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A year ago, Ohio State’s path to the College Football Playoff National Championship was nothing short of impressive. The Buckeyes powered through the regular season, including their victory over Marshall, all the way to the championship game. However, what stood out for many fans and analysts throughout the season was an unusual and often discussed anomaly: Ohio State’s opponents went the entire regular season and postseason without being called for holding once.

This peculiar statistic sparked widespread conversation about the officiating in college football, especially when a major program like Ohio State went through a significant stretch of the season without seeing an opposing team flagged for holding. For many, it raised questions about the integrity of officiating and whether the Buckeyes’ offensive and defensive lines were that dominant, or whether they benefited from some leniency by the referees.

But to truly understand the significance of this, we need to take a closer look at what happened, why it was unusual, and how it shaped the narrative around Ohio State’s 2024 season.

### A Dominant Offensive Line

At the heart of Ohio State’s success throughout the season was their powerhouse offensive line. The Buckeyes were known for their ability to protect their quarterback and open up running lanes for their dynamic backfield. The offensive line gave quarterback Kyle McCord ample time to survey the field, allowing him to make crucial throws and keep the offense moving down the field.

What often goes unnoticed is how much holding is typically called during a game in favor of protecting the quarterback. Holding penalties are a routine part of the game, especially against elite pass rushers who force offensive linemen to use their hands to grab defenders, potentially restricting their movement or causing them to be thrown off-balance.

But despite this, Ohio State’s offensive line was able to dominate in a way that didn’t draw the usual flags. Some analysts attributed this to their superior technique and the vast talent within the unit, with players such as Donovan Jackson and Matthew Jones showcasing their ability to keep defenders off McCord’s back.

### The Defensive Line’s Ability to Pressure

On the flip side of the ball, Ohio State’s defensive line was just as impressive. With a deep rotation of talented pass rushers, including standout edge players like J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, and others, the Buckeyes were able to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks with consistency. Defensive linemen frequently get called for holding when their rushes are countered with offensive linemen trying to impede their progress illegally. However, for whatever reason, Ohio State’s defensive line did not seem to be the beneficiary of this penalty. In fact, opposing offenses were able to slow down the Buckeyes’ defenders without getting flagged for holding—something almost unheard of in elite college football.

Part of the reason might have been Ohio State’s versatility in how they rushed the passer. The Buckeyes frequently employed a mixture of blitzes, stunts, and pure speed, forcing offenses to get creative with their blocking schemes. This defensive line rotation kept the pressure on throughout games, often making it difficult for opposing linemen to hold without drawing a flag. But still, the complete lack of holding calls against opponents raised eyebrows.

### Is It a Case of “No Holds Barred” Officiating?

The absence of holding penalties also left room for speculation about the quality of officiating in Ohio State’s games. Some fans and analysts believed that the referees might have been lenient in calling holding penalties against Ohio State’s opponents due to the team’s reputation and national spotlight. The Buckeyes are one of the most popular and scrutinized teams in college football, and sometimes, high-profile teams don’t always get the benefit of the doubt in terms of officiating.

While conspiracy theories were floated, the truth is likely more nuanced. Officiating in college football is an imperfect science, and human error can often result in missed or overlooked penalties. However, the fact that not a single holding call was issued against Ohio State’s opponents from the Marshall game all the way to the National Championship was an outlier that’s rarely seen in major programs, especially those as dominant as Ohio State.

### The Big Ten’s Physicality and Leniency

Another element to consider is the nature of the Big Ten conference. Big Ten football is known for being hard-hitting, physical, and highly competitive, especially in the trenches. The physical nature of games in the conference might have contributed to the lack of holding calls against Ohio State’s opponents. In the Big Ten, teams are accustomed to battling in the trenches, with some degree of rough play often going unnoticed by referees. Big Ten games also tend to feature a significant amount of “let the players play” officiating, particularly in high-stakes matchups.

Given Ohio State’s status in the conference and their repeated appearance in marquee games, it’s plausible that referees in Big Ten games, as well as in other key matchups, chose to focus on more egregious penalties, allowing some of the more subtle infractions to go unnoticed.

### The Impact on Ohio State’s Success

So, how did this bizarre statistic affect Ohio State’s run to the National Championship? On one hand, it could be said that the lack of holding calls on their opponents helped the Buckeyes by keeping drives alive and preventing key yardage penalties. When a team doesn’t face holding calls, it allows them to maintain better offensive balance and momentum, which is critical in high-stakes games.

However, the reality is that Ohio State’s success wasn’t simply due to the absence of penalties but rather because they were simply better in all aspects of the game. Whether it was their offensive line’s protection, their defensive line’s pass rush, or their skill players making plays, Ohio State was a dominant force. Even if penalties had been called more frequently, their overall team performance would have likely been enough to carry them through.

### Conclusion: The Buckeyes’ Perfect Run to the NC

While Ohio State’s opponents didn’t face a single holding penalty throughout their entire 2024 campaign, it’s important to remember that this anomaly was just one part of what was an incredible season for the Buckeyes. From the Marshall game all the way to the National Championship, Ohio State showcased an overwhelming blend of talent, discipline, and execution on both sides of the ball.

Whether you chalk up the lack of holding penalties to great coaching, exceptional players, or just sheer luck, it’s clear that Ohio State had a special season. Fans, analysts, and even the most casual observers can agree that the Buckeyes’ dominant performance on their way to the National Championship was an impressive feat, one that will be remembered for years to come—even if their opponents managed to avoid a holding penalty the entire way.