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Oct 21, 2023

Tailgate Podcast: Everything you need to know to watch the Ohio State vs. Penn State game
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

The only Ohio State game day podcast you need.

Before every Ohio State football game, Matt Tamanini will get you ready with all of the information that you need for that day’s game on the “LGHL Tailgate” podcast.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (-5) vs. Penn State | over/under 45.5

Game Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 12 noon ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
TV: Fox
Radio: 97.1 FM/1460 AM

Today at 12 noon ET inside the cathedral of college football, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes — coached by Ryan Day — will take on the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions under the direction of James Franklin from inside Ohio Stadium. Both teams are undefeated and a win will keep them atop the Big Ten East and in control of their own destiny when it comes to the race for the conference title and a College Football Playoff berth.

The Buckeyes are a bit banged up as No. 1 running back TreVeyon Henderson has been out the last two weeks, No. 2 back Chip Trayanum appeared to suffer a concussion last week against Purdue, and third-string running back Miyan Williams did not make the trip to West Lafayette a week ago. All three reportedly were full participants in practice this week, but the same cannot be said for wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and cornerback Denzel Burke.

Egbuka was seen at practice on Wednesday, but appeared to still be suffering from what Marvin Harrison Jr. confirmed was a severe ankle sprain. Denzel Burke was not spotted on Wednesday — which doesn’t necessarily mean that he wasn’t practicing, but it is not a good sign.

Whichever Buckeyes are able to play this afternoon might be favorites according to Las Vegas, but nearly every other prognosticator is picking against them, which might be just the extra little bit of motivation that they need.

Matt’s Prediction: Ohio State 31, Purdue 17

Kyle McCord: 275 yards passing. 3 touchdowns

Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

Music by: epidemicsound.com

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

Oct 20, 2023

Stick to Sports Podcast: Do Penn State Fans nitpick their team as much as we do?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Also a long discussion over the merits of a “Great Gatsby” musical.

Land-Grant Holy Land’s Stick to Sports is unlike any podcast you’ve heard on the Ohio State beat. Your hosts, Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, will (of course) talk Ohio State sports, but the primary focus of the show will be on what’s going on around the periphery, such as weird/funny happenings in college football and the sports world at large, as well as other things that keep us interested in between games, whether that’s pop culture, social media trends— you name it.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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

On this episode of the Land-Grant Podcast Network’s sports-adjacent podcast “Stick to Sports,” Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich dive into the nerves that go into a major game like the one that the No. 3 Buckeyes will have tomorrow against the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions. They discuss their own superstitions, whether all fans nitpick their teams as much as Buckeye Nation does, and why PSU winning would be worse than losing to Michigan.

They also have an in-depth conversation about the new musical adaptation of “The Great Gatsby” currently having its world premiere in New Jersey.

Jami’s Recommendation: “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250012579/eleanorpark

Matt’s Recommendation: “The Great Gatsby” at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse
https://my.papermill.org/overview/gatsby

Connect with Jami Jurich
Twitter: @JamiJur ich

Connect with Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

Theme music provided by www.bensound.com

Oct 20, 2023

Three Things To Watch vs. Penn State
Chip.Minnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Football: Penn State at Northwestern

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Could be another nailbiter between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.

National television audience. A de facto Big Ten East Division elimination game. Ticket prices are exorbitant. The weather is predicted to be in the mid-50 degree range, with rain off and on in the forecast. Both teams are ranked highly. What else could you want as an Ohio State fan?

How about for key players on both sides of the ball to be healthy and able to play? We can address that one more in a little bit.

The Penn State Nittany Lions come into Ohio Stadium undefeated, and ranked seventh in the country. Penn State has had two previous road games this season, at Illinois (Penn State won 30-13) on Sept. 16, and at Northwestern (Penn State won 41-13) on Sept. 30, but the Nittany Lions have not yet played on the road against a ranked opponent.

This game will serve as a sort of homecoming for Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. Yurcich grew up in Euclid, Ohio, and was on the Ohio State coaching staff in 2019 under Ryan Day as the Ohio State passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Allar grew up in Medina, Ohio, and was an All-State selection at quarterback. If not for Ohio State having current Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers on the roster in 2021, it is not far-fetched that Allar may have become a Buckeye.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day on whether he recruited PSU QB Drew Allar: "He's an Ohio kid who had a great career. We already had Quinn Ewers committed to us. There was a reclassification and at that point, he was already committed to Penn State."

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) October 17, 2023

Penn State has not won in Ohio Stadium since 2011, but have come so very close in 2017 (39-38) and 2021 (33-24) to doing it again under the leadership of James Franklin. For Penn State to emerge on the national scene as a college football playoff contender, beating Ohio State on the road would help with that narrative.

Below are Three Things To Watch Versus Penn State, when the ball kicks off on FOX at 12:00 p.m. ET. For those of you going, make sure you check out the weather forecast, as it could be rainy.

Can Ohio State slow down the Penn State running game?

The aforementioned Allar is a talented passer, but he is aided tremendously with two strong running backs in Kaytron Allen (375 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, three touchdowns) and Nicholas Singleton (362 yards, 4.1 yards per carry, six touchdowns). Look for Ohio State to try to limit the Penn State running game, putting the Nittany Lions in longer yardage situations. Tyleik Williams has been having a strong season for the Buckeyes along the interior defensive line, and will need to help clog up any running lanes against the Nittany Lions.

2. Is Cade Stover going to be a factor?

Special start to the year for pic.twitter.com/JMCRRuh51J

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 18, 2023

The Ohio State passing game, led by superstar WR Marvin Harrison Jr., is the strength of the Buckeyes’ offense. Penn State’s defense is arguably the nation’s best, and yards will be tough to gain through the air and on the ground. Emeka Egbuka did not play last week at Purdue, and may be limited in his effectiveness. If Harrison is being double-covered, and Egbuka limited, could this open up things for Cade Stover underneath in the short to intermediate routes for Kyle McCord? If ever there was a game for “Farmer Gronk” to emerge, this could be it.

3. Field position is not to be underrated

As I wrote up above, it could be wet and rainy. Ohio State special teams coach Parker Fleming has been heavily scrutinized for his unit’s inconsistent performances, and the special teams may need to come up big in this one. Punter Jesse Mirco is averaging 43 yards per punt, and may want to even punt out of bounds, considering Penn State’s Daequan Hardy returned two punts for touchdowns last week versus UMass.

As for PK Jayden Fielding, he is 7-for-7 on field goals attempts, with only a missed extra point last week at Purdue. It is my suspicion that points are going to be tough to come by against the Nittany Lions, and Fielding may be called upon to put points on the board for the Buckeyes throughout this game.

My belief is that this game is going to be a tough, defensive, low-scoring affair, similar to what Ohio State had on the road at Notre Dame. It remains to be seen if the weather is going to play a factor. If this game was at Penn State, I would probably be picking the Nittany Lions to win it, and I may be regretting predicting such a relatively high score, but I have it Ohio State 28, Penn State 24.

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Oct 20, 2023

MC&J: Week 8 in the Big Ten will see Penn State and Ohio State clash
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 14 Ohio State at Purdue

Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Buckeyes are just over a field goal favorite when they host the Nittany Lions on Saturday afternoon.

Last week ATS: 8-5 (5-2 National, 3-3 B1G)

Season ATS: 60-65 (25-38 National, 35-25 B1G)

My picks for the interesting games on Saturday outside the Big Ten can be found here.

B1G games

Rutgers (-5.5) v. Indiana - 12:00 p.m. ET - Big Ten Network

The Scarlet Knights are quietly having a really good season. Greg Schiano’s team is just a win away from becoming bowl eligible and we haven’t even reached November. Last week Rutgers trailed Michigan State 24-6 head into the fourth quarter, and they scored three touchdowns in the final quarter to beat the Spartans 27-24.

Last week Indiana jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Michigan and then failed to score the rest of the game, losing to the Wolverines 52-7. While getting smashed by Michigan was expected, the Hoosiers are getting nothing going on offense this year. Indiana has only scored more than 20 points in two games. The first was when they ran up 41 points on Indiana State, and the other was when they scored 29 points in four overtimes against Akron.

This game is going to be ugly. Laying this many points on the road with Rutgers isn’t something I’m crazy about, but the Hoosiers are awful on offense. At least the Scarlet Knights have shown some moments where they look competent on offense, and their defense is allowing less than 300 yards per game.

Rutgers 24, Indiana 13

Minnesota v. No. 24 Iowa (-3.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - NBC

It’s wild that a team that is averaging less than 250 yards per game is 6-1 so far this season. Iowa is a mess on offense, and things are only going to get worse since Michigan transfer Erick All is injured and won’t play the rest of the season, joining quarterback Cade McNamara on the shelf. Last week Deacon Hill didn’t inspire much confidence behind center, completing just six passes for 37 yards in the 15-6 win at Wisconsin.

It’s not like Minnesota is setting the world on fire with their offense, though. The Golden Gophers can run the football a little, the problem is Iowa’s defense is so good it’s going to be hard for Minnesota to find any running room. This game will likely look a lot like Iowa’s game against Wisconsin last week. As bad as Hill and the Iowa offense has been, I can see them having a little success on their home turf. I haven’t seen anything from Minnesota this year to make me think they’ll be able to crack the defense of the Hawkeyes.

Iowa 20, Minnesota 10

Wisconsin (-2.5) v. Illinois - 3:30 p.m. ET - FS1

Things just keep getting worse for Luke Fickell. Not only has the Wisconsin offense not taken off quite like he was hoping it would, now quarterback Tanner Mordecai will miss some time with a broken hand. If Fickell was smart, he’d tell offensive coordinator Phil Longo to feed running back Braelon Allen early and often. I’m not sure Longo is smart enough to do that, though.

Illinois was able to slow some of the bleeding last time out when they beat Maryland 27-24. I can’t say that I think the win fixes everything, but at least it gives Bret Bielema’s team some confidence. The Fighting Illini still are having a tough time running the football, which is how they were able to find a lot of their success last season. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has at least calmed down on the turnovers of late, only throwing two interceptions over the last game after tossing four picks against Penn State.

Even with a backup quarterback, I think Wisconsin still finds a way to beat their old head coach. Allen finds space to run against a Illinois rush defense that is giving up over 160 yards per game, and Braedyn Locke will be more comfortable at quarterback since he has some time to prepare to start. Plus, Illinois’ defense isn’t close to the caliber of Iowa’s defense.

Wisconsin 23, Illinois 17

Northwestern v. Nebraska (-11.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - Big Ten Network

Nebraska has actually strung together some wins recently, winning three of their last four games, with the only loss during that span coming to Michigan. Heinrich Haarberg has given the Cornhuskers a jolt at quarterback with his dual-threat ability. A few more victories for Nebraska and they’ll be bowl eligible for the first time in what feels like forever.

Northwestern also enters this game at 3-3. The forecast for the Wildcats doesn’t look as good, though. Last time out Northwestern only beat Howard by a field goal, and starting quarterback Ben Bryant is injured, which left Brendan Sullivan to take the snaps a couple weeks ago.

As little as I trust Northwestern, I’m not quite ready to lay this many points with the Cornhuskers. I certainly see Nebraska winning this game, I just feel like they’ll make it a lot more difficult than it needs to be. This game has shenanigans written all over it. Watch the Cornhuskers look terrible for most of the game and then end up winning by a late score.

Nebraska 24, Northwestern 20

No. 2 Michigan (-24.5) v. Michigan State - 7:30 p.m. ET - NBC

Michigan State has turned blowing second half leads into art over the last two games. The Spartans let Iowa score 16 unanswered points in the second half a couple weeks ago, losing 26-16 to the Hawkeyes. Last week, Michigan State led Rutgers 24-6 heading into the fourth quarter, but couldn’t leave New Jersey with a win, falling 27-24.

You just know Michigan is going to come into this game pissed off. Not only are they playing their in-state rival, they now have to deal with cheating allegations. The Wolverines better hand out their beatings while they can. I’m sure Michigan fans are going to hold candlelight vigils since they feel like they are being unfairly targeted by the NCAA.

The good news for Michigan State is they’re not going to have a second half lead to blow this week. The Wolverines have played nobody this year, but they are creaming the nobodies that they are playing. I see no reason why that changes this week. The Spartans will be hyped coming out of the gates at home but they are still a bad team.

Michigan 41, Michigan State 10

No. 7 Penn State v. No. 3 Ohio State (-4.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FOX

After dominating Purdue from start to finish last week in West Lafayette, Ohio State returns home this week to take on Penn State. This will be the seventh straight meeting between the teams where both programs are ranked heading into their clash. The Buckeyes have won six straight games in the series with the Nittany Lions, but the matchups usually come down to the wire.

Last year J.T. Tuimoloau was the difference in the game, as the defensive end had one of the greatest individual defensive performances in a game in college football history, registering two sacks and having a hand in four of Penn State’s turnovers. Marvin Harrison Jr. was also a beast in the game, with all 10 of his catches resulting in first downs. After scoring 30 points in the first three quarters of the game, the two teams combined to score 45 points in the fourth quarter.

This year Ohio State’s defense is playing at a higher level than they were heading into last week’s game. So far this season the Buckeyes haven’t given up more than 17 points in a game. The Silver Bullets will have to be at the top of their game, since Penn State has a quarterback in Drew Allar who hasn’t thrown an interception yet this season. Along with Allar, the Nittany Lions have three strong running backs in Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton, and Trey Potts.

