Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Ohio State Buckeyes are far and away favorites to win the Big Ten title this season. After going undefeated a year ago but being ineligible for a bowl game, the 2013 squad will be hungry to show that it belongs in the discussion with the nation’s top teams. The Buckeyes’ hopes of a national title did take a bit of a blow on Monday, though, when it was reported that starting running back Carlos Hyde had been suspended indefinitely.
Hyde was thought to be one of the best backs in the nation this season, but a looming investigation into an assault on a woman has ended his career as a Buckeye, for now. Head coach Urban Meyer is said to have a very strict policy when it comes to violence against women.
There was a similar incident last year where he dismissed senior linebacker Storm Klein after he allegedly had a physical altercation with his girlfriend. The LB was later allowed to return to the team after he was cleared, so it’s possible the same thing could happen with Hyde (who’s yet to be charged).
Meyer has taken flack in the past for how he allegedly runs his programs. Some accused him of bending the rules for Percy Harvin back in his days at Florida, but regardless of those rumors, you have to give him credit for having such a firm stance on abuse towards women. There’s absolutely no excuse for man to hit a woman, so therefore there’s no reason that players who do such things should be allowed the privilege of playing college football…
The head coach will also be facing another tough decision soon, as starting cornerback Bradley Roby was also arrested over the weekend on battery charges stemming from an altercation at a local bar.
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