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LGHL MC&J: Washington will try and stay undefeated in Week 10’s national action

MC&J: Washington will try and stay undefeated in Week 10’s national action
Brett Ludwiczak
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Washington v Stanford

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The Huskies will try and add to Alex Grinch’s woes. Plus, picks for seven other games outside the Big Ten.

Last week ATS: 5-7 (4-3 National, 1-4 B1G)

Season ATS: 74-74 (33-44 National, 41-30 B1G)


Last week was a bit strange, since I struggled with my Big Ten picks while hitting the majority of my national picks. Essentially we have a clean slate for the final month of the regular season as we are heading into November with a 74-74 record.


National games


No. 23 Kansas State v. No. 7 Texas (-4.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FOX

Texas was able to easily navigate their first game without Quinn Ewers, beating BYU 35-6 last week in Austin. Maalik Murphy threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns against the Cougars in his first start for the Longhorns. Texas also got nearly 100 yards and a touchdown on the ground from Jonathon Brooks, as well as a punt return for a score from Xavier Worthy early in the game.

After losing at Oklahoma State early in October, Kansas State has started to figure things out recently, winning their last three games. The Wildcats have looked especially dominant in their last two contests, beating TCU and Houston by a combined score of 82-3. If there was ever a team to throw a wrench into the Longhorns’ plans of winning the Big 12 to state their case for a spot in the CFP, it feels like Kansas State is that team since they have done just that to a number of teams in the conference in the last decade.

Kansas State 33, Texas 30



Texas A&M v. No. 10 Ole Miss (-3) - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN

Texas A&M is sort of that mosquito that keeps flying around. Even though you keep swatting at it, for some reason it takes forever to actually hit it. They pose no real danger, they are just super annoying. The Aggies hung around Alabama and Tennessee before losing to the Crimson Tide and Volunteers. Texas A&M does have a really good defense, I’m just not sure exactly how good they are because they haven’t played anyone with an offense quite like what they’ll see from Ole Miss.

If only the Rebels didn’t collapse in the second half against Alabama, we might be talking about an undefeated Ole Miss team right now. Quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Quinshon Judkins power an offense that is averaging 474 yards per game so far this year. On the other side of the football, the defense is gaining confidence. After allowing 49 points to LSU, over the last three games the defense of the Rebels has given up a combined 48 points.

I’m actually a little surprised this line is as low as it is. I know Texas A&M is a solid team, I just think Ole Miss is a tier above them right now. Besides, it feels like since Jimbo Fisher has arrived in College Station the Aggies always seem to fall apart in November. In three of the last four seasons, Texas A&M has lost at least two games in November. Lane Kiffin adds to Fisher’s November woes.

Ole Miss 34, Texas A&M 24



No. 15 Notre Dame (-3) v. Clemson - 12:00 p.m. ET - ABC

I’ll be honest, I just want to see Clemson keep losing games because I want the Dabo Swinney meltdowns to get funnier with each loss. The Tigers have now lost two straight games and Dabo is more worried about Tyler from Spartanburg taking shots at him on his weekly call-in show. Dabo and Clemson have lost the plot, and a home game isn’t going to save them this week.

If anything, Sam Hartman and the Fighting Irish are only going to make things worse for Clemson. Notre Dame continues their recent strong play as they win their third-straight game.

Notre Dame 31, Clemson 21



No. 12 Missouri v. No. 2 Georgia (-15.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - CBS

This Georgia team is ridiculously tough to get a read on. Just when you think the Bulldogs might be vulnerable, that’s when they put a hurtin’ on their opponents. Then when you think they are going to steamroll somebody, it ends up being a one-score game. No Brock Bowers for Georgia? No problem, since last week against Florida Ladd McConkey made everyone remember just how dangerous he is at receiver.

I think Missouri is actually a pretty good team. The Tigers have a really good offense and an underrated defense. Too bad Eli Drinkwitz is such a whiny nerd. As much as I have been impressed by Missouri when I watch them, this feels like the type of game where Kirby Smart shoves Drinkwitz in a locker. Plus, I bet Georgia is a little chapped they weren’t ranked in the top spot of the first CFP rankings, so they’ll make the committee recognize this week.

Georgia 38, Missouri 20



No. 9 Oklahoma (-5.5) v. Oklahoma State - 3:30 p.m. ET - ABC

This will be the last installment of Bedlam for who knows how long since the Sooners are moving to the SEC following this year. Oklahoma enters this game heading in the wrong direction after their win against Texas. Not only did the Sooners struggle with UCF a couple weeks ago, last week Oklahoma was beaten by Kansas in Lawrence.