What is going to set the Buckeyes apart in this game is they have at least been in some high pressure situations, which is something Penn State can’t say they have had to deal with. Allar hasn’t had to play in a hostile environment like he’ll see in Columbus on Saturday. Even though Ohio State does have some injury issues, Kyle McCord continues to build off his positive performances over the last few weeks.

Ohio State 28, Penn State 20

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Oct 20, 2023

Five stats that could decide Saturday’s Ohio State-Penn State game
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

Neither the Buckeyes or Nittany Lions have played an opponent as talented as they will on Saturday.

The eyes of the college football world will be on The Horseshoe on Saturday as the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes play host to the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions at 12 noon ET in a game that will be broadcast on Fox. Both “Big Noon Kickoff” and “ESPN College GameDay” will be on campus to cover the game from all of its angles. However, we wanted to dive into some of the stats that very well could spell the difference in the game this weekend.

Since you likely know all about the Ohio State team at this point, we decided to focus specifically on things that the Penn State squad does — or doesn’t do — particularly well in an effort to get a more well-rounded picture as to what the game will look like on Saturday. Of course, as is also true with Ohio State, it is a bit difficult to fully know how much of these statistics are a product of Penn State’s prowess on the field and what is a byproduct of a pretty underwhelming slate of opponents during the first half of the season.

I suppose we will find that out in 24 hours’ time, but in the meantime, let us know what you think will be the biggest determinant of the outcome on Saturday afternoon in the comments below.

1) Penn State has allowed only one passing touchdown on the season

Since Ryan Day arrived in Columbus, there has been little doubt that the Buckeyes are a pass-first team. While the OSU head coach likes to preach balance, even when attempting to win a game by running stretch plays into the boundary, the Buckeyes are best when they are getting the ball in the hands of their deep, electric, and sometimes otherworldly receiving corps.

To combat this aspect of OSU’s game plan, the Nittany Lions have one of the best passing defenses in the country, allowing only a single score through the air on the year and giving up just 121.2 passing yards per game thus far. Admittedly, their defense is stout in all aspects, not just against the pass. PSU’s D ranks second nationally in points allowed per game at 8 — Ohio State is third at 9.7. Against the run, the Nittany Lions are third in FBS allowing just 72.50 yards per game, having given up a paltry five touchdowns so far in the season.

But especially of note for the Buckeyes is how well they’ve done against the pass. Compared to the one touchdown pass allowed, PSU has collected seven interceptions and is holding opposing offenses to an FBS-low 4.6 yards per attempt.

Conversely, the Buckeyes are tied for ninth nationally with more than double that average at 9.6 ypa. Even at 308 yards per game (good for 15th nationally), the Buckeye passing attack has not yet been as productive in 2023 as it has in recent years, but almost assuredly, Kyle McCord, Marvin Harrison Jr., Cade Stover, et al. will need to have their best games of the season for the home team to come out on top tomorrow.

2) Penn State is 129th nationally in offensive plays of 20 yards or more, but that doesn’t really matter

The downfall of Ohio State’s team in 2022 was the defense’s tendency to allow major chunk plays, many of which turned into touchdowns. That was the focus of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ entire offseason as he has retooled his entire approach and has pulled way back on bringing extra pressure, choosing instead to allow his rock-solid secondary to keep plays in front of them.

That should continue to be the case on Saturday, as Penn State has only wracked up 16 plays of 20 yards or more on the season, which ranks 129th out of 133 teams in the FBS. For comparison’s sake, OSU has 35, which ranks 40th in the country.

The difference is that on defense, Ohio State is sixth nationally allowing only 15 plays of 20+ yards, and is second in the country giving up only four plays of 30+ yards; a striking difference from the defensive unit that plagued the Buckeyes last season.

Now, this is not to say that PSU cannot move the ball. In fact, they have the second-best time of possession in the country behind only Air Force. The Nittany Lions hold onto the ball for an average of 34:35.83 per game. So, while they have not yet been able to hit big plays, their sturdy running attack and efficient short-to-intermediate passing game allows them to keep moving the chains. James Franklin’s team is 20th nationally converting 48.28% of their third downs and No. 1 in the country picking up 91.67% of their fourth down attempts.

3) Penn State leads the country in turnover margin at +1.83

There is a theory in football that a significant portion of whether or not a team is “good” at creating turnovers is simply luck. But, when a team continues to generate takeaways on a regular basis, it can be very telling. So far this year, Penn State has taken the ball away 13 times (seven INTs, six fumbles recovered); that total is good for 15th in FBS. However, when combined with the fact that the team has only given the ball away twice (both fumbles) that breaks down to a +1.83 turnover margin, which is tied with Oklahoma for the best in the country.

Now, admittedly, four of those takeaways were fumbles from the Iowa game, but it is still an impressive total. On the other side of the ratio, first-year starting quarterback Drew Allar has not thrown an interception this season, but he has yet play a secondary as talented as the Buckeyes in his career.

If OSU — even potentially without No. 1 cornerback Denzel Burke — can find ways to take the ball away from the PSU offense, that could go a long way to upsetting the formula that the Nittany Lions have used to win games so handily this year.

4) Penn State is fourth nationally in opponents’ third down conversion percentage

One of the major issues that the Buckeyes have had so far this season is converting on third down. They have seemingly figured some things out in recent weeks to raise their conversion percentage to 44% (still only good for 41st nationally), but they will be in for a much tougher battle than they are used to on Saturday.

This season, Penn State is allowing opponents to convert on only 26.51% of their third down attempts, good for fourth in FBS. They are less successful on fourth down, allowing teams to pick up 45.45% on those downs — which amounts to the 56th-best total in the country.

The key to the Nittany Lions' efficiency on third down has been in keeping opposing offenses behind the chains. So, if Day and his offense can find ways to get into manageable situations on third down — or better yet, avoid third downs altogether! — it should go a long way to allowing the Buckeyes to sustain drives and eat into PSU’s time-of-possession advantage.

5) Penn State is third nationally with 4.50 sacks per game

Ohio State has allowed 10 sacks in six games so far this season, which comes out to a respectable 1.67 per game — good for 40th in the country. However, they have not faced a defense like Penn State’s yet. The Nittany Lions are averaging a whopping 4.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss per game in 2023.

There is no question that Ohio State’s offensive line has been its biggest weakness throughout the first half of their season, but that has mostly manifested itself in run blocking. The Notre Dame defensive front presented a challenge for the Buckeyes, but Kyle McCord was only sacked once in that game.

The first-year starter has proven to be fairly effective against pressure this season, both in moving and escaping the pocket, as well as stepping up into rushers. Last week against Purdue, he seemed to be throwing off of his back foot more than he ever has before, and while it was fairly effective against the Boilermakers, he is unlikely to be as productive that way against a defense as dynamic as Penn State’s.

So, this will be a massive test for the OSU offensive line, and whether or not they can avoid failing, let alone pass with flying colors, could be the difference between a Buckeye win or loss. Of course, the game plan and play calling will play a huge factor in the o-line’s success on Saturday. McCord has hit some impressive deep shots, but he has seemed to be more comfortable in the intermediate range, getting rid of the ball quickly and allowing the sheer talent advantage that his wide receivers have over defenders to be the difference.

If Day focuses on getting the ball out of McCord’s hands quickly — to receivers, tight ends, and even running backs — that would obviously help to negate the pass rush advantage that PSU has in the game.

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Oct 20, 2023

You’re Nuts: Which in-state team would be the most fun yearly matchup for Ohio State men’s basketball?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-2nd Round-Dayton vs Ohio State

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Non-conference scheduling is getting tougher every year, but if we had a say, the Buckeyes would see these teams annually.

With Ohio State heading west this weekend to tangle with the Dayton Flyers at UD Arena for the first time in 35 years, we took a moment to debate which in-state teams would make the most fun annual matchup for the Buckeyes. This isn’t something that’s done often in college basketball (an annual non-conference game against the same team), but for the sake of debate, we’re each picking an in-state foe.

Last week, the guys took a look at Ohio State’s newly-released schedule and pointed out a couple of games that they would consider “trap” games. Justin picked Ohio State’s road game at Michigan on January 15. Connor picked Ohio State’s road game at Wisconsin on February 13. 56% of the people who read our piece last week sided with Justin. 6% of the people agreed with Connor, and 38% of the people think it’s a different game.

After 122 weeks:

Connor- 55
Justin- 49
Other- 14

(There have been four ties)

This week, the guys are each taking an in-state foe that they think would be fun for the Buckeyes to make an annual matchup. We’re very clear that this is unlikely to ever materialize, but we’re also both fans of the many great men’s basketball programs in Ohio. This is a great excuse to write about a few of them.

Today’s Question: Which in-state team would be the most fun yearly matchup for Ohio State?

Connor: Dayton

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

I think this is the correct answer and also the easy answer. The Dayton Flyers have a great basketball program, with one of the best venues in the country as well as one of the most rabid alumni and fan bases in all of college basketball.

Flyer fans have always acted like their program was just as prestigious as Ohio State, and a big NCAA Tournament win over the Buckeyes in 2014 has cemented their opinion. When you throw the two teams’ recent track record and NCAA Tournament success (or lack thereof) into the mix, PLUS Dayton’s win over the Buckeyes in 2014, Flyer fans may have a point.

While most people would say Ohio State is still the premier basketball program in the state of Ohio, there’s no doubt that Dayton fans still have bragging rights until the two teams meet again. If the Buckeyes win the charity exhibition game this weekend at UD Arena, the Dayton fanbase will probably try to hold onto bragging rights, since this game is just an exhibition. If the Flyers win, they’ll never let Ohio State fans hear the end of it.

Part of the reason this weekend’s exhibition game is such a big deal is because of how rare of an occasion it is to see these two teams come together and face each other. Before that NCAA Tournament game in 2014, these two teams — despite being separated by only 75 miles — had not played in 26 years.

Chris Holtmann told the media on Tuesday that he’s been “given a lot of grief” by Flyer fans for not scheduling them during his seven years as head man of the Buckeye program. However, as the Big Ten continues to expand, teams have fewer and fewer non-conference games to tinker with. Ohio State is already tied into at least three games as part of the CBS Sports Classic/various other MTE’s each year. If the Big Ten moves to a 22-game schedule at some point, that would be even fewer games to squeeze in someone like Dayton in November or December.

Even so, if there were an opportunity to schedule another Ohio team on a yearly basis, Dayton would be the one. Flyer fans have completely sold out UD Arena this weekend for a game that literally does not count for anything — other than the money that will be raised for some worthwhile causes. These two programs are consistently the best in the state. Having them face each other every year would be fantastic.

Justin: Cincinnati

NCAA Basketball: Big 12 Mens Basketball Tipoff

Kylie Graham-USA TODAY Sports

Dayton is the simple answer, and it would be fun if Ohio State were able to play them yearly, but I am going to take a different route for this one. I want the Buckeyes to play Cincinnati every season or at least once every three years.

Ohio State has only played the Bearcats seven times in the program’s history, and the Buckeyes are 5-2. They played the Bearcats last season, and the Buckeyes won 81-53 behind 19 points and eight rebounds from Zed Key.

It seems weird that two of the top programs historically in the state have only played seven times, and Ohio State has played Ohio University and Cleveland State more than Cincinnati. Both student sections and fans would show out for this one, just like Dayton.

This would also be a fun and interesting game in terms of recruiting. A lot of in-state recruits and recruits in border states will consider both Ohio State and Cincinnati in their final lists. A lot of recruits would visit this game and make it part of their success of beating the other school if they chose one of the two. Especially if they were offered a spot on the roster by one and not the other.

Cincinnati has had success recently with Mick Cronin and now Wes Miller. The Bearcats would be a solid test for the Buckeyes every time they play and would be a marquee early-season matchup.

Oct 20, 2023

Ohio State vs. Penn State: 2023 game preview and prediction
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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

The Buckeyes will be looking for their seventh-straight win over their neighbors to the east.

Ohio State’s biggest home game of the 2023 takes place on Saturday when the Buckeyes host Penn State. Ryan Day’s team is coming off an easy 41-7 win in West Lafayette over Purdue where Ohio State was in charge from start to finish.

A highly entertaining series

This week figures to present a stiffer challenge for the Buckeyes. In the series with Penn State, 35 percent of the matchups between the teams have been decided by a touchdown or less. This game marks the seventh consecutive meeting where both teams enter the contest ranked, and it is the 24th time in 39 all-time games.

Since the 2020 game against Michigan was cancelled, the 31 straight seasons the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes have met make the series with Penn State the longest consecutive active series, at least until 2025 when the teams aren’t scheduled to meet in Big Ten play.

Last year’s game in State College featured a classic performance from Ohio State’s J.T. Tuimoloau. The defensive end created four turnovers in the game, forcing a fumble, tipping a pass that led to an interception, and picking off two passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Tuimoloau also had two sacks in the game, which will go down as one of the greatest individual defensive performances in a game in college football history.

Not only did Tuimoloau have a game for the ages, there was a couple of other amazing feats in last year’s 44-31 thriller. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. caught 10 passes in the game, with all his catches resulting in first downs. The teams combined to score 45 points in the final quarter after scoring just 30 points in the first three quarters.

Finding their groove

Marvin Harrison Jr. continued to work his way up the Ohio State record books after catching six passes for 105 yards and a score against Purdue. Not only did Harrison record his fourth 100-yard game of the season, he is now tied with Chris Olave for second-most 100-yard receiving games in history, just three away tying David Boston’s school record of 14 100-yard receiving games. The junior also became the 12th Buckeye to reach 2,000 career receiving yards.

