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LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for September 14, 2023

Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for September 14, 2023
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Football: Youngstown State at Ohio State

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...​


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

On the Gridiron​


Wednesday evening interviews: Frye, Walton, Egbuka, Scott, Eichenberg, Hancock
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts

Quick Hits: Emeka Egbuka Has “Full Confidence” in Kyle McCord, Tommy Eichenberg Thinks Ohio State’s Defensive Ends Are “Doing a Great Job” and Tim Walton Says Denzel Burke Is “Dialed In”
Chase Brown, Dan Hope, Garrick Hodge, and Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors

Hear Justin Frye’s Wednesday night media availability:


Ohio State has a talent advantage over every team it plays; it’s time Ryan Day coaches like it
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land

It’s not the clock rules that have affected Ohio State’s offense; it’s Ohio State’s lack of efficiency in 2023
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Cover Six: Is Denzel Burke back to All-American status?
Jordan Williams, Land-Grant Holy Land

Jim Knowles takeaways: On Ohio State’s third-down defense and WKU challenge
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes


.@tommyeichenberg is THE best of THE best pic.twitter.com/S3Ezp2gagf

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 13, 2023​
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What Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton said about the Buckeyes
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

“It’s a Long Time Coming”: Former Ohio State Wide Receiver Blue Smith Grateful to Finally Be Making On-Field Impact at Western Kentucky
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

What former Ohio State player suffered an injury in the NFL that hit you hardest?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

What is Western Kentucky’s mascot ‘Big Red’?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

Outside the Shoe and Schott​


Men’s Swimming & Diving: Clark, Armstrong Named to 2023-24 U.S. National Team
Ohio State Athletics

Women’s Tennis: Cantos Siemers Named Women’s Tennis Captain
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...​


Somehow this feels so very Micahel Cera:


Michael Cera responded to a meme on the SCOTT PILGRIM cast email chain 9 years after it was sent.

“He just said, ‘Oh, that's funny.’ Chris Evans responded like, ‘Michael, what the fuck are you doing responding to this email from 9 years ago?’”

(Source: https://t.co/0FYgsLN8PA) pic.twitter.com/qgbi89VWDa

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 13, 2023​
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LGHL Ohio State offers latest prospect in the 2025 class with Texas linebacker

Ohio State offers latest prospect in the 2025 class with Texas linebacker
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

11930560.0.jpeg


The Buckeyes are the latest to offer the Lone Star State product.

The weeks are flying by as it’s already game three tomorrow for Ohio State in its 2023 campaign. An underwhelming start thus far, Saturday presents several opportunities for this roster and coaching staff. First and foremost, the chance to continue improving is the mission, and while doing so the Buckeyes have to come away with this win. A new set of challenges, Western Kentucky’s high-flying passing attack is going to test this secondary more than they’ve seen the previous two weeks, and knowing the lack of pass rush the defense has provided so far, it’s a chance for them too to get right.

Several other factors in this game — such as quarterback play — will also be a theme, but this weekend also brings plenty of recruiting opportunities as the staff plays host to quite a few targets. With the postgame providing the chance to catch up with these prospects, this weekend has no shortage of excitement. Here’s to hoping the wins are present both on and off the field.

Buckeyes offer Texas linebacker​


If there’s a position on defense that’s going to need some depth in the coming years, it’s at linebacker. Thanks to veteran players on the current roster, Ohio State has had tons of experience playing the position the last couple of seasons, but after landing less than they planned for in a couple recent recruiting cycles, the future of the linebacker spot will only be as solid as the recruiting wins this coaching staff has. Fortunately, James Laurinaitis is a tremendous help with that aspect of his job, but the work is far from over and there’s still plenty of improvement that can be made.

With only one true linebacker in 2024’s class currently committed, 2025 will be a big year for recruiting linebacker targets. Knowing that, Ohio State has already dished out offers to multiple players at the position, and on Thursday the most recent one came about after Texas native Riley Pettijohn shared via Twitter that the Buckeyes were the latest school to enter his recruitment.

A 6-foot-2, 205 pound athlete, Pettijohn is currently the No. 54 player nationally, the ninth best linebacker and the eighth best player in Texas for the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite. Holding offers from well over 20 schools already, the Buckeyes may be a little late to the party, but now join the likes of Auburn, Florida, Notre Dame, Oregon, Tennessee, USC, and several more. A coveted four-star, it’s interesting that some programs — and obvious ones such as in-state Texas — have yet to pull the trigger here, but many times an Ohio State offer can help create a domino effect.