As much as I can’t stand Mike Gundy, a part of me wants to see Oklahoma State win this game just to see how smug he is after the win. In a way it’s like rooting for the bad guy to win a wrestling match. You know you’re going to hate yourself for siding with him, yet you still want it to happen. With the way Ollie Gordon and the rest of the Cowboys are playing lately, I actually do think Oklahoma State pulls off the victory over the Sooners in Stillwater on Saturday afternoon.

Oklahoma State 37, Oklahoma 30



No. 21 Kansas v. Iowa State (-2.5) - 7:00 p.m. ET - ESPN

This feels like it should be a prime letdown spot for Kansas after a huge win last week over Oklahoma. Were the Jayhawks coached by pretty much anyone aside from Lance Leipold, I would pick Iowa State to win this game. Even without their starting quarterback for most of the season, Kansas is still 6-2, and still has a shot at making it to the Big 12 Championship Game next month. Running back Devin Neal is a big reason for that, as he leads a Jayhawk ground attack that is averaging over 200 yards per game.

After starting the season dealing with the effects from a gambling scandal (ironic this is mentioned in a gambling article, right?), Iowa State has found their way lately, winning their last three games. Freshman Rocco Becht is looking like the quarterback of the future for the Cyclones, as he has thrown 13 touchdowns so far this season. For as good as Becht has been, I’m just not convinced Iowa State can pull off the upset of Kansas in this one.

Kansas 27, Iowa State 23



No. 5 Washington (-3) v. No. 20 USC - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC

Michael Penix and the Washington offense against Alex Grinch’s defense is going to be a snuff film. The last time the Trojans allowed less than 30 points in a game was back in September when they beat Arizona State 42-28. Imagine what Penix and the Huskies will be able to do on Saturday night, especially since Washington knows right now they are just on the outside of the playoff in the CFP rankings right now.

Really though, we could say the same about Caleb Williams going up against the Washington defense, which has struggled of late. This is certainly going to be a fun game to watch with a lot of points put on the scoreboard. In the end, Washington is the more complete team, which is why I think they clear another hurdle on their way to an undefeated regular season. After a couple off weeks, Penix gets back into the Heisman Trophy race with a big performance on Saturday night.

Washington 45, USC 34



No. 14 LSU v. No. 8 Alabama (-3) - 7:45 p.m. ET - CBS

Alabama head coach Nick Saban has done everything you could possibly do in college football. While not much can rattle Saban anymore, I feel like last year’s loss at LSU still has to eat at him after the Tigers won in overtime when they went for two after scoring a touchdown. The loss to LSU drove a stake through the heart of Alabama’s CFP hopes, as it was their second loss of the season.

This year LSU has been cooking on offense. The problem for the Tigers is their defense has been brutal. If Brian Kelly’s team had any semblance of a defense, they might be undefeated right now. Instead, LSU has lost to Florida State and Ole Miss, and even though they could still make the SEC Championship Game, they aren’t going to be a factor in the playoff.

Even though Alabama’s offense has really struggled at times this year, we have seen it get better recently. I think the growth continues with Jalen Milroe at quarterback after last week’s bye week allowed them the chance to tighten things up even more. LSU hasn’t seen a defense as good as what they’ll see from Alabama on Saturday. While Jayden Daniels will make some plays, the Crimson Tide defense will rise up in key spots.

Alabama 28, LSU 24

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Chicago Recommendations?

I'll be visiting for a few days in a few weeks and was wondering if there were any recommendations from locals (@ORD_Buckeye or anyone else) on interesting things to do, and good restaurants to check out.

I've been a few times before, so I've done a good number of the typical tourist things before (Willis & Hancock Towers, Architecture Tour on the Chicago river, The Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Park Zoo, Goodman Theatre, Second City, etc ...never been to Navy Pier but don't have any interest in it). Wouldn't be opposed to experiencing some of those again, but just wanted to get some ideas for the type of experiences that locals would have. The main thing I have planned for now is seeing the Caravaggio exhibition at the AIC. Besides that, I have an open itinerary.


Will only be there a few days, and will probably return again soon, so just a spitball of different recommendations and ideas would be appreciated as I have enough familiarity with the City to not need a fully itinerary spelled out for me.

Any ideas (good or bad) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

LGHL Buckeyes make the cut for two 2025 linebacker targets, set to welcome back a big time 2024 defensive lineman

Buckeyes make the cut for two 2025 linebacker targets, set to welcome back a big time 2024 defensive lineman
Caleb Houser
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ohio State is continuing to work tirelessly in the 2025 class.

