Time for the NCAA to Reinstate the Buckeye's 2010 Wins

© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

In 2010, Ohio State watched its 11-win season and BCS Sugar Bowl win get vacated due to violations of the NCAA of its players and head coach. After the news of Reggie Bush getting back his Heisman Trophy this past week (deservingly so), it is time for the NCAA to make amends and reinstate the wins of the Buckeyes 2010 season.

In 2010, the NCAA had strict rules for players receiving improper benefits in their name, image, and likeness. Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey, Daniel "Boom" Herron, and others were accused of selling autographed items in exchange for tattoos. The players were also accused of selling memorabilia that was received from the University (Big Ten championship rings, bowl rings, etc.). These actions, back in 2010, were considered receiving improper benefits and against the rules. Coach Jim Tressel was reportedly made aware of these allegations at the time and failed to report them to the NCAA which led to his resignation as the coach of Ohio State.

That season, Ohio State won 11 games in the regular season, then beat Arkansas in the BCS Sugar Bowl. All 12 wins were vacated as punishment for the improper benefits.

Now with the new rules of NIL and the NCAA returning Reggie Bush's Heisman trophy, it is Ohio State's turn to be served proper justice. What Terrelle Pryor and his teammates did was wrong at the time, taking away their wins is punishing an entire historic university still to this day. The biggest problem with the investigation was Jim Tressel knew what happened and did not admit it when questioned. The NCAA cannot say that these players and coaches gained a competitive advantage on the playing field due to them selling memorabilia and getting tattoos in exchange for championship gear.

The NCAA needs to write the wrongs of how they have portrayed these players and coaches and reinstate the wins of the 2010 season. At a historic program like Ohio State, every season matters. The 2010 season was a huge season for Ohio State as they won a Big Ten championship, beat the Wolverines and beat an SEC opponent in Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Adding these 12 wins back into the program will also add 12 more wins to Tressel's historic coaching career while giving him six bowl wins.

© Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Pryor, Tressel and company suffered for the wrongs of their actions at the time. The mark of their legacy was tarnished by these actions and is still talked about to this day. Now the conversation is not "what if" but "can the wrongs be made right." The call upon the NCAA to right the wrongs for the 2010 Ohio State Buckeyes started the moment Reggie Bush was given back his Heisman Trophy, and Buckeye Nation needs to press the issue until it is resolved.