After Ohio State’s physicality and toughness was called into question following its first loss to Michigan in 10 years, Mickey Marotti and his strength and conditioning staff are facing more scrutiny from Buckeye fans than they ever have in the decade since Marotti arrived at Ohio State.
Because the Buckeyes fell short of their goals last season, losing two regular season games and missing both the Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoff, some have questioned whether the Buckeyes’ strength and conditioning program is still functioning at the elite level necessary to win national championships.
Ask the players who have been going through winter workouts over the past few weeks, however, and they’ll tell you there’s been no drop-off in intensity inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.