Buckeye Bracket Sweet 16: WRs and D/ST

Round one of our Buckeye Bracket has been completed, and we now advance to the Sweet 16. The first round provided a few upsets, but for the most part the higher seeds stood tall. We still have a ways to go before determining the best Ohio State play of the decade, but here is where things stand thus far:

We’ll move on today with matchups in the wide receiver and defense/special teams regions as you guys help us vote to determine the Elite Eight. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the rest of the Sweet 16 that was released earlier this week, featuring the QBs and RBs. Let’s get on with the voting!

Wide Receiver Region

All chalk here after round one. Our No. 1 seed in this region won in an absolute blowout, garnering 91 percent of the vote. The closest matchup, as you would expect, was the No. 4 seed vs. the No. 5 seed, but even there the victor came away with almost exactly two-thirds of the final tally. With the top four seeds remaining, let’s see if things get a little closer here in the Sweet 16...

No. 1 Seed (Thomas’ TD vs. Alabama) vs. No. 4 Seed (Victor’s TD vs. Penn State)

One of my personal all-time favorite plays from Ohio State, Michael Thomas’ trick play touchdown against Alabama in the 2015 Sugar Bowl, ,Sugar Bowlwas just perfect on so many levels. The reversal in the beginning, Evan Spencer’s throw, and Thomas getting the foot down in bounds with little to no space all came together beautifully. On the other hand, without this TD by Binjimen Victor, the Buckeyes might not have completed the comeback against Penn State in 2018. Both great plays with big importance in their respective games, but only one can advance.

No. 2 Seed (Smith’s one-hand TD vs. Miami) vs. No. 3 Seed (Brown’s circus TD vs. Oklahoma)

This could prove to be one of the harder matchups of the entire Sweet 16. Devin Smith’s ridiculous one-handed grab against Miami was likely his greatest catch in his long and impressive Ohio State career. He goes full extension in the end zone and snags the ball out of thin air. While that is probably the more memorable play of these two, Noah Brown’s touchdown catch is not going to be an easy exit. Against a ranked Oklahoma team at their place in 2016, the Buckeyes dominated on the strength of four TDs by Brown, this one by pinning the ball to the defenders back with one hand.

Defense/Special Teams Region

Like the wide receiver region, all the higher seeds prevailed through the opening round yet again. Our No. 2 seed stole the show here, hauling in a whopping 96 percent of the vote in its first round matchup. The No. 4 vs. No. 5 game once again proved to be the closest battle of the region, with the higher seed advancing after garnering 59 percent of the vote. There will be some good debates as to who deserves to advance from this region...

No. 1 Seed (Hooker’s pick-six vs. Michigan) vs. No. 4 Seed (Bosa’s sack vs. Penn State)

Malik Hooker was one of the most exciting players to watch at Ohio State on either side of the ball in the last decade. It seemed as though every time there was a play to be made, the ball-hawking safety was right there. His pick-six changed the complexion of the game against Michigan in 2016, putting the Buckeyes on the board and paving the way for an OT victory. Joey Bosa’s sack in 2014, however, directly ended the game for OSU in dramatic fashion. How fun is a walk-off sack? Especially when you do it using the opposing blocker.

No. 2 Seed (Miller’s pick-six vs. Alabama) vs. No. 3 Seed (Olave’s punt block vs. Michigan)

I take back what I said earlier in the wide receiver region about the toughest matchup in the Sweet 16. THIS is actually the toughest matchup. Two phenomenal plays in big games, two Buckeye touchdowns. Steve Miller’s pick-six from his defensive end spot is cool for a variety of reasons, mainly watching the big man rumble down the sideline against the SEC’s best. Chris Olave’s punt block came against Michigan in a spot where the Wolverines were still hanging around in that game, and who doesn’t love to embarrass TTUN?

Make sure to cast your vote for your favorite Ohio State play of the last decade. The winners of this round will advance to the Elite Eight, which will take place at the start of next week. This week’s voting will close on Saturday at midnight.

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