The Natty is approaching quicker than Jeremiah Smith can run a route. Ryan Day and his Ohio State Buckeyes are staring at their final tryst with destiny, this time for all the marbles and more. Tensions are high, but so are the ugly byproducts of reaching this juncture. Through 3 treacherous rounds that they made look easy, OSU has dealt with off-shoots that rise from a deep playoff run. Injuries were naturally going to be a problem.

The Buckeyes’ O-line has been decimated by injury all season. Yet, they’ve fought through the adversity. The spirit of the offensive line is a microcosm of what the vibe is heading into the biggest game of these players’ young careers. No excuses, just full send to the finish line. A trifecta of players appear to be embodying this spirit. Despite evidently not being averse to injury, Will Howard, JT Tuimoloao, and Denzel Burke are pushing through the proverbial pain barrier. Updates around their health status will facilitate a collective sigh of relief in and around Columbus, with the biggest one taken by Ryan Day.

The balloon-like swelling on Will Howard’s hand during the Cotton Bowl has indeed come down. “My hand’s good. It was just a weird bruise thing on my hand, but it actually didn’t hurt. Just looked terrible. I didn’t even realize it until, I think after the TV [cameras] realized!” he said. Howard has found a new gear since the CFP began. He’s airing it at a level some people believed he wasn’t capable of. Will Howard’s health is requisite for the Buckeyes to continue this dominant run down the stretch offensively.

From one “weird” incident to another freakish one. Defensive end JT Tuimoloau feared the worse when Texas’ Eddrick Houston fell on his ankle last time out. Despite being in pain, Tuimoloau refused to exit the game. “I told one of the trainers, ‘Hey, untie my shoe. Tighten it back up.’ That’s what I did in basketball. I said, ‘I’m good. I’m good to go.’ They had me do a couple of tests, and I’m like, ‘Hey, my ankle is alright. Let’s try to get to the natty,’” he said as he reminisced over what transpired. Now, he’s once again projecting a positive perspective on his ankle. ““God healed me. He took care of my ankle…my ankle is doing great” said JT Tuimoloau. The Natty will be his last ever game in scarlet and gray.

Cornerback Denzel Burke, begrudgingly, did have to exit the Cotton Bowl owing to a shoulder injury. However, he says it was precautionary. Burke claims to have trained “every day” and is raring to go. I’m 100% man I’m ready to go. Just a little mishap last game but I’m ready to go” he told the media in the lead up. This string of updates will bolster the Buckeyes with additional confidence and belief. Although they certainly didn’t need it, if O-lineman Josh Fryar’s comments are anything to go by.

Will Howard will take inspiration from those tasked with protecting him

As aforementioned, the injury bug has hit the offensive line harder than any other unit. It’s been a somewhat underappreciated component of their humming offense. Especially owing to its makeshift nature. Multiple core starters have had season-ending injuries at different junctures right from the outset.

Ryan Day began the season with Josh Simmons at left tackle. Simmons’ season came to a premature end in October, virtue of a knee injury. Then, his replacement and second-string LT Zen Michalski also went down. Guard Donovan Jackson had to move to tackle instead in a reshuffle. When it rains, it pours, though. OSU then lost quite literally the centrepiece. C Seth McLaughlin suffered a season-ending injury while in training. As a result, Carson Hinzman, who was filling in for Jackson as a guard, was moved to centre. This convoluted ordeal only goes to show how much adversity Josh Fryar, Will Howard and Coach Day have been through.

Amidst scattered reporting about more injuries ravaging this shield to Will Howard, Fryar has acknowledged it’s true after all. However, the contingent is laser-focused at not letting this deter them from partaking. “We just look at adversity in the eye and say “F you, we’re gonna do it” said Fryar. Talk about resounding confidence. Ryan Day will be preaching this to his troops all throughout this week. One last push before these hurting players can finally get some rest. Win the Natty in the process and it’ll be more than well earned.