Chase Young should be in New York as a Heisman finalist at season’s end

“Odds are, it won’t happen with Young. There are too many quarterbacks having terrific seasons, players he may see in the playoff. But Young should be in the mix, at least named a finalist. He has to be seriously considered.”

- Zach Braziller, New York Post

A pure defensive player has never before won the Heisman Trophy. Charles Woodson won it back in 1997, but his work as a punt returner and part-time wide receiver greatly helped his case. Pittsburgh defensive end Hugh Green in 1980 and Manti Te’o in 2012 both came close — finishing second — but ultimately lost out to offensive players. Quarterbacks have won nine of the last 10 iterations of the award.

However, if the Heisman Trophy is supposedly to be given to the “most outstanding player in college football,” then Chase Young certainly fits the bill.

Young, as echoed by head coach Ryan Day following a career day for the junior defensive end against Wisconsin, is the most dominant player in college football. His skillset at the line of scrimmage completely destroys opposing game plans. He showed off just what he is capable of on Saturday, compiling four sacks, five tackles for loss and two forced fumbles against the Badgers in a 38-7 route — and he’s not done yet.

The 6-foot-5, 265 pound edge rusher is the best player on the No. 1 defense in the country, which as a unit is allowing just 7.9 points per game. Young has racked up 13.5 sacks on the season, with 29 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles through the team’s first eight games. There is a legitimate chance Young could break the NCAA sack record, currently 24 set by Terrell Suggs at Arizona in 2002, should Ohio State make it to the National Championship, which would give the Buckeyes seven more games to play.

The Heisman has certainly become a quarterback award, and with guys like Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow and teammate Justin Fields (and even running back J.K. Dobbins) putting up big numbers every week, it would be near impossible for the defensive end to bring home the bronze statue. However, if the Heisman Trophy really is an award for the best player in college football, there is no way Chase Young should not be in New York when all is said and done.

In case you missed it, Ohio State’s football team wasn't the only thing garnering national recognition on Saturday. The Best Damn Band in the Land put on a show at half time as they usually do, but this weekend’s Spongebob-themed iteration made it’s rounds on social media. Rain or shine, TBDBITL puts on one heck of a show — this time featuring Spongebob, Patrick, Gary and some of the most popular songs from everyone’s favorite childhood TV show.

This may come as a shock to you, but Ohio State’s less-than-marquee matchup against Maryland in two weeks time has officially be announced as a noon kick, with Fox Sports getting the broadcast. The game against the Terrapins will open up the Buckeyes’ final four-game stretch of the regular season, with tune up games against Maryland and Rutgers followed by a tough finish against Penn State and Michigan.

Ryan Day will look to have his group ready for a significantly better performance than last year’s outing against the Terps, which saw the Bucks barely escape what would have been one of the most stunning upsets in college football with a 52-51 victory in overtime. This group’s greatly improved defense will look to do a much better job defending against Anthony McFarland Jr., as the Maryland running back went for 298 yards on the ground against Ohio State last season.

It was just a phenomenal weekend to be an Ohio State defensive end, past or present. We already talked about the career day for Young, but Larry Johnson’s disciples in the NFL had one heck of a Sunday as well.

Joey Bosa, shown above, continued what has been a great fourth-year for the once-Buckeye now-Los Angeles Charger. He wreaked havoc in the Chicago Bears backfield all afternoon, racking up two sacks and four tackles for loss, with seven total tackles overall. It was one of the best games of the year for the elder Bosa brother, who has now compiled seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss and a forced fumble through eight games.

His brother, Nick Bosa, is no slouch either, as the rookie defensive end continued his quest for both Defensive Rookie of the Year — for which he is currently the frontrunner — and also Defensive Player of the Year. The younger Bosa had the best game of his rookie season against the Carolina Panthers, coming away with three sacks, three tackles for loss and an interception.

If Bosa is able to maintain his high level of play, he will likely become the third Buckeye to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in the last four seasons, with his brother winning in 2016 and corner Marshon Lattimore in 2017.

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