The Ohio State Buckeyes are still facing scrutiny after their 24-14 Cotton Bowl loss to the Miami Hurricanes New Year's Eve, effectively eliminating them from the College Football Playoff in one of the biggest upsets in recent memory.
The backlash from this loss is likely only going to get worse as the days and weeks move forward, but for former Buckeyes stars like ex-linebacker Bobby Carpenter, it is warranted for him to be upset.
"You got it to 17-14. I promise you this: the Miami fans and Miami team are feeling a little anxiety," Carpenter said on his podcast, "The Bobby Carpenter Show," if kicker Jayden Fiielding converts. "They're worried. Should it probably be 17-all? Maybe."
Fielding's miss proved to be the eventual swing the Hurricanes needed, acknowledging how critical special teams can be.
"This has plagued Ohio State going back to the Peach Bowl in 2022, the inability to make clutch kicks," Carpenter said.
Luckily for the Buckeyes to fix their kicking woes, they can do so if they go out and snag a kicker like former Illinois standout David Olano. Olano delivered in the clutch again for now-former coach Bret Bielema, drilling the winning Music City Bowl kick against Tennessee before announcing his intent to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after three years in Champaign.
It may take time for the Buckeyes to fix the position. But now they have nothing but time to do so, as the off-season is finally underway in Columbus, and a different team will more than likely take the field next fall.
Only time will tell, though, whether it works out.