The plan now is to get Riley to campus and have him see all that Ohio State has to offer. While a visit to see the sights is definitely of priority, maybe the first matter of business is the chance for Pettijohn to meet and speak with the aforementioned Laurinaitis. Being hamstrung by his current job title that prevents him from being out on the road as a recruiter, it’s even more important now that Riley visits Columbus so the two parties can really start their courtship.

Blessed to receive an offer from Ohio State University!! @OhioStateFB @CoachJimKnowles @McKinneyHS_FB pic.twitter.com/tWOOX8sYXI

— Riley Pettijohn (@r_pettijohn) September 15, 2023
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LGHL What Ohio State can learn from Deion Sanders and Colorado

What Ohio State can learn from Deion Sanders and Colorado
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Nebraska v Colorado

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

In a season full of tough rivalry matchups and high stakes for Ohio State, its time the Buckeyes make it personal

There is something I love so much about a big swing.

Deion Sanders knows a lot about those since he played both football and baseball professionally. So while his baseball days have given way to coaching NCAA Division I football, it seems he hasn’t left the big swings behind, metaphorically speaking.

Now, in his first year as the head football coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, those big swings are already paying off.

The Buffaloes have started the season 2-0—surpassing the number of wins Colorado had the entire season in 2022 (they went 1-11, their only win coming in overtime against Cal). After a narrow Week 1 upset, 45-42, against the defending national runner-up TCU, the Buffs handily beat Nebraska in Week 2, 36-14.

There is audio evidence to prove I have been a believer in this Colorado team from Day 1, predicting their upset over TCU in their season opener. But to me, perhaps even more interesting than the doing is the how behind it.

It’s not just that Shedeur Sanders (Deion’s son) is having a lights-out season at quarterback so far, catapulting himself into Heisman conversations. It’s not just that Colorado has the former top overall recruit in the country in Travis Hunter, who remarkably plays on both sides of the ball (a feat of sheer athleticism that leaves my jaw on the ground each time).

No, there are intangibles at play here too.

In a season that feels like a slow start for Ohio State (despite their being 2-0), perhaps taking a page out of Deion Sanders’ playbook of intangibles would help Ryan Day’s Buckeyes pick up the pace a bit.

That is to say, the Buckeyes need to make it personal.

It’s easy to say it’s just a football game. Anyone who has been around the OSU-Michigan rivalry—or any college rivalry for that matter—knows it feels bigger than that.

Sanders certainly knew that walking into the Nebraska game, which is why he and his players were repeating the mantra “It’s personal,” leading up to the Nebraska game.

Despite the fact that both Sanders and many of his players were brand new to Colorado, they made the outcome of that game personal—for the players and fans who came before them, and for themselves. Because while the stakes have been lower in recent years than they were in the 80s (when these teams were both in a streak of excellence and happened to be a mere 7-hours’ drive apart), the depths of that kind of animosity outlive the stakes.

It continued to grow when Nebraska’s head coach Matt Rhule started taking shots at Sanders, and again when a group of Nebraska players congregated on the Buffalo logo in the middle of Colorado’s field before the game.

The Buffaloes settled it the best way anyone can—by letting the scoreboard do the talking.

Sanders walked into that game with something to prove, not just for himself (although I’m sure that was part of it) but also for the honor of Colorado as an entity. Ohio State needs to take the same approach in each of their major games this season.

On the road in South Bend? It’s personal. Facing a Penn State team that looks dominant? It’s personal. Heading to Madison to play Luke Fickell’s Badgers? You guessed it—personal.

And never ever will they need to channel that more than in the most personal game of all—The Game, in Ann Arbor, against the team that is currently No. 2 in the country.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has talked enough trash to build a landfill, and he now has two consecutive wins against OSU under his belt to top it off. This trash-talking, for Harbaugh, is rooted in his time as a player at Michigan, for his respect and understanding of the rivalry between these two programs. That is to say—it’s personal to Harbaugh.

It better be for the Buckeyes too.

If the Buckeyes want to beat Notre Dame, Penn State, and Michigan this season, they’re going to have to channel something deep inside them that lets them play with productive rage, keeping cool, staying level-headed, executing well, and outplaying their opponents.

It’s about being the better team, yes. But it’s also about using your energy to your advantage. Make it personal as a means to play better football.

Although this Buckeye team has the potential to be a great football team, it’s missing some of the weapons it’s had in past years. And the opponents they’ll face this season are better than these same opponents have been in recent memory (even Michigan, who looked stellar last season).

So the rage, the drive, the intangible passion—that’s going to have to come from somewhere deep inside.

It did last week for Deion Sanders, his son Shedeur, and the rest of the Colorado Buffaloes. Now, it’s the Buckeyes’ turn to do the same.