With Emeka Egbuka on the sidelines due to injury, tight end Cade Stover was an even bigger part of the passing offense last week. Stover finished with four catches for 53 yards, finding the end zone twice against the Boilermakers. Now Stover is two catches shy of tying Bruce Jankowski for fifth all-time amongst Buckeye tight ends. Stover is second on the team with 23 catches and 359 yards.

An area where Ohio State was thin heading into the game last week was at running back. Not only did TreVeyon Henderson miss his second consecutive game, Miyan Williams also was unavailable for the game due to injury. Then early in the game Chip Trayanum was injured, leading Dallan Hayden to shoulder most of the running load not long after head coach Ryan Day said the play for Hayden was to use the running back’s redshirt this season.

Last week Kyle McCord continued his strong play, throwing for 276 yards and three touchdowns in the rout of Purdue. While McCord has cemented himself as the starting quarterback of the Buckeyes, Ryan Day threw a wrinkle into the offense when he introduced backup quarterback Devin Brown into a red zone package. Brown ran for a two-yard touchdown late in the first quarter, and would have had a second score had he not fumbled the football as he was heading into the end zone in the second quarter. The biggest impact of Brown taking some red zone snaps is it gives Penn State a new look to prepare for.

JTT & friends on defense

Not only has J.T. Tuimoloau has been playing better of late, last week Jack Sawyer recorded his first sack of the season, as he was credited with a sack and a half against the Boilermakers, Tuimoloau matched Sawyer’s sack output, registering a sack and a half for the second consecutive game. Tuimoloau now has three sacks on the season, which is a team-high. Tyleik Williams is the leading tackler on the defensive line, with the defensive tackle being credited with 27 tackles through six games.

Tuimoloau, Sawyer, Williams, and the rest of the defensive line are going to have to work hard to create pressure on Saturday since they’ll be going up against a Penn State offensive line that has allowed just four sacks this year. The most impressive offensive line Ohio State will have to try and solve is left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, who has yet to allow a sack so far this season. Redshirt senior Caeden Wallace will man the other tackle spot, while 34-game starter Hunter Nourzad is the center for the Nittany Lions.

Ohio State’s secondary continued their dominant play last week, only allowing Purdue to complete 14 of 35 pass attempts. Cornerback Denzel Burke leads the Big Ten with nine pass breakups, and his 25 career PBUs is currently tied with Shawn Springs for sixth-most in school history. Jordan Hancock and Davison Igbinosun have done a great job in trying to match what Burke has been doing, while Josh Proctor, Sonny Styles, and Lathan Ransom have been making waves at safety.

At linebacker, Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers have a lock on the starting positions, but Cody Simon has been making an impact over the weeks. Last week Simon tied for the team lead in the win of Purdue, with both linebackers making eight tackles. The senior is now just 11 tackles from tying his total from 2022 of 32 tackles. The play of Simon also has kept highly touted linebacker C.J. Hicks off the field after it was assumed heading into the season that Hicks would play a bigger role than he has so far this year.

Penn State so far this year

While going on the road and beating Notre Dame was a huge win for Ohio State, the Buckeyes are going to face an even bigger challenge when they take on Penn State on Saturday. The Nittany Lions have set a school record with each of their 11 straight wins being by a least 14 points. The Nittany Lions also have scored 30 points in 13 straight games, which is the longest active streak in the country.

Last week Penn State had no problem in their game against UMass, beating the Minutemen 63-0 in State College. The win mark the second time the Nittany Lions have scored 63 points in a game this year, as they also reached that mark in their win over Delaware. The win last Saturday was highlighted by Daequan Hardy, who became the first Penn State player to return two punts in a game for touchdowns.

The Nittany Lions on offense

Leading the Penn State offense is quarterback Drew Allar, who has been even better than advertised. The Ohio product is not only the only quarterback in the country with at least 150 pass attempts and no interceptions, he is the first Big Ten quarterback since 2000 to attempt at least 180 passes and not throw an interception. Dating back to last year’s game against Maryland, Penn State quarterbacks haven’t thrown an interception over the last 10 games.

Along with what Allar gives the Nittany Lions throwing the football, Penn State also has a trio of impressive running backs. Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton, and Minnesota transfer Trey Potts all have at least 1,200 career rushing yards. Allen is currently the team’s leading rusher, rolling up 375 yards this year. Singleton sits just 13 yards behind Allen, and is leading the Nittany Lions with six rushing touchdowns so far this season. The running game has been a huge reason why Penn State is second in the country with an average time of possession of 34:36. In the shutout of Iowa, the Nittany Lions held onto the football for 45:27.

Every year it feels like Penn State has a receiver that picks apart the Ohio State secondary. The leading candidate to do that this year is KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who has caught 31 passes for 402 yards and three touchdowns so far this year. Lambert-Smith is the only Penn State receiver with multiple catches of at least 80 yards.

Partnering with Lambert-Smith is Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, who each have 16 catches so far this season. Warren has been a prime target of Allar when Penn State nears the end zone, as he has hauled in five touchdown passes this year. A sleeper candidate to make some plays on Saturday could be Kent State transfer Dante Cephas, who has yet to make much of an impact after joining the Nittany Lions in the transfer portal.

A roaring Penn State defense

Unlike Ohio State, Penn State hasn’t had much trouble generating pressure so far this season. The Nittany Lions have 19 players that have made at least one tackle for loss this season, and 15 players that have recorded at least one sack so far this year. As a team, Penn State has 27 sacks through six games. Leading the team is sacks is defensive end Adisa Isaac, who has five sacks this season. Lining up on the other end of the defensive line will be Chop Robinson.

In the backend of the defense, Penn State has a pair of Kings that will be all over the field. Hybrid defender Kobe King has four tackles for loss this season and a forced fumble, while cornerback Kalen King has 11 tackles and a pass breakup. Rounding out the secondary will be safeties Jaylen Reed, Kevin Winston, and cornerback Johnny Dixon. Daequan Hardy also has two interceptions this season and should see some time at corner during the game.

Since the Nittany Lions are so good at holding onto the football, the tackle totals for the linebackers aren’t nearly as high as what has been seen from Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers. Curtis Jacobs leads the team with 23 tackles, while also registering three tackles for loss. Dominic Deluca is tied for second with 16 tackles, and has an interception, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups in the season’s first six games. Abdul Carter is also a linebacker the Buckeyes will have to keep tabs on in Saturday’s contest.

Summary

Saturday’s game has the feel of being another game between Ohio State and Penn State that comes down to the wire. Both teams have questions heading into the game. The Buckeyes are dealing with injuries to TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams, and Emeka Egbuka. Luckily Ohio State has depth at both positions which has allowed them to deal with injuries at some of their key positions over the last few seasons.

The Nittany Lions will be facing their first true test of the season. The toughest teams Penn State have played this year have been West Virginia and Iowa, with both of those games coming at home. While the Hawkeyes have a tremendous defense, they have one of the worst offenses that college football has ever seen. Saturday’s game against Ohio State will show whether the Nittany Lions are for real, or if a good amount of their success this year has because they have been playing lesser competition.

To win on Saturday, Ohio State is going to have to do something that nobody has been able to do so far this year. Rattle Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. This will be the first true road game Allar has had to try and navigate, since games at Illinois and Northwestern didn’t have anywhere close to the hostile environment that he will see in Columbus on Saturday. If the Buckeyes are able to force Allar into throwing an interception early, it will be interesting to see how the QB responds to throwing his first pick of the season.

This showdown is going to come down to the trenches. Last year J.T. Tuimoloau was the difference since he was able to put constant pressure on quarterback Sean Clifford. It will be tough for the Buckeyes to put pressure on Allar since the Penn State offensive line is so good, but it’s not impossible. A key for Ohio State will be if Jack Sawyer can build on his performance from last week, since Tuimoloau will certainly receive a lot of attention.

On the other side, Ohio State’s offensive line will have to be at their best on Saturday, since the Nittany Lions have been able to create pressure from all angles so far this season. If the Buckeyes can give Kyle McCord time to evaluate his options, or the running backs some holes to run through, it greatly improve Ohio State’s chance of winning this battle of undefeated teams.

LGHL prediction: Ohio State 28, Penn State 20

Oct 20, 2023

In Conversation Podcast: The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman previews Ohio State-Penn 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

Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Also, has the Hawkeye fanbase turned on Kirk Ferentz for the offensive (pun intended) sins of his son?

On Land-Grant Holy Land In Conversation, we talk to people in and around Ohio State athletics, and the sporting world at large, to bring you a different insight and perspective to the teams, athletes, and university that you love.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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On today’s episode, Matt Tamanini is in conversation with Scott Dochterman from The Athletic. Scott covers the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Big Ten and is able to provide valuable insight into the Buckeyes’ opponent on Saturday. With Penn State having skunked Iowa 31-0 earlier this season, Scott was able to get a good handle on what PSU does well, and where some of their weaknesses might be.

Matt and Scott also discuss the unusual season that Iowa is having and how much the 25 points per game stipulation in offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz’s contract is impacting the team and the fanbase.

Connect with Scott Dochterman

Twitter: @ScottDochterman
Read his work: https://theathletic.com/author/scott-dochterman/

Connect with Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

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Oct 20, 2023

Buckeyes set to host another elite five-star talent this weekend as new names continue to be added to the guest list
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Five-star Jonah Williams will make the visit to Ohio State this weekend.

You would think that after all of the names mentioned so far this week that the list would be basically full, but Thursday was another day for Ohio State to see their name in the mix for visit plans this weekend. Regardless of class or position, the names continue to pile up, and this staff doesn’t seem to be capping the number any time soon either.

Every year it seems that there’s always one big weekend during spring ball and another big weekend during the summer months where Ohio State’s visit plans are off the charts. In season, there’s typically a home game that outmatches the rest, and this Saturday is that day. Buckle up. It’s going to be quite the next 72 hours.

A Texas trifecta heading to Columbus this weekend

All eyes will be on the Buckeyes as they take on Penn State, and with the game being the first and most important priority, a close second are the recruiting efforts. Set to host one of the more impressive guest lists you could see, the coaching staff has a ton of their top guys both committed and uncommitted coming to campus, and the goal is for each to leave feeling really solid about Ohio State.

Two of the more highly anticipated visitors Devin Sanchez and Dorian Brew were mentioned on Thursday, as the cornerback duo will be on site Saturday to see Ohio State compete. What’s been a really solid season so far for the back end of the defense, these two guys have to be liking what they see.

Those two names alone would have been enough, but some news broke on Thursday that there’s another big time 2025 defensive back set to be in attendance this weekend. Prefaced with the fact that Brew is an Ohio native who has moved to Texas, the third product from the Lone Star State to be in Columbus this weekend now includes 2025 safety, Jonah Williams.

The No. 17 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, Williams being on campus at any time is a major win for the coaching staff, but having him join the likes of Sanchez and Brew is a huge advantage for the Buckeyes. Package deals aren’t something to bank on, but it’s never a bad thing for major targets like this to be together. For Ohio State, this is just another elite talent that will be on site to see all the program has to offer.

A five-star has almost definitely figured out his plans for this weekend:https://t.co/80RXMvJ2st pic.twitter.com/Z47kGPPLws

— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) October 19, 2023

Quick Hits

It will be interesting to see what Brian Hartline does at the receiver position in the 2025 class. Thanks to having a full stable of young guys after this 2023 campaign, the Buckeyes can afford to land less than the typical amount of guys at the spot, but if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that Hartline will have his fair share of success.

Though the 2024 class of receivers is his first priority right now before signing day, 2025 has Hartline’s attention as well, and this weekend a current Alabama commit will take in an Ohio State game day.

Set to arrive tomorrow, Jaime Ffrench is another big time name worth mentioning. The No. 13 player nationally and the fourth best receiver in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite, Ffrench has been committed to Alabama since July of this past summer, but visiting the Buckeyes this weekend shows he’s not totally shut it down yet in terms of entertaining other interests.

The Buckeyes tend to have their way when it comes to the receiver position, and if Ffrench is someone Hartline really wants, you can’t count them out even if he is currently pledged elsewhere. Either way, it’s worth keeping an eye on moving forward.

I’ll be in Columbus this weekend ! @brianhartline pic.twitter.com/sgtbaTKscP

— Jaime Ffrench Jr. (@jaimeffrenchjr) October 19, 2023

Oct 19, 2023

Uncut Podcast: Day, McCord, Marv, more talk injuries, game plan, Penn State, much 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

Screenshot_2023_10_19_at_1.08.36_PM.0.png

Basically, every Buckeye talks to reporters about Saturday’s game against the Nittany Lions.

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:

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On today’s episode of “Land-Grant Uncut,” we are bringing you unedited audio from the Wednesday, Oct. 18 postpractice media availabilities at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center where Ohio State football coach Ryan Day, quarterback Kyle McCord, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, tight end Cade Stover, and linebacker Cody Simon met with reporters to provide updates on their preparation for this weekend’s marquee matchup against the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Buckeyes discussed how Ohio State will deal with any potential injury issues on Saturday, the enormous challenge PSU will present, what this week has been like as they prepare and much more.

Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

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Oct 19, 2023

MC&J: Will Week 8’s national action see Alabama get revenge on Tennessee?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Plus, Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze host their former teams.

