Michigan State vs Ohio State: How Many Wins Does OSU Coach Luke Fickell Need

To say the first year for Ohio State’s interim head coach Luke Fickell has gone well would be a lie. He has done okay for a new head coach that was given a team decimated by an NCAA scandal that he was not responsible for. He had to figure out how to work in a new offense with two quarterbacks that had zero starts. Their only time to gain experience before this season was in mop up duty against bad teams.  

So it isn’t all of Fickell’s fault for his Ohio State’s shortcomings. But, the old saying is, “You can’t fire the players you can only fire the manager.” 

Case in point Week 1 against Akron. The head coach for Akron was upset that Fickell had his Ohio State starters still in well after Ohio State had the game won. After the game when the coaches were coming together to shake hands at the 50-yard Line the Akron coach pointed his finger at Fickle telling him how he should be embarrassed. 

It wasn’t Fickell’s fault; as he wasn’t trying to run the score up on Akron. It was that half of his players were on suspension from the previous season. He couldn’t turn to his back up or third string running back, because his starter WAS his back up and third string running backs.  

On the season Fickell has a 3-1 record with two dominating wins, Akron and Colorado; but their only game on the road against Miami (FL) was an embarrassing loss for OSU.  

That loss to a Hurricanes team, that was as ravaged by suspensions like Ohio State, put Fickell's coaching credentials into question. 

Was he the man to lead this Ohio State team in the post Jim Tressel era?  

Was he capable to lead this Ohio State team to another 10-win season and another BCS Bowl? 

Was he going to be worthy of having the interim label removed?  

And, if so, how many wins would it take Fickell to be named head coach? 

Today, his 3-1 Buckeyes open their Big Ten Conference portion of their schedule as they host the Michigan State Spartans. It’s a Michigan State team that at one time, like Ohio State, was ranked in the top 25.  

But, like Ohio State, they fell early in the season on the road in a blow out.  

Fickle can win this game and improve his record to an impressive 4-1 this year. A win today could put the Buckeyes back in the top 25 when the polls are released tomorrow.  

Looking ahead he has very winnable games at Illinois, vs. Indiana, at Purdue, and vs. Penn State.  

That’s a nine win (pending a win today vs. Michigan State) season for a head coach with a team that lost a number of it’s starters for a majority of the season.  

That should be enough for Luke to keep his job for good after this year. If he can beat Michigan that will be the icing on the cake. 

Twitter: @tjmcaloon