Buckeye Bits: Day hints at Clemson DC Brent Venables stealing signs, Field’s thumb will be good by Friday night, more

There is truly nothing worse than a post-Christmas Monday, am I right? Nonetheless, I hope this article finds you well, and that you had a wonderful (and cautious) holiday weekend with your friends and family. Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to take work off until after the new year, in which case, I hope you’re keeping the celebrations going and enjoying this much deserved time off. Might as well end this stupid year on a high note, right? And hopefully, that high note continues into 2021 with a big ole Ohio State victory on January 1 (or a small victory... any victory will do).

How are we feeling about our zillionth playoff matchup with the Tigers? I gotta tell ya, I’m not super optimistic (I think it’s my PTSD from last year’s game trying to protect my mental state), but if Ohio State can stay healthy (ahem Chris Olave) and Trey Sermon goes off again, I think it’ll at least be a close game.

I have lots of Playoff talk for you below, but first, I give you...

Ohio State’s AP All-Americans

Remember when the Big Ten had Haskell Garrett as THIRD-team All-BIG TEN?! hahahaha

Clemson & Ohio State on their preparations for the Sugar Bowl...

Also, remember when Dabo Swinney ranked Ohio State No. 11 in his final coaches’ poll? (of course you do). Welp, in Clemson’s game-week interviews for the Sugar Bowl this mornings, Swinney seemingly turned his tables, saying “Ohio State is good enough to beat anybody,” including Clemson. However, he still believes a team who has played fewer than nine games should not be ranked in the top ten.

I’m having trouble understanding this mindset. Like... if an undefeated team wins their conference championship and is “good enough to beat anybody,” don’t they flat-out deserve to be in the playoff— no questions asked? It doesn’t matter what you think is “right,” Dabo. The committee never has a rhyme or reason as to why they do anything, let alone during this whack-job of a 2020 college football season!

At least he gave credit where credit is due. After calling Justin Fields a potential top-two or top-three draft pick, he also said Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are “as good as you’re going to see.”

Clemson DC Brent Venables also spoke with the media and echoed Swinney’s praise for Fields and his receivers, saying Fields “can do it all” and that he’s “poised, experienced and incredibly talented.”

Also, yes James Skalski... we’re very blessed.

Eleven Warriors has more notes and quotes from Clemson’s media availability in the link below.

Ohio State also met with the media this afternoon, and for some reason, I find this qoute from Luke Farrell hard to believe...

Not that it would affect their preparation negatively, but there’s no way Ryan Day isn’t putting that fuel to the fire.

Next up was QB1 and, as we now know, having Chris Olave back = helpful.

As for his thumb injury, Fields said he will “be good by Friday night,” and that he’s been “preparing his butt off,” adding that he hasn’t prepared like this yet this season.

Why does Wyatt Davis saying “we’re going into this game not respected at all” send shivers down my spine? Beware of a disrespected Ohio State team with a chip on their shoulder they’ve been carrying since the last time they met with Clemson.

More on that chip-on-the-shoulder from Ryan Day, saying that multiple guys have been waiting for their second chance since they left the field last season.

Day ended with some good news, saying Ohio State has gotten “a bunch” of players back this week who will hopefully be able to play on Friday, along with message to fans about winning.

And I saved the best quote for last. Day gave the most perfectly worded back handed compliment toward Venables (who is known for stealing signs), as only Day can do.

Who’s ready?!

More quotes and notes and comments from Ryan Day and players in the link below.

Haskins is out...

After a rough season both on and off the field, Dwayne Haskins, the 15th overall pick from the 2019 Draft, is done in Washington.

Washington wasn’t a good fit for Dwayne and Dwayne wasn’t a good fit for TWFT. I do firmly believe that he’ll find a home, and even success, elsewhere.

From around the hardwood...

The Basketball Buckeyes are still dancing around the mid-20s in the AP Poll, dropping two spots to No. 25 after beating the No. 13 Rutgers and losing to Northwestern. Next up, they’ll face Nebraska at home on Wednesday Dec. 30 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Does the NCAA try to be the worst?

The NCAA....wants to trademark.... “MASK MADNESS.” I have no words, honestly. Actually, Matt said it perfectly.