By: Clinton Reed Jr.  | BuckeyesGameday Correspondent

It is that time of year when the weather turns cold, the leaves begin to fall from the trees and we all as a collective planet make the turn into the winter months. For some it means snow chains and long drives to work down icy highways, for others it means an influx of bad driving mid-westerners who would like a cold pop instead of soda. Yet no matter where you are from or what your interests are, the winter is officially knocking on the door.

For The Ohio State Buckeyes it is that time of the year where the Big Ten race has wittled it’s way down to a few teams contending for the Big Ten title, and a potential bid to the BCS. At the very minimum the opprotunity to smell the Californian roses arises in these last few weeks that make up the season, and the Bucks have been fortunate in years past to be among the top teams in the conference every year. So who would be the competition this year? The Kitty Cats from PA?…. The Gooolden Gooophs from the twin cities?… The girlscouts from that school from the north?…..

Not even close.

It is the biggest event for the state of Iowa since anyone there can really remember. Bigger than any county fair. Bigger than any new tractor on the market. Even bigger than the game against the highly touted team of Northwestern. It is not only the season for this Hawkeye team, but might just be the decade.

So what’s the catch?

Quarterback Ricky Stanzi will not be able to start against the Buckeyes in Columbus on Saturday after suffering an ankle injury in the game against Northwestern last weekend. In his place James Vandenberg. It is said that Mr. Vandenberg is not afraid coming into this game against Ohio State. He is believed to have nerves of steel for a backup. He has a big time arm for a backup. Good footwork for a backup. And most importantly, good decision making for a backup. As a matter of fact if he wasnt so dominate at being number two (no pun intended, well.. a little) on the depth chart then he may have challenged Stanzi for the starting position earlier in the season.

So what to do?

Here is the good news. The number of players on Ohio State that will transfer to Iowa to be apart of their dynasty when all is said and done this year will be…… zero. The good news now has always been the good news. We are still THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. The most dominate team that resides within the Big Ten. The defense should look no farther than its own shoulders to know what needs to take place on Saturday in front of the 100,000+ faithful. They will dot the i, scream O H….I O upon kickoff, and hear Carmen Ohio when the dust has finally settled for the last time this season within the hallowed cement walls that comprise The Horseshoe. It is their last opprotunity this season to let the people of Ohio and across the nation that they appreciate all the support they recieve upon running onto the field of play wearing the scarlet topped jerseys

It is the biggest game of the year… fact. Yet the mathematics are simple. Faster, more complex, better athletes, stronger lineman, more vicious linebackers, eyes that are more keen in the secondary. It is not a matter of the contest that is to be won. It is a matter of everyone being responsible for just that… their responsibilities.

There is no need for heroism on Saturday, for when you walk down the tunnel and run out on the the gladiators stage  lead by the sweater vest donning the Scarlet and Gray… A Hero You Already Have Become.