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Google Ohio State: Jim Knowles, Buckeyes defense gearing up for WKU - On3.com

Ohio State: Jim Knowles, Buckeyes defense gearing up for WKU - On3.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

  1. Ohio State: Jim Knowles, Buckeyes defense gearing up for WKU On3.com
  2. Ohio State Football: JaQues Evans, Hilltopper Defense Looks to Upset Buckeyes at Home Sports Illustrated
  3. Ohio State Buckeyes Live: Decision on McCord; O-line development; previewing OSU-WKU 247Sports

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LGHL In-state 2026 DB set to see OSU this weekend, 2025 tight end target breaks down top schools

In-state 2026 DB set to see OSU this weekend, 2025 tight end target breaks down top schools
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Syndication: Mansfield News Journal

Eric Marshall/News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ohio State is preparing for another home game, which means more recruiting visits.

With another home game this weekend, the opportunity to play host to more recruiting targets is once again available for Ohio State’s staff. Though it’s only Week 3 and the program’s second home contest, the Buckeyes have already welcomed a great deal of talent in the current 2024 and future recruiting classes, and this weekend will be the same story.

Making the short trek south this Saturday, in-state 2026 prospect Victor Singleton (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) took to Twitter to share his latest visit plans. A 6-foot, 160 pound defensive back, Singleton does not currently have a recruiting ranking on 247Sports, but does have one offer to his name with the local Toledo Rockets being the first on his list. Having an impressive start to his sophomore season, Victor has been turning heads and making some progress towards seeing his recruitment really increase in terms of attention.

The Buckeyes know how critical it is to recruit Ohio natives, and with how well Singleton is progressing this early on, his trip to see Ohio State this weekend won’t be his only one. Playing at the same prep program as current OSU commit Marc Nave, the staff has plenty going for themselves with Toledo’s Central Catholic coaching staff, and odds are the two parties will keep in communication often.

At any rate, though this is a newer name, it’s one worth paying close attention to moving forward as the Buckeyes look to start getting involved.

I am excited to be @OhioStateFB this weekend for the game pic.twitter.com/5zpR0RyipJ

— victor C/O 2026 Premier DB (@VictorSin26__) September 13, 2023
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The scoop on 2025 tight end nearing decision​


Earlier this month, Georgia native and 2025 tight end target Ethan Barbour (Alpharetta, Georgia/Alpharetta) released his list of five final schools before making a decision. Keeping Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina, and Ohio State in the mix, Ethan is set decide between his following schools next week on Sept. 22.

A coveted four-star talent, Barbour is the No. 179 player nationally and the fourth best tight end in the class per the 247Sports Composite. Nearing his decision date though, Barbour has taken the time to break down the remaining finalists, and gives an in-depth look at why each program is still in the running for his services in a recent interview with 247Sports.

As it stands now, the odds on favorite to land his commitment is Georgia, as they are also the leader on the 247Sports Crystal Ball feature. The wait is nearly over, and though the Buckeyes are in the mix, it would take some momentum to sway this one their direction. Still, Barbour goes out of his way to share the positives Ohio State has going for them.

Top '25 TE @EthanBarbour5 will choose Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State or South Carolina on Sept. 22.

He talked about his top five, including Georgia.

"They do something special with the tight ends. They do it different than everybody else."

https://t.co/q4Tk7ic7RN pic.twitter.com/ysXq0Lr1Ob

— Benjamin Wolk (@benjaminwolk) September 13, 2023
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Quick Hits​

  • It’s a big recruiting weekend for football come Saturday, but Ohio State’s hoops team will also be doing some recruiting of their own as they play host to multiple targets. Starting with Louisville, Kentucky native Jayden Johnson, the four-star athlete will be making the trek north to see campus and what the Buckeyes have to offer.

A 6-foot-5, 175 pound shooting guard in the 2026 class, Johnson is already the No. 37 player nationally, tenth best player at his position and the top overall player in Kentucky for the 2026 cycle per the 247Sports Composite.

Though he currently only holds four offers from the likes of West Virginia, Cincinnati, Texas A&M, and Missouri, with his class status and athleticism, it’s really only a matter of time before other major suitors come calling. With his unofficial visit to Columbus this weekend, it wouldn’t be a total surprise to see him leave with an Ohio State offer.

Ohio State will host Top-25 2026 prospect Jayden Johnson for an unofficial visit this Saturday, he told @Stockrisers. Buckeyes having nice plethora of talent on campus this weekend.