Last week ATS: 8-5 (5-2 National, 3-3 B1G)

Season ATS: 60-65 (25-38 National, 35-25 B1G)

If we could have more weeks the rest of the season like we did last week, the season would be a success. After gaining a few games on .500 now the key will be to not loss the progress we made. This week has some tough matchups to predict since the spreads are bigger, but I have confidence we can put together another winning week.

National games

UCF v. No. 6 Oklahoma (-18.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - ABC

Dillon Gabriel’s revenge game is here! The Oklahoma quarterback started his career at UCF before entering the transfer portal and moving on to the Sooners. I’m sure there is no ill will between the quarterback and his former team, it’s really about the only interesting storyline in this game aside from this being the only meeting we’ll see between these two schools as conference foes.

Oklahoma looked great in their victory over Texas a few weeks ago in the Red River ~~Shootout.~~ If the Sooners handle their business, they’ll be able to cruise into the Big 12 Championship Game in early December, and it’d be hard to keep them out of the College Football Playoff, even if they end up losing that game.

The Golden Knights haven’t enjoyed their first season in the Big 12, losing all three of their conference games so far. The last time UCF was on the field, they were embarrassed 51-22 by Kansas. Along with the lopsided loss, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee was pulled in the first quarter after it was obvious he wasn’t fully recovered from an injury he suffered in early September against Boise State. The Sooners add to UCF’s woes by handing them another blowout loss.

Oklahoma 48, UCF 21

Washington State v. No. 9 Oregon (-18.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - ABC

Both Washington State and Oregon are coming off losses last week. At least Oregon can look themselves in the mirror after dropping a close contest against Washington. The Cougs were obliterated in Pullman, losing 44-6 to Arizona. Washington State has now run for a total of 47 yards in the last two games. To say the Cougars have lost the plot after beating Oregon State is an understatement.

Oregon is going to be furious after falling short in the showdown with Washington last week. The Ducks are going to take out some of the frustrations on Washington State this week. The Cougars can’t run the football, which will allow the Oregon defense to load up and get after quarterback Cam Ward. Dan Lanning won’t have to worry about making any fourth down decisions since the Ducks should cruise in this game.

Oregon 45, Washington State 20

No. 17 Tennessee v. No. 11 Alabama (-8.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - CBS

You just know last year’s loss to Tennessee is still eating at Alabama head coach Nick Saban. The Volunteers were able to snap a 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide with the thrilling win in Knoxville. A lot has changed in the last year, most notably at quarterback for both teams. Tennessee has Michigan transfer Joe Milton taking the snaps, while Jalen Milroe is finding his way behind center for Alabama.

MIlton’s inconsistency at quarterback has led to Tennessee doing most of their damage on the ground, averaging 230 yards per game rushing so far this season. The issue for the Volunteers is they’re not going to be able to get much going running the football against Alabama’s stout defense. Laying more than a touchdown with the Crimson Tide is a little concerning, but so far this year it feels like every time I think the spread is a little high for Alabama they have gone on to prove me wrong and cover, so I might as well try and learn from my mistakes.

Alabama 28, Tennessee 17

South Carolina v. No. 20 Missouri (-7) - 3:30 p.m. ET - SEC Network

Heading into the year, I thought South Carolina was going to be better than they have been so far this year. Last week the Gamecocks dropped a heartbreaker to Florida, which led to head coach Shane Beamer kicking something after the game and breaking his foot. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about how things are going in Columbia.

At the other Columbia in the SEC, things are going a lot better. The Tigers are coming off a road win at Kentucky where they shook off a 14-0 first quarter deficit and finished the game on a 38-7 run. If Missouri can win on Saturday, it will set up a spicy matchup in a couple weeks at Georgia. Quarterback Brady Cook is quietly putting together a great season, teaming with dynamic wide receiver Luther Burden III. The Tigers keep rolling against a South Carolina team that is reeling.

Missouri 38, South Carolina 24

No. 13 Ole Miss (-6.5) v. Auburn - 7:00 p.m. ET - ESPN

Hugh Freeze will square off with his former employer when Auburn hosts Ole Miss on Saturday night. I’m sure Freeze would like his team to be in a better position heading into the game. The Tigers are on a three-game losing streak, with their latest loss being a 48-18 blowout at LSU last week. Payton Thorne doesn’t provide much at quarterback for Auburn, which is a problem since they don’t have a running game to lean on when their quarterback struggles.

Ole Miss doesn’t have to worry much about their quarterback, since Jaxson Dart has been really good this year. The offense of the Rebels also has the ability to run the football with Quinshon Judkins. While Auburn will try and play hard for Freeze in his first conference game against his former team, the Tigers don’t have the offensive firepower to keep pace with what Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss will throw at them.

Ole Miss 34, Auburn 21

No. 16 Duke v. No. 4 Florida State (-13.5) - 7:30 p.m. ET - ABC

Duke has been a pretty neat story so far this year. The Blue Devils took down Clemson in their season opener, and a few weeks ago pushed Notre Dame to the limit in Durham. Then quarterback Riley Leonard was injured in the loss to the Fighting Irish. The Blue Devils were able to get by last week since NC State is a clueless team. Backup quarterback Henry Belin IV was just 4-of-12 for 107 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-3 win. Running back Jordan Waters did most of the damage against the Wolfpack, rushing for 123 yards and a score.

Following shaky wins over Boston College and Clemson, Florida State has regained the form we saw from them earlier in the season, as the have handily beaten Virginia Tech and Syracuse in their last two games. Former Michigan State receiver Keon Coleman has been one of the most impactful transfers so far this season, hauling in seven touchdown passes.

Duke is going to be in trouble when Florida State jumps out early in the game, which will force Belin to throw the football more. The Seminoles pull away from the Blue Devils in Tallahassee on Saturday night.

Florida State 37, Duke 14

No. 14 Utah v. No. 18 USC (-6.5) - 8:00 p.m. ET - FOX

USC is a mess right now, and a big reason this is going to be a wasted season for the Caleb Williams and the Trojans is because Lincoln Riley has somehow not realized what all of us have known for years: defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is terrible at his job. USC has now given up at least 40 points in each of their last three games.

Utah has dominated USC of late, winning their last three games against the Trojans. After last week’s 48-20 loss at Notre Dame it would seem like Utah is in a perfect spot to make it four straight wins against USC, right? Not so fast. Since sometimes you have to throw logic out the window in college football, this is one of those situations. The Utes have struggled to get anything going on offense without Cam Rising, who still hasn’t played this year. This feels like one of those games where USC bounces back in a big way.

USC 31, Utah 17

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Oct 19, 2023

Matchups to Know: Ohio State vs. Penn State
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

A look at some of the key individual battles in this weekend’s Big Ten showdown.

No. 7 Penn State travels to Columbus, Ohio this weekend to take on No. 3 Ohio State in one of the biggest and potentially most impactful games of the 2023 college football season. Both teams enter the game undefeated, but only one will come out of Saturday’s contest with that perfect record intact. With the nation’s eyes locking into the Nittany Lions versus the Buckeyes, what are some of the individual matchups to keep an eye on that will ultimately decide this game?

Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Kalen King/Johnny Dixon

Ohio State has a lot of playmakers on offense, but of course none are bigger than Marvin Harrison Jr. The nation’s most talented wide receiver feels like he hasn’t quite hit his stride yet this season, but the Route Man still leads the Big Ten with 604 yards receiving and has eclipsed 160 yards in a game twice through six weeks. Harrison Jr. requires a lot of attention, and even when he isn’t catching passes on his own, the extra help needed to cover him on one side opens things up for guys like a hopefully healthy Emeka Egbuka, in addition to Julian Fleming and Cade Stover.

Marv will likely see a lot of corners Kalen King and Johnny Dixon on Saturday. King, a preseason All-American, ranked second in FBS a year ago with 18 pass breakups as the No. 2 guy across from Joey Porter Jr. As the top dog this year, teams have been avoiding King like the plague, only targeting the DB 18 times thus far. As the new No. 2, Dixon has performed really well in coverage, allowing just a 50% completion rate when targeted this season with two PBUs and a pick. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Penn State bracket Harrison Jr. with one of those guys as well as another safety or linebacker.

Chop Robinson/Adias Isaac vs. Josh Simmons/Josh Fryar

One of the scariest matchups for Ohio State fans heading into this game are Penn State’s defensive ends against the Buckeyes’ offensive tackles. Adisa Isaac is tied for the Big Ten lead with five total sacks on the season, while Chop Robinson is one of the most highly touted defensive linemen in the country. Robinson is pegged as a likely first round NFL Draft pick this coming April, totaling 10.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss during his collegiate career between both the Nittany Lions and Maryland, where he played his freshman campaign. As a whole, Penn State leads the Big Ten with 27 sacks.

Josh Fryar and Josh Simmons meanwhile have been... on the field. Ohio State’s offensive line has seemingly chosen a different player to have a poor performance in each of the team’s first six games, with Simmons having more difficulty than Fryar to this point. The entire front has been a soft spot for this year’s Buckeyes, and while their 10 sacks allowed ranks them middle of the pack in the B1G, they cannot afford to be subpar in keeping Kyle McCord clean against Penn State. The run blocking has been an even bigger bugaboo for the OSU O-line, but if Robinson and Isaac are able to eat against Fryar and Simmons, it’ll be a long day for Ryan Day’s offense as a whole.

Eichenberg/Chambers/Simon vs. Kaytron Allen/Nicholas Singleton

On the flip side, Ohio State’s linebackers need to bring their A-game against these Penn State running backs. It had been a tough couple of weeks for Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg, as the Buckeyes’ two starting linebackers really struggled against both Notre Dame and Maryland. Eichenberg got back into the flow of things against Purdue, and leads Ohio State with 46 total tackles on the season, but Chambers has lost a lot of playing time to Cody Simon, who tied for a team-high eight tackles last time out against the Boilermakers. It would not be a surprise if Eichenberg and Simon are with the ones on Saturday.

Whoever takes the majority of snaps for Ohio State at linebacker, they will be primarily in charge of slowing down the Nittany Lions’ dynamic RB duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. The two have put up very similar stats to this point in the year, with Allen at 375 yards and three touchdowns and Singleton at 362 yards and a team-high six TDs. Singleton is also the far bigger receiving threat of the two, catching 13 passes for 111 yards and another score through the air. Even despite some inconsistency at linebacker, Ohio State has held opponents to 3.1 yards per carry this season, but they will have their hands full against this one-two punch.

Kyle McCord vs. Drew Allar

While these guys won’t be competing against each other in a direct sense, a lot of eyes will be on the two starting quarterbacks in this game. Statistically, McCord has marginally outdueled the Ohio native Allar through six games. McCord has thrown for 1,651 yards with 11 touchdowns and one pick, while Allar has thrown for 1,254 yards with 12 TDs and no INTs. Allar has completed slightly more of his attempts, with a 65.2% completion rate compared to McCord’s 64.1%, but McCord is far better in yards per attempt (9.7 to Allar’s 6.9) and passer efficiency rating (165.9 to 145.3).

Obviously these two guys play in two very different offenses. Ohio State is far more pass heavy and throws a lot more deep balls, leading to more explosive play potential. Penn State, meanwhile, is more adept at running the football, and while Allar hasn’t taken a ton of deep shots, he is incredibly accurate and has yet to turn the ball over this season. The Buckeyes have the No. 1 passing offense in the Big Ten, but Penn State has the best passing defense in the conference. Ohio State has had trouble getting to the QB this season, and Allar will have no problem working the short passing game down the field with a clean pocket.

Ryan Day vs. The Playbook

Clearly, this is not actually a matchup in this game, but which version of its head coach Ohio State sees on Saturday will go a long way in deciding the outcome.

Ryan Day has had his struggles with play-calling in big games. Most of the time, the offense plays far too conservative against the better teams on its schedule. We have seen this type of approach cost the Buckeyes on numerous occasions, and even when it hasn’t led directly to a loss, it has turned some potential runaways into nail-biters. On the flip side, Day’s scheme against Georgia last season was excellent, with a diverse and creative offensive design that was a Marvin Harrison Jr. injury away from playing for a national title. Ohio State needs less of the former and more of the latter.

Which Day do we see against Penn State? The Ohio State headman has come under fire at various times this season for his play-calling woes, and he cannot afford to have a bad performance with the play sheet against a team that will thoroughly test the Buckeyes. We saw some really good things at Purdue last weekend, including increased variance in the run game and a goal line package centered around mobile backup QB Devin Brown. The Nittany Lions are a very good football team, but Ohio State is still more talented on paper. If Day calls the plays like he has the talent advantage rather than playing scared against a worthy adversary, the Buckeyes will be in prime position to remain unbeaten.

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Oct 19, 2023

Ohio State may need several of ‘The Other Guys’ to step up against an impressive (and undefeated) Penn State squad
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

other_guys_1200_1200_675_675_crop_000000.0.jpg

letterboxd.com

Yes, this headline is a reference — an homage, even — to the most underrated comedy of the 21st century. And if you don’t love it, then we simply can’t be friends... cue Little River Band!

Ohio State welcomes undefeated Penn State to The Shoe this weekend, and with both Big Ten and possible College Football Playoff implications on the line, the Buckeyes are (and have been) a bit banged up... To say the least. And it has not been ‘death’ by a thousand cuts for Ryan Day’s squad, but rather deep, cavernous, painful cuts — AKA losing and/or missing some of their biggest and brightest stars.

Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams have all missed at least one game, while cornerback Denzel Burke left this past weekend’s blowout of Purdue after having his legs swept out from under him by friendly fire. The latter did not return, and there is a strong argument to be made that his (Burke) potential injury is the most impactful of all, as the Nittany Lions look to stalk prey in Columbus.

