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LGHL Uncut Podcast: Day thinks win was ‘mixed bag,’ wishes he had gotten Brown in more
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Uncut Podcast: Day thinks win was ‘mixed bag,’ wishes he had gotten Brown in more
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
The Ohio State head coach answers questions following his team’s season-opening win.
Throughout the year, the Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On today’s episode of “Land-Grant Uncut,” we are bringing you unedited audio from Ohio State football coach Ryan Day from the press conference following the Buckeyes’ 23-3 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, Sept. 2. The head coach admitted that the uneven performance by his offense prevented him from getting Devin Brown in the game as much as he had hoped going in. Day thought that the offensive performance was a mixed bag with some highlights, but plenty to work on, including red zone, short yardage, and third downs.
On the other side of the ball, Day said that he was “excited about great defense.” He complimented the defensive line for disrupting plays in both IU’s run and passing game.
Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt
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
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
The Ohio State head coach answers questions following his team’s season-opening win.
Throughout the year, the Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On today’s episode of “Land-Grant Uncut,” we are bringing you unedited audio from Ohio State football coach Ryan Day from the press conference following the Buckeyes’ 23-3 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, Sept. 2. The head coach admitted that the uneven performance by his offense prevented him from getting Devin Brown in the game as much as he had hoped going in. Day thought that the offensive performance was a mixed bag with some highlights, but plenty to work on, including red zone, short yardage, and third downs.
On the other side of the ball, Day said that he was “excited about great defense.” He complimented the defensive line for disrupting plays in both IU’s run and passing game.
Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt
Music by: www.bensound.com
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State sets its sights on Youngstown State in Week 2
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Ohio State sets its sights on Youngstown State in Week 2
Gene Ross 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 in-state Penguins come to Columbus for the Buckeyes’ first home game of the year.
Ohio State began the season 1-0 after defeating Indiana on Saturday, albeit not quite in the fashion that many imagined. The Buckeyes really struggled to move the ball on offense thanks largely in part to poor play-calling and shaky offensive line play, but the defense shined as they kept Indiana out of the end zone in a 23-3 victory. Now, Ryan Day’s group returns home, where they will play their first non-conference matchup of the season against Youngstown State. The Penguins also began the new campaign 1-0, defeating Valparaiso 52-10 in their opener.
The Youngstown State rushing attack looked strong in the opener against Valparaiso. Tyshon King led the way with 11 touches for 111 yards and two touchdowns as seven different players recorded carries in the game for the Penguins, totaling 303 rushing yards and four TDs as a unit. The passing attack was not as potent, but still efficient. Quarterback Mitch Davidson threw for 130 yards and a TD while completing 11 of his 19 pass attempts. C.J. Charleston hauled in the long score through the air, as he and Bryce Oliver combined for nine receptions for 112 yards. YSU was clean with the football, avoiding any turnovers.
Defensively, Youngstown State was led by linebacker Alex Howard, who tallied nine total tackles to go along with three tackles for loss and two sacks. The Penguins recorded five sacks as a whole, and forced a pair of fumbles. Elsewhere, YSU returns defensive back Jordan Trowers, who tied for the team lead in tackles a year ago while finishing second in pass breakups. Up front, senior defensive lineman Dylan Wudke anchors the group after leading the Penguins last season with 12 TFLs and five sacks. Youngstown State also blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown, and they will look to have more special teams success against Ohio State’s terrible special teams coordinator, Parker Fleming.
Ohio State, meanwhile, returns home after a lackluster offensive performance in the 23-3 win over Indiana in the season opener. Ryan Day’s offensive play-calling is once again being called into question, as the Buckeyes looked stiff and predictable on that side of the ball despite all of the skill talent at their disposal. Day’s commitment to calling stretch runs to the boundary left Ohio State just 2-of-12 on third down, and the reluctance to use the team’s best players saw Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka combine for just five catches for 34 yards. It was an inexcusable game plan from the head coach, and one that cannot be repeated if the Buckeyes are to defeat the better teams on their schedule.
Defensively, Jim Knowles’ unit looked very strong. The Hoosiers attempted to confuse the Ohio State defense by coming out in a triple-option offense, but the Silver Bullets were up to the task as they held Indiana to just 71 yards rushing on 33 attempts (2.2 yards per carry). Tom Allen’s group did not attack much through the air, but when they did guys like Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun made some nice plays. Sonny Styles was another huge bright spot for this defense, as he was flying all over the field. The only downside of this group was getting to the quarterback, as Larry Johnson’s unit managed just one sack in the game, which came in garbage time.
We likely won’t learn a whole lot more about Ohio State against an FCS opponent, but if nothing else it will provide an opportunity for improved play-calling and should open the door for both quarterbacks to play — if that is what Day wants or chooses. Maybe Marvin Harrison Jr. will actually get the ball thrown his way this time, too! The defense will get a chance to flex its muscles yet again, and we should see more personnel rotation at all three levels if the game gets out of hand relatively early.
Continue reading...
Gene Ross 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 in-state Penguins come to Columbus for the Buckeyes’ first home game of the year.
Ohio State began the season 1-0 after defeating Indiana on Saturday, albeit not quite in the fashion that many imagined. The Buckeyes really struggled to move the ball on offense thanks largely in part to poor play-calling and shaky offensive line play, but the defense shined as they kept Indiana out of the end zone in a 23-3 victory. Now, Ryan Day’s group returns home, where they will play their first non-conference matchup of the season against Youngstown State. The Penguins also began the new campaign 1-0, defeating Valparaiso 52-10 in their opener.
The Youngstown State rushing attack looked strong in the opener against Valparaiso. Tyshon King led the way with 11 touches for 111 yards and two touchdowns as seven different players recorded carries in the game for the Penguins, totaling 303 rushing yards and four TDs as a unit. The passing attack was not as potent, but still efficient. Quarterback Mitch Davidson threw for 130 yards and a TD while completing 11 of his 19 pass attempts. C.J. Charleston hauled in the long score through the air, as he and Bryce Oliver combined for nine receptions for 112 yards. YSU was clean with the football, avoiding any turnovers.
Defensively, Youngstown State was led by linebacker Alex Howard, who tallied nine total tackles to go along with three tackles for loss and two sacks. The Penguins recorded five sacks as a whole, and forced a pair of fumbles. Elsewhere, YSU returns defensive back Jordan Trowers, who tied for the team lead in tackles a year ago while finishing second in pass breakups. Up front, senior defensive lineman Dylan Wudke anchors the group after leading the Penguins last season with 12 TFLs and five sacks. Youngstown State also blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown, and they will look to have more special teams success against Ohio State’s terrible special teams coordinator, Parker Fleming.