Watching the Buckeyes this season, the defense has taken some serious steps forward. With the players in year two under Jim Knowles, Ohio State is seeing that side of the ball return to form after too many seasons of subpar play. Still with room to improve of course, it’s been a huge part of this team’s identity thus far, and if there’s any one position group that has been leading the way, it’s been at linebacker.

A guy like Tommy Eichenberg captains that side of the ball, and knowing the Buckeyes will have to replace a few guys at the position with the 2023 season’s conclusion, both Knowles and James Laurinaitis are working tirelessly to make sure their future hauls — especially in the 2025 class — are loaded up with elite players to keep the group in a good place. Fortunately, guys who have already earned Ohio State offers are keeping the Buckeyes in the mix and strongly considering Columbus as their college destination.

On Wednesday, a top 2025 linebacker released the latest update in his recruitment by trimming his top schools list down to 10, and kept the Buckeyes among his favorites. Florida native Elijah Melendez currently holds nearly 40 offers to his name, so narrowing it down this much shows he is seriously weighing his options. Now Kentucky, Georgia Tech, LSU, USC, Colorado, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Alabama, and Ohio State are all that remain.

The No. 183 player nationally, Melendez is the 21st best linebacker and the 26th best player in Florida in the 2025 cycle per the 247Sports Composite. Ohio State is heavily in the thick of this race, and Elijah has been up front with how he feels about the Buckeyes. There’s no timetable set for his final call, but certainly with how this has been trending Ohio State will be in it until the end.


Another guy at the position to give the Buckeyes the nod on Wednesday, Texas product Jonah Williams also took to Twitter and released a list of top schools he is still considering before making the final call. A 6-foot-3, 203 pound athlete, Williams is already among the top players in the country regardless of position, and with nearly 30 offers to his name, his list of 12 after cutting the contenders nearly in half also gives notion to his desire to start really honing in on some of the schools he is liking more than others.

Keeping Colorado, Oklahoma, Oregon, Alabama, Texas A&M, TCU, Texas, USC, Tennessee, Arizona State, LSU, and Ohio State in it, Williams will have his work cut out for him to narrow it down even further, but is poised to go through the process. For Ohio State, this is another elite player that has been vocal about the Buckeyes and their advantages. Surely Jonah will keep the Buckeyes near the top of this list for the long haul, and what’s next for Ohio State is to try and get him back on campus to continue their best pitch.

The No. 16 player nationally, Williams is the second ranked player at his position for the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite. Though his ranking and status is a bit higher than the aforementioned Melendez, the Buckeyes are being clear with both that they’re among their top targets and would love to have both of them in the fold for 2025.

Five-Star LB Jonah Williams tells me he’s down to 1️⃣2️⃣ Schools!

The 6’3 200 LB from Galveston, TX is ranked as a Top 15 Recruit in the 2025 Class (No. 2 LB)

Where Should He Go? https://t.co/chaX0PF2Ao pic.twitter.com/7qUS8tvEKJ

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 2, 2023

Quick Hits​

  • Though most of the attention now is being paid to the future classes like 2025, the 2024 class is still not set in stone and Ohio State is working to fill their few remaining spots in the haul that is currently the nation’s second-ranked recruiting class. That said, there’s names that are being sought after to finish this cycle, and yesterday brought some positive vibes surrounding one target this staff would love to have.

North Carolina native Amaris Williams is currently committed to Florida, and has been since June of this year. But after visiting Ohio State just a couple of weeks ago, the No. 100 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite looks to have a return visit scheduled for Nov. 11.

A 6-foot-3, 270 pound defensive lineman, his position is certainly where at least one open space in the 2024 class is still up for grabs. While he’s still committed to the Gators, taking two trips within a month to see Ohio State certainly means something — especially when this upcoming trip is an unofficial visit and paid for on his own dime.

This is one recruitment that is worth watching closely for a potential “flip” and seeing what Larry Johnson does from here could be pretty telling for the chances the Buckeyes really have down the stretch.

NEW: Rivals100 Florida DL commit Amaris Williams has three visits planned

Details here: https://t.co/wF6Z5A20fp pic.twitter.com/didTvJubQX

— Adam Friedman (@RivalsFriedman) November 1, 2023

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LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: We pick every single Ohio State men’s basketball game... kind of

Bucketheads Podcast: We pick every single Ohio State men’s basketball game... kind of
justingolba
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Brooke LaValley/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Plus, a preview of the Oakland game on Monday night.

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.



Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

For Episode 89 of “Bucketheads,” we are playing a game with Ohio State’s schedule. Connor and Justin will be drafting games they think Ohio State will win, and as the season goes on, if they indeed win those games, the person who drafted that game will either get one, two, or three points based on the difficulty of the game.