But there is no need to take a turn to Negative Town just yet, as we do not know the extent of Burke’s injury. And there is certainly a possibility that one or all of the others mentioned above have recovered from theirs. Unfortunately, we are not likely to find out if any of these banged up Buckeyes are available until 10AM Saturday because Day ~~hates us~~ is rather cagey when it comes to details. Which is a bitter pill we must accept and swallow.

Ohio State players and coaches have been vocal about their ‘next man up’ mentality, and thus leaned into it – or were forced to do so – against the Boilermakers. To great success, really. Multiple pass catchers performed well in place of Egbuka, and when the OSU was down just about every RB on their roster, Dallan Hayden rose from the ashes like a bulldozing phoenix, to the tune of 76 yards and a touchdown.

But Purdue is not Penn State, and Penn State is not Purdue. There is an absurdly large chasm between the two teams, in terms of talent, experience, and probably even coaching. So if the Buckeyes are without a handful of starters on Saturday, then several ‘other guys’ – or less-heralded players – will need to step up in their absence(s). Like Hoitz and Gamble, baby. Below are a few names that come to mind:

QB Devin Brown

Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

If backup QB Devin Brown enters Saturday’s game due to injury, go ahead and sound the alarm(s). While obviously talented, this second-year signal caller just hasn’t much to inspire confidence... when it comes to throwing the ball. Running it, on the other hand, is or might be a different story.

After losing the QB battle and essentially being placed on ice for the better part of a month, Brown reemerged against Purdue as a goal line threat. He carried the ball eight times for 20 yards and a touchdown, and would have added a second rushing TD had he practiced better ball security.

Obviously, OSU can ill afford to be sloppy and turn the ball over against Penn State, but Brown does add an interesting wrinkle to the Buckeyes’ inconsistent ground game. His usage against Purdue may have been a one-off, but do not be surprised if we see him in the lineup (again) in a goal-to-go situation. Especially with PSU DEs Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac potentially screaming in off the edge.

RB Dallan Hayden

Dallan Hayden highlights vs Purdue pic.twitter.com/1N6y7uXIbO

— Colton Denning (@Dubsco) October 14, 2023

If Brown’s presence in the game is cause for (slight) concern, Hayden’s might be cause for celebration. No offense to Brown or any of the other Ohio State RBs, but Hayden looked to be the best fit for running behind his team’s inconsistent offensive line. The redshirt candidate ran with authority against Purdue, identifying lanes quickly and running through them with bad intentions. Granted, one game in which Hayden did not even start is a small sample size, but the kid looked good.

Also, we should not just ignore the many talents of Henderson. I personally believe that he is the most naturally gifted Buckeye back, but his general usage is puzzling. Regardless, even if Henderson is back on Saturday, Hayden has earned additional opportunities. The redshirt idea is/was fun and all, to preserve the true sophomore for future seasons, but OSU needs their best players on the field Saturday. He is one of those players.

WR Julian Fleming

Look, I’ve already purchased half of Fleming Island, and now I need to sell some condos. I’ll never give up all of my Fleming Inc. holdings, but the market is very, very, very soft right now. If Julian has a good game in place of or next to Egbuka – which he is absolutely capable of – then prices go up.

OL Josh ‘Jimmy’ Simmons and Josh ‘Just Josh’ Fryar

I’m just asking for a good game, fellas. I need it, we need it, your team needs it. Penn State’s defensive line is a force to be reckoned with, but I believe, baby!

LB Cody Simon

Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

We heard it from Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles on Tuesday: Simon is neck-and-neck with incumbent LB Steele Chambers. While the latter has seemingly regressed, the former has been taking advantage of opportunities earned. Simon actually led the Buckeyes in tackles last weekend, and this coming Saturday, he may be relied upon heavily to help slow down a prolific Nittany Lions rushing attack.

I have never been the biggest ‘Simon guy’, however, there is no denying that he has shown significant improvement in 2023. He is still an absolute liability in coverage, that will likely never change. But in the right spots, hopefully he can be used as a blunt object to deliver hits to PSU’s Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

CB Jermaine Mathews Jr.

Freshman Jermaine Mathews Jr. with the pick-six! Ohio State up 63-10 pic.twitter.com/bg3J4f3EGJ

— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) September 16, 2023

Mathews Jr. playing a major role in this weekend’s game would be concerning to me personally, only because I believe that Denzel Burke has played at or near an All-American level this season. He (Burke) has been that good, essentially shutting down half the field each week. If the junior is unable to go, and it is Mathews Jr. who starts in his place – or rotates in when Jordan Hancock moves to the slot – then I think my concerns are or would be justified.

But then again, who says that a true freshman corner can’t come in and (also) play at an All-American level? Certainly no one in Columbus. Because Burke and Davison Igbinosun, the Buckeyes’ other starting CB, both did it!

Knowles was pretty effusive in his praise of Mathews Jr. on Tuesday, and the latter has already played meaningful snaps for OSU, so perhaps the Cincinnati product is ready to step in and step up. And if he plays well in place of Burke, great! I would still rather have the known commodity. But the young fella has earned his coaches’ trust, and those same (secondary) coaches have earned mine. So godspeed, Jermaine Mathews Jr. I hope that you ball out if called upon.

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Oct 19, 2023

Guessing the starting five for Ohio State women’s basketball
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

There are only a couple weeks until the Buckeyes take on the USC Trojans, so it's time to think about who’s going to start on Nov. 6

The start of the 23-24 season is fast approaching. On Monday, Nov. 6, the No. 7 Ohio State women’s basketball team faces the No. 21 USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Playing in the Naismith Hall of Fame Series, the Buckeyes get their first taste of a soon-to-be Big Ten side. The top-25 game tips off a season that, on the surface, features one of the more difficult schedules for the scarlet and gray in recent history.

So, who should be in the starting lineup for the Buckeyes in Vegas?

Land-Grant Holy Land takes a stab at that question, with a predicted starting five to go up against the Trojans, and beyond. While four of the spots seem easy to pinpoint, there’s a position that should grab a lot of attention.

Guard - Jacy Sheldon

Guard Jacy Sheldon is as easy of a pick for point guard as is reading an Ohio State sports site that doesn’t charge you for content.

Sheldon became the Buckeyes de facto point guard in January 2022, when then Ohio State guard Kateri Poole sustained an injury. Head coach Kevin McGuff put Sheldon in the role and, despite Poole’s return a couple games later, kept Sheldon running the offense indefinitely.

That decision was twofold. First, expected 21-22 starter Madison Greene suffered a knee injury that took her out for the entirety of the season. Second, Sheldon pushed the Buckeyes to a new level. With the Ohioan at point, Ohio State earned wins against a Maryland Terrapins team featuring guard Ashley Owusu and forward Angel Reese plus a road win against guard Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Ohio State’s win in Iowa City eventually earned the team a share of the conference regular season title.

Sheldon kept the position for the start of 22-23 and led the Buckeyes in wins over the Tennessee Volunteers and Louisville Cardinals. The guard missed most games until the postseason following the Louisville win due to a foot injury and took on point guard duties again, due to another knee injury sustained by Greene.

With Greene still recovering, and Ohio State not trying to rush the point guard back until later in the calendar year, Sheldon’s running the show. Playing in her final season, it doesn’t seem like Sheldon will lose that point guard position either, as long as she stays healthy.

Guard - Celeste Taylor

The next all but guaranteed Ohio State starter is shooting guard Celeste Taylor. When a team transfers in an AP All-American Honorable Mention, First Team All-ACC, ACC Defensive Player of the Year who led her team in points too isn’t going to start on the bench.

Taylor isn’t just getting the spot because of past accolades but listen to how McGuff and her teammates talk about Taylor and she’s already a leader on this team. The guard had a 72.7 defensive rating, allowing only 72.7 points for every 100 opponent possessions, fitting perfectly into McGuff’s 23/24 focus of improving the halfcourt defense.

As much as people talk about Ohio State’s press, it’s not the only defensive set they play. Luckily for Taylor, she can do both. The Long Island native played three different systems with three previous coaches in four years. Each time it ended with the Texas Longhorns and Duke Blue Devils excelling.

NCAA Womens Basketball: ACC Conference Tournament Quarterfinals-Duke vs North Carolina

William Howard-USA TODAY Sports

When the press does enter the conversation, Taylor is like Sheldon in that she has an endless motor and never appears to be tired on the court.

The Sheldon/Taylor guard partnership has all the potential to be one of the best guard duos in the country, and that’s not hyperbole. Both are already recognized for their play with additions to their respective position’s awards, Taylor on the Ann-Meyers Drysdale Award watch list and the same for Sheldon and the Nancy Lieberman Award

Guard - Taylor Thierry

In a similar article last season, forward Taylor Thierry made the starting five, but it was not an easy decision by any means. Coach McGuff, likely without reading the article, started Thierry every game last season. What was odd about the decision is that Thierry didn’t start as a forward, but as a guard.

Thierry’s athleticism and court vision makes it difficult to tag her with one position. For instance, Thierry was third in the Big Ten last year in overall steals (74). A fitting stat line for a guard. She also was third in the conference in offensive rebounds (104), which is more aligned with someone playing in the paint.

The hybrid forward/guard plays everywhere.

With Thierry’s wingspan, leaping ability and speed, it's hard to get past Thierry on offense. She’s blocking shooters on the perimeter, sometimes from beyond the arc and gets quick passes up to teammates on the fastbreak.

Offensively, Thierry became a major outlet for teammates. Thierry made a name for herself in scoring inside the paint. When now-Ohio State graduate Taylor Mikesell earned extra attention on defense, it meant Thierry could move towards the basket. The same for forward Cotie McMahon, who over the year attracted attention herself as runs to hoop became frequent. McMahon used Thierry as an outlet when defenders closed in.

In response, Thierry hit 181 two-point shots, good for sixth in the conference. Thierry’s .651 field goal percentage on two-point attempts was ninth best in the country.

The only way Thierry’s name isn’t in the starting five is if there’s an injury. Someone who can slide from the perimeter to the paint with ease, with the ability and work ethic of Thierry, isn’t finding much time on the bench.

Forward - Cotie McMahon

Last season, coach McGuff used the Kentucky Derby as inspiration for forward Cotie McMahon. Labeled “the most exciting five seconds in college basketball,” McMahon was posterchild of the big play. Those moments came in almost every game.

McMahon was a surprise name on the starting roster last year, starting every game like Thierry. After a few games, it was much less of a surprise. McMahon entered NCAA basketball at full speed.

The forward scored 10 in her first game of the season and despite having an inconsistent start to the season, the reason McGuff entrusted McMahon to start hit in December. That’s when the college game began slowing down for the Centerville, Ohio native.

For the remainder of the season, McMahon averaged 17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game for the remaining 27 contests of her freshman year. After winning the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year award, McMahon followed it up with an NCAA Tournament performance not expected of most freshman.

In four games, McMahon averaged 18.3 points and 6.0 rebounds. Against the UConn Huskies in the Sweet Sixteen, it wasn’t only a classic McMahon performance of spinning her way to the rim and earning trips to the foul line, but McMahon showed glimpses of the future.

Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

McMahon went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc, saying that she worked on long distance shooting throughout the season. Ohio State shocked the Huskies and head coach Geno Auriemma admitted that the Huskies weren’t ready for the night McMahon had against the storied program.

Now before the 23/24 season, the hype can’t get much higher for McMahon. If that trajectory continues in its current direction, with coach McGuff mentioning McMahon’s work on shooting this offseason, plus more Team USA experience at the U19 World Cup this summer, McMahon isn’t a future star for the program. She’s a star now.

Forward - Rebeka Mikulášiková

The position to watch is the No. 5 role. It could go in a few different directions. This prediction is going with the mainstay at forward over the last two seasons in Rebeka Mikulášiková.

McGuff has three players who can start in this role, and a wildcard choice. Competing against Mikulášiková are transfer forwards Eboni Walker and Taiyier Parks.

All three forwards bring different styles of play. For Parks, who joined this offseason from the Michigan State Spartans, its presence in the paint and a direct improvement on the boards. For the past two seasons, rebounding’s alluded Ohio State, especially going up against bigs of the conference like former Michigan Wolverine Naz Hillmon and current Indiana Hoosier All-American Mackenzie Holmes.

With Parks, the Buckeyes add a strong rebounder. In the last four seasons, Parks ended the year in the top 10 in the Big Ten for offensive rebounding. That’s for someone who isn’t a regular starter either, being in the game from tipoff only 13 times in 59 appearances over the past two seasons.

Another option is Walker. After joining the Buckeyes last offseason from Syracuse University, Walker took time to adjust and meet the conditioning needs of a fast-running side but did at the end of the regular season. From Feb. 13 through the Elite Eight, Walker’s name was in the starting five.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament - Second Round - Ohio

Photo by Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Walker and Mikulasikova celebrating during the NCAA tournament second round win over the North Carolina Tar Heels on March 20, 2023.

The mobile forward rebounded well, averaging 5.2 per game in the final 11 games of the season. Walker’s situational awareness also became a benefit to Ohio State’s offense. In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, at home against the North Carolina Tar Heels, the game-winning play was broken, but Walker fixed it. The forward moved with the ball and gave time for Sheldon to find an opening, hitting the game-winning shot.

So, why Mikulášiková? It’s about the offense.

