook or treat as an equal when you’re the underdog. Their recruiting consistently ranks among the best in the nation, their development pipeline to the NFL is unmatched outside of a select few programs, and their culture is centered around dominating not just opponents, but entire conferences. So when an opposing head coach, especially one leading a team that doesn’t carry the same level of national clout, appears dismissive or unprepared, it becomes a talking point that fans latch onto. They want to know why this coach isn’t showing the level of respect that Ohio State demands. They want to know how a leader of young men can possibly think his team will have a shot if he hasn’t taken the time to study every detail of what makes the Buckeyes so dangerous.
It’s also important to remember that fans live and breathe this stuff. Ohio State fans especially are some of the most passionate in the country, and they know their team inside and out. They know how much work their players put in during the offseason, how intense the conditioning and film sessions are, and how seriously the coaching staff approaches each and every matchup. For them, the idea that an opposing head coach might have been lazy with his preparation feels insulting. It feels like someone is underestimating not just the team, but the entire community that rallies behind them. That’s why these types of comments or attitudes can go viral, because they strike a chord with people who are deeply invested in making sure their program is respected.
From a tactical standpoint, failing to do your homework on Ohio State is essentially forfeiting before the game even starts. This is a team that can beat you in so many ways—through the air with NFL-ready quarterbacks and receivers, on the ground with explosive running backs, and defensively with athletes who close space faster than most teams are ready for. They also excel on special teams, an area many coaches overlook until it’s too late. So when an opposing coach isn’t diving deep into film, when he isn’t preparing his players for the speed and intensity they’ll face, he’s setting them up for failure. And the worst part is, players usually know when their coach hasn’t prepared them properly. They feel it in practice, they notice it in film sessions, and when the game starts spiraling out of control, they realize it could have been avoided with better leadership.
But there’s another layer to this, one that makes it especially interesting to fans. When a coach doesn’t do his homework, it raises questions about his future, his credibility, and his ability to lead. Fans don’t just want to see wins—they want to believe in the person leading their program. If the Ohio head coach really has been caught slipping, what does that say about his long-term vision? What does it say about his commitment to making his team competitive, not just against mid-tier opponents, but against the giants of college football? This isn’t just about one game against Ohio State. It’s about what it represents—a litmus test for whether a coach is truly cut out for the job or whether he’s just going through the motions.
That’s where the conversation becomes one fans should absolutely jump into. Do you think this is just a case of words being taken out of context, or do you think the coach genuinely hasn’t done his homework? Do you think players notice this kind of thing, or do you believe they block out the noise and just focus on the field? And maybe the bigger question—how much does respect for an opponent matter in a sport like college football, where confidence is key but arrogance can be your undoing? These are the types of debates that fuel fanbases, that keep message boards buzzing, and that make college football so different from any other sport.
On the flip side, some might argue that maybe this is all part of a psychological tactic. Maybe the coach is intentionally downplaying Ohio State to take pressure off his players, to make it seem like they’re just playing another opponent rather than one of the most storied programs in the country. Maybe he’s trying to instill confidence by avoiding the aura that surrounds the Buckeyes. That’s possible, and it’s something worth discussing, because sometimes what looks like lack of preparation is actually a strategy designed to change the mindset of a team. But even if that’s the case, it’s a risky move, because fans, media, and especially opponents will latch onto those comments and turn them into motivation. Ohio State doesn’t need any extra fuel, but if you hand it to them, they’ll use it to remind you why they’ve been at the top of the sport for so long.
All of this comes back to a simple truth: in college football, perception matters just as much as preparation. If you’re a coach and people believe you haven’t done your homework, that perception can stick with you, whether it’s fair or not. It impacts how recruits view your program, how fans feel about your leadership, and how opponents prepare for you in return. That’s why situations like this don’t just blow over—they linger, they fester, and they become talking points that fans never forget. Every coach gets judged by how they perform against the giants, and Ohio State is one of the ultimate giants. So if you haven’t done your homework, if you haven’t taken every measure possible to be ready, you’re not just letting your team down—you’re letting down your entire program’s reputation.
So what do you think? Is this an overreaction from fans who are hyper-aware of how much respect their program deserves, or is it a legitimate concern that shows the Ohio head coach might not be cut out for the big stage? Should we view this as arrogance, negligence, or just a miscalculated motivational tactic? College football is fueled by these debates, and your voice matters in shaping how the narrative unfolds. Drop your thoughts below—do you think Ohio has any chance at making this competitive, or are we about to see another example of what happens when you underestimate the Buckeyes? Your perspective could be the one that sparks the next big conversation, so don’t hold back.
