Football's back, baby. Sort of.
Today is the annual spring football game at Ohio State. After a season that really couldn't have gone much better (Big Ten champions, a win over the SEC, winning the inaugural College Football Playoff, and beating Michigan), most of us are pretty excited to see what's in store for the 2015 season. There are still a lot of big questions to be answered: Who will be our starting quarterback? Will we have what it takes to go all the way again? Can one team win two or more Heisman trophies in the same season? Today, we get a sneak peek of the greatness to come, and, as always, we here at Land-Grant Holy Land have all the answers to your OSU-related questions.
When and where is the game this week?
It's the Spring Game, so it's here in Columbus. Kickoff will be around 1:45 p.m., right after the men's lacrosse team plays Maryland in the very same stadium. So far this season, the men's lacrosse team is 10-3 and is going into this Big Ten match 3-0 in the conference. The only team in the conference with a better record? Maryland.
That sounds awesome. How can I go?
Tickets are $5, and that gets you into both games. (The lacrosse game starts at 11 a.m.) If you didn't already order a ticket, don't fret. You can buy one at the gate, cash only.
Is there any way I can enjoy the game if I'm not there?
There sure is! In fact, there are three ways. First, you can watch the game on the BTN (channel 1333 on Time Warner Columbus/Delaware). Kevin Kugler, Glen Mason, Lisa Byington, and Ohio State's own Bobby Carpenter will be our game day crew. Second, you can stream it on BTN2Go, though it'll require a TV provider login. Finally, you can listen in on 97.1 FM The Fan or your local Ohio State sports radio affiliate.
So, who's going to be playing QB?
The starting quarterbacks for the practice squads will be redshirt freshman Stephen Collier and WWII-tank-disguised-as-a-human Cardale Jones. Jones has been the starting quarterback in practices so far while Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett both continue their recoveries. No word yet on who will be taking the first snap in September. You can check out the complete roster here.
Are spring games just like regular games?
Not quite. The quarters will be ten minutes long instead of the usual fifteen. There will be no kickoffs, though there will be field goals, extra points, and punts. No returning the punt, though; fair catches only. Don't expect to see last season's starters out there for all forty minutes, either. Remember, this is the spring game; we're talkin' about practice.
Halftime festivities will include a Quarterback Skills Challenge featuring Jones, Barrett, and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.
Last Saturday, nearly 77,000 people showed up for Nebraska's spring game. We're better than the Cornhuskers. Grab your friends and head on down to the 'Shoe. It'll be the best $5 you've spent in a while.