Ohio State, meanwhile, returns home after a lackluster offensive performance in the 23-3 win over Indiana in the season opener. Ryan Day’s offensive play-calling is once again being called into question, as the Buckeyes looked stiff and predictable on that side of the ball despite all of the skill talent at their disposal. Day’s commitment to calling stretch runs to the boundary left Ohio State just 2-of-12 on third down, and the reluctance to use the team’s best players saw Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka combine for just five catches for 34 yards. It was an inexcusable game plan from the head coach, and one that cannot be repeated if the Buckeyes are to defeat the better teams on their schedule.
Defensively, Jim Knowles’ unit looked very strong. The Hoosiers attempted to confuse the Ohio State defense by coming out in a triple-option offense, but the Silver Bullets were up to the task as they held Indiana to just 71 yards rushing on 33 attempts (2.2 yards per carry). Tom Allen’s group did not attack much through the air, but when they did guys like Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun made some nice plays. Sonny Styles was another huge bright spot for this defense, as he was flying all over the field. The only downside of this group was getting to the quarterback, as Larry Johnson’s unit managed just one sack in the game, which came in garbage time.
We likely won’t learn a whole lot more about Ohio State against an FCS opponent, but if nothing else it will provide an opportunity for improved play-calling and should open the door for both quarterbacks to play — if that is what Day wants or chooses. Maybe Marvin Harrison Jr. will actually get the ball thrown his way this time, too! The defense will get a chance to flex its muscles yet again, and we should see more personnel rotation at all three levels if the game gets out of hand relatively early.
Continue reading...
LGHL If This Were a Movie: Breaking down Ohio State’s mismanaged quarterback battle
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If This Were a Movie: Breaking down Ohio State’s mismanaged quarterback battle
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Based on the inspiring true story of Ohio State at Indiana.
Each week, we’ll analyze the Ohio State game (and occasionally other games as well) through the lens of a sports movie. If this game were the next “Remember the Titans,” “Space Jam” or “The Sandlot,” what storylines would keep us talking? What would make us laugh, reach for the box of tissues, or have us on the edge of our seats? Grab your popcorn and get ready for pop culture references, a hint of snark, and a trip back in time to the Blockbuster Video days.
Starting the season with a conference game already feels a bit like a movie, and when the football game starts off closer than anyone expects it to, you start to wonder if you’re dealing with an “Angels in the Outfield” situation.
Don’t get me wrong, I love “Angels in the Outfield,” but when my team is heavily favored with big hopes for the season ahead, I’m not hoping for the inspiring tale of an underdog.
For about half of yesterday’s football game between Ohio State and Indiana in Bloomington, I was biting my nails, half-expecting Indiana to take the lead, shift the momentum, and turn this into the next great DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie, for those of you who weren’t raised on “Luck of the Irish”).
It doesn’t really matter who the experts favor if momentum favors the other guy, so when Indiana was within one score at the half, I was worried. Momentum seemed to favor them, their coach, players, and fans were electric, and even though the Buckeyes were ahead, those on the OSU side were brought down to earth by how close the game was.
Thankfully, the Buckeyes seemed to find a little more footing in the second half, so we’ll never see the DCOM about the underdog Hoosiers handing OSU its first season-opener loss since 1999. We’ll probably also never get a movie about OSU winning 28 consecutive games against Indiana (the most consecutive wins by any team against another single team in the country) because frankly, it’s a little boring.*
*If for some reason, filmmakers feel compelled to make the latter of these two movies, might I suggest Creed Batton as inspired casting for Indiana’s head coach Tom Allen.
No, in the end, the real Hollywood storyline was “McCord vs. Brown.”
(As an aside: I am legally obligated to clarify that in NO way am I implying that there is ill will between Kyle McCord and Devon Brown. Hollywood might take those creative liberties, but I won’t).
Because the real story of this game wasn’t how close it was. There were no surprise standout guys that no one was expecting to hear from. There was just down-in-the-dirt football, with two guys getting a chance at the helm, both pretty lacklusterly if we’re being honest.
I went into this game nervous about our quarterback options, and frankly, this weekend didn’t do much to ease my nerves in reality. I don’t love that we don’t have a quarterback who can run the ball, something that OSU has been able to weaponize over the last few years, even in small doses. While the assumption has been that Brown is the better athlete of the two and capable of running the ball, his one attempt on a designed quarterback run on Saturday was less than inspiring.
Regardless, we’re here now. We knew going into the game that Ryan Day would favor junior Kyle McCord, the more senior of the two options, for the starting job. We also knew we’d see sophomore Devin Brown step in, with most of us expecting to see him take substantial reps.
Now remember, we’re not watching the game with real-life glasses on. We’re watching them with IMAX 3D glasses. And given the nature of how the game went down, the movie would be told from McCord’s point of view.
Picture the story through the eyes of a Hollywood producer: We see a young McCord dreaming of being an elite football player. He’s under a tremendous amount of pressure competing for a starting spot at a school where that starting spot could very well secure your professional future.
Add to this the lofty expectations of a coaching staff and fanbase who are used to having Heisman-caliber quarterbacks, and the stakes are high.
We’d get heartwarming music as McCord finally gets his opportunity to take the field as the starter, only to see him throw an interception at an inopportune time against a team he should easily be blowing out.
That moment came in the second quarter when McCord tried to throw across his body on 4th and 2 deep in Indiana territory and was picked.
Devin Brown went into the game on the Buckeyes’ next drive.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24893378/1438273223.jpg "Ohio State v Penn State")
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
In the world of cinema, Brown had a golden opportunity to prove he should be QB1 in this moment, to capitalize on McCord’s mediocre showing and go lights out for the rest of the game; to create a Wally Pip moment.
But alas, Brown went three and out on his first drive, and shortly after, McCord was back.
Perhaps Hollywood could help us make sense of Day’s logic here, because I’m not following. Giving Brown one drive with no passing opportunities before yanking him simply does not compute for me (nor does most of the Buckeyes’ play calling throughout this game).
I don’t think we learned enough about Brown in that one drive to even see what he is capable of, and I don’t think Day did his confidence any favors long-term. If Brown was good enough for Day to indicate on Tuesday that he was good enough to get substantial playing in the game, what possibly could have changed by Saturday?
But in the end, McCord would get his happy ending (at least for this week). He goes back in and finishes the game 20-for-33 for 239 yards, leading his team to victory.
It’s important to remember that this game could be a standalone film, but this was also the first game of the season. So perhaps this was just setting the stage for a longer arc where McCord starts slow and then lights it up over the course of the whole season, similar to what C.J. Stroud did in 2021.