We also very briefly talk about the “secret” scrimmage against Clemson, and at the end, we preview the opening game against Oakland.

Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast and leave a review of what you think of the show!



Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter:
@BucketheadsLGPN

Connect with Connor:
Twitter:
@lemons_connor

Connect with Justin:
Twitter:
@justin_golba

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LGHL Stock Market Report: Ohio State survives its trip to Madison, remains undefeated

Stock Market Report: Ohio State survives its trip to Madison, remains undefeated
justingolba
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ohio State is 8-0, and is one of the five P5 teams left with a zero in the loss column.

Seven more wins and the Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0) are national champions. It is not truly that simple, but the sentence remains true. After the Buckeye's trip to Madison resulted in a 24-10 win over Wisconsin (5-3) and the fighting Luke Fickell’s, the Buckeyes will turn their attention to Rutgers and the 6-2 Scarlet Knights.

Let’s take a look at who helped and who and what hurt their stock this past weekend.


Blue Chip


Surviving and advancing: In my world, late October into November means two things in college football: The College Football Playoff rankings have been announced, and the season now truly becomes real (because who cares about the AP Poll). Because of this, it is survive and advance season. The Buckeyes have a target on their backs as the No. 1 team in the country.

It does not matter if they win each game by one point or 100 points. If they win out, they are in the college football playoff. Al Davis said it best, just win, baby win.


Solid Investments

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Camp Randall at night: There is a reason a lot of Ohio State fans were nervous about the game Saturday night, and none of it had to do with the players on the field. There is just something about Camp Randall Stadium under the lights.

Whether it is the sea of red or Jump Around to enter the fourth quarter, Wisconsin is one of the toughest places to play at night in the conference, and Ohio State has had its troubles there in the past. Personally, I love watching those games. A good night atmosphere is what makes college football special.

TreVeyon Henderson: There has been a lot of talk about the running back room, and with the season-ending injury to Miyan Williams and the Buckeyes’ desire to redshirt Dallan Hayden, the room has got a little smaller recently. However, as long as he is healthy, Henderson is the star of the backfield.

Henderson came back from injury against Wisconsin and recorded 207 total yards and a touchdown, and really provided a huge spark to the running game for Ohio State. Henderson has looked great every time he has been able to play, and hopefully he stays healthy so he can continue to produce at a high level.


Junk Bonds


Strength of Schedule: Look, let’s be honest, it very likely does not matter. As long as the Buckeyes win all their games, they are going to the College Football Playoff. But what was once a pretty tough schedule is starting to take a real hit.

First, Notre Dame has since lost to Louisville and almost lost to Duke, Maryland has not won a game since they lost to Ohio State and went on to lose to Illinois and Northwestern, and Penn State was in real trouble at home against Indiana. Thankfully, Penn State hung on, but they did not look great in the process.

Again, it doesn’t really matter, but it is worth pointing out.


Buy/Sell

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Buy: Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Heisman chances. I have not been convinced that Marvin Harrison Jr. could win the Heisman Trophy until the Penn State game, and now after the Wisconsin game, I really do believe he can win it.

This doubt had nothing to do with Harrison Jr. himself. But normally, it is so hard for a receiver to win the Heisman because they have to put up insane numbers and they have to share votes with their quarterback. Harrison won’t have to do that, and it is clear he is the difference maker on his team that could go undefeated. He has a real chance.

Buy: Defense wins championships. Is it a cliche statement? Of Course. Do I still think it is correct? Yes, I do. Ohio State fans are living in a weird reality right now. We are so used to the offense leading the way and hoping the defense can catch up, and now it is the reverse. But that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Even with the amazing offenses the Buckeyes have had over the last two or three years, they really haven’t won anything. They have not won a Big Ten Championship since 2021, they are 0-2 against Michigan in the last two seasons and have won one playoff game. Now, they have an elite defense and a good but not a dominant offense. We will see what that may bring.

Sell: Zero targets for Cade Stover. Throughout the entire game on Saturday night, I was asking myself one question: Where is Cade Stover? He was blocking all night (sometimes), but he was not targeted once in the passing game. It was odd to see because, normally, he is a solid and dependable option for Kyle McCord, especially with Emeka Egbuka on the sideline and Julian Fleming missing the second half.

This was clearly the Marvin Harrison Jr. and TreVeyon Henderson show, but it will be interesting to see if they get Stover back in the mix against Rutgers. I hope they do, because Stover brings versatility to the offense that is really hard for defenses to match.

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