This was supposed to be the pinnacle. The peak of a years-long process to turn Ohio State’s offensive line into the best in the nation.
Unlike other positions on a football team, getting an entire offensive line to the point where a team has five quality players takes years. No one should ever take it for granted when it happens. Even some of the best lines have weak links or specific areas they struggle in.
Perhaps, one of the Buckeyes’ two first-year starters would have struggled, or nagging injuries could have hindered somebody. An unconventional offseason due to the coronavirus pandemic certainly might have affected preparation for a Big Ten season that still hangs in the balance.