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LGHL Streaming expert has the best ways to watch Ohio State vs. Western Michigan for free without cable
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Streaming expert has the best ways to watch Ohio State vs. Western Michigan for free without cable
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Andrew Weber-Imagn Images
You’ve got a number of free trials you can choose from of various lengths and breadths.
The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes are back in action today, Saturday, Sept. 7 as they will take on the Western Michigan Broncos in primetime. The Bucks and Broncos will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET in a game airing on the Big Ten Network. In Week 1, OSU beat MAC school Akron 52-6, while WMU — also a MAC school — put up a good fight against the Wisconsin Badgers before falling 28-14. So this should make for a fun Week 2 matchup.
This season, the Buckeyes will play on three different broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, and NBC), at least one cable channel (Big Ten Network), and exclusively on a streaming service (Peacock); it can be tough to keep up with where and how to watch your favorite team.
As cord-cutting has become far more the norm than the exception across the United States, it would not be a surprise if you gave up cable or a live-streaming service following last year’s season only to realize that it’s the day of the game and you have no way to watch it.
And I know it can be incredibly confusing to find the best way to watch a game in today’s entertainment landscape. Fortunately for you, I am something of a streaming expert... no really, I write about streaming services for a living. So, I am going to walk you through the best — and cheapest — ways for you to stream today’s game.
Game Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Broadcasters: Jeff Levering, Jake Butt
Betting Line: Ohio State -37.5 | 54.5 o/u
Best Streaming Option for All College Football Games:
This week is the perfect time to sign up for Hulu + Live TV. Not only can you take advantage of the three-day free trial, but on Friday, Hulu + Live TV announced its latest deal. For any new customer who signs up for the service — and the complementary ad-supported Disney Bundle that comes with it — after one month, they will get a $30 rebate. Now this isn’t one of those things where they just give you a $30 credit on your bill effectively locking you into another month, no, they will automatically send you $30 via whatever your method of payment was.
Then, you can cancel the service, upgrade to the ad-free Disney bundle, or keep going with your subscription and pocket the extra $30; it’s a win-win. But, this deal is only available through Wednesday, Sept. 11, so hurry up and take advantage of it now.
Hulu + Live TV has one of the few guaranteed multi-day free trials in the industry and provides nearly all of the major cable channels on the market. The basic package comes with all of the major broadcast network channels — all of which have college football — ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. It also has ESPN, ESPN2, Big Ten Network, FS1, FS2, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, and the NFL Network (yes, they have college games) without having to sign up for any sports add-on plans. However, if you do want more sports, you can add NFL RedZone, MLB StrikeZone, FanDuel TV, the Tennis Channel, and more.
What’s great about Hulu + Live TV is that in addition to all of the broadcast and cable channels that you could possibly want, it also comes with the Disney Bundle for free. So, you also get the full on-demand Hulu library, Disney+, and ESPN+, which also has hundreds of college football games every season.
Currently, a subscription to Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 per month after your three-day free trial. However, that will go up to $82.99 in mid-October. But between now and then, this is the best choice for watching college football
Fubo: $84.99 per month, at least a one-day free trial
DIRECTV STREAM: $79.99 per month
YouTube TV: $72.99 per month
Below is your Ohio State vs. Western Michigan 2024 game thread. Be respectful, be kind and — as always — keep it classy, BuckeyeNation. If you like GIFs, lay ‘em on us. In all, be good fans, cheer for your teams, be cool to each other (even if somebody else isn’t) and everyone wins. Let’s finish the season strong!
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Andrew Weber-Imagn Images
You’ve got a number of free trials you can choose from of various lengths and breadths.
The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes are back in action today, Saturday, Sept. 7 as they will take on the Western Michigan Broncos in primetime. The Bucks and Broncos will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET in a game airing on the Big Ten Network. In Week 1, OSU beat MAC school Akron 52-6, while WMU — also a MAC school — put up a good fight against the Wisconsin Badgers before falling 28-14. So this should make for a fun Week 2 matchup.
This season, the Buckeyes will play on three different broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, and NBC), at least one cable channel (Big Ten Network), and exclusively on a streaming service (Peacock); it can be tough to keep up with where and how to watch your favorite team.
As cord-cutting has become far more the norm than the exception across the United States, it would not be a surprise if you gave up cable or a live-streaming service following last year’s season only to realize that it’s the day of the game and you have no way to watch it.
And I know it can be incredibly confusing to find the best way to watch a game in today’s entertainment landscape. Fortunately for you, I am something of a streaming expert... no really, I write about streaming services for a living. So, I am going to walk you through the best — and cheapest — ways for you to stream today’s game.
How can I watch the No. 2 Ohio State vs. Western Michigan college football game?
Game Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Broadcasters: Jeff Levering, Jake Butt
Betting Line: Ohio State -37.5 | 54.5 o/u
Best Streaming Option for All College Football Games:
Hulu + Live TV | 3-Day Free Trial
This week is the perfect time to sign up for Hulu + Live TV. Not only can you take advantage of the three-day free trial, but on Friday, Hulu + Live TV announced its latest deal. For any new customer who signs up for the service — and the complementary ad-supported Disney Bundle that comes with it — after one month, they will get a $30 rebate. Now this isn’t one of those things where they just give you a $30 credit on your bill effectively locking you into another month, no, they will automatically send you $30 via whatever your method of payment was.
