Ohio State Football Teaches the SEC a Lesson in Comedy Sketch “How to Become a Winner”
In the realm of college football, humor often takes a backseat to strategy, athleticism, and tradition. But Ohio State football, with its perennial success and larger-than-life persona, has found a way to bring the humor front and center in a way that only a dominant powerhouse could. In a comedic sketch titled “How to Become a Winner”, the Ohio State Buckeyes set out to teach the Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams a “lesson” in the fine art of winning football, all while poking fun at some of the common tropes associated with SEC football culture. This lighthearted and clever sketch not only highlights Ohio State’s signature swagger but also offers a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the differences between the Big Ten and the SEC.
The sketch, which aired as part of a national comedy event, was an instant hit among fans of both conferences. With its witty dialogue, sharp humor, and familiar football references, it immediately became a viral sensation on social media, igniting debates and conversations across fan bases. But beyond the laughter and the jokes, the sketch also underscores the intense rivalry between Ohio State and the SEC, using humor to explore the dynamics of competition, winning, and what it truly means to be a football “winner.”
The Setup: The SEC Meets Ohio State’s “Winning Formula”
The premise of the sketch is simple: a group of SEC coaches and players are invited to a fictional “Winning School,” where they are taught how to succeed in the world of college football. The instructors? None other than Ohio State, who, with their impressive track record of championships, playoff appearances, and dominant performances, are positioned as the experts in this “school of winners.”
The SEC group, which includes a variety of exaggerated caricatures of SEC coaches, players, and fans, is shown to be skeptical at first. They’ve always believed in their brand of football—fast, physical, and, to put it bluntly, a little over-the-top. They see themselves as the gold standard of college football, with their string of national titles, bowl victories, and constant presence in the College Football Playoff. But they’ve never experienced what they believe to be “the Ohio State way”—a disciplined, calculated, and often cerebral approach to the game that’s far more measured than the swagger they’re used to.
As the sketch unfolds, the SEC’s bravado and larger-than-life personalities clash with Ohio State’s composed, no-nonsense attitude. What ensues is a hilarious sequence of lessons, exercises, and drills that poke fun at the overemphasis some SEC teams place on physicality, speed, and perceived dominance, contrasting it with Ohio State’s more systematic approach to winning football games.
The First Lesson: “It’s All About Fundamentals, Not Flash”
The first lesson Ohio State imparts to the SEC players is the importance of fundamentals over flashy displays of athleticism. The SEC, known for its fast-paced, high-octane style of play, is often associated with an emphasis on power and speed. Teams like Alabama, LSU, and Georgia have made a name for themselves with their imposing physicality and relentless offenses. However, Ohio State, with its precise offensive schemes and disciplined defense, takes a different approach, one that requires a solid foundation of basic football principles.
In the sketch, Ohio State coaches demonstrate basic drills—tackling form, pass-blocking techniques, and route-running—that are made to look almost comically simple, yet incredibly effective. The SEC players are shown struggling with these drills, as they are accustomed to relying on raw talent and explosiveness rather than technical proficiency. They stumble through the motions, sarcastically muttering things like, “What’s the point of this? We can just run people over!”
One Ohio State coach, played by a well-known comedian, provides an exaggerated yet insightful monologue about how “winning football isn’t about running the fastest 40-yard dash or jumping the highest vertical. It’s about doing the small things right. If you don’t know how to tackle properly, how can you expect to win the big games?”
As the SEC players finally begin to grasp the importance of these fundamentals, the sketch humorously contrasts their disbelief with the stoic determination of Ohio State’s players. The SEC athletes’ exaggerated reactions to simple drills are met with Ohio State players’ calm and collected approach, demonstrating the difference in mindset between the two football powerhouses.
The Second Lesson: “Winning is a Process, Not a Game of Ego”
The second lesson is a direct jab at the SEC’s sometimes overly inflated sense of superiority. While SEC teams often enjoy a reputation for being larger-than-life, with extravagant personalities on the field and in the media, Ohio State teaches that true winning is about focusing on the process rather than inflated egos.
