Ohio State football's Emeka Egbuka has always been known for his vibrant personality. In July during Big Ten Media Days, he had fun with his teammates in the college football video. He proudly claimed to be the best golfer on the team and was open about his faith and its significance to him. But even he has his moments of frustration on Saturdays.

Frustration on a Fateful Saturday

No Saturday was as frustrating for Emeka Egbuka as November 30. Despite being a heavy favorite, Ohio State lost at home to rival Michigan. This was the fourth straight loss in the series, leaving a highly-rated recruiting class without the much-desired gold pants. However, this defeat didn't stop the Buckeyes from making it to the College Football Playoff. They had to regroup quickly for their upcoming game against Tennessee.

Accountability in the Team

Ohio State needed accountability, and it wasn't just the players who shouldered the blame. Emeka Egbuka emphasized that there is a standard that he holds himself, his teammates, and his coaches to. This standard is ingrained in the team's culture. Coach Ryan Day has always pushed back on coaches receiving excessive praise, believing that players determine what happens on the field. In the loss to Michigan, where the Buckeyes focused on running the ball against a tough defensive line, the coaches also took their share of the blame. They accepted it, whether from the media or in private conversations with veteran players."When you come off any loss, you want to identify the things that went wrong," Day said. "Everyone's got to take accountability. If we're going to move forward, there has to be accountability between the players and the coaches. That's about trust. There have been open dialogues in those areas, and we've had some really good meetings."

The Offense and Defense Under Scrutiny

Coach Ryan Day and coordinator Chip Kelly have faced a lot of backlash for the offense's performance against Michigan. It was similar to the criticism that Ohio State's defense faced after an October 12 loss at Oregon. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles remembers those tough days. That's why he encourages his unit to be part of a culture that aims to rejuvenate a once-promising season."Hey, you remember we had a game that wasn't so good this year," Knowles told his unit. "You remember how that felt when everybody was pointing the finger at you... Well, go pick up one of your offensive buddies then. That's what you do. You've been there, so go lift up somebody else." This shows the importance of unity and support within the team during challenging times.The team is now working hard to move forward, learning from their mistakes and building on their strengths. With accountability and a strong team spirit, Ohio State is determined to bounce back and have a successful season.