Then, you can cancel the service, upgrade to the ad-free Disney bundle, or keep going with your subscription and pocket the extra $30; it’s a win-win. But, this deal is only available through Wednesday, Sept. 11, so hurry up and take advantage of it now.
Hulu + Live TV has one of the few guaranteed multi-day free trials in the industry and provides nearly all of the major cable channels on the market. The basic package comes with all of the major broadcast network channels — all of which have college football — ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. It also has ESPN, ESPN2, Big Ten Network, FS1, FS2, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, and the NFL Network (yes, they have college games) without having to sign up for any sports add-on plans. However, if you do want more sports, you can add NFL RedZone, MLB StrikeZone, FanDuel TV, the Tennis Channel, and more.
What’s great about Hulu + Live TV is that in addition to all of the broadcast and cable channels that you could possibly want, it also comes with the Disney Bundle for free. So, you also get the full on-demand Hulu library, Disney+, and ESPN+, which also has hundreds of college football games every season.
Currently, a subscription to Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 per month after your three-day free trial. However, that will go up to $82.99 in mid-October. But between now and then, this is the best choice for watching college football
Other Streaming Options for the Ohio State and Akron Game:
Fubo: $84.99 per month, at least a one-day free trial
DIRECTV STREAM: $79.99 per month
YouTube TV: $72.99 per month
Join the conversation
Below is your Ohio State vs. Western Michigan 2024 game thread. Be respectful, be kind and — as always — keep it classy, BuckeyeNation. If you like GIFs, lay ‘em on us. In all, be good fans, cheer for your teams, be cool to each other (even if somebody else isn’t) and everyone wins. Let’s finish the season strong!
Continue reading...
LGHL MC&J: Week 2 nationally sees Tennessee and NC State battle in primetime
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MC&J: Week 2 nationally sees Tennessee and NC State battle in primetime
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Plus picks for five other interesting games this week outside the Big Ten.
Last week ATS: 13-10 (3-2 National, 10-8 B1G)
You can find predictions for all this week’s games with a point spread involving Big Ten teams here.
Arkansas v. No. 16 Oklahoma State (-7.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FOX
Both Arkansas and Oklahoma State cruised to victories over FCS opponents last week. Now the real fun begins with what is shaping up to be an entertaining contest in Stillwater.
Boise State transfer quarterback was efficient in his first start for the Razorbacks, throwing for 229 yards and two scores in the 70-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Alan Bowman put up similar numbers for Oklahoma State last week, while Heisman hopeful running back Ollie Gordon III found the end zone three times against South Dakota State.
The Cowboys definitely have the star power in Gordon and wide receiver Brennan Presley, while Arkansas will likely win the war in the trenches. I certainly can see the Razorbacks covering, and wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled the upset here.
Arkansas 31, Oklahoma State 28
No. 17 Kansas State (-9.5) v. Tulane - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
Neither team will look the same as two years ago when Tulane beat Kansas State in Manhattan. Will Howard is now at Ohio State, while former Tulane head coach Willie Fritz is at Houston and quarterback Michael Pratt has graduated. At quarterback for the Wildcats is Avery Johnson, who will likely lean on outstanding running back DJ Giddens, who rushed for 124 yards last week.
Tulane replaced Fritz with Troy’s Jon Sumrall. I wouldn’t really call what Tulane is going through now a rebuild, but they do have some work to do. Sumrall surprised a lot of people by going with Darian Mensah last week at quarterback in the opener. The move looked brilliant after Mensah was 10-of-12 for 205 yards and two touchdown passes. Mensah will face a lot more resistance from a gritty Kansas State defense this week.
Even though the Wildcats are on the road here, I like them in this spot against a Tulane team that will still be adjusting to life without Fritz and Pratt.
Kansas State 34, Tulane 21
No. 23 Georgia Tech (-2.5) v. Syracuse - 12:00 p.m. ET - ACC Network
You don’t just walk into the Carrier Dome (or whatever they are calling it now) and leave with a victory. I’m wondering if Georgia Tech might be a little overvalued after their win over Florida State. It’s obvious the Seminoles have some deep issues, so I’m not as impressed with the win as some others might be. Not to say Georgia Tech isn’t good, I’m just not a fan of them in this spot.
Our old friend Kyle McCord looked comfortable in a place where the lights aren’t as bright, passing for 354 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Ohio last week. The offense of the Orange could be really good this year with running back LeQuint Allen and tight end Orande Gadsden II complimenting McCord.
New head coach Fran Brown picks up his first ACC win at Syracuse.
Syracuse 35, Georgia Tech 27
Baylor v. No. 11 Utah (-14.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - FOX
Remember Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn? He is at Baylor now! Finn had some mixed results last week in the 45-3 win over Tarleton State, throwing two touchdowns but also tossing two picks. The mistakes didn’t hurt Finn and the Bears last week, but they won’t get away with plays like that on the road against Utah.
I’m really high on this Utah squad. I think Cam Rising caps off his 22-year college career with a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Last week Rising returned to the field for the first time in almost two years by throwing five touchdown passes. The Utes are so tough to beat in Salt Lake City, and even though this is a pretty big line, I think they overwhelm Finn and Baylor.
Utah 38, Baylor 17
No. 14 Tennessee (-9.5) v. No. 24 NC State - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC
Tennessee was pretty good with quarterback Joe Milton last year. What’s scary is they might be even better now that Nico Iamaleava is taking the snaps. Last week Iamaleava passed for 314 yards and three scores as the Volunteers cruised to victory over Chattanooga. Iamaleava has a tremendous group of receivers to help him find some comfort as the starter.