In the sketch, Ohio State is depicted as a team that doesn’t get caught up in external distractions—whether it’s media attention, recruiting rankings, or trash talk from rival teams. The players and coaches focus solely on preparation, game film study, and teamwork. In contrast, the SEC players are shown over-the-top, constantly flaunting their “swagger” and “elite status” while engaging in playful taunting and boasting.
This over-the-top persona is personified through a comically exaggerated version of an SEC coach, who constantly refers to his players as “future NFL stars” and “Heisman contenders,” even when they can’t execute basic plays. Ohio State, meanwhile, focuses on the gritty, behind-the-scenes work required to achieve sustained success.
The sketch humorously shows the SEC players trying to keep up with Ohio State’s meticulous film breakdowns, stat sheets, and strategic meetings. They laugh at the idea that they need to “study tape” and “work on conditioning,” all while wearing their branded SEC gear and boasting about their previous victories. The comedy arises from the absurdity of the SEC’s emphasis on individual glory, compared to Ohio State’s team-first, process-oriented approach.
At one point, an SEC player exclaims, “You’re telling me I gotta watch more film? I’m already a superstar!” To which an Ohio State coach responds, “Exactly why you’re not a winner yet.”
The Third Lesson: “Champions Don’t Make Excuses”
The third and final lesson Ohio State imparts to the SEC is the importance of accountability and mental toughness. As every athlete knows, the road to success is filled with setbacks, failures, and challenges. But Ohio State’s ethos, as portrayed in the sketch, is rooted in the belief that winners don’t make excuses—they face adversity head-on and learn from it.
The SEC’s response to this concept is predictably full of comical contradictions. After a mock “game” is played, the SEC players start pointing fingers at everything from the referees to the weather, blaming external factors for their poor performance. Ohio State’s players, however, take a more grounded approach, acknowledging their mistakes, correcting them, and moving forward with an unshakeable confidence.
The contrast is underscored when a fictional SEC team, led by a boisterous coach, starts making excuses after a series of unfortunate plays. The coach, played by a comedian famous for his brash style, dramatically announces, “Well, we were clearly the better team, but the refs just don’t understand SEC football!”
Ohio State’s response is simple and deadpan: “Champions don’t blame others for their failures. They take responsibility and get back to work.”
The sketch ends with a montage of Ohio State players diligently preparing for the next game, while the SEC players sit on the sidelines, still arguing about their “bad luck” and “unfair circumstances.” The audience is left to laugh at the absurdity of the SEC’s approach to “winning,” contrasting it with Ohio State’s steadfast discipline and commitment to the process.
The Closing Scene: A Lesson in Humor and Humility
The final scene of the sketch sees the SEC team begrudgingly admitting that Ohio State may have a point. While they still hold onto their “SEC superiority” complex, they begin to realize that there’s more to winning than just physicality, ego, and hype. Ohio State’s players, however, offer the final piece of advice: winning is not just about beating the other team—it’s about consistently being the best version of yourself, both on and off the field.
As the sketch wraps up, the SEC players are shown trying to implement Ohio State’s lessons—albeit in their own, over-the-top way. They attempt to run drills with more discipline, but their swagger is still palpable. Ohio State, however, continues to emphasize the quiet confidence that comes from preparation and process, leaving the SEC to reflect on the difference between short-term success and long-term dominance.
The last line of the sketch delivers a punchline that sums up the whole comedic exchange: “Remember, it’s not about being the loudest, it’s about being the best. And if you can’t be the best, at least be funny about it.”
Conclusion: A Lighthearted Take on Rivalry
While the sketch “How to Become a Winner” is, without a doubt, a humorous and exaggerated portrayal of the differences between Ohio State and the SEC, it also provides a broader commentary on what truly makes a team successful. Ohio State’s approach, characterized by humility, discipline, and teamwork, is contrasted with the SEC’s larger-than-life persona and tendency to lean into hype and external validation. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that true success comes from the inside—through preparation, focus, and a commitment to excellence that transcends egos and showmanship.
Though the sketch is rooted in comedy, it carries a message that fans of all teams can appreciate: being a winner is about more than just winning—it’s about the approach, the mindset, and the discipline that sustain long-term success. And if you can have a laugh along the way, even better.