Alternatively, Hollywood loves a franchise. So we could also have Part 2 where Brown could get a whole film where he gets to shoot his shot. Or we could get a whole “Fast and the Furious”-type series full of McCord victories, speed (probably courtesy of OSU’s running backs and receivers), and Brutus as Vin Diesel.
But after Week 1, it’s looking a little less “Fast and the Furious” and a little more “Alien vs. Predator” in that chaos ensued and we’re not really sure who the winner is here.
Technically the Buckeyes are, but it was a win that didn’t feel like the wins we’re used to. Let’s hope it’s setting us up for a Hollywood ending down the road, instead of setting our opponents up to come out on top.
Continue reading...
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Based on the inspiring true story of Ohio State at Indiana.
Each week, we’ll analyze the Ohio State game (and occasionally other games as well) through the lens of a sports movie. If this game were the next “Remember the Titans,” “Space Jam” or “The Sandlot,” what storylines would keep us talking? What would make us laugh, reach for the box of tissues, or have us on the edge of our seats? Grab your popcorn and get ready for pop culture references, a hint of snark, and a trip back in time to the Blockbuster Video days.
Starting the season with a conference game already feels a bit like a movie, and when the football game starts off closer than anyone expects it to, you start to wonder if you’re dealing with an “Angels in the Outfield” situation.
Don’t get me wrong, I love “Angels in the Outfield,” but when my team is heavily favored with big hopes for the season ahead, I’m not hoping for the inspiring tale of an underdog.
For about half of yesterday’s football game between Ohio State and Indiana in Bloomington, I was biting my nails, half-expecting Indiana to take the lead, shift the momentum, and turn this into the next great DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie, for those of you who weren’t raised on “Luck of the Irish”).
It doesn’t really matter who the experts favor if momentum favors the other guy, so when Indiana was within one score at the half, I was worried. Momentum seemed to favor them, their coach, players, and fans were electric, and even though the Buckeyes were ahead, those on the OSU side were brought down to earth by how close the game was.
Thankfully, the Buckeyes seemed to find a little more footing in the second half, so we’ll never see the DCOM about the underdog Hoosiers handing OSU its first season-opener loss since 1999. We’ll probably also never get a movie about OSU winning 28 consecutive games against Indiana (the most consecutive wins by any team against another single team in the country) because frankly, it’s a little boring.*
*If for some reason, filmmakers feel compelled to make the latter of these two movies, might I suggest Creed Batton as inspired casting for Indiana’s head coach Tom Allen.
No, in the end, the real Hollywood storyline was “McCord vs. Brown.”
(As an aside: I am legally obligated to clarify that in NO way am I implying that there is ill will between Kyle McCord and Devon Brown. Hollywood might take those creative liberties, but I won’t).
Because the real story of this game wasn’t how close it was. There were no surprise standout guys that no one was expecting to hear from. There was just down-in-the-dirt football, with two guys getting a chance at the helm, both pretty lacklusterly if we’re being honest.
I went into this game nervous about our quarterback options, and frankly, this weekend didn’t do much to ease my nerves in reality. I don’t love that we don’t have a quarterback who can run the ball, something that OSU has been able to weaponize over the last few years, even in small doses. While the assumption has been that Brown is the better athlete of the two and capable of running the ball, his one attempt on a designed quarterback run on Saturday was less than inspiring.
Regardless, we’re here now. We knew going into the game that Ryan Day would favor junior Kyle McCord, the more senior of the two options, for the starting job. We also knew we’d see sophomore Devin Brown step in, with most of us expecting to see him take substantial reps.
Now remember, we’re not watching the game with real-life glasses on. We’re watching them with IMAX 3D glasses. And given the nature of how the game went down, the movie would be told from McCord’s point of view.
Picture the story through the eyes of a Hollywood producer: We see a young McCord dreaming of being an elite football player. He’s under a tremendous amount of pressure competing for a starting spot at a school where that starting spot could very well secure your professional future.
Add to this the lofty expectations of a coaching staff and fanbase who are used to having Heisman-caliber quarterbacks, and the stakes are high.
We’d get heartwarming music as McCord finally gets his opportunity to take the field as the starter, only to see him throw an interception at an inopportune time against a team he should easily be blowing out.
That moment came in the second quarter when McCord tried to throw across his body on 4th and 2 deep in Indiana territory and was picked.
Devin Brown went into the game on the Buckeyes’ next drive.
In the world of cinema, Brown had a golden opportunity to prove he should be QB1 in this moment, to capitalize on McCord’s mediocre showing and go lights out for the rest of the game; to create a Wally Pip moment.
But alas, Brown went three and out on his first drive, and shortly after, McCord was back.
Perhaps Hollywood could help us make sense of Day’s logic here, because I’m not following. Giving Brown one drive with no passing opportunities before yanking him simply does not compute for me (nor does most of the Buckeyes’ play calling throughout this game).
I don’t think we learned enough about Brown in that one drive to even see what he is capable of, and I don’t think Day did his confidence any favors long-term. If Brown was good enough for Day to indicate on Tuesday that he was good enough to get substantial playing in the game, what possibly could have changed by Saturday?
But in the end, McCord would get his happy ending (at least for this week). He goes back in and finishes the game 20-for-33 for 239 yards, leading his team to victory.
It’s important to remember that this game could be a standalone film, but this was also the first game of the season. So perhaps this was just setting the stage for a longer arc where McCord starts slow and then lights it up over the course of the whole season, similar to what C.J. Stroud did in 2021.
Alternatively, Hollywood loves a franchise. So we could also have Part 2 where Brown could get a whole film where he gets to shoot his shot. Or we could get a whole “Fast and the Furious”-type series full of McCord victories, speed (probably courtesy of OSU’s running backs and receivers), and Brutus as Vin Diesel.
But after Week 1, it’s looking a little less “Fast and the Furious” and a little more “Alien vs. Predator” in that chaos ensued and we’re not really sure who the winner is here.
Technically the Buckeyes are, but it was a win that didn’t feel like the wins we’re used to. Let’s hope it’s setting us up for a Hollywood ending down the road, instead of setting our opponents up to come out on top.
Continue reading...
LGHL Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: They won’t be hanging Ohio State vs. Indiana in the Louvre...
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Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: They won’t be hanging Ohio State vs. Indiana in the Louvre...
Josh Dooley 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
Week 1 will likely not be remembered as a watershed moment for OSU, but a dub is a dub. Josh and Chuck will take the win, but they aren’t thrilled about it.