— Jake (@jakeweingarten) September 13, 2023
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  • In addition to Johnson, another talented Kentucky native will be making the trip to see Ohio State. Another unofficial visit planned for this weekend, 6-foot, 160 pound point guard Taylen Kinney is set to see the Buckeyes and Holtmann. Kinney does not yet hold a ranking on his 247Sports profile, but with double-digit offers to his name already, the 2026 athlete should see that change in the near future.

Programs such as Cincinnati, Xavier, Illinois, Texas A&M, and a host of others are in the fold early on, but like the aforementioned Johnson, trips to Columbus for these two points toward the notion of both being players the coaching staff at Ohio State is definitely interested in. Odds are these are two names that you haven’t heard the last of.

2026 prospect Taylen Kinney will take an unofficial visit to Ohio State on Saturday, his coach told @Stockrisers. He was at Louisville for an unofficial visit last weekend.

— Jake (@jakeweingarten) September 14, 2023
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Google Ohio State has a talent advantage over every team it plays; it's time Ryan Day coaches like it - Land Grant Holy Land

Ohio State has a talent advantage over every team it plays; it's time Ryan Day coaches like it - Land Grant Holy Land
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Ohio State has a talent advantage over every team it plays; it's time Ryan Day coaches like it Land Grant Holy Land

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LGHL Uncut: Justin Frye on the good and bad he’s seen from the offensive line this fall

Uncut: Justin Frye on the good and bad he’s seen from the offensive line this fall
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The run-game coordinator also discusses how the ground game could attack Western Kentucky.

Throughout the year, the Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:


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

On today’s episode of “Land-Grant Uncut,” we are bringing you unedited audio from Ohio State offensive line coach and run-game coordinator Justin Frye from his media availability session on Wednesday, Sept. 13. During his time with reporters, Justin goes into the areas that he feels that the offensive line has exceeded expectations through the first two games and where they need to improve. He also discusses what’s going on with holding penalties and how the Buckeyes might attack Western Kentucky on the ground this Saturday.


Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

Music by: www.bensound.com​


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LGHL Column: Forget the transfer portal, college football needs to adopt professional soccer’s system of player movement

Column: Forget the transfer portal, college football needs to adopt professional soccer’s system of player movement
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

usa_today_21342986.0.jpg

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Pandora’s Box has already been opened. So why not tear the lid off entirely, allowing CFB teams to loan and rent players like Manchester City and/or Real Madrid?

By loosening the rules and/or restrictions around college football’s transfer portal, the NCAA or powers-that-be have essentially opened Pandora’s Box. They have taken the restrictor plate off the Red Dragon. CFB and college sports in general have become the wild, wild west, and freedom of movement is now on steroids. Well... maybe not steroids. But at least some sort of TRT or ‘vitamin regimen’.

And since there is no Wyatt Earp or group of hardened lawmen laying down the law at the O.K. Corral also known as college sports, I say let’s get nuts. How nuts, you ask? Well, I’m talking Blue Diamond or Planters-level.

IMDB

I think that college football should adopt the loan system currently utilized in professional soccer. And in case you are not familiar with said system, it is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: A system in which teams loan out players (currently under contract with them) to other teams for a mutually agreed-upon period. Team B – the team adding a player or players – often pays Team A or the ‘parent club’ for that player’s services; a sum that may or may not be equal to the player’s contract.

In theory, a team could draft or sign a player, develop said player into a star, and then ship that individual out for a large sum if the team’s roster or club is otherwise loaded. But more often than not, loans are set up for one of two reasons: To get a young, developmental player more playing time elsewhere. Or to send an expensive player away from an underperforming team, allowing that team to recoup money. For example, imagine the Kansas City Chiefs starting out 1-6 and deciding to loan Travis Kelce to the Detroit Lions.

I may or may not have nailed that explanation, and the separate transfer system/window adds another component or layer to this global soccer marketplace... But I only started watching high-level professional soccer a few years ago. So forgive me if I committed a ‘howler’.

Let’s get back to the idea of loans being implemented or used in college football. This idea came to me as I was watching some of the early season action. I was particularly interested in certain transfers sprinkled across the P5 landscape. Because I find it fascinating that teams and coaches now have such a ‘quick fix’ mentality. Like, “Oh, we can fix him. They were just in a toxic relationship before, and that’s why things ended poorly.” Well guess what!? Sometimes you can’t fix what or who has already been broken. And I am a firm believer that when somebody tries to show you who they are, you should believe them.

So it has come as no surprise that more than a few transfers are struggling, particularly at the quarterback position. They did so for two or three years with their last team, why did you (Coach X) think it would be any different in 2023!? Because you coached in the NFL? Or because it’s warmer in Gainesville? These are just random questions that have popped into the ol’ noggin, that may or may not be specific to any one player or team.