For the first two months of the 22/23 season, Mikulášiková rivaled Mikesell offensively. The Slovakian graduate senior scored double digits in each of her first eight games of the calendar. Including a 31-point game against Rutgers, leading Ohio State in the victory. Versus the Oregon Ducks on Dec. 21, Mikulášiková hit five three-pointers.

When Mikulášiková is hitting shots, she makes defenses adjust, she shoots over smaller guards off screens and showed an increased ability to move and hit layups in the paint.

With Mikesell gone, Ohio State losses a historically good three-point shooter. With that means less offensive firepower and of the three options, Mikulášiková is the best in that department. However, when the forward’s shooting goes cold, it takes time to find it again.

It’s that needed offensive consistency that McGuff mentioned in media availability last week. When Mikulášiková, she’s starting caliber on most any NCAA team. If Ohio State gets that throughout the duration of the season, Walker and Parks turn into strong options off the bench and in particular matchups, in-game.

The wildcard in all this? Maybe none of the three start or play the role consistently with Thierry getting minutes in their place. McGuff could go small, putting guard Rikki Harris in as a fourth guard and Thierry as the presence in the paint.

Ultimately, it's not Land-Grant’s decision to make but coach McGuff has the luxury or options. On Nov. 6, see who he picks when the game airs live on TruTV and the Max streaming service at 2:00 p.m. ET.

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Oct 19, 2023

Bucketheads Podcast: The crossover you’ve been waiting for; ‘Drive the Lane’ guys join the pod!
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

The guys from “Drive The Lane” joined us for the crossover event of the century.

“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

What is better than two podcast hosts? The answer is four.

For episode 87 of “Bucketheads,” Connor and Justin welcomed Joey Lane and Andrew Zoldan from the “Drive The Lane” Podcast to talk all things Big Ten Basketball and Ohio State Basketball.

We asked the Drive The Lane guys about their Big Ten predictions and Ohio State predictions and closed out with a quick therapy session for Joey.

Before the interview, Connor and Justin talked about the first AP poll and gave a quick Penn State-Ohio State prediction.

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

Connect with Joey:
Twitter: @JoeySmoke14

Connect with Andrew:
Twitter: @AndrewZoldan

Connect with Drive The Lane:
Twitter: @DriveTheLanePod

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Oct 19, 2023

Previewing the loaded guest list as Ohio State hosts Penn State in a top 10 tilt
Caleb Houser 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 Buckeyes have one of premier matchups this weekend — with the guest list to match it’s importance.

Ohio State is hosting some elite company this weekend when they take on Penn State. With Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff and ESPN’s College Game Day on hand, the atmosphere in Columbus is going to be second to none, and having many pivotal recruits on campus to take it all in, the Buckeyes are looking to win both on and off the field.

Almost too many names to count, here’s just a short list of some of the bigger names that will be at Ohio State this weekend seeing all that the Buckeyes have to offer, whether it be the first time or a return trip.

Devin Sanchez

Maybe the most important uncommitted target on site this weekend, Houston, Texas native Devin Sanchez is making the trek north for the big game. The No. 7 player nationally, Sanchez is the top cornerback in the country and the second best player from Texas per the 247Sports Composite for 2025. One of the higher-ranked guys to visit, the red carpet will be rolled out for Sanchez, and surely the better play from Ohio State’s defensive backs thus far has to speak volumes to any player at the position.

The staff will be all over this visit from the jump, and though they have a game to win as their first priority, taking time to recruit Sanchez is a given considering his talent.

I will be in ohio this weekend !! pic.twitter.com/QJxjbvXbFu

— Devin Sanchez (@Devin2416) October 18, 2023

Dorian Brew

Sticking with the 2025 class and defensive backs, another major target for the Buckeyes will be making the visit and returning home so to speak. Former Clayton, Ohio native Dorian Brew has since moved down to finish his high school career in Texas, but isn’t staying away for too long, as this weekend he will be back on campus after visiting numerous times already.

The No. 23 player nationally, Brew is the fourth-ranked cornerback in the class per the 247Sports Composite for 2025. For what used to be an in-state must get, the Buckeyes are still going after his commitment just as much even with him now being in Texas, and though it’s not as easy for him to get to Columbus from nearby Clayton, the staff isn’t worried that his move will have them any less in the mix. Either way, these last two names are massive targets for the secondary, and it’s a perfect scenario to have them visiting at the same time.

Sam Greer

One of the younger players to make his way to campus, in-state Ohio native Sam Greer will make the trip down from Akron. A 6-foot-8, 290 pound offensive tackle, Greer is only a high school sophomore, but already has a college ready build that is only going to get better. Early offers from the likes of Florida, Michigan, Miami, and Ohio State prove the caliber of guy he is going to be, and being inside Buckeye borders tends to bode well.

The No. 69 player nationally, Greer is the 10th-best tackle in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite. As mentioned, these recruiting battles tend to go the way of Ohio State thanks to native ties, but it’s not a done deal by any means with how much time is left here. Still, getting him on campus early and often certainly helps the home school’s chances of reeling him in when the time comes.

I will be in Columbus this weekend @CoachJFrye @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/E1RmZH3KZz

— Sam Greer (@Samgreer70) October 19, 2023

Commits coming back home this weekend

While most of the attention can be paid towards the uncommitted prospects, this weekend is just as important for Ohio State’s committed guests, as they are not only going to have an opportunity to peer recruit, but it’s also another chance for them to see their future home in action. Surely it only helps further solidify why they picked Ohio State as their destination of the future.

Some of the current commits heading back to Columbus include the likes of Aaron Scott Jr., Chris Henry Jr., Air Noland, Jeremiah McClellan, Bryce West and Jeremiah Smith to name just a few. All critical pieces to their respective classes, the Buckeyes having each of these guys back allows for the staff to continue building the relationship with each, but also allowing each one of them to feel the love at Ohio State and why they’re wanted in the class.

Speaking specifically to a guy like Smith, it never hurts to get him back on campus. Yes, he’s been vocal that he fully intends on being a Buckeye as long as Day and Hartline are around, but his visits elsewhere still cause a bit of concern, and that’s simply because of the player he is. Additionally, McClellan has been committed since August, but it’s no secret Oregon and Missouri are still trying their best shot at his loyalty, so having him back to see why he chose the Buckeyes originally helps lessen the chances of any flip concerns.

The staff will have their hands full trying to sway their top targeted guys, but make no mistake about it. As happy as they are to host uncommitted players, they’re equally excited about getting their own guys back for a multitude of reasons.

Quick Hits

As if the names above weren’t enough, Ohio State has plenty of more guys worth mentioning visiting this weekend, and one is Florida linebacker Elijah Melendez. A 6-foot-2, 223 pound athlete, Melendez is currently the No. 181 player nationally and 21st best linebacker in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite.

Already at nearly 40 offers to his name from some of the biggest programs in the country, getting Melendez to Columbus is no minor headline. Taking time to talk about his visit with multiple outlets, it’s looking to be one of the more important guests for the defensive staff. With James Laurinaitis only able to recruit on campus, this will be totally in his wheelhouse.

"They tell me I can do really big things at Ohio State.”

2025 LB Elijah Melendez is heading up to Columbus this weekend and he has quickly become a top priority for the Buckeyes.

Some notes about the top 50 prospect for @LettermenRow.https://t.co/kc0htEYrEx pic.twitter.com/GoNZ36DYX5

— Matt Parker (@MattParkerLR) October 18, 2023

Oct 18, 2023

Uncut Podcast: Ryan Day, Jim Knowles detail matchup against ‘great team’ in Penn 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

Screenshot_2023_10_18_at_11.37.30_AM.0.png

Day gives very vague updates on injuries of key Buckeyes.

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 the Tuesday, Oct. 17 press conferences at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center where Ohio State football coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles met with the collected media. The coaches put a bow on last Saturday’s 41-7 victory over Purdue and previewed the upcoming top-10 matchup against the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions.

Day provided vague updates on injuries to TreVeyon Henderson, Chip Trayanum, Emeka Egbuka, and Denzel Burke. He also discussed the progress Kyle McCord has exhibited in recent weeks and the red zone package for Devin Brown that we saw against Purdue.

Knowles talked about the idea of a “bend but don’t break” defense and Jermaine Matthews ability to step up if Burke is unable to go on Saturday.

Watch the full press conference on the Ohio State Athletic Department’s Facebook: Login to view embedded media

Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

Music by: www.bensound.com

Oct 18, 2023

Three Buckeyes women’s basketball stars earn spots on postseason award watch lists
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Clare Grant/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Two graduate seniors and the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year earn preseason accolades

Wednesday, a third member of the Ohio State women’s basketball team earned a spot on postseason awards watch lists, the third in three days. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame identified guards Jacy Sheldon, Celeste Taylor and forward Cotie McMahon for three illustrious awards.

While none of them won the award, which are announced before the NCAA National Championship game, the watch list spots let the country know that the potential is there.

Jacy Sheldon - Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year

On Monday, it began with Sheldon. The college shooting guard turned point guard’s name is on the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year award list. It’s an outstanding accomplishment who didn’t start playing college point until three and a half years into her NCAA career.

The former Dublin Coffman High School point guard shifted to a shooting guard role when she joined head coach Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes back in 2019. Sheldon slid into the spot in early 2022 when then point guard Kateri Poole went down with an injury. Although the injury didn’t put Poole out long, McGuff favored Sheldon’s style of point guard play and kept her in the role.

Sheldon kept the role until suffering an injury of her own at the start of last season. Fellow guard Madison Greene, who’s had two season-ending knee injuries in the past two seasons, went down after Sheldon. That meant when Sheldon returned for the 2023 postseason, she was back in the point guard role.

NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Seattle Regional-Ohio State vs UCONN

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Of the individual awards given by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the Lieberman Award dates back the furthest. UConn guard and basketball legend Sue Bird won the first three editions of the honor. No Buckeye has won the award in its history, but it's been in the Big Ten for the past two years, won by Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark.

While the odds of Clark having a down year feel near impossible, the nomination alone shows the diversity of Sheldon. Two seasons ago, Sheldon was on another award list in the second half of the season, the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year award. An award list that features a different Buckeye in 2023.

Sheldon is one of five Big Ten players on the list. Including Clark, Illinois Fighting Illini’s Makira Cook, Penn State Nittany Lion Makenna Marisa and Maryland Terrapin Shyanne Sellers.

Celeste Taylor - Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year

Tuesday it was Taylor’s turn. The Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award’s list featured a different Buckeyes transfer in past seasons in Taylor Mikesell. While Mikesell was on the award for dynamic offense, Taylor’s presence this year is all about the defensive side of the ball but the spot on the list is nothing new for the incoming Ohio State guard.

This year is the third season in a row with Taylor’s name on it, with Ohio State’s name now in place of Duke University. There’s warranted hype surrounding Taylor’s move to Columbus, coming off a 22-23 season that ended with an ACC Defensive Player of the Year award and one of three finalists for National Defensive Player of the Year.

Last season, Taylor was a revelation at Duke. The guard led the team in points, steals and assists per game. Taylor’s 72.7 defensive rating was the best in the ACC and eighth best in the country and in the tournament, she made history.

In a loss to the Colorado Buffaloes, Taylor broke the NCAA Tournament record for steals in a game with 10. She’s also the only person in the history of the tournament to have at least eight points, rebounds, steals and assists in a game. Also, Taylor’s 10 steals and 10 rebounds in that second-round defeat is another achievement no one has hit in women’s March Madness history.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament - Second Round - North Carolina

Photo by Peyton Williams/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

While defense is what surrounds Taylor’s reputation, the guard assured people in summer media availability that she can score too. With Mikesell’s absence, Taylor and her teammates will have to pick up the team-leading 17.2 points per game. While it's a number that isn’t up there with the highest in the country, it comes with defenses homing in on the guard because of how dangerous Mikesell was with the ball in her hands.

There are four Big Ten names on this year’s list, including a former winner of the award. Penn State’s Ashley Owusu, who won the honor as a Maryland Terrapin in 2021 joins the list with Michigan Wolverine Laila Phelia and Indiana Hoosier Sara Scalia.

Cotie McMahon - Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award

Joining the Naismith Award conversation is McMahon. Last season, the freshman started every game for the Buckeyes. After starting off slow, and learning to take her time on the court, McMahon exploded, resulting in a spot on the Miller Award watch list.

McMahon’s name was a surprise on the starting roster in Ohio State’s first game of the season last year. Going up against the Tennessee Volunteers, McMahon’s energy and speed grabbed two steals and she scored 10 points in the surprising Buckeyes second half dominance.

While the learning curve is high from high school to the NCAA, McMahon got over it relatively quickly. After getting benched after six minutes against the Louisville Cardinals, McMahon responded.

With an aggressively successful move to the basket and learning how to dump off passes to teammates, McMahon became a focal point of the Buckeyes’ offense. Following that rough going against Louisville, McMahon averaged 16.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game through the rest of the year.

In those performances were three double doubles and a fourth game where McMahon grabbed at least 10 rebounds. On Dec. 20, just 21 days after the trip to Kentucky, McMahon hit a career-high of 30 points in one of many comeback victories for the Buckeyes, that time against USF. McMahon had the game-winning assist off a USF turnover to make up the 18-point first half deficit.

McMahon hit another stratosphere in the postseason. Through three games of the Big Ten tournament and four NCAA tournament matchups, McMahon almost averaged a double double. The forward scored 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest. McMahon also started hitting three-pointers, making five in seven games, which was a leap from making 10 in her first 29 games. Including going 2-for-3 against the UConn Huskies in the Sweet Sixteen.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

That win especially took McMahon from a name standing out in the conference to someone to watch as a future NCAA superstar. Now, McMahon’s earning the individual national attention because of it.