The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they discuss Ohio State football, recruiting, and much, much more! Come for the hot takes, stay for the warm ones.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On this episode of Hangout in the Holy Land, Josh and Chuck recap Week 1 of the college football season, with an obvious focus on Ohio State. The Buckeyes beat the Indiana Hoosiers by a score of 23-3 in Bloomington, but Ryan Day’s team was far from perfect... and that is putting it mildly.
It’s not even Labor Day, and the hosts are already a teeny, tiny bit concerned about the Scarlet and Gray. Because Week 1 provided more questions than answers, primarily due to odd coaching decisions, lackluster QB play, and a team that seemed to lack identity. So was this opening week jitters, or is Ohio State in for some serious growing and transition pains?
The Hangout boys have obvious concerns, but admit and agree that the sky is not falling. After bemoaning the offensive playcalling and performance, the hosts go on to praise the Buckeyes’ stingy defense and give credit to at least a few players on the other side of the ball.
Lastly, the guys hand out weekly awards, which were few and far between.
Please make sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast! And as always, Go Bucks!
Connect with the pod
Twitter: @HolyLandPod
Connect with Josh Dooley
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye
Connect with Chuck Holmes
Twitter: @ctholmes3
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley 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
Week 1 will likely not be remembered as a watershed moment for OSU, but a dub is a dub. Josh and Chuck will take the win, but they aren’t thrilled about it.
The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they discuss Ohio State football, recruiting, and much, much more! Come for the hot takes, stay for the warm ones.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On this episode of Hangout in the Holy Land, Josh and Chuck recap Week 1 of the college football season, with an obvious focus on Ohio State. The Buckeyes beat the Indiana Hoosiers by a score of 23-3 in Bloomington, but Ryan Day’s team was far from perfect... and that is putting it mildly.
It’s not even Labor Day, and the hosts are already a teeny, tiny bit concerned about the Scarlet and Gray. Because Week 1 provided more questions than answers, primarily due to odd coaching decisions, lackluster QB play, and a team that seemed to lack identity. So was this opening week jitters, or is Ohio State in for some serious growing and transition pains?
The Hangout boys have obvious concerns, but admit and agree that the sky is not falling. After bemoaning the offensive playcalling and performance, the hosts go on to praise the Buckeyes’ stingy defense and give credit to at least a few players on the other side of the ball.
Lastly, the guys hand out weekly awards, which were few and far between.
Please make sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast! And as always, Go Bucks!
Connect with the pod
Twitter: @HolyLandPod
Connect with Josh Dooley
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye
Connect with Chuck Holmes
Twitter: @ctholmes3
Continue reading...
LGHL Stock Market Report: Sonny Styles steals the show as offense flounders, especially on third down
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Stock Market Report: Sonny Styles steals the show as offense flounders, especially on third down
justingolba 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
Right? It was a perfect game. Right?
I have good news, and I have bad news. The good news is, Ohio State is 1-0 after its 23-3 win over Indiana and now has a conference win under its belt. The bad news is that the 0 in the team’s record won’t stay there for long if they don’t figure some very important things out fast.
Another piece of good news is it is a long season, and guys can improve. Let’s take a look at some guys who improved their stock in week one and who did not.
Sonny Styles: The main talk from camp this off-season and throughout the summer was how good Sonny Styles has looked. And it transferred to the field against Indiana,
Styles was the best player on the field, making open-field tackles, covering the length of the field, and using his speed and athleticism to cut down angles and force runners out of bounds.
There really is not too much to say. Styles was phenomenal, and he is pushing the levels of generational talent. He led the Buckeyes in tackles for loss at 1.5. The sky is the limit for the 18-year-old, and game one showed that.
Chip Trayanum: As everyone expected coming into the game, Cade Stover was the leading receiver, and Chip Trayanum was the leading rusher. That was an easy prediction.
Trayanum was fantastic, acting as the lead blocker as the fullback for the other rushers and averaging seven yards a carry when it was his time to run the ball. He also would have set a touchdown scoring block if Kyle McCord had read it right. But we move on.
Trayanum finished with eight carries for 57 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. He was the most patient back for the Buckeyes, following his blocks and hitting the holes that opened up due to that. The Buckeyes have a wealth of talent in the running back room, with legitimately five running backs that can play meaningful minutes. However, Trayanum has proven with his on-field play that he deserves to continue to get reps, even if it isn’t as RB1.
Denzel Burke: Burke came under some heat last season as he was not as consistent on the back end as many people expected him to be. Cornerback is arguably the toughest position to play. Burke struggled in his sophomore season, and he is ready to bounce back. He looked prepared, energetic, and ready to remind people exactly the talent that he has.
Kyle McCord: Okay. Get it out. Call me crazy. Say it isn’t the time. Say you want Devin Brown.
Alright, now let’s discuss.
This was the second start in McCord‘s career, and he was serviceable. At times, he was pretty good. And I know, that is not the standard at Ohio State. And if come week 10, we are still calling him serviceable, that is obviously an issue.
However, for all the criticism Ryan Day has faced, and much of it deserved, he knows how to coach and develop the quarterback position. Plus, let’s not forget McCord was one of the top quarterback recruits in the country coming into Columbus and showed flashes on Saturday. He made a great pass to Cade Stover for 50 yards, hit Miyan Williams on an important wheel route on fourth down, and threw a touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr., which was called back through no fault of McCord. And yes, he threw a bad interception, but if you are going to force a pass, I would rather he does it on fourth down, so I can forgive that.
He did not look amazing, but he was still getting his sea legs under him. With the weapons they have and as the offensive line gets settled, McCord will be able to get more comfortable and reach his potential as a quarterback.
Third Down Efficiency: The most daunting stat that came from their opener was the third down efficiency or lack thereof. The Buckeyes were 2-for-12 on third down and struggled immensely in short-yardage situations. This will be something they need to figure out ASAP, or against a good offense, it will come back to kill them late in games. You have to be able to convert in those short-yardage situations and be able to trust you have an offensive line that can get that necessary push for running backs to pick up first downs. Or creative enough play calling to utilize the skill players on your team to pick those up, which we have not seen either.
You don’t have to be perfect, but 2-for-12 is not going to win you any big games.
Buy: The running game. This one does not require too much explanation, either. The Buckeyes have four running backs (five depending on the health of Evan Pryor, which seems to be good) that can provide valuable minutes and carries for Ryan Day and company. Whether it is Williams, Henderson, Trayanum, or someone else, this is a talented running back room that all brings different and unique running styles for the offense.
Buy: Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka: I recognize it sounds crazy to even say, and I am certainly not a stock market genius, but I do know that after yesterday, I am sure there are some people who will chalk what they saw from the top receivers as they are checked out and ready for the NFL Draft.
