And then there was Ezekiel Elliott, a sophomore running back with game-breaking speed who was beginning to flash tremendous ability. The class of ’13 began to shine on offense, too, with Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson responsible for explosive plays from the slot and guard Billy Price blowing open holes. Safety Vonn Bell, cornerback Eli Apple and linebacker Darron Lee showed promise for starring roles. On defense, standout defensive end Joey Bosa grew even more dominant, posting a unanimous All-American season. The Bucks began to gel behind the redshirt freshman, and other players from a highly regarded 2013 recruiting class stepped onto the big stage. “We definitely needed something to wake us up, and that game did it.” Meyer preached that if the players kept their heads down and worked hard, their dreams were still within reach. “Even our own fans were saying the season was over.”Īt practice that week, the slow climb began. “After we lost to Virginia Tech, it was us against the world,” Barrett remembered. It was two games into the season, and Buckeye Nation’s worst fears were being realized: It would be a lost year without two-time Big Ten MVP Miller and the seven players who had left for NFL starting roles. Barrett - making his second start in place of senior Braxton Miller, lost for the year just 11 days before the opener - looked as green as the Horseshoe’s turf. Heavy favorites, they lost by two touchdowns.Ī young offensive line with four of five new starters was swamped by Hokie blitzers coming from all angles. The eighth-ranked Buckeyes had blown a night game at home to Virginia Tech. Some two years later, The Plan was failing. Stay, Meyer said, and someday you may be a champion. It worked before, and it would work again. And it meant growing the team’s bonds of trust and brotherhood. It meant holding each player accountable, on the field and in practice. It meant going as hard as possible, from every snap to every whistle. The Plan is infallible, the two-time national champion coach told his charges again and again. But if you stay, you must follow The Plan. If losing is acceptable, head back to your warm bed. Meyer’s message: The culture must change. “An hour and a half later you’re thinking, ‘OK, this is nuts.’”
“It was freezing cold, and you think you are going to be out there for 45 minutes,” senior defensive lineman Michael Bennett recalled. Up and down the frosted practice field, the players worked. It was the winter of 2012, and the Ohio State football team was dragged out of bed for a lesson from new coach Urban Meyer.Įyes blazing, whistle in his mouth, Meyer’s breath rose like smoke from a chimney. The story of the 2014 National Champions began in the middle of the night.
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