But the funny thing about the transfer portal is that even though we are all aware of the fact that things are ever-changing and temporary, it still feels sort of permanent. Transferring schools and/or moving across the country is not nothin’, folks. Players and/or students cannot pack up and leave on a whim, every other quarter or semester. So these college football teams typically get only one or two cracks at ‘acquiring’ star players from elsewhere — if they get one at all.

Sure, Deion Sanders can go the route he did with Colorado, but he and the Buffaloes are outliers. They are the exception to the rule. When most teams/programs goes all-in on a player or players, there is some finality. Even if it is only for a year. Or a season, which is much shorter.

Again, look at the QB position. Only one takes the snap. The depth chart is not 8, 9, 10 players deep. If Coach X does not like the in-house talent they are working with, they can choose to look elsewhere (officially or unofficially). And if a new QB is brought in, he likely joins only one, two, or three others that Coach X was not happy with in the first place. So more often than not, this new QB gets handed the job and becomes the captain of the ship. There is really no going back at that point. So I repeat: There is some finality.


But what if there was an alternative to bringing in new talent? Ya know, besides recruiting, which some coaches no longer want to do. What is there was a temporary fix that benefitted all? Well that’s the loan system, baby! Like I said earlier, let’s get nuts!

Under the premise of the loan system, a player could commit to a school, love it there, and/but be allowed to gain experience and playing time elsewhere, until they are no longer buried on their original team’s depth chart. They could then return to their beloved team or university a better, more experienced player, with no hard feelings. I mean, it seems foolproof! All schools ought to love the idea because they could profit even more off the backs of athletes and potentially lease talent as needed.

Let’s try to come up with an example of how this proposed CFB loan system can be used. I’m thinking of a random team in the Big Ten West. We’ll just say Nebraska. Say they’ve struck out at QB and could really use an infusion of talent to get the Matt Ruhle era kickstarted. Ruhle says “Hey, we don’t play Ohio State this year, and they always have a spare QB laying around. Let’s give ‘em a call.” He calls Ryan Day and asks about the availability of Lincoln Kienholz, who just so happened to play his high school ball in South Dakota, directly above the Cornhusker State... Now we’re cookin’ with oil!

Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Nebraska offers up half a million dollars to rent LK47’s services for one season. As a result, they acquire talent, OSU gets a little spending money, and Kienholz lands an internship that will prepare for him for his days as the Buckeyes’ (future) signal caller. Am I on to something, or am I on to something?

Sticking with Ohio State, what if Kyle McCord is not the answer after Western Kentucky or Notre Dame? Are we foolish enough to believe that the athletic department could not afford to rent North Carolina’s Drake Maye for a few months? And this loan system would not be exclusive to QB. While I would be absolutely devastated and have no intention of putting bad juju out there, what if the Buckeyes don’t love their chances of winning a national championship? How much could they fetch for Marvin Harrison Jr.? I am putting the over/under at $10 million from another blueblood program. The possibilities are truly endless.

But alas – and obviously – this loan system is far-fetched and far from the realm of sanity/reason for now... Isn’t it? I mean, most would have said the same thing about Cal and Stanford joining the ATLANTIC COAST Conference, but here we are. So don’t call me crazy just yet, unless it is for other, perfectly justifiable reasons. Because you never know what is going to happen in this wild and whacky world of the sport(s) we love.

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LGHL MC&J: Week 3’s national slate has Tennessee looking for their first win at Florida in 20 years

MC&J: Week 3’s national slate has Tennessee looking for their first win at Florida in 20 years
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Football: Virginia at Tennessee

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Plus six other predictions for interesting games outside the Big Ten on Saturday.

Last week ATS: 10-9 (3-5 National, 7-4 B1G)​

Season ATS: 22-22 (9-14 National, 13-8 B1G)​


All things considered, last week wasn’t a bad week. It would have been nice to be in the ballpark when it comes to my Ohio State final score prediction, but there is still plenty of season left. Even though I have been terrible with my national picks, I have made up for it with a couple solid weeks of Big Ten predictions. Hopefully we can get the national record on the right side of .500 soon.

National games​


No. 14 LSU (-9.5) v. Mississippi State - 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN

After falling apart in the second half against Florida State in their first game, LSU rebounded with a 72-10 win over Grambling last week. Jayden Daniels tossed five touchdown passes in the blowout, as the Tigers rolled up over 600 yards of offense on their overmatched opponent. Saturday’s contest in Starkville kicks off a stretch for LSU that will see them on the road for three of their next four contests.