The Wolfpack will counter with Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall, who looked pretty good in his debut with the team last week. NC State has some talented skill position players, I’m just not convinced they have the beef and athleticism on the lines to keep up with the Volunteers.
Plus, I feel a lot better siding with Josh Heupel in the coaching battle over Dave Doeren.
Tennessee 37, NC State 24
Mississippi State v. Arizona State (-6.5) - 10:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
Arizona State surprised me a lot last week. I thought they would struggle with Wyoming. The Sun Devils proved me wrong by demolishing the Cowboys in Tempe, 48-7. While I’m not thinking Arizona State is going to be a contender in the Big 12, they should be able to keep the good vibes rolling for another week.
Jeff Lebby had a successful debut as Mississippi State head coach, beating Eastern Kentucky 56-7. What Lebby does have is a veteran quarterback in Baylor transfer Blake Shapen. What concerns me about the Bulldogs is they can’t really run the ball, which is going to be a problem against a nasty Sun Devil defense.
Arizona State should be able to win here by at least a touchdown.
Arizona State 33, Mississippi State 21
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Plus picks for five other interesting games this week outside the Big Ten.
Last week ATS: 13-10 (3-2 National, 10-8 B1G)
You can find predictions for all this week’s games with a point spread involving Big Ten teams here.
National games:
Arkansas v. No. 16 Oklahoma State (-7.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FOX
Both Arkansas and Oklahoma State cruised to victories over FCS opponents last week. Now the real fun begins with what is shaping up to be an entertaining contest in Stillwater.
Boise State transfer quarterback was efficient in his first start for the Razorbacks, throwing for 229 yards and two scores in the 70-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Alan Bowman put up similar numbers for Oklahoma State last week, while Heisman hopeful running back Ollie Gordon III found the end zone three times against South Dakota State.
The Cowboys definitely have the star power in Gordon and wide receiver Brennan Presley, while Arkansas will likely win the war in the trenches. I certainly can see the Razorbacks covering, and wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled the upset here.
Arkansas 31, Oklahoma State 28
No. 17 Kansas State (-9.5) v. Tulane - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
Neither team will look the same as two years ago when Tulane beat Kansas State in Manhattan. Will Howard is now at Ohio State, while former Tulane head coach Willie Fritz is at Houston and quarterback Michael Pratt has graduated. At quarterback for the Wildcats is Avery Johnson, who will likely lean on outstanding running back DJ Giddens, who rushed for 124 yards last week.
Tulane replaced Fritz with Troy’s Jon Sumrall. I wouldn’t really call what Tulane is going through now a rebuild, but they do have some work to do. Sumrall surprised a lot of people by going with Darian Mensah last week at quarterback in the opener. The move looked brilliant after Mensah was 10-of-12 for 205 yards and two touchdown passes. Mensah will face a lot more resistance from a gritty Kansas State defense this week.
Even though the Wildcats are on the road here, I like them in this spot against a Tulane team that will still be adjusting to life without Fritz and Pratt.
Kansas State 34, Tulane 21
No. 23 Georgia Tech (-2.5) v. Syracuse - 12:00 p.m. ET - ACC Network
You don’t just walk into the Carrier Dome (or whatever they are calling it now) and leave with a victory. I’m wondering if Georgia Tech might be a little overvalued after their win over Florida State. It’s obvious the Seminoles have some deep issues, so I’m not as impressed with the win as some others might be. Not to say Georgia Tech isn’t good, I’m just not a fan of them in this spot.
Our old friend Kyle McCord looked comfortable in a place where the lights aren’t as bright, passing for 354 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Ohio last week. The offense of the Orange could be really good this year with running back LeQuint Allen and tight end Orande Gadsden II complimenting McCord.
New head coach Fran Brown picks up his first ACC win at Syracuse.
Syracuse 35, Georgia Tech 27
Baylor v. No. 11 Utah (-14.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - FOX
Remember Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn? He is at Baylor now! Finn had some mixed results last week in the 45-3 win over Tarleton State, throwing two touchdowns but also tossing two picks. The mistakes didn’t hurt Finn and the Bears last week, but they won’t get away with plays like that on the road against Utah.
I’m really high on this Utah squad. I think Cam Rising caps off his 22-year college career with a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Last week Rising returned to the field for the first time in almost two years by throwing five touchdown passes. The Utes are so tough to beat in Salt Lake City, and even though this is a pretty big line, I think they overwhelm Finn and Baylor.
Utah 38, Baylor 17
No. 14 Tennessee (-9.5) v. No. 24 NC State - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC
Tennessee was pretty good with quarterback Joe Milton last year. What’s scary is they might be even better now that Nico Iamaleava is taking the snaps. Last week Iamaleava passed for 314 yards and three scores as the Volunteers cruised to victory over Chattanooga. Iamaleava has a tremendous group of receivers to help him find some comfort as the starter.
The Wolfpack will counter with Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall, who looked pretty good in his debut with the team last week. NC State has some talented skill position players, I’m just not convinced they have the beef and athleticism on the lines to keep up with the Volunteers.
Plus, I feel a lot better siding with Josh Heupel in the coaching battle over Dave Doeren.
