COLUMBUS — Make no mistake: Ohio State wanted a rematch with Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. Now that everything worked out in the Buckeyes’ favor anyway — Ohio State still qualified for the College Football Playoff despite missing the conference title game — the week off had a few benefits for the third-ranked Buckeyes. While No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson, and No. 3 Washington spent the week preparing for their respective conference championship games, Ohio State’s players earned an additional week of rest and a rare chance for late-season conditioning. The time off could prove valuable to the OSU coaching staff. Unburdened by game preparation, the Buckeyes coaches earned an extra week of recruiting just before the dead period that starts Dec. 12, during which coaches cannot have in-person contact with recruits. “There’s only one more week of recruiting,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. “That’s obviously…
Continue Reading: Week away double-edged sword for Buckeyes