Until I checked in on last week’s Arizona-Mississippi State game last week as it was heading to overtime, I had completely forgot Will Rogers is still the quarterback of the Bulldogs. This isn’t quite the same Mississippi State offense that we had become used to before the passing of head coach Mike Leach. The Bulldogs can run the football a bit, with Jo’Quavious Marks rushing for 250 yards and three scores in the first two games of the season.

Even though I know LSU has a higher ceiling because of the talent they have, it’s never easy to go into StarkVegas and grab an easy win. The cowbells are going to be in full force on Saturday afternoon, which makes me think the Bulldogs are going to push the Tigers to the limit. I’m still not completely sure if LSU is as good as we were thinking they were prior to the season, so I’ll take the unranked home team to keep things close against a ranked conference foe.

LSU 31, Mississippi State 27


No. 15 Kansas State (-4.5) v Missouri - 12:00 p.m. ET - SEC Network

Heading into last week, I was thinking that Troy might give Kansas State a game since the Trojans were returning a lot of starters from last year, while I wasn’t quite sure what we’d see from the Wildcats now that running back Duece Vaughn is in the NFL. Kansas State wouldn’t even entertain the idea of being upset, hammering Troy 42-13 in Manhattan.

While Kansas State has starting quarterback Will Howard returning, Missouri also has their starter from last year back. Brady Cook has completed 31-40 passes through two games, tossing three touchdowns. Cook’s favorite target has been Luther Burden, who has caught 15 passes already this season. Even though Cook has been smart with the football, it hasn’t translated into a ton of points, as the Tigers have scored 58 points in wins over South Dakota and Middle Tennessee State.

Even though this game is in Columbia, I like Kansas State with a rather short line. I do like some of the pieces Missouri has with Cook and Burden, I just think the Wildcats are a better team as a whole. Kansas State’s defensive line has been tremendous so far this year, and I think they push around a Missouri offensive line that has been inconsistent through the first two games. The Wildcats beat their former Big 12 foe by at least a touchdown.

Kansas State 34, Missouri 23


South Carolina v. No. 1 Georgia (-27.5) 3:30 p.m. ET - CBS

We’ll finally find out a little more about this Georgia team. The Bulldogs dominated their first two games of the season, but they didn’t really have to work too hard to lay beatdowns on UT-Martin and Ball State. It’ll be interesting to see how Georgia and Carson Beck responds if they do get a little pushback from South Carolina in this game, since the Bulldogs haven’t had to deal with any adversity in their first two games.

I wonder what type of spread we would have seen for this game if South Carolina hadn’t dropped their season opener to North Carolina. Despite the loss to the Tar Heels, Spencer Rattler’s stat line through two games has looked good, with the former Oklahoma quarterback completing 55-of-66 passes for nearly 700 yards and three passing touchdowns. Rattler will now try to solve a Georgia defense that has only allowed 10 points in two games this season.

Four touchdowns feels like a lot to lay with a Georgia team that hasn’t played anyone yet this season. Beck and the offense have been able to plod along and put up 40+ points in their first two games, but they could be without wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who missed last week’s game with a back injury. I don’t think the Bulldogs are on upset alert, I just think Rattler and the Gamecocks could score some points in garbage time to make the final score look a little more respectable.

Georgia 38, South Carolina 17


No. 11 Tennessee (-6.5) v. Florida - 7:00 p.m. ET - ESPN

2003. That was the last time Tennessee won at The Swamp. Not only have the Gators dominated the Volunteers in Gainesville, they’ve had their way with Tennessee overall in the rivalry for most of the past 20 years, winning 16 of the last 20 meetings. Last year the tide started to shift a bit, with the Volunteers winning 38-33 in Knoxville.

After not being able to do anything in their season opener against Utah, Florida was able to restore a little bit of confidence last week with a 49-7 win over McNeese State. The Gators ran all over the Cowboys, rolling up 327 yards on the ground in the victory. This week the Florida offensive line will have to be on point since Tennessee has a strong pass rush.

Even though the Volunteers should get pressure on the quarterback, at least Florida has a veteran behind center in Graham Mertz who has experience being under fire. While Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton has a cannon for an arm, I’m still not sure if he is as good as some people seem to think he is. Tennessee ends their losing streak in Gainesville, just not by more than a touchdown, as this game comes down to the wire.

Tennessee 33, Florida 30


BYU v. Arkansas (-8.5) - 7:30 p.m. ET - ESPN2

Last year we got Arkansas fans going out to Provo, and this year we have BYU fans going to Fayetteville. I just wish I was there to see both games since I’m sure they were two incredible social experiments when it comes to fans traveling to areas out of their comfort zones.