Tennessee 37, NC State 24
Mississippi State v. Arizona State (-6.5) - 10:30 p.m. ET - ESPN
Arizona State surprised me a lot last week. I thought they would struggle with Wyoming. The Sun Devils proved me wrong by demolishing the Cowboys in Tempe, 48-7. While I’m not thinking Arizona State is going to be a contender in the Big 12, they should be able to keep the good vibes rolling for another week.
Jeff Lebby had a successful debut as Mississippi State head coach, beating Eastern Kentucky 56-7. What Lebby does have is a veteran quarterback in Baylor transfer Blake Shapen. What concerns me about the Bulldogs is they can’t really run the ball, which is going to be a problem against a nasty Sun Devil defense.
Arizona State should be able to win here by at least a touchdown.
Arizona State 33, Mississippi State 21
Continue reading...
LGHL Big Ten Top 10: Four conference schools in Week 1 rankings led by Ohio State
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Big Ten Top 10: Four conference schools in Week 1 rankings led by Ohio State
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The official SB Nation Big Ten writers poll is the only truly unbiased poll any college football fan could ever need.
AP Poll? Shmay Pee Poll! Coaches Poll? We all know that coaches don’t have time to fill out a weekly survey, let alone watch enough games to make informed choices! That’s why your friendly neighborhood Big Ten writers from across the SB Nation universe have banded together to come up with the only fair, accurate, non-biased poll in all of college football.
Every week, a writer from the 16 sites covering specific B1G schools (lowly UCLA and USC don’t have SBN sites) will submit their picks, and Oren Basse from Michigan State site The Only Colors will compile them into the official SBN Big Ten Writers Poll
.
I will keep you updated on our selections here on Land-Grant Holy Land, and I will let you know how I vote every week because we believe in truth, justice, and transparency in journalism here in Buckeye Country.
There will also be a Player of the Week selected by the Big Ten writers. So, without further ado, here is the post-Week 1 SB Nation Big Ten Writers Poll.
These rankings coincide with my Top-12 picks every week on the “No Fall Weddings” podcast in the Land-Grant Podcast Network feed, which you can subscribe to anywhere you get your favorite audio entertainment.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25606548/usa_today_24130783.jpg "NCAA Football: Boise State at Georgia Southern")
Richard Burkhart-Imagn Images
The Boise State back had a monster Week 1 game in the Broncos’ thrilling 56-45 victory over Georgia Southern last Saturday. In 20 carries, Jeanty went for 267 yards and six touchdowns. If Boise wants to knock off the No. 8 team in the SBN B1G poll the Oregon Ducks this weekend, the dynamic back will likely need to have another stellar performance.
Others receiving votes:
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The official SB Nation Big Ten writers poll is the only truly unbiased poll any college football fan could ever need.
AP Poll? Shmay Pee Poll! Coaches Poll? We all know that coaches don’t have time to fill out a weekly survey, let alone watch enough games to make informed choices! That’s why your friendly neighborhood Big Ten writers from across the SB Nation universe have banded together to come up with the only fair, accurate, non-biased poll in all of college football.
Every week, a writer from the 16 sites covering specific B1G schools (lowly UCLA and USC don’t have SBN sites) will submit their picks, and Oren Basse from Michigan State site The Only Colors will compile them into the official SBN Big Ten Writers Poll
.I will keep you updated on our selections here on Land-Grant Holy Land, and I will let you know how I vote every week because we believe in truth, justice, and transparency in journalism here in Buckeye Country.
There will also be a Player of the Week selected by the Big Ten writers. So, without further ado, here is the post-Week 1 SB Nation Big Ten Writers Poll.
SB Nation Big Ten Writers Poll | Week 1
My Personal Top-10 Rankings | Week 1
These rankings coincide with my Top-12 picks every week on the “No Fall Weddings” podcast in the Land-Grant Podcast Network feed, which you can subscribe to anywhere you get your favorite audio entertainment.
Player of the Week | Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Boise State back had a monster Week 1 game in the Broncos’ thrilling 56-45 victory over Georgia Southern last Saturday. In 20 carries, Jeanty went for 267 yards and six touchdowns. If Boise wants to knock off the No. 8 team in the SBN B1G poll the Oregon Ducks this weekend, the dynamic back will likely need to have another stellar performance.
Others receiving votes:
- Jaxson Dart | QB, Ole Miss
- Kyron Hudson | WR, USC
- Travis Hunter | WR/CB, Colorado (my pick)
- Tetairoa McMillan | WR, Arizona.
- Miller Moss | QB, USC
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: Which outgoing basketball transfer will have the most success at their new school?
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You’re Nuts: Which outgoing basketball transfer will have the most success at their new school?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All four former Buckeyes landed with programs that could be in the NCAA Tournament this year.
Happy college football season! The Ohio State Buckeyes take the field this week against the Western Michigan Broncos in Week 2, which means that college basketball is just around the corner.
Last week, Connor and Justin predicted how many players the Ohio State men’s basketball team will take in the 2025 recruiting class. Currently, the Buckeyes just have one player committed in that class — four-star guard Dorian Jones. However, there are a handful of Ohio guys and out of state talent that Jake Diebler and staff are pursuing, including Darryn Peterson, Jerry Easter, Niko Bundalo, and several others.
48% of the readers sided with Connor, who said the Buckeyes will take a total of three players in that class. 34% sided with Justin, who said they’d just take two. One reader said that Ohio State would take just Dorian Jones, and 16% of readers said the Buckeyes will take at least four guys in that class.
