The college football world is at odds. Somehow we made it through a season amid a global pandemic (barely), but many feel Ohio State shouldn’t be in the College Football Playoff because it only played six games. Even the Buckeyes’ opponent doesn’t think they should be there, with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney ranking OSU outside of the top ten.
Nevermind the fact that three games on Ohio State’s schedule got shelved because of rising coronavirus cases, two of because opponents pulled the plug. Regardless, everyone drinking sweet tea and grits believes the CFP committee bowed to the brand and gave the benefit of the doubt to OSU as opposed to say, Texas A&M.
But it’s not that easy. In fact, what the Buckeyes were able to do may have even been harder than what some other teams around the country had to deal with. With the uncertainty of the season, the starts and stops, and the personnel issues, it wasn’t easy. And while there are many detractors, Ohio State got some support from an unlikely source this week, a defender from beyond enemy lines, Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis.
Gattis is new to the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry, but he’s not been shy about sharing his feelings on social media. He’s more or less told Ohio State to beware after his first experience in The Game, and is frequently sharing his thoughts for all to see.
Apparently, he has had enough of all the criticism Darth Vader has received to the south and is taking up arms in a weird Kylo Ren and Rey sort of way. Gattis, tweeted out the following after being fed up with the naysayers.
“Regardless of polls, a 6-0 BIG team deserves in. No conference has had to endure more
1. The emotional roller coaster if a season would happen/ opt outs
2. No fans all year/Environment
3. 21 day protocol to miss games/ add in injuries/contact tracing
4. Inability to reschedule— Josh Gattis (@Coach_Gattis) December 21, 2020″
Josh Gattis had to protect his account after Michigan fans ripped him about OSU tweet pic.twitter.com/svetWJ5uGj
— John (@FromEastLansing) December 21, 2020
The tweet has since been deleted and Gattis’ account locked because he is taking some serious heat from Michigan fans for locking arms with the arch-rival the Wolverines haven’t been able to beat but once in the last sixteen tries.
Michigan OC Josh Gattis tweeted earlier in defense of Ohio State being CFP worthy. He's now deleted the tweet and locked his account after UM fans went to town on him pic.twitter.com/qKecWtDm1W
— Jason Priestas (@priestas) December 21, 2020
And that my friends, is how you get yourself in hot water and run out of town in a place with a football identity crisis like Ann Arbor. I’m sure Ohio State, and even Big Ten fans, appreciate the call to arms from an unlikely source. But with what’s going on with the Michigan program right now, this is one character witness you probably don’t want to call to the stand.
Hopefully, things simmer down for Gattis after what was clearly an intent to stick up for his conference. Then again, it is kind of entertaining to watch the Michigan program self implode time and time again.
What’s your guess on how long Mr. Gattis keeps his Twitter account out of sight, out of mind?