Not only should this game be a fun fan experience, the football should be pretty good. We’ll have two experience quarterbacks squaring off. BYU’s starter is Kedon Slovis, who is now playing for his 14th school at the college level, while Arkansas has 14-year starting quarterback KJ Jefferson. Even though Jefferson already has five touchdown passes, it doesn’t feel like the Razorback offense is clicking. Some of that could be because they haven’t had to be at their best against Western Carolina and Kent State.

Last year Jefferson tossed five touchdowns in Arkansas’ 52-35 win over the Cougars. This year’s contest doesn’t feel like it’s going to be quite as high-scoring, especially since the Razorbacks will be without running back Raheim Sanders. BYU’s defense has looked very tough so far this season. The Cougars are going to play Arkansas tough, keeping things closer than last year’s meeting with the Hogs.

Arkansas 28, BYU 24


TCU (-7.5) v. Houston - 8:00 p.m. ET - FOX

Following their loss to Colorado to open the season, TCU bounced back with a 41-6 win over Nicholls last week. Unlike the Horned Frogs, Houston fell 43-41 in double overtime to Rice after beating UTSA 17-14 in their opener. It feels like the one thing we know about both teams in this game is that we know nothing.

Despite restoring some their confidence after beating up on a FCS opponent, I still don’t think much of TCU. The Horned Frogs lost so much from last year’s team on both sides of the football. I already didn’t think much of TCU’s defense after seeing some of their performances late last season, and I don’t really think they did much to improve the unit.

I probably wouldn’t be picking this contest if there were a few more quality games on the schedule this week. Since it’s a primetime game on national television I figured I might as well include it with the rest of the slate being rather weak. Despite their setback last week, I still like Houston getting a touchdown and the hook. I have faith that Dana Holgorsen will have something for a suspect TCU defense, while the Horned Frogs are still trying to recover from the losses of quarterback Max Duggan and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.

Houston 35, TCU 31


Colorado State v. No. 18 Colorado (-22.5) - 10:00 p.m. ET - ESPN

Deion Sanders might be new to the state of Colorado, but I’m pretty sure he gets what this rivalry means. Especially since it’ll be the first time since 2019 that the teams have battled in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. Who knows, Coach Prime might be somewhere else coaching next year if the money is right, so it could be the only chance he has to put it on the Rams.

Next week the Buffaloes have to travel to Oregon to play the Ducks, so all the good feelings about Colorado’s start to the season might not last much longer. Expect Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and the rest of the Buffaloes to make some big plays in front of the home crowd. If Washington State can put 50 up on the Rams, just imagine what Deion is going to want his team to score.

Over three touchdowns might seem like a lot to be laying for a Colorado team that doesn’t have a ton of depth with all the transfers during the offseason. I’ll be more worried about that next week. This week we’ll see Colorado out there having fun and piling up points against a Colorado State team that hasn’t had a winning season since 2017.

Colorado 48, Colorado State 21

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LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: Ohio State brings in big-time recruits for football weekend

Bucketheads Podcast: Ohio State brings in big-time recruits for football weekend
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Just how important are these football game recruiting visits for the basketball team?

“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​


On this episode of “Bucketheads,” we talked about the recruits that Ohio State basketball hosted at the Youngstown State football game.

The Buckeyes hosted several of the top recruits in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 recruiting classes at the first home football game of the season, and the visits seemed to be a resounding success. We talked about what goes into these visits and the culture surrounding Ohio State basketball that has helped them recruit at a high level over the past couple of years.

Then at the end, we discussed just how big of a season the 2023-24 basketball season is for the Buckeyes to aid in that recruiting process.

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


Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN

Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor

Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba

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LGHL You’re Nuts: Which player you have never heard of will be a Heisman finalist?

You’re Nuts: Which player you have never heard of will be a Heisman finalist?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Football: 2022 Heisman Trophy

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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

Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.

In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.

Today’s Question: Which player you have never heard of will be a Heisman finalist?​

Jami’s Take: Notre Dame running back Audric Estime​


As much as it pains me to say given my long-standing family ties to Notre Dame and my resulting hatred, I think this Fighting Irish team is the real deal this year.

I’m leaning into the Buckeye connection in head coach Marcus Freeman because it’s always nice to see our OSU alum succeed, but somewhere deep inside my bones, Notre Dame’s success still always feels just the teeniest bit personal.

But if this Notre Dame team is, in fact, the real deal, it’s going to be in large part because of junior running back Audric Estime. That’s right—my absolutely insane, Mad Hatter-level bonkers prediction is that if Notre Dame is still on the map come December, we might be hearing Estime’s name amongst the Heisman finalists.