Connor- 81
This week, we are looking at the destinations of Ohio State’s four outgoing transfers from last season — Roddy Gayle, Felix Okpara, Bowen Hardman, and Scotty Middleton — and picking which will have the biggest season at their new school.
This is not a reflection of good they may or may not have been at Ohio State. This is simply their impact on their new team.
Gayle’s announcement that he was leaving Ohio State came as a surprise to many, and his landing spot was even more of a stunner. After playing for the Buckeyes for two seasons, Gayle opted to transfer to the other side of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.
The rivalry itself will look different, however, as both squads roll into the 2024-25 season with new coaches after Juwan Howard and Chris Holtmann were both relieved of their duties this spring. Rather than return to Ohio State and play for the guy who recruited him to Columbus, Gayle transferred to Michigan to play for former Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May — now the conductor of the Michigan men’s basketball program.
In an interview last month, Gayle described the way May allows his guards, especially taller guards, play a “freelance” role in the offense. Although we haven’t seen this in action at Michigan yet, May had two “longer” guards at FAU — Johnell Davis and Nick Boyd — who helped lead the Owls to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. It would make sense for May to use Gayle in a similar fashion he used Davis at FAU — he led the Owls in scoring each of the past two seasons.
May put together a talented group of transfers for his first year at Michigan, but the offense will likely revolve around Gayle and the twin-towers duo of Danny Wolf (Yale transfer) and Vlad Goldin (FAU transfer). Now listed at 6-foot-5, Gayle should generally have more space to operate with Wolf and Goldin on the floor with him.
If the Wolverines are able to find ways to play the big men together it would make it even more difficult for teams to double team Gayle, who more than doubled his scoring, rebounding, and assists per game last season from his freshman year.
I think the floor for Gayle this year — one season after averaging 13.5 points per game — is an “honorable mention” All-Big Ten award. I think Gayle’s ceiling is first or second-team All-Big Ten, followed by his name being called at the NBA Draft. He has most of the tools, and just needs to re-discover a more consistent three-point shot to really explode this year as a junior.
The Buckeyes hoops team lost many talented players from last season, and has brought in many talented players for this season. The one guy that hurt the most when he announced he was transferring is Scotty Middleton.
Middleton played one season in Columbus as a highly touted freshman who chose the Buckeyes over Kansas. Even though it was an up-and-down season, it was clear at times that his potential is sky-high.
After the season, due to the roster and coaching changes that happened, Middleton announced he would be transferring to Seton Hall. The destination was no surprise, as Seton Hall was in Middleton’s original final three schools. He has family in New Jersey and went to high school at Pirates head coach Shaheen Holloway’s alma mater.
Middleton is a guy who I would not be surprised to see in the NBA as early as next season. He has good size and instincts on defense, an efficient offensive game, and toward the end of last season got his three-point shot rolling.
Middleton will likely never be a volume scorer, but his ability as an elite three-and-D player will always be valuable, and I would have loved to see him grow in Columbus.
Continue reading...
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All four former Buckeyes landed with programs that could be in the NCAA Tournament this year.
Happy college football season! The Ohio State Buckeyes take the field this week against the Western Michigan Broncos in Week 2, which means that college basketball is just around the corner.
Last week, Connor and Justin predicted how many players the Ohio State men’s basketball team will take in the 2025 recruiting class. Currently, the Buckeyes just have one player committed in that class — four-star guard Dorian Jones. However, there are a handful of Ohio guys and out of state talent that Jake Diebler and staff are pursuing, including Darryn Peterson, Jerry Easter, Niko Bundalo, and several others.
48% of the readers sided with Connor, who said the Buckeyes will take a total of three players in that class. 34% sided with Justin, who said they’d just take two. One reader said that Ohio State would take just Dorian Jones, and 16% of readers said the Buckeyes will take at least four guys in that class.
After 168 weeks:
Connor- 81
Justin- 67
Other- 16
(There have been four ties)
This week, we are looking at the destinations of Ohio State’s four outgoing transfers from last season — Roddy Gayle, Felix Okpara, Bowen Hardman, and Scotty Middleton — and picking which will have the biggest season at their new school.
This is not a reflection of good they may or may not have been at Ohio State. This is simply their impact on their new team.
This week’s question: Which basketball outgoing transfer will have the most success at their new school?
Connor: Roddy Gayle
Gayle’s announcement that he was leaving Ohio State came as a surprise to many, and his landing spot was even more of a stunner. After playing for the Buckeyes for two seasons, Gayle opted to transfer to the other side of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.
The rivalry itself will look different, however, as both squads roll into the 2024-25 season with new coaches after Juwan Howard and Chris Holtmann were both relieved of their duties this spring. Rather than return to Ohio State and play for the guy who recruited him to Columbus, Gayle transferred to Michigan to play for former Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May — now the conductor of the Michigan men’s basketball program.
In an interview last month, Gayle described the way May allows his guards, especially taller guards, play a “freelance” role in the offense. Although we haven’t seen this in action at Michigan yet, May had two “longer” guards at FAU — Johnell Davis and Nick Boyd — who helped lead the Owls to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. It would make sense for May to use Gayle in a similar fashion he used Davis at FAU — he led the Owls in scoring each of the past two seasons.
May put together a talented group of transfers for his first year at Michigan, but the offense will likely revolve around Gayle and the twin-towers duo of Danny Wolf (Yale transfer) and Vlad Goldin (FAU transfer). Now listed at 6-foot-5, Gayle should generally have more space to operate with Wolf and Goldin on the floor with him.
