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Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who previously played at Alabama under Nick Saban, offered a story to his former head coach about the difference between playing in the Big Ten and SEC.
On Saturdays episode of College Gameday, Saban explained that Downs told him Alabama was more well-prepared for big games than Ohio State because the Crimson Tide were playing difficult opponents virtually every week compared to the Buckeyes schedule in the Big Ten.
Downs began his college career at Alabama last season. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year and made the All-American second team after racking up 107 combined tackles in 14 games.
Following Sabans retirement, Downs entered the transfer portal and wound up picking Ohio State.
The Buckeyes really werent challenged at all in their first five games this season. They beat Akron, Western Michigan, Marshall, Michigan State and Iowa by an average of 39.2 points per game.
By comparison, Alabama had already played games against ranked opponents in Texas and Mississippi in the first four weeks last season.
Ohio States first major test of the season was on Oct. 12 against Oregon at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks held on for a 32-31 win when time expired after Ohio State quarterback Will Howard scrambled on the final play of the game.
There appeared to be some lingering effects of that loss for the Buckeyes in their next game against a struggling Nebraska squad. They needed a Quinshon Judkins touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter and two defensive stops afterward to escape with a 21-17 victory.
After another marquee win over Penn State on Nov. 2, Ohio State has returned to its dominant ways with victories over Purdue and Northwestern by a combined 69 points.
Saturday against No. 5 Indiana could be yet another major test for Ohio State, as the Big Ten rivals are both looking to solidify their spot in the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State shook off that loss to Oregon and has climbed up to No. 2 in the current College Football Playoff Top 25. Those two teams could meet in a rematch in the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 7.
Oregon has already clinched a berth in the conference title game. Ohio State has to win each of its final two regular-season games against Indiana and Michigan to lock up a spot.