I don’t believe that, and I don’t think you can make those sweeping assumptions from one game, especially with a first-time quarterback. These guys have unfinished business and will still put up insane numbers this year.
Sell: Ryan Day’s play-calling. The issue with Ryan Day is not that he is incapable of being a creative and aggressive play-caller. We have seen it against Georgia last year and Clemson in 2021.
The issue is it is inconsistent. Sometimes, he is red-faced and pumping his fist and showing that emotion. Other times, he looks like he just wants to get to the end of the game. I know he wanted to work Brian Hartline into the play calling, and I know he has a new quarterback who is still finding his footing, but you have the two best receivers in the country, and they had five catches for 34 yards. That just simply cannot happen.
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justingolba 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
Right? It was a perfect game. Right?
I have good news, and I have bad news. The good news is, Ohio State is 1-0 after its 23-3 win over Indiana and now has a conference win under its belt. The bad news is that the 0 in the team’s record won’t stay there for long if they don’t figure some very important things out fast.
Another piece of good news is it is a long season, and guys can improve. Let’s take a look at some guys who improved their stock in week one and who did not.
Blue Chip Stocks
Sonny Styles: The main talk from camp this off-season and throughout the summer was how good Sonny Styles has looked. And it transferred to the field against Indiana,
Styles was the best player on the field, making open-field tackles, covering the length of the field, and using his speed and athleticism to cut down angles and force runners out of bounds.
There really is not too much to say. Styles was phenomenal, and he is pushing the levels of generational talent. He led the Buckeyes in tackles for loss at 1.5. The sky is the limit for the 18-year-old, and game one showed that.
Chip Trayanum: As everyone expected coming into the game, Cade Stover was the leading receiver, and Chip Trayanum was the leading rusher. That was an easy prediction.
Trayanum was fantastic, acting as the lead blocker as the fullback for the other rushers and averaging seven yards a carry when it was his time to run the ball. He also would have set a touchdown scoring block if Kyle McCord had read it right. But we move on.
Trayanum finished with eight carries for 57 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. He was the most patient back for the Buckeyes, following his blocks and hitting the holes that opened up due to that. The Buckeyes have a wealth of talent in the running back room, with legitimately five running backs that can play meaningful minutes. However, Trayanum has proven with his on-field play that he deserves to continue to get reps, even if it isn’t as RB1.
Solid Investments
Denzel Burke: Burke came under some heat last season as he was not as consistent on the back end as many people expected him to be. Cornerback is arguably the toughest position to play. Burke struggled in his sophomore season, and he is ready to bounce back. He looked prepared, energetic, and ready to remind people exactly the talent that he has.
Kyle McCord: Okay. Get it out. Call me crazy. Say it isn’t the time. Say you want Devin Brown.
Alright, now let’s discuss.
This was the second start in McCord‘s career, and he was serviceable. At times, he was pretty good. And I know, that is not the standard at Ohio State. And if come week 10, we are still calling him serviceable, that is obviously an issue.
However, for all the criticism Ryan Day has faced, and much of it deserved, he knows how to coach and develop the quarterback position. Plus, let’s not forget McCord was one of the top quarterback recruits in the country coming into Columbus and showed flashes on Saturday. He made a great pass to Cade Stover for 50 yards, hit Miyan Williams on an important wheel route on fourth down, and threw a touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr., which was called back through no fault of McCord. And yes, he threw a bad interception, but if you are going to force a pass, I would rather he does it on fourth down, so I can forgive that.
He did not look amazing, but he was still getting his sea legs under him. With the weapons they have and as the offensive line gets settled, McCord will be able to get more comfortable and reach his potential as a quarterback.
Junk Bonds
Third Down Efficiency: The most daunting stat that came from their opener was the third down efficiency or lack thereof. The Buckeyes were 2-for-12 on third down and struggled immensely in short-yardage situations. This will be something they need to figure out ASAP, or against a good offense, it will come back to kill them late in games. You have to be able to convert in those short-yardage situations and be able to trust you have an offensive line that can get that necessary push for running backs to pick up first downs. Or creative enough play calling to utilize the skill players on your team to pick those up, which we have not seen either.
You don’t have to be perfect, but 2-for-12 is not going to win you any big games.
Buy/Sell
Buy: The running game. This one does not require too much explanation, either. The Buckeyes have four running backs (five depending on the health of Evan Pryor, which seems to be good) that can provide valuable minutes and carries for Ryan Day and company. Whether it is Williams, Henderson, Trayanum, or someone else, this is a talented running back room that all brings different and unique running styles for the offense.
Buy: Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka: I recognize it sounds crazy to even say, and I am certainly not a stock market genius, but I do know that after yesterday, I am sure there are some people who will chalk what they saw from the top receivers as they are checked out and ready for the NFL Draft.
I don’t believe that, and I don’t think you can make those sweeping assumptions from one game, especially with a first-time quarterback. These guys have unfinished business and will still put up insane numbers this year.
Sell: Ryan Day’s play-calling. The issue with Ryan Day is not that he is incapable of being a creative and aggressive play-caller. We have seen it against Georgia last year and Clemson in 2021.
The issue is it is inconsistent. Sometimes, he is red-faced and pumping his fist and showing that emotion. Other times, he looks like he just wants to get to the end of the game. I know he wanted to work Brian Hartline into the play calling, and I know he has a new quarterback who is still finding his footing, but you have the two best receivers in the country, and they had five catches for 34 yards. That just simply cannot happen.
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LGHL Buckeyes in the NFL: 2023 Fantasy Football Preview — Terry McLaurin
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Buckeyes in the NFL: 2023 Fantasy Football Preview — Terry McLaurin
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Scary Terry has been a model of consistency despite lackluster QB play in the nation’s capital. Facing another season with another unknown at signal caller, can this former Buckeye produce solid fantasy stats again in 2023?
Terry McLaurin was a versatile and hardworking wide receiver at Ohio State, but one whose stats never really jumped off the page. He finished his OSU career with 75 receptions for 1,251 yards and 19 touchdowns, 11 of which were scored during his senior season. Instead of pumping out record-breaking stats, Scary Terry was more than willing to ‘do it all’. And over the course of four seasons, he became one of the most highly respected players and teammates of the Urban Meyer era.
However, McLaurin’s college production did little to inspire (others’) confidence that he would develop into an NFL star, a fantasy football gem, or even a video game stud.
Fortunately for Scary Terry, his own confidence (and hard work, skill, etc.) has been more than enough to take him and his game to the next level. Drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the now-Washington Commanders, McLaurin hit the ground running and has never looked back. He hauled in 58 receptions for 919 yards and 7 touchdowns as a rookie, quickly putting the league on notice McLaurin’s profile as both a star WR and fantasy football asset has only continued to grow.
