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LGHL You’re Nuts: Which Big Ten addition are you most excited for?
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You’re Nuts: Which Big Ten addition are you most excited for?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
The B1G is set to add four new West Coast teams in 2024.
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.
This week’s topic: Which Big Ten addition are you most excited for?
In today’s world of college football and college sports in general, there is only one constant: Change. Oh, and greed and stupidity, which I guess makes three constants. But change as the only one (constant) sounded a little better.
And because they are never ones to underachieve or fall behind, the Big Ten embraced all three last week when the conference added Oregon and Washington, two schools both located more than 2,200 miles from Indianapolis, where the B1G currently plays its conference championship game in football. Other B1G conference championships are held even farther away, but football (and money, but shhh) is the only thing that really matters to those in charge. So what’s the point in even bringing up or giving consideration to other varsity sports, right?
The ‘new’ Big TEN will boast 18 schools – makes sense – spanning from Parsippany, NJ to Eugene, OR. Nevermind the total absence of representation from Omaha to Los Angeles, the B1G is going to be a national brand/conference, baby! The first of its kind in college football. Rumor has it that the B1G braintrust is also looking to add University of Alaska Fairbanks and Universidad Ana G. Mendez in Puerto Rico to expand the conference’s footprint even further. In that scenario, I can’t wait for the first matchup between UAGM and Maryland lacrosse, to be held on a random Tuesday evening in San Juan. Sounds like a logistical treat.
But you know what, Gene!? At least the B1G is going to have exciting football games. And be able to foster new rivalries and traditions, that much I am sure of. In five or so years, the battle between the Spartans (Michigan State) and the Trojans (USC) is going to be an absolute bloodbath... Uhh, again. Alright, maybe that one checks out. My sarcastic point is/was that nobody is going to care about Indiana vs. UCLA on a Saturday night in November.
However, there will be teams, games, and matchups that people are interested in, and that is what Gene and I chose to debate. So the question we came up with was: Which current and soon-to-be former Pac-12 team are you most excited to see in the Big Ten?
Well partner, my answer is pretty simple and straightforward. I am not excited about any of the future members. Frankly, I just want to say f*ck conference realignment, expansion, the NCAA, and the horse they all rode in on. I think this whole thing is sad and gross. And it feels like the B1G is now the one holding the biggest axe being used to dismember, cut up, and bury under concrete all that was good about college football and college sports as a whole. History, pageantry, and tradition are all dead, never to be dug up again. They