Throughout the year, we will be asking and answering questions about various Ohio State teams, the players, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
It has been nearly one month since the Ohio State Buckeyes last took to the gridiron in a disappointing playoff game against the eventual CFP runners-up, the Miami Hurricanes.
Since then, it feels like we have lived a dozen or so lives in the life cycle of the transfer portal and coaching carousel. So, in today’s Land-Grant Holy Land fan survey, we want to know how you are feeling about how things have shaken out over the past four weeks.
Check out the questions below, and then make sure to vote in the survey beneath the article. If none of the options included in the survey line up with what you want to pick, feel free to head down to the comments at the bottom of the page and write in your pick. Then, later this week, check back with LGHL to see the results.
Question 1: What is your top thought on Ohio State hiring Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator?
I’ll be honest, I’m still unsure where I come down on this one, so I am hopeful that the collective hive mind of Buckeye Nation can help me cement my take on the situation. On the one hand, Smith has nearly two decades of NFL coaching experience, and since he spent multiple seasons working for Mike Vrabel, I have to assume he came highly recommended.
However, he hasn’t exactly had a ton of success at his last two stops in Atlanta or Pittsburgh. This past season, the Steelers essentially made the playoffs by default because they are in a division with the Bengals and Browns, and he employs way too many multi-tight end sets for my liking.
So, I am up in the air, and open to being pleasantly surprised, as I was with Matt Patricia this past season. And, of course, if he wants to invest some of his inherited billions into the NIL process, I won’t be mad about that either.
Question 2: How would you grade Ohio State’s Hot Stove performance in terms of roster retention, transfer additions, coaching staff hires?
Things started off pretty slow in the transfer portal this offseason, but it was clear that Ryan Day, Mark Pantoni, and company had a plan to invest resources in proven, experienced players over guys who hadn’t yet shown what they could do at the collegiate level.
That meant a mass exodus of names that fans were primarily familiar with from the recruiting process. In the end, OSU ended up with a far more experienced roster, but is that better? They were able to keep a few key players who could have opted for the NFL, arguably most importantly, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. on the defensive line.
Then, in addition to Smith, they brought in former LSU wide receiver coach Cortez Hankton to replace Brian Hartline. So, what do you think the net result was? Would you give them a passing grade in the new College Football Hot Stove Period?
Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