He has since added three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a Pro Bowl nod, while also earning a lucrative contract. He will enter the 2023 season as Washington’s go-to pass catcher, provided he is able to return from injury quickly and re-establish chemistry with the team’s new quarterback.
The last part of that last sentence likely reminds Commanders fans of Bill Murray and/or the movie Groundhog Day, because the same scenario seems to play out year after year: The team lets an aging QB battle it out with the young gun, only to watch both (or all) fail. Washington has had 10 different starting QBs since McLaurin entered the league and roughly 100 since the turn of the century... No need to fact-check, all numbers are correct.
Last season it was Carson Wentz who got dragged in to save the day, despite the fact that he had just fallen on his face in Indianapolis. Naturally, he was awful when not injured, forcing the Commanders to turn (back) to Taylor Heinicke. The latter also kinda stunk, and that just sort of sums up Washington’s recent existence. The organization is hoping that 2022 fifth-rounder Sam Howell will finally be the answer moving forward, but fifth-round picks tend to get drafted when and where they do for a reason.
Yet nothing has stopped McLaurin from lacing ‘em up and trying to go win a game every week (three games missed in four seasons). All the man does is give effort and produce. Perhaps more impressively, he has outperformed expectations without the benefit of any positional support or backup. Due to Washington’s typically poor team-building, the former Buckeye has been flanked on the outside by WRs Kelvin Harmon, Cam Sims, Isaiah Wright, Adam Humphries, and Dyami Brown, just to name a few.
Tight end Logan Thomas has been the team’s second pass-catching option, and the second-highest yardage total produced by a WR not named McLaurin was Sims’ 477 yards in 2020. That is, until last season, when both Jahan Dotson and fellow Buckeye Curtis Samuel exceeded 500 yards... barely. But you get my point! McLaurin has been a one-man band for much of his NFL career.
Now entering his age 28 season, McLaurin still appears to be in the early stages of his prime. His speed and athleticism are (still) quite evident, and he just put up the biggest total of his career, yardage-wise (1,191 in 2022). When factoring in an average of 75 receptions per season, McLaurin should be viewed as a strong WR2 in fantasy, with weekly WR1 upside... Provided, again, that he remains healthy.
And those numbers I mentioned represent Scary Terry’s floor! If the Commanders hit on Howell or any other QB – or McLaurin gets traded away from the dysfunctional Washington franchise – his production could skyrocket. 90 catches and 1,200+ yards is absolutely within the realm of possibility. Same goes for an uptick in TD (McLaurin’s career high is 7, as a rookie). It’s just going to take better QB play. But unfortunately, there is no guarantee of that in the nation’s capital.
Scary Terry is scary good, however, his fantasy value is not even remotely reflective of his talent and/or ability. His current ADP is right around No. 50 overall, and most sites have him as a fringe top-20 WR. But again, those rankings are a byproduct of his situation. Regardless, McLaurin is about as rock-solid as they come. Fantasy owners may want to aim a little higher for their WR1, but this former Buckeye is an ideal WR2. And there will absolutely be weeks during which he balls out and finishes top-5, top-6 at his position.
McLaurin might never reach the heights of a Michael Thomas, or generate the buzz of a Garrett Wilson, but he is arguably the safest fantasy option one will find, as far as former Buckeyes go. And if he ever gets to play with a good-to-great QB, watch out. Here’s hoping it happens sooner rather than later, because you won’t find an easier player to root for.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Scary Terry has been a model of consistency despite lackluster QB play in the nation’s capital. Facing another season with another unknown at signal caller, can this former Buckeye produce solid fantasy stats again in 2023?
Terry McLaurin was a versatile and hardworking wide receiver at Ohio State, but one whose stats never really jumped off the page. He finished his OSU career with 75 receptions for 1,251 yards and 19 touchdowns, 11 of which were scored during his senior season. Instead of pumping out record-breaking stats, Scary Terry was more than willing to ‘do it all’. And over the course of four seasons, he became one of the most highly respected players and teammates of the Urban Meyer era.
However, McLaurin’s college production did little to inspire (others’) confidence that he would develop into an NFL star, a fantasy football gem, or even a video game stud.
Fortunately for Scary Terry, his own confidence (and hard work, skill, etc.) has been more than enough to take him and his game to the next level. Drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the now-Washington Commanders, McLaurin hit the ground running and has never looked back. He hauled in 58 receptions for 919 yards and 7 touchdowns as a rookie, quickly putting the league on notice McLaurin’s profile as both a star WR and fantasy football asset has only continued to grow.
He has since added three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a Pro Bowl nod, while also earning a lucrative contract. He will enter the 2023 season as Washington’s go-to pass catcher, provided he is able to return from injury quickly and re-establish chemistry with the team’s new quarterback.
The last part of that last sentence likely reminds Commanders fans of Bill Murray and/or the movie Groundhog Day, because the same scenario seems to play out year after year: The team lets an aging QB battle it out with the young gun, only to watch both (or all) fail. Washington has had 10 different starting QBs since McLaurin entered the league and roughly 100 since the turn of the century... No need to fact-check, all numbers are correct.
Last season it was Carson Wentz who got dragged in to save the day, despite the fact that he had just fallen on his face in Indianapolis. Naturally, he was awful when not injured, forcing the Commanders to turn (back) to Taylor Heinicke. The latter also kinda stunk, and that just sort of sums up Washington’s recent existence. The organization is hoping that 2022 fifth-rounder Sam Howell will finally be the answer moving forward, but fifth-round picks tend to get drafted when and where they do for a reason.
Yet nothing has stopped McLaurin from lacing ‘em up and trying to go win a game every week (three games missed in four seasons). All the man does is give effort and produce. Perhaps more impressively, he has outperformed expectations without the benefit of any positional support or backup. Due to Washington’s typically poor team-building, the former Buckeye has been flanked on the outside by WRs Kelvin Harmon, Cam Sims, Isaiah Wright, Adam Humphries, and Dyami Brown, just to name a few.
Tight end Logan Thomas has been the team’s second pass-catching option, and the second-highest yardage total produced by a WR not named McLaurin was Sims’ 477 yards in 2020. That is, until last season, when both Jahan Dotson and fellow Buckeye Curtis Samuel exceeded 500 yards... barely. But you get my point! McLaurin has been a one-man band for much of his NFL career.
Now entering his age 28 season, McLaurin still appears to be in the early stages of his prime. His speed and athleticism are (still) quite evident, and he just put up the biggest total of his career, yardage-wise (1,191 in 2022). When factoring in an average of 75 receptions per season, McLaurin should be viewed as a strong WR2 in fantasy, with weekly WR1 upside... Provided, again, that he remains healthy.