There’s absolutely nothing safe about this prediction. In fact, I said this out loud to Matt with a straight face the other day, and he audibly gasped/stifled a laugh. But also, just know that the last time Matt laughed in my face about a prediction, it was when I said Colorado would beat TCU in Week 1, and now Colorado is 2-0 this year. So maybe I’m a witch! You’ll never know!

Sure, the more realistic Notre Dame finalist if there were to be one would be quarterback Sam Hartman. There are actually a lot of reasons any rational person would dispute my selection. But I’m bored with the Heisman as a quarterback award, and this prompt wasn’t about choosing the predictable option.

Audric Estime dazzles me—I don’t really have a tangible reason for this, but when I watch him, I find myself dazzled. I have genuinely watched his 80-yard touchdown run against NC State this past weekend upwards of 40 times.

And he’s putting up good numbers to start the season. So far, he has 345 yards on 43 carries with 4 touchdowns. Sure, those numbers are a bit skewed as Notre Dame had a Week 0 game (I’m sure Matt will be quick to point this out), but even if we eliminate those yards, he’s #14 in rushing yards currently.

This is where I have to sell you on the vision—because as we all know, to be the Heisman finalist, #14 in your position isn’t going to cut it. You have to be No. 1 of all the positions.

But like I said before, this Notre Dame team unfortunately seems like the real deal, and they’ve got a heck of a schedule still to play.

What we know already is that Estime is a steady force. As a sophomore, he put up 930 yards on the season, and he seems to have picked up with even more steam. He and Hartman seem to have worked out a rhythm that allows the Fighting Irish offense to effectively pass or run.

We also know Notre Dame has an offensive line in its arsenal that could lend itself to players having big years (Hartman and Estime included).

Notre Dame plays a tough schedule, with back-to-back games against ranked opponents (No. 6 Ohio State on Sept. 23 and No. 21 Duke on Sept. 30), a mid-October matchup against No. 5 USC, and later season matchups with Clemson, Wake Forest and Stanford (all of whom could present a challenge to Notre Dame despite being unranked currently).

If Estime can put up big numbers against Ohio State and then again against Duke, I think we have to start paying attention to what this man can do on the ground beyond surface-level conversations.

Will any of that be enough to get to New York at the end of the season, especially when you consider how exceptional the field is this year? Only time will tell. But if I had to put money on someone as a dark horse, Estime would be at the top of my list.

Matt’s Take: Washington quarterback Cameron Ward​


This is obviously a tough one to nail down, because how in the world do I know who you have and haven’t heard of? Like, have you been paying attention to Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes? If not, may I interest you in some Shedeur Sanders or Travis Hunter?

But, I’m going to guess if you are reading this article, you have at least heard tell of them following the first two weeks of the season. Likewise, you’ve heard of Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman, Florida State’s Jordan Travis, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., and even my favorite dark horse, Oregon State’s DJ Uiagalelei. Of course, you have also heard of last year’s winner USB QB Caleb Williams and former Buckeye Quinn Ewers now slinging it for Texas.

I thought about going with Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel, North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, or even the quarterback the Buckeyes will play this weekend Western Kentucky’s Austin Reed, but instead, I am going to go with the QB who upset Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin Badgers this past weekend, Washington State signal caller Cameron Ward.

Through two games, he is fifth nationally averaging 329.5 yards per game and has thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s also thrown the ball the ninth most times per game this season, so it appears that he will have opportunities to put up numbers.

Through two games, he has shown both an incredibly powerful and accurate arm with the ability to put some nice touch on the ball to fit it into some seemingly impossible holes. He has also been very impressive at making something out of nothing with his legs, either to avoid pressure in order to buy more time to find an open receiver or to extend plays by taking off and picking up yardage with his legs.


What makes rooting for Ward even more exciting this season is that the Cougs are going to have a bit of a chip on their shoulders heading into Pac-12 play. As one of the two spurned stepchildren of the conference, it would not surprise me if they play with a little extra anger and aggression throughout the next two and a half months. This is also why I am rooting for Oregon State and DJU. If one of these two teams could somehow win the final Pac-12 title, how absolutely delicious would that be?


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Google Ohio State: What WKU HC Tyson Helton said about the Buckeyes - Lettermen Row

Ohio State: What WKU HC Tyson Helton said about the Buckeyes - Lettermen Row
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

  1. Ohio State: What WKU HC Tyson Helton said about the Buckeyes Lettermen Row
  2. Ohio State Football: JaQues Evans, Hilltopper Defense Looks to Upset Buckeyes at Home Sports Illustrated
  3. Buckeyes favored by 28 over Western Kentucky | Have win probability of 97.1% 247Sports

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