This season is only the sixth time the Hall of Fame will bestow the Cheryl Miller award, with no Big Ten names coming in that list of winners. In the past two years, Iowa State forward Ashley Joens earned the award, who now plays for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA.

Within the Big Ten are four total candidates. Including Minnesota Golden Gophers sophomore Mara Braun, Jakia Brown-Turner from Maryland and Indiana’s Yarden Garzon.

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Oct 18, 2023

You’re Nuts: What is the most frustrating Ohio State-Penn State game you’ve seen?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Penn State University vs Ohio State University

Set Number: X74380 TK1 R5 F0

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

Now that we have entered Penn State week, it’s time to get ready to bite our fingers off on Saturday afternoon. While Michigan is the most hated rival for Ohio State, the Nittany Lions are the team that pushes the Buckeyes to the limit on a yearly basis. Since 2016, each of the seven contests between the two teams has been decided by 13 points or less. Between 2016 and 2018, the three games between Penn State and Ohio State were decided by a total of five points.

This year figures to be no different. Ohio State is dealing with a number of key injuries heading into Saturday’s game. Penn State has yet to play anyone close to the caliber of the Buckeyes so far this year. Not only do both teams have first-year starters at quarterback, but the setting in Columbus on Saturday will undoubtedly be the most hostile that Penn State’s Drew Allar has had to deal with after taking the reins from Sean Clifford, who exhausted his eligibility following last season.

Since this year’s contest is shaping up to be another nail-biter, today we figured we’d revisit the most frustrating Ohio State-Penn State we have seen. What makes this series so wild is even though the Buckeyes have had the upper hand in most of the games since 2000, it certainly doesn’t feel like they have dominated the series. Some of the most frustrating games against the Nittany Lions end up being contests that Ohio State has won!

Today’s question: What is the most frustrating Ohio State-Penn State game you’ve seen?

We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.

Brett’s answer: 2005’s 17-10 loss to Penn State

Heading into the season, expectations were certainly higher for Ohio State than for Penn State. The Buckeyes started the season ranked sixth in the country, and rose to fourth before their showdown with Texas in the second week of the season. Obviously, we all know what happened when Vince Young and the Longhorns came to Columbus, but even with the loss, there was no doubt Ohio State was one of the most talented teams in the country.

On the other side, Penn State was coming off two straight losing seasons, and they started the season unranked. The Nittany Lions went from unranked to 16th in the AP poll after winning 44-14 at Minnesota the week prior to the showdown with the Buckeyes. The battle between Ohio State and Penn State generated so much heat, that “College GameDay” ended up heading to State College for the clash.

Ohio State actually scored the first points of the game when Josh Huston hit a 30-yard field goal after the teams traded punts on their first drives. The teams would each punt again before the game turned in favor of the Nittany Lions. Derrick Williams would cap off a nine-play drive early in the second quarter with a 13-yard run to give Penn State the lead.

The Buckeyes would give the football back to the Nittany Lions a couple of plays later when Calvin Lowry intercepted a Troy Smith pass, returning the turnover to the two-yard line, and three plays later Michael Robinson would plunge into the end zone from a yard out to extend Penn State’s lead to 14-3. Ohio State would put together a 14-play drive before the half, scoring on a 10-yard run by Troy Smith to cut the deficit to 14-10.

Aside from a field goal by Penn State on the first drive of the second half, there was no other scoring the rest of the game. The win for the Nittany Lions was secured when Troy Smith fumbled with less than two minutes in the game when he was sacked by Tamba Hali. The Ohio State quarterback completed just 13 of 25 passes for 139 yards in the game. Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn Jr. combined to catch seven passes for just 81 yards.

What made this game so frustrating is talent-wise, the Buckeyes were definitely the better team. Ohio State went on to win their final seven games of the year, capping off the season with a comeback win over Michigan, and a 34-20 win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State lost to Michigan the next week 27-25, but that would be their only loss of the year, as they would defeat Florida State 26-23 in three overtimes in the Orange Bowl.

I just remember watching the game on campus and not being able to believe Ohio State wasn’t able to do more offensively in the game. Penn State had players on defense that would go on to play in the NFL, I just wasn’t able to accept that the win over Ohio State was one that would bring decrepit Joe Paterno back from near extinction. Had it not been for the loss in 2005, the Buckeyes would have been riding a six-game winning streak against the Nittany Lions before Penn State would beat Ohio State in 2008.

Now Ohio State enters Saturday’s game against Penn State on a six-game winning streak in the series, which is the longest by either side. Hopefully, they can make it seven straight wins against the Nittany Lions, and put a little distance on Penn State, allowing us to breathe easy during the game.

Matt’s answer: 1994’s 63-14 loss to Penn State

There are many games that haunt me as a lifelong Ohio State fan who came of age during the John Cooper era. From the 1998 Michigan State game during my senior year of high school to the more recent 2019 Fiesta Bowl loss to Clemson. But no game will ever be as painful as the 1994 matchup between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.

I’ve written about this game before, as it is the thing that really fueled my early-onset Penn State sports hatred. Not only did the Nits obliterate the then-No. 21 Buckeyes 63-14, but they did so largely on the legs of Ki-Jana Carter, who grew up within a relative stone’s throw of Ohio Stadium in Westerville. The Penn State running back went for 137 yards on 19 carries and exited the game in the third quarter.

This was PSU’s first season in the Big Ten and it got off to a rather inauspicious start. The Nits went 12-0 on the season and claimed a bunch of random, unofficial national championship honors while the Buckeyes finished the season 9-4 and 6-2 in the Big Ten, finishing second behind Penn State. Ironically, OSU did pull off a win over Michigan that season, beating the No. 15 Wolverines 22-6 in the Horseshoe that season. It was one of only two wins that Cooper had over his team’s rivals in his 13 seasons leading the Buckeyes.

The 1994 Ohio State-Penn State game was embarrassing, aggravating, and frustrating and one that cemented the fact that I can’t stand anything Nittany Lion-related. So, when the Nits come to Columbus this weekend, I will be hoping that Pennsylvania native Marvin Harrison Jr. will pull a Ki-Jana Carter and obliterate their Big Ten and national championship chances before quietly exiting in the third quarter.

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Oct 18, 2023

Ohio State women’s basketball 2023-24 player preview: Diana Collins
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Clare Grant/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Looking at the newest guard on the Buckeyes’ roster

So far in the Land-Grant Holy Land player preview series, it's focused on the elders of the Ohio State women’s basketball team. Now, it's time to look at someone on the opposite end of their NCAA basketball career. Freshman Diana Collins joins the Buckeyes at a time when all but one predicted starter is an upperclassman, with five players receiving regular minutes playing in their final season.

Where does Collins fit into the mix and is getting the guard minutes this season important for the 24-25 season and beyond?

Name: Diana Collins
Position: Guard
Class: Freshman
High School: Brookwood High School (Snellville, Georgia)
2022-23 Stats: N/A

Last Season

Collins was in high school last season, leading the Brookwood Broncos to a Georgia 7A state title. The four-year guard not only lifted a trophy at the end of that level of her amateur career but picked up personal accolades along the way.

The freshman broke single-season scoring records in every year at Brookwood, culminating in earning a school record for career points that lasted for 40 years. It wasn’t only high school where Collins excelled but in international play.

Representing Sweden, Collins missed the Buckeyes trip to Brazil for a journey to Lithuania for the 2023 U20 Women’s European Championship. The guard played in all seven games, averaging 16.0 points, 2.7 steals and 2.4 rebounds. That was good enough to lead Sweden in scoring and third in rebounding.

What to Expect

Collins joins a team where getting regular minutes is going to be tough. With guards Jacy Sheldon, Celeste Taylor, and Rikki Harris the likely starters, with Madison Greene likely returning from injury later in 2023, Collins has the opportunity to learn from practicing with this great group of guards and watch from the bench.

Right now, the freshman is saying all the right things, letting the media know at the end of September that she’s with the Buckeyes to do whatever they need her to do.

On the court, Collins’ offensive prowess looks a lot like Sheldon's. The guard uses what feels like a magnetic pull to the basket with impressive runs into the paint that turn into impressive layups. That’s at the high school level, with the NCAA having heightened physicality.

Even so, Collins can also turn those runs into quick stops, mid-range shots, and running jumpers. A move that fans have seen often with former shooting guard Taylor Mikesell. Collins can also hit a three-pointer, a hole in Ohio State’s offense this year created by the departure of Mikesell.

Defensively, the Georgia native has that same pressing ability that head coach Kevin McGuff likes to see in his guard play. Collins’ 2.7 steals per game at the U20 European Championship was third best in the tournament, behind two stars playing professionally in Europe.

Over the past few seasons, McGuff isn’t known for playing many freshmen but having Collins, and sophomore Kaia Henderson, more involved in games will pay off next year and beyond. After this season, Sheldon and Taylor are gone. Harris and Greene are redshirt seniors following early-career injuries, giving them one more year if they choose to use it.

The more Collins sees the court this year, the lesser the blow for future Buckeye teams, and there’s precedence for receiving more minutes. Look no further than sophomore teammate Cotie McMahon.

McMahon, the outstanding forward who caught national attention with a Big Ten Freshman of the Year season and highlight performance against UConn in the Sweet Sixteen, started for McGuff from the jump in her freshman year. The reason? McMahon’s international play.

Collins has that extra international experience that not all freshmen bring into the NCAA. On a team with European professionals and NCAA athletes put the 2023 freshman ahead of the learning curve.

Prediction

Even with the future in mind, don’t expect to see Collins in close games against the USCs, UCLAs, and Iowas of the world. However, there are ample opportunities against non-conference opponents to give the point guard NCAA reps.

The more early season minutes for Collins, the more likely it is to see her in important moments later in the season. Similar to the trajectory of junior forward/guard Taylor Thierry who didn’t see much action at the start of her freshman season, but slowly earned minutes in crucial parts of games. Then, in Thierry’s sophomore season, she started every game for the Buckeyes.

Now, Collins and Thierry are different players, but what Collins has shown is the same level of ability and talent, just focused on different competencies.

Highlights

Watch Collins play a lot like Sheldon on the offensive side of the ball. The freshman attacks the basket and hits shots from midrange and beyond. Below is from the 2023 Georgia 7A title game where Collins helped Brookwood win the state championship.

Ohio State signee Diana Collins with 21 points, six rebounds, and two assists on 7-10 FG to help win the Georgia 7A title for Brookwood.

The Buckeyes will have such a fun guard/wing core with Cotie McMahon, Taylor Thierry, Madison Greene, and Collins. pic.twitter.com/NRuwhyh6a3

— Hunter Cruse (@HunterCruse14) March 12, 2023

Miss a player preview? Here’s who you can read about so far:

Jacy Sheldon

Rebeka Mikulášiková

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Oct 18, 2023

What recent issue does Ohio State need to remedy to beat Penn 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

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 29 Ohio State at Penn State

Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.

Throughout the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.

The Week 4 top-10 matchup with Notre Dame was unquestionably big, but Saturday’s contest between the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions is looking like an absolute slobber-knocker as both teams look to assert themselves as the main contender for Michigan’s Big Ten East crown — and subsequently the conference title and College Football Playoff berth.

So, as we head towards this titanic showdown in the Horseshoe on Saturday at 12 noon ET on Fox, we wanted to check in with Buckeye Nation to see what you were thinking about the contest. We have two questions about the game in our weekly OSU fan survey. Make sure to answer the questions and if you have more thoughts, let us know in the comments at the bottom of the page.

Question 1: What has to happen most for Ohio State to beat Penn State on Saturday?

The Buckeyes come into Saturday’s matchup 6-0, but their season thus far hasn’t been perfect. As with any team, there are a number of items that OSU players and coaches are looking to perfect as the campaign progresses in an effort to reach all of their stated goals. Some of the issues are major and some more minor, but in the team’s quest to win the Big Ten and national titles, nothing can be overlooked.

In recent weeks, both the Buckeye offense and defense have seemingly gotten better on third-down conversions. But, is that a product of improved play or weaker competition? Undoubtedly those high-leverage situations will be important on both sides of the ball in determining which team ends up winning on Saturday.

Last season, J.T. Tuimoloau nearly single-handedly obliterated Penn State’s offense. While the defensive line has not been wracking up a ton of sacks this year, it has been increasingly getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, something that should help OSU get to first-year starter Drew Allar.

On offense, the Ohio State running game just hasn’t looked right all season. Whether that is because of substandard offensive line play or a growing M*A*S*H unit in the running back room, offensive balance is always important to Ryan Day and not being one-dimensional will likely be of import on Saturday against Penn State.

Will one of these things — or perhaps the growing annoyances with penalties and on special teams — be the deciding factor on Saturday? We shall see, but you can weigh in with the survey below.

Question 2: What do you think will happen in the Ohio State and Penn State game?

The Buckeyes are currently favored by 3.5 points according to DraftKings SportsBook — down one full point from where the line opened — and the advanced analytical models are a little all over the place in terms of predictions.

Ohio State is outscoring opponents 36 to 9.7 this season and Penn State is doing so 44.3 to 8, so both squads have been commanding fairly impressive margins of victory so far this fall. Will that mean that one team will significantly outperform the other, or that the two teams will play each other close?

Only time will tell, but you can make your prediction in the survey below.