If the Wolverines are able to find ways to play the big men together it would make it even more difficult for teams to double team Gayle, who more than doubled his scoring, rebounding, and assists per game last season from his freshman year.
I think the floor for Gayle this year — one season after averaging 13.5 points per game — is an “honorable mention” All-Big Ten award. I think Gayle’s ceiling is first or second-team All-Big Ten, followed by his name being called at the NBA Draft. He has most of the tools, and just needs to re-discover a more consistent three-point shot to really explode this year as a junior.
Justin: Scotty Middleton
The Buckeyes hoops team lost many talented players from last season, and has brought in many talented players for this season. The one guy that hurt the most when he announced he was transferring is Scotty Middleton.
Middleton played one season in Columbus as a highly touted freshman who chose the Buckeyes over Kansas. Even though it was an up-and-down season, it was clear at times that his potential is sky-high.
After the season, due to the roster and coaching changes that happened, Middleton announced he would be transferring to Seton Hall. The destination was no surprise, as Seton Hall was in Middleton’s original final three schools. He has family in New Jersey and went to high school at Pirates head coach Shaheen Holloway’s alma mater.
Middleton is a guy who I would not be surprised to see in the NBA as early as next season. He has good size and instincts on defense, an efficient offensive game, and toward the end of last season got his three-point shot rolling.
Middleton will likely never be a volume scorer, but his ability as an elite three-and-D player will always be valuable, and I would have loved to see him grow in Columbus.
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SMU Mustangs (official thread)
- By ScriptOhio
- College Football
- 7 Replies
'Oh, s---, here come all the billionaires': How SMU came back from the dead
The Mustangs received the NCAA's "death penalty" in 1987. But a group of boosters is determined to return the program to glory.
'Oh, s---, here come all the billionaires': How SMU came back from the dead
IN THE 1980s, SMU and Dallas became synonymous with free-flowing money in college football, a small school in a big city that turned into a playground for rich boosters who would spare no expense to make sure their team became a major player. It worked, albeit not for long. The Mustangs became pariahs, ultimately getting crushed by the NCAA's "death penalty" in 1987. SMU was the only program in history considered so corrupt that it had to be shut down.
If only those boosters could've fast-forwarded 40 years. The sins of SMU's past are now virtues in college football.
The money -- NIL means Now It's Legal -- is flowing again in Dallas, and SMU is in a major conference, the ACC, cutting an unprecedented deal to forgo television revenue for nearly a decade as a devoted group of deep-pocketed boosters pledges to cover the shortfall, while also funding a leading NIL collective. The Ponies are back in the game.
"We don't embrace the mistakes of our past," Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee said. "But we do embrace the history of our past."
For all this to happen, it took power players who knew how to wheel and deal, lots of money and some Dallas bravado -- all of which are in abundance on the Hilltop. Most schools make a conference move to get more television revenue, not less. But SMU just wanted a seat at the table. SMU's chairman of the board, David Miller, fired his metaphorical six-shooter in the air when he explained how the program could go without television revenue for nine years: The money didn't matter to them.
"It's a couple hundred million dollars," Miller told Yahoo. "I'm not losing sleep over it."
That's because this is college football in Texas, and none of it looks like a risk to people like oilman Bill Armstrong, a billionaire who has made his name and fortune by risking it all. Considered perhaps the greatest wildcatter in history, he's a protégé of legendary oilman (and Oklahoma State mega-booster) T. Boone Pickens, and his company made the third-largest oil discovery in U.S. history in Alaska in 2013.
He's also old college buddies with former stars Eric Dickerson and Craig James, and his name, along with his wife Liz's, now adorns the Mustangs' practice facility as well as the football offices in SMU's new Weber End Zone Complex, a $100 million facility that opened this season, with the Armstrongs pledging $15 million toward the project.
"I was at SMU when we were great," Armstrong said. "I was there when the Pony Express was there, and I saw how important having a major college football team is to a good university."
He watched as SMU minimized athletics, as his old friend Dickerson publicly suggested SMU should drop football if it wasn't committed, and as the Mustangs suffered through decades of futility. Now, Armstrong is part of a generation of boosters who personally felt the pain of SMU being left behind after the Southwest Conference died, but now have the ability -- and the balance sheets -- to push their way back toward the top of the sport. Friday's matchup with another new Power 4 school, BYU (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN App), will be an early step in that process.
"I bet a lot of these schools look at SMU and go, 'Oh, s---, here come all the billionaires,'" Armstrong said. "We've been the whipping boy for so long. We're not going to blow it. There's a lot of pent-up fun to be had."
SMU was flying high in the early 1980s when Eric Dickerson was the face of the program. Decades later, he would suggest that the university drop football if it wasn't serious about winning.
DALLAS WAS BOOMING in the 1980s and SMU was right in the middle of it. The downtown skyline was transformed by new skyscrapers, and "Dallas," the prime-time soap opera, was No. 1 in the national Nielsen ratings, highlighting the oil and cattle scions of the Ewing family. And no place symbolized the ambition of Dallas like SMU, one of the nation's priciest colleges in the city's most affluent enclave.
