Why is this news?: Ohio State's 2015 quarterback controversy, Nick Saban had a chance to hire Urban Meyer

"It's very unique. I've never seen a situation like this. There may be a situation like this out there, but I'd be shocked because of the talent level of all three. It's interesting."

- Gene Smith on the quarterback situation at Ohio State, via Pete Thamel, Sports Illustrated

It's been one of the main talking points when it comes to Ohio State this season. With the outstanding season performance from redshirt quarterback J.T. Barrett and then Cardale Jones stepping up in the best way possible in the Big Ten championship game, the conversations of a quarterback controversy have been in full swing. With Braxton Miller sidelined for the 2014 season, it's led to plenty of speculation and rumors of transfers from across the country, without any real solid evidence.

Pete Thamel at Sports Illustrated projects all three quarterbacks to return for next season and expects Braxton Miller to be named the starter when 2015 comes around. While I personally agree with him, we're still far away from knowing the answers or even if Miller will have his shoulder fully healed by the time fall camp rolls around. Regardless, Ohio State's problem might not even really be a problem in the end. Coach Meyer will take a look at the options and put the best players on the field to win, regardless of what anyone outside of his program believes.

"I was so kind of caught up and busy in what I was doing in Houston that I never followed up. Obviously, that was a mistake on my part."

- Nick Saban, via David Briggs, The Blade

Alabama head coach Nick Saban was once the head coach of the Toledo Rockets and even had a chance to hire a young Urban Meyer, who was trying to make his way up the coaching ranks at the time. When Coach Meyer made the call to try and pitch his case for why he should be on Saban's staff, he was surprised to find Saban's wife answer the phone. After a good conversation, coach Meyer felt good about the possiblity of hearing back from Saban, who was making the transition from the NFL to college at the time, coming from the Houston Oilers.

Instead, despite his wife urging Saban to call coach Meyer back, it would slip Saban's mind and coach Meyer would end up with Colorado State. Now, the two meet for the fourth time in their careers on one of the biggest stages: The College Football Playoff. With a chance at playing in the national championship on the line, the two juggernaut college coaches will go head-to-head once again on Thursday night.

"We're headed in the right direction. We're a year ahead of schedule. With all the injuries, I looked around at all the young players playing -- freshman, freshman, freshman. Usually, those guys are juniors when they really start making a difference. If it's a work in progress, it's progressing by leaps and bounds. We've still got a long way to go. We're a year away."

- Urban Meyer, via Bill Livingston, Northeast Ohio Media Group

When Braxton Miller went down at the start of the 2014 season, it would have been fair for expectations to lower significantly, especially with a redshirt freshman quarterback at the helm of a young team. Instead, the Buckeyes find themselves in the inaugural College Football Playoff, with a chance to upset the number one team in the country. While Alabama stands in the way of the Buckeyes, the season is already considered a success and with the amount of young talent all over the field, coach Meyer is already pretty excited about the possibilities that 2015 brings.

Players like Darron Lee, Eli Apple, Gareon Conley, the offensive linemen, the deep defensive line, and just about everywhere else are all came into their own this season to help set up what could be an even better year next season. Incredible stuff, when you take in account that the Buckeyes had just one loss this season to a team that they were better than. While the game against the Crimson Tide, regardless of the outcome, should be a great one, keep in mind that next season everything might fall in place perfectly.

"People always think offensive linemen: sloppy, lazy, eating cupcakes all the time, stuff like that. I think offensive line is a cerebral position. You have to be smart to play."

- Taylor Decker, via Bill Landis, Northeast Ohio Media Group

Bill Landis over at the Northeast Ohio Media Group did a nice profile piece on Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker. Decker was one of the unquestioned leaders on the offensive line this season, a unit that struggled mightily early on but has since meshed into one of the more well-respected lines in the country. Decker takes some time to explain some of his tattoos, which include some pretty neat stories alongside the interesting art.

In fact, one of the future tattoos Decker plans on getting is a block 'O' that will include his number. The message that will be included with that, according to Decker, goes something like this:

"Make a name for yourself, because we weren't put on this earth to be average. Nobody wants to be average. Just make a name for yourself, do something worthwhile, make an impact."

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