Despite finishing the 2021 football season with a No. 6 ranking, this past season was something of a letdown for the Ohio State Buckeyes compared to previous seasons: No win over Michigan, no Big Ten title, no College Football Playoff berth.
It’s rather entitled to think that the Buckeyes should achieve these benchmarks every season. After all, by definition, there are two teams competing in the rivalry, 14 for the conference title and 130 teams battling for one of four CFP spots year in and year out. At some point, another team will come out on top for one or more of these prizes.