SMU was starved for football success. Prior to the 1980 season, the Mustangs had had 10 consensus All-Americans in school history, and five of those played before 1952. The Dallas Cowboys arrived in 1960, and the city fell for pro football while the Mustangs fell on hard times. In the '60s and early '70s, Hayden Fry had just three winning seasons in 11 years at SMU, going 49-66-1 before becoming a legend at Iowa. His successor, Dave Smith, went 16-15-2 in three seasons and landed SMU on probation for paying players, before being fired and replaced by 35-year-old Ron Meyer, who arrived from UNLV and stepped right into the fire. The week he was hired in 1976, the NCAA extended SMU's probation a year to 1977.
Meyer, a dapper, charismatic salesman, was a perfect fit. Keeping up with the Joneses was the nature of the old Southwest Conference, where every recruiting battle was personal between eight Texas teams and Arkansas, and Meyer wasn't afraid to jump into the mix. In the conference in the 1980s, only Arkansas and Rice escaped probation. These were open secrets: Dickerson famously showed up at SMU in a Trans Am that was publicly rumored to have been paid for by a Texas A&M booster. It was commonly called the Trans A&M, despite Dickerson repeatedly claiming his grandmother bought it for him.
But SMU was offering plenty of cash and perks, too, including a payroll for players. As a result, the Mustangs earned NCAA investigators plenty of frequent-flyer miles. In 12 seasons, SMU was placed on probation five times for improper benefits.
It was almost a badge of honor, like the adage says: If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'.
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MILLER, THE 6-FOOT-8 former SMU basketball player, also happens to be a billionaire oilman who, along with his wife, Carolyn, has donated more than $100 million to the school, where the basketball teams play on David B. Miller Court. The 73-year-old founder of EnCap Investments, an oil and gas private equity firm, speaks in a soft Texas drawl, which he used to sell the virtues of SMU and Dallas to conference officials, eventually convincing the ACC.
As a player, Miller won a Southwest Conference title in basketball in 1972, and he believes the only thing holding SMU back in recent years was its Group of 5 status. "You're never going to recruit a four-star or five-star football or basketball player," he said. "The coaches can't talk fast enough."
So, when last year's chaotic wave of realignment opened a door, SMU was ready to kick it down. The enthusiasm galvanized an SMU faithful convinced they had been blocked by other schools that saw the Mustangs as a threat if they had equal standing again. And that might be true: SMU raised a record $159 million during the 2023-24 fiscal year for athletics, including $100 million in just five days after the Sept. 1 announcement that SMU had landed an ACC spot.
"Is it endless in terms of what our donors can do? I wouldn't say that," Miller said. "But I'd say to you that there is a mountain of excitement and enthusiasm that we're back."
Those record-breaking donations didn't just come from a few wealthy wildcatters. There were four donations of eight figures, 35 of seven figures and 82 of six figures.
"There are some oilmen in the mix that absolutely helped lead the charge," Miller said. "But it took more than oilmen."
Still, there are lots of oilmen. In 2022, boosters launched the Boulevard Collective, formed by Chris Kleinert, CEO of Hunt Realty Investments and the son-in-law of famed oilman R.L. Hunt (net worth: $7.2 billion, according to Forbes) who is also one of the boosters who helped with the ACC move, and Kyle Miller, son of David Miller and the president and CEO of Silver Hill Energy Partners.
By that fall, the Boulevard Collective signed every football and basketball player to standard NIL deals of $36,000 annually, according to On3. The Ponies have the payroll working again, and this time it's all aboveboard.
"From the get-go, we've had what I would describe as a robust NIL program," David Miller said.
SMU proved it this offseason, adding heft for the new ACC schedule with 18 Power 4 transfers, including eight on the defensive line. The Mustangs landed transfers from Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Utah, two from Oklahoma and three each from Miami and Arkansas.
"We're getting serious again. If you're half-assed in and half-assed out, it's not going to work," Dickerson said. "Look, Eric Dickerson didn't just become a football player. I had some talent, and I worked my ass off at it. That's what I did. That is what SMU is doing now. They're working their ass off to get things done, to get people to come, get players to want to come."
The Mustangs are no longer on the fringes of college football. Lashlee, who came to SMU with Dykes as his offensive coordinator in 2018, returned to Dallas in 2022 to replace his old coach, coming from Miami, where he spent two years as offensive coordinator. He was sold on the potential of the program based on his time under Dykes.
"When you take a job, the first impression you're trying to figure out is, OK, what are the issues?" Lashlee said. "Like SMU, or when I went to Miami, why have they not been winning? [Sonny and I] had been here about six months and one day we looked at each other and said, 'Other than the conference, what's the reason we can't win here?' And there really wasn't one."
Last season, Lashlee led the Mustangs to an 11-3 finish and an AAC title, their first conference championship since 1984. When the ACC announcement came, Miller proclaimed to ESPN that day that "the beast is about to emerge," while Lashlee remarked that SMU was the only school in Dallas-Fort Worth in a top-three conference, a not-so-subtle shot across the Metroplex at TCU, which calls itself "DFW's only Big 12 school." After years of envy, SMU alums are ready to be equals, aghast that they had to watch their former peers play big-time football.
"Everybody kept talking about TCU. It's just TCU," Lance McIlhenny, Dickerson's old Pony Express quarterback, told ESPN in 2019. "They're nothing special other than they've had deep pockets for 15 years. I want to win a bunch of games and play a team like Baylor in whatever setting and put a shellackin' on 'em."
Bennett said SMU being restored to its former standing, with administrative backing and a unified front of deep-pocketed donors, will make the Mustangs a threat.