Share your thoughts here:

Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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Oct 18, 2023

Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: Sweating through Penn State week and hoping for a bunch of healthy Buckeyes
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

Josh and Chuck preview this weekend’s blockbuster matchup between No. 3 Ohio State and No. 7 Penn State.

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

Holy sh... it’s Penn State week! On this episode of ‘Hangout in the Holy Land,’ Josh and Chuck preview Ohio State’s upcoming game against the impressive and thus far undefeated Nittany Lions.

While the Buckeyes have dominated this ‘rivalry’ in recent years, Penn State is inarguably one of CFB’s top teams in 2023. Led by a stout defense, a potent ground game, and Ohio native Drew Allar at QB, James Franklin’s squad should come rolling into Columbus with plenty of confidence.

On the other side — the good side — OSU should be equally as confident. The similarly undefeated Scarlet and Gray have enjoyed a run of great success against PSU, winning 16 of the last 20 matchups. However, the Buckeyes could be missing key pieces on both offense and defense, putting them at a potential disadvantage — even at home.

The Hangout boys are somehow nervous and confident at the same time, as they break down key matchups and matters of the utmost importance for both teams. They expect a banger of a game and attempt to give you a banger of an episode this time around.

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

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Oct 17, 2023

Silver Bullets Podcast: Purdue rewind and Penn State preview
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Matt de Bear from Roar Lions Roar joins us to help us preview the Nittany Lions.

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

Ohio State avoided a “Purdue Harbor” situation by running the football, throwing the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Cade Stover, and playing sound defense. The Buckeyes were hardly bothered on the road in a 41-7 victory at Ross-Ade Stadium, a house that held no horrors for Ohio State on this particular October visit.

We started this week’s show with a breakdown of the Buckeyes’ lopsided away win, including some of the key drives, plays, players, and moments. We checked back on our picks to click and score predictions to see who had the more accurate crystal ball aimed at West Lafayette.

Following our Purdue rewind, we welcomed Matt de Bear from the Roar Lions Roar podcast back to the show to tap into his Penn State expertise once again. Matt always has a good handle on where the Nittany Lions are stronger and weaker, and we thank him for giving us his honest answers about where his team stands at the season’s midway point.

No midseason episode of this podcast would be complete without a look around at the rest of the Big Ten scores from the weekend. It was disastrous for Maryland and Wisconsin, but Illinois may have gotten itself going, although perhaps a bit too late. Rutgers staged a massive comeback to keep the Scarlet Knights on track for a bowl game in 2023. Everything else went about as expected.

Finally, we looked ahead to Saturday’s showdown with Penn State. We made our predictions on what the final score will look like and selected our “picks to click” — the players we think will make a difference on both sides of the ball for Ohio State.

We’ll be here with you every week from now until the end of the 2023 Ohio State football season. We’d love to hear from you, so please reach out with your feedback and questions below in the comments section or send us an email.

Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, share, and follow the show over on Twitter at @SilvrBulletsPod.

As always, thanks for listening!

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Oct 17, 2023

Updated conference title odds heading into Week 8
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Who are the current favorites to win their respective leagues?

With most teams either at or past the halfway point of their seasons, now is a good time to revisit the current odds for this year’s prospective conference title winners. There is a lot of football left to be played, but a handful of programs have played well enough to earn the right to sit atop the heap as the betting favorite to win their respective leagues. Here is where everyone stands heading into Week 8, with the top four best odds listed for each P5 conference, as well as some leaders in the Group of Five.

All lines courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Big Ten

Michigan (+105)
Ohio State (+250)
Penn State (+300)
Iowa (+1500)

SEC

Georgia (-140)
Alabama (+210)
LSU (+800)
Tennessee (+1400)

Pac-12

Washington (+140)
Oregon (+240)
USC (+360)
Oregon State (+800)

ACC

Florida State (-180)
North Carolina (+300)
Louisville (+1200)
Duke (+1200)

Group of Five

American: Tulane (+130)
Conference USA: Liberty (+105)
Mountain West: Air Force (+105)
Sun Belt: Troy (+340)

Is there anything here that stands out to you? Does Ohio State’s position in the Big Ten feel about right? Is there a team among the Power Five leaders that surprises you, or one that sticks out as a potential money-maker based on their odds? Let us know in the comments!

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

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Oct 17, 2023

Ohio State women’s basketball No. 7 in preseason AP poll
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Clare Grant/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Buckeyes start the season in the top 10 for the first time in six years

There are moments that let you know the basketball season is close. On Tuesday, the Associated Press put the 23-24 campaign even closer in the windshield, releasing its first preseason poll. The Ohio State women’s basketball team, after starting last season at No. 14, doubled its place with a No. 7 initial ranking.

The last time the Buckeyes had this much hype entering a season, at least from the AP standpoint, was back in the Kelsey Mitchell days. At the beginning of the 17-18 season, the new Buckeyes Athletic Hall of Fame guard Mitchell and forward Stephanie Mavunga led Ohio State following a loss to Notre Dame in the 2017 Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament.

Head Coach Kevin McGuff’s side entered that year at No. 5, the best starting ranking in his tenure. However, Ohio State’s squad this year comes in off the best season for the Buckeyes in that 10-year McGuff leadership, making it all the way to the Elite Eight.

That run last season, plus a top-10 spot this year adds more expectation on a side that’s coming to the end of a current window of key talent in the squad.

Graduate seniors include five-year Buckeyes in guard Jacy Sheldon and forward Rebeka Mikulasikova. Plus, three names all expecting to make an impact from the transfer portal, like forward Eboni Walker who joined last season from Syracuse University. This year, guard Celeste Taylor, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and forward Taiyier Parks joined from Michigan State.

Last season, Ohio State’s place in the AP poll started at No. 14 but a program-shifting win against the Tennessee Volunteers to start the season shot the Buckeyes up to No. 8. A week later the scarlet and gray sat No. 4, in a run of 10 weeks in the top five.

It was a 19-0 start to the season with wins against the aforementioned Tennessee, a ranked Louisville Cardinals and the Oregon Ducks in that stretch that grabbed voters' attention. However, a three-game losing streak in January to the Iowa Hawkeyes, Indiana Hoosiers and surprise defeat to the Purdue Boilermakers sent the Buckeyes’ polling back down to preseason level.

Ohio State never beat the Hawkeyes in three games, conference tournament included, along with two defeats to the Maryland Terrapins and two losses to Indiana in the regular season. Despite a landmark victory over the UConn Huskies in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, voters had Ohio State end the season at No. 12.

While it's only Tuesday, the Buckeyes No. 7 ranking isn’t the only teams news of the week. On Monday, the Nancy Lieberman Award for best point guard in the nation released its preseason watch list, including Buckeyes’ guard Jacy Sheldon. The first of many expected watch list names for Ohio State this season.

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Hot

Hot

LGHL Tailgate Podcast: Everything you need to know to watch the Ohio State vs. Penn State game

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

No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (-5) vs. Penn State | over/under 45.5​

Matt’s Prediction: Ohio State 31, Purdue 17​

Music by: epidemicsound.com​

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.​

LGHL Stick to Sports Podcast: Do Penn State Fans nitpick their team as much as we do?

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

Theme music provided by www.bensound.com​

LGHL Three Things To Watch vs. Penn State

LGHL MC&J: Week 8 in the Big Ten will see Penn State and Ohio State clash

Last week ATS: 8-5 (5-2 National, 3-3 B1G)​

Season ATS: 60-65 (25-38 National, 35-25 B1G)​

B1G games​

LGHL Five stats that could decide Saturday’s Ohio State-Penn State game

1) Penn State has allowed only one passing touchdown on the season​

2) Penn State is 129th nationally in offensive plays of 20 yards or more, but that doesn’t really matter​

3) Penn State leads the country in turnover margin at +1.83​

4) Penn State is fourth nationally in opponents’ third down conversion percentage​

5) Penn State is third nationally with 4.50 sacks per game​

LGHL You’re Nuts: Which in-state team would be the most fun yearly matchup for Ohio State men’s basketball?

After 122 weeks:​

Connor- 55 Justin- 49 Other- 14​

(There have been four ties)​

Today’s Question: Which in-state team would be the most fun yearly matchup for Ohio State? ​

Connor: Dayton ​

Justin: Cincinnati ​

LGHL Ohio State vs. Penn State: 2023 game preview and prediction

A highly entertaining series​

Finding their groove​

JTT & friends on defense​

Penn State so far this year​

The Nittany Lions on offense​

A roaring Penn State defense​

Summary​

LGHL prediction: Ohio State 28, Penn State 20​

LGHL In Conversation Podcast: The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman previews Ohio State-Penn State

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Theme music provided by www.bensound.com​

LGHL Buckeyes set to host another elite five-star talent this weekend as new names continue to be added to the guest list

A Texas trifecta heading to Columbus this weekend ​

Quick Hits​

LGHL Uncut Podcast: Day, McCord, Marv, more talk injuries, game plan, Penn State, much more

Music by: www.bensound.com​

LGHL MC&J: Will Week 8’s national action see Alabama get revenge on Tennessee?

Last week ATS: 8-5 (5-2 National, 3-3 B1G)​

Season ATS: 60-65 (25-38 National, 35-25 B1G)​

National games​

LGHL Matchups to Know: Ohio State vs. Penn State

Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Kalen King/Johnny Dixon​

Chop Robinson/Adias Isaac vs. Josh Simmons/Josh Fryar​

Eichenberg/Chambers/Simon vs. Kaytron Allen/Nicholas Singleton​

Kyle McCord vs. Drew Allar​

Ryan Day vs. The Playbook​

LGHL Ohio State may need several of ‘The Other Guys’ to step up against an impressive (and undefeated) Penn State squad

QB Devin Brown​

RB Dallan Hayden​

WR Julian Fleming​

OL Josh ‘Jimmy’ Simmons and Josh ‘Just Josh’ Fryar​

LB Cody Simon​

CB Jermaine Mathews Jr.​

LGHL Guessing the starting five for Ohio State women’s basketball

Guard - Jacy Sheldon​

Guard - Celeste Taylor​

Guard - Taylor Thierry​

Forward - Cotie McMahon​

Forward - Rebeka Mikulášiková​

LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: The crossover you’ve been waiting for; ‘Drive the Lane’ guys join the pod!

LGHL Previewing the loaded guest list as Ohio State hosts Penn State in a top 10 tilt

Devin Sanchez​

Dorian Brew​

Sam Greer​

Commits coming back home this weekend​

Quick Hits​

LGHL Uncut Podcast: Ryan Day, Jim Knowles detail matchup against ‘great team’ in Penn State

Music by: www.bensound.com​

LGHL Three Buckeyes women’s basketball stars earn spots on postseason award watch lists

Jacy Sheldon - Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year​

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No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (-5) vs. Penn State | over/under 45.5

Matt’s Prediction: Ohio State 31, Purdue 17

Music by: epidemicsound.com

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

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

Theme music provided by www.bensound.com

Last week ATS: 8-5 (5-2 National, 3-3 B1G)

Season ATS: 60-65 (25-38 National, 35-25 B1G)

B1G games

1) Penn State has allowed only one passing touchdown on the season

2) Penn State is 129th nationally in offensive plays of 20 yards or more, but that doesn’t really matter

3) Penn State leads the country in turnover margin at +1.83

4) Penn State is fourth nationally in opponents’ third down conversion percentage

5) Penn State is third nationally with 4.50 sacks per game

After 122 weeks:

Connor- 55
Justin- 49
Other- 14

(There have been four ties)

Today’s Question: Which in-state team would be the most fun yearly matchup for Ohio State?

Connor: Dayton

Justin: Cincinnati

A highly entertaining series

Finding their groove

JTT & friends on defense

Penn State so far this year

The Nittany Lions on offense

A roaring Penn State defense

Summary

LGHL prediction: Ohio State 28, Penn State 20

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Theme music provided by www.bensound.com

A Texas trifecta heading to Columbus this weekend

Quick Hits

Music by: www.bensound.com

Last week ATS: 8-5 (5-2 National, 3-3 B1G)

Season ATS: 60-65 (25-38 National, 35-25 B1G)

National games

Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Kalen King/Johnny Dixon

Chop Robinson/Adias Isaac vs. Josh Simmons/Josh Fryar

Eichenberg/Chambers/Simon vs. Kaytron Allen/Nicholas Singleton

Kyle McCord vs. Drew Allar

Ryan Day vs. The Playbook

QB Devin Brown

RB Dallan Hayden

WR Julian Fleming

OL Josh ‘Jimmy’ Simmons and Josh ‘Just Josh’ Fryar

LB Cody Simon

CB Jermaine Mathews Jr.

Guard - Jacy Sheldon

Guard - Celeste Taylor

Guard - Taylor Thierry

Forward - Cotie McMahon

Forward - Rebeka Mikulášiková

Devin Sanchez

Dorian Brew

Sam Greer

Commits coming back home this weekend

Quick Hits

Music by: www.bensound.com

Jacy Sheldon - Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year

Celeste Taylor - Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year

Cotie McMahon - Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award

Today’s question: What is the most frustrating Ohio State-Penn State game you’ve seen?

We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.

Brett’s answer: 2005’s 17-10 loss to Penn State

Matt’s answer: 1994’s 63-14 loss to Penn State

Last Season

What to Expect

Prediction

Highlights

Question 1: What has to happen most for Ohio State to beat Penn State on Saturday?

Question 2: What do you think will happen in the Ohio State and Penn State game?

Share your thoughts here:

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Big Ten

SEC

Pac-12

ACC

Group of Five