And those numbers I mentioned represent Scary Terry’s floor! If the Commanders hit on Howell or any other QB – or McLaurin gets traded away from the dysfunctional Washington franchise – his production could skyrocket. 90 catches and 1,200+ yards is absolutely within the realm of possibility. Same goes for an uptick in TD (McLaurin’s career high is 7, as a rookie). It’s just going to take better QB play. But unfortunately, there is no guarantee of that in the nation’s capital.
Scary Terry is scary good, however, his fantasy value is not even remotely reflective of his talent and/or ability. His current ADP is right around No. 50 overall, and most sites have him as a fringe top-20 WR. But again, those rankings are a byproduct of his situation. Regardless, McLaurin is about as rock-solid as they come. Fantasy owners may want to aim a little higher for their WR1, but this former Buckeye is an ideal WR2. And there will absolutely be weeks during which he balls out and finishes top-5, top-6 at his position.
McLaurin might never reach the heights of a Michael Thomas, or generate the buzz of a Garrett Wilson, but he is arguably the safest fantasy option one will find, as far as former Buckeyes go. And if he ever gets to play with a good-to-great QB, watch out. Here’s hoping it happens sooner rather than later, because you won’t find an easier player to root for.
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LGHL How can ‘Parks and Recreation’ help recap Ohio State’s 23-3 win over Indiana?
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How can ‘Parks and Recreation’ help recap Ohio State’s 23-3 win over Indiana?
Brett Ludwiczak 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
We all know a fictional city is truly the best city in Indiana.
If you asked me what my favorite sitcom of all time is, the answer would be easy. “Parks and Recreation.” Ron Swanson alone makes it gold. The show started off slow in the first season or two, but it really hit its stride after and was must-see television for me. Even now, if I see re-runs on I pretty much have to turn it on.
Since the fictional town of Pawnee is the best thing to ever come out of Indiana, I figured it would be fitting to look at yesterday’s performance by Ohio State in the Hoosier State through the prism of Parks and Recreation. Whether it be characters, places, or products, I’ll try and find the best of the best to encapsulate what we saw in Bloomington yesterday.
In season five, Garry (or Jerry) Gergich has a heart attack, which also results in uncontrollable farting. Watching Ohio State’s quarterbacks yesterday felt like a big fart attack. In Kyle McCord’s defense, he did start to look better as the game went on in the second half, the performance just wasn’t what Ohio State fans were expecting to see against an Indiana team that should finish in the basement of the Big Ten East.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24894305/1640729680.jpg "Ohio State v Indiana")
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
What we saw out of McCord on Saturday will be enough to beat Indiana in Bloomington, but it definitely won’t fly later in this month when the Buckeyes head back to Indiana to take on Notre Dame in South Bend. Until then, as Ohio State fans we pretty much have to overreact to anything that goes the slightest bit wrong when it comes to the quarterbacks. We saw it a few years ago when C.J. Stroud struggled early in the 2021 season, and we will see it this year. The fart attacks from the quarterbacks lead to verbal diarrhea from Buckeye fans about the quarterbacks.
A lot of the underwhelming performance from the quarterback position yesterday from the Buckeyes can be blamed on Ryan “Jeremy Jamm” Day. Where was the play-calling we saw from Day in the Georgia game that almost resulted in Ohio State beating the Bulldogs and making the national title game in January? After saying he was going to give up some of the play-calling to Brian Hartline, how much of that actually happened in this game? Honestly, I can’t think Hartline had much say in what happened yesterday because it looked so much like the same scared coaching we saw from Day in other games over the last few years.
Also, bringing in Devin Brown on Ohio State’s third offensive series of the game only to run the ball was insanely stupid to me. It felt like wanting to teach a kid to swim and then just throwing them in the shallowest part of the pool with water wings on. Brown isn’t going to learn or have any confidence out on the field if you don’t have any trust in him. If you want to try and shake things up, there’s no better place for Brown (or even McCord) to get some road experience than in Bloomington, where the crowd is going to be a little gentler than what they’ll see later this month.
Even though his name isn’t Johnny, Sonny Styles was awesome like Johnny Karate and Burt Macklin. It felt like Styles was all over the field against the Hoosiers, sniffing out the mysteries that Indiana was trying to throw at him and laying the lumber like Johnny Karate would with some of his sick kung fu. There’s no question Styles is the future of the Ohio State secondary.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24894306/usa_today_21339527.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Even more amazing is Styles should really be in his first year at Ohio State right now. Instead, after reclassifying in high school to allow him to become a member of the Buckeyes last year, he already has a year under his belt. With how good he is, I can’t imagine Styles not declaring for the NFL Draft after next season since if he’s not the best safety in the country, he certainly will be in the conversation. It feels like Styles is Vonn Bell, but even better, which is high praise since Bell was really good as a Buckeye, and has gone on to have a strong NFL career.
I know Ohio State wasn’t facing anything special at quarterback, but the Buckeye defensive line certainly did get after Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby. The duo combined to go just 9/20 for 82 yards yesterday. The Hoosier quarterbacks were under pressure all day from J.T. Tuimoloau, Michael Hall Jr., and the rest of the Ohio State defensive line.
The best way to describe the defensive line is a meat tornado. There is a lot of mass and they are dangerous. Even though Tuimoloau didn’t put up numbers like we saw in the Penn State game last year, it was clear that he was altering what Indiana was trying to do with his rushes. Had the Hoosier quarterbacks not been so green and looking to get rid of the football as soon as possible, we likely would have seen more than the one sack Ohio State got late in the game from Hero Kanu.
Since he describes himself as a farm guy, I figured that Paunch Burger was a perfect description from what we saw from Cade Stover on Saturday. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka deservedly received most of the attention heading into this season, but it was Stover who made the most plays out of anyone in the Ohio State receiving corps.
Cade Stover is essentially like eating at Paunch Burger. At times you know it’s not good for you, but when you do have it you don’t regret your decision. The times when you know it’s not good is when you see some of the lapses with his blocking. All is forgiven though when he has catches the the 49-yarder, which was the longest for the Buckeyes yesterday. The 98 receiving yards were a career-high for Stover.
One area where Ohio State did find success on offense was with their running game. Even though he only saw 12 carries, most of them in the first half, TreVeyon Henderson did show some glimpses of what we saw from him in 2021 when he came to Columbus as a freshman. Miyan Williams found the end zone twice, while Chip Trayanum was the leading rusher for the Buckeyes with 57 yards in the game.