"They've become legit," Bennett said. "It's almost beyond comprehension for those of us who've been involved in it. You look at the state of Texas, they're right up there. I'm happy for them. I'm proud of David and Carolyn Miller because they've always been great alumni, but not many people are willing to put that much money where their mouth is."
Those power players did what they had to do to get the Mustangs here. Now, thrilled to have a seat at the table in the ACC, they know they still need to capitalize, because in college sports, there are no long-term guarantees anymore. But with a wide-open ACC race this season and no Miami or Clemson on the schedule, the Mustangs have an opportunity to make an instant impact. SMU has won nine straight home games dating to 2022 and is averaging 53.9 points at Ford Stadium over that span. Now TCU is coming to Dallas on Sept. 21, followed by Florida State on Sept. 28.
"Is our expectation that we're going to be able to compete for championships within two to three years?" Miller asked. "The answer to that is yes."
Lashlee doesn't mind hearing that from the people who write his checks.
"Yeah, we have high expectations. We welcome 'em," Lashlee said. "We're going to get so much from being a part of the ACC. That was really the last piece we needed in terms of recruiting and the chance to build our program back to the national level."
It took four decades, a lot of patience and even more money to get here. Now it's time for the Mustangs to Pony Up on the field.
"We're in Dallas, Texas," Armstrong said. "We're in the center of the football universe. Moses roamed through the desert shorter than SMU has been roaming the bad football years. It's about time we came back."
Just sayin': Apparently SMU believes that they "are now finally back" and in a position to compete for championships in a couple years..
LGHL Gene Smith gave Ryan Day a glowing review in final performance evaluation
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Gene Smith gave Ryan Day a glowing review in final performance evaluation
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Ryan Day praised by former Ohio State A.D. Gene Smith in job review
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Three Keys for Buckeyes in primetime showdown against Western Michigan (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Across The Field: Western Michigan Play-by-Play Announcer Robin Hook Breaks Down the Broncos’ Season Opener Against Wisconsin, QB Hayden Wolff and RB Jalen Buckley
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors
3 keys to victory for Ohio State against Western Michigan
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Football: Ryan Day and Team Give Midweek Updates
Ohio State Athletics
Ryan Day Credits New Pregame Routine with Minimizing Distractions for Ohio State Before Home Games
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
How Vegas views Ohio State’s title chances following Week 1
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Film Study: Reviewing the Debuts of Chip Kelly and Will Howard in the Ohio State Offense
Kyle Jones, Eleven Warriors
Pooch Punt: General thoughts and mild musings about Ohio State’s lopsided victory over Akron
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State looking to hold on to 2025 commits as Signing Day draws closer
Caleb Houser, Land-Grant Holy Land
Will Howard’s scrambling ability could elevate Buckeye offense (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting The Eyes
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith looks to build on his impressive debut: ‘I feel like I can have a better game’
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Arvell Reese using effort, preparation to earn role for Buckeyes defense (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
What OSU LB Sonny Styles thought about position switch in Week 1
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
With Better Collective Run Blocking, Ohio State Feels It’s Close to A Fearsome Ground Attack
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
MC&J: Texas travels to Michigan in Week 2’s marquee matchup
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
How did well-traveled veteran guard Ques Glover arrive at Ohio State?
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Men’s Cross Country: Jack Agnew Selected B1G Freshman of the Week
Ohio State Athletics
I love football, but I’m writing this at halftime of the Chiefs vs. Ravens game, and you cannot tell me that the NFL is in any way, shape, or form better than college football. Yes, the talent is better, but the product, in every way, is inferior.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Ryan Day praised by former Ohio State A.D. Gene Smith in job review
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Three Keys for Buckeyes in primetime showdown against Western Michigan (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Across The Field: Western Michigan Play-by-Play Announcer Robin Hook Breaks Down the Broncos’ Season Opener Against Wisconsin, QB Hayden Wolff and RB Jalen Buckley
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors
3 keys to victory for Ohio State against Western Michigan
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Football: Ryan Day and Team Give Midweek Updates
Ohio State Athletics
Ryan Day Credits New Pregame Routine with Minimizing Distractions for Ohio State Before Home Games
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
How Vegas views Ohio State’s title chances following Week 1
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Film Study: Reviewing the Debuts of Chip Kelly and Will Howard in the Ohio State Offense
Kyle Jones, Eleven Warriors
Pooch Punt: General thoughts and mild musings about Ohio State’s lopsided victory over Akron
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State looking to hold on to 2025 commits as Signing Day draws closer
Caleb Houser, Land-Grant Holy Land
Will Howard’s scrambling ability could elevate Buckeye offense (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting The Eyes
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith looks to build on his impressive debut: ‘I feel like I can have a better game’
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Arvell Reese using effort, preparation to earn role for Buckeyes defense (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
What OSU LB Sonny Styles thought about position switch in Week 1
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
With Better Collective Run Blocking, Ohio State Feels It’s Close to A Fearsome Ground Attack
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
MC&J: Texas travels to Michigan in Week 2’s marquee matchup
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
How did well-traveled veteran guard Ques Glover arrive at Ohio State?
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Men’s Cross Country: Jack Agnew Selected B1G Freshman of the Week
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
I love football, but I’m writing this at halftime of the Chiefs vs. Ravens game, and you cannot tell me that the NFL is in any way, shape, or form better than college football. Yes, the talent is better, but the product, in every way, is inferior.
Continue reading...