The numbers might not blow you away, but the trio were able to find some holes behind an offensive line with three new starters. While early on the line didn’t look very good, they started to find their rhythm later in the day. Also, you have to tip your cap to Indiana linebacker Aaron Casey, who was a one-man wrecking crew for the Hoosiers. If McCord and Brown continue to struggle at quarterback, Ohio State is going to need their running backs to shoulder even more of the load.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24894311/usa_today_21334258.jpg "NCAA Football: Ohio State at Indiana")
Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
One thing I would have liked to have seen a little more of in the opener was a few carries for Dallan Hayden and Evan Pryor. Before his injury last year, it sounded like Pryor was going to have a sizable role in the run game, while we saw what Hayden could do late in the season last year. I know there are only so many carries to go around, and you want to let some guys get into a rhythm, it would have just been nice to see a few touches for those two.
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Brett Ludwiczak 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
We all know a fictional city is truly the best city in Indiana.
If you asked me what my favorite sitcom of all time is, the answer would be easy. “Parks and Recreation.” Ron Swanson alone makes it gold. The show started off slow in the first season or two, but it really hit its stride after and was must-see television for me. Even now, if I see re-runs on I pretty much have to turn it on.
Since the fictional town of Pawnee is the best thing to ever come out of Indiana, I figured it would be fitting to look at yesterday’s performance by Ohio State in the Hoosier State through the prism of Parks and Recreation. Whether it be characters, places, or products, I’ll try and find the best of the best to encapsulate what we saw in Bloomington yesterday.
Fart Attack
In season five, Garry (or Jerry) Gergich has a heart attack, which also results in uncontrollable farting. Watching Ohio State’s quarterbacks yesterday felt like a big fart attack. In Kyle McCord’s defense, he did start to look better as the game went on in the second half, the performance just wasn’t what Ohio State fans were expecting to see against an Indiana team that should finish in the basement of the Big Ten East.
What we saw out of McCord on Saturday will be enough to beat Indiana in Bloomington, but it definitely won’t fly later in this month when the Buckeyes head back to Indiana to take on Notre Dame in South Bend. Until then, as Ohio State fans we pretty much have to overreact to anything that goes the slightest bit wrong when it comes to the quarterbacks. We saw it a few years ago when C.J. Stroud struggled early in the 2021 season, and we will see it this year. The fart attacks from the quarterbacks lead to verbal diarrhea from Buckeye fans about the quarterbacks.
You got Jammed
A lot of the underwhelming performance from the quarterback position yesterday from the Buckeyes can be blamed on Ryan “Jeremy Jamm” Day. Where was the play-calling we saw from Day in the Georgia game that almost resulted in Ohio State beating the Bulldogs and making the national title game in January? After saying he was going to give up some of the play-calling to Brian Hartline, how much of that actually happened in this game? Honestly, I can’t think Hartline had much say in what happened yesterday because it looked so much like the same scared coaching we saw from Day in other games over the last few years.
Also, bringing in Devin Brown on Ohio State’s third offensive series of the game only to run the ball was insanely stupid to me. It felt like wanting to teach a kid to swim and then just throwing them in the shallowest part of the pool with water wings on. Brown isn’t going to learn or have any confidence out on the field if you don’t have any trust in him. If you want to try and shake things up, there’s no better place for Brown (or even McCord) to get some road experience than in Bloomington, where the crowd is going to be a little gentler than what they’ll see later this month.
Johnny Karate/Burt Macklin, FBI
Even though his name isn’t Johnny, Sonny Styles was awesome like Johnny Karate and Burt Macklin. It felt like Styles was all over the field against the Hoosiers, sniffing out the mysteries that Indiana was trying to throw at him and laying the lumber like Johnny Karate would with some of his sick kung fu. There’s no question Styles is the future of the Ohio State secondary.
Even more amazing is Styles should really be in his first year at Ohio State right now. Instead, after reclassifying in high school to allow him to become a member of the Buckeyes last year, he already has a year under his belt. With how good he is, I can’t imagine Styles not declaring for the NFL Draft after next season since if he’s not the best safety in the country, he certainly will be in the conversation. It feels like Styles is Vonn Bell, but even better, which is high praise since Bell was really good as a Buckeye, and has gone on to have a strong NFL career.
“You had me at meat tornado”
I know Ohio State wasn’t facing anything special at quarterback, but the Buckeye defensive line certainly did get after Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby. The duo combined to go just 9/20 for 82 yards yesterday. The Hoosier quarterbacks were under pressure all day from J.T. Tuimoloau, Michael Hall Jr., and the rest of the Ohio State defensive line.
The best way to describe the defensive line is a meat tornado. There is a lot of mass and they are dangerous. Even though Tuimoloau didn’t put up numbers like we saw in the Penn State game last year, it was clear that he was altering what Indiana was trying to do with his rushes. Had the Hoosier quarterbacks not been so green and looking to get rid of the football as soon as possible, we likely would have seen more than the one sack Ohio State got late in the game from Hero Kanu.
Paunch Burger
Since he describes himself as a farm guy, I figured that Paunch Burger was a perfect description from what we saw from Cade Stover on Saturday. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka deservedly received most of the attention heading into this season, but it was Stover who made the most plays out of anyone in the Ohio State receiving corps.
Cade Stover is essentially like eating at Paunch Burger. At times you know it’s not good for you, but when you do have it you don’t regret your decision. The times when you know it’s not good is when you see some of the lapses with his blocking. All is forgiven though when he has catches the the 49-yarder, which was the longest for the Buckeyes yesterday. The 98 receiving yards were a career-high for Stover.
Turf & turf
One area where Ohio State did find success on offense was with their running game. Even though he only saw 12 carries, most of them in the first half, TreVeyon Henderson did show some glimpses of what we saw from him in 2021 when he came to Columbus as a freshman. Miyan Williams found the end zone twice, while Chip Trayanum was the leading rusher for the Buckeyes with 57 yards in the game.
The numbers might not blow you away, but the trio were able to find some holes behind an offensive line with three new starters. While early on the line didn’t look very good, they started to find their rhythm later in the day. Also, you have to tip your cap to Indiana linebacker Aaron Casey, who was a one-man wrecking crew for the Hoosiers. If McCord and Brown continue to struggle at quarterback, Ohio State is going to need their running backs to shoulder even more of the load.
One thing I would have liked to have seen a little more of in the opener was a few carries for Dallan Hayden and Evan Pryor. Before his injury last year, it sounded like Pryor was going to have a sizable role in the run game, while we saw what Hayden could do late in the season last year. I know there are only so many carries to go around, and you want to let some guys get into a rhythm, it would have just been nice to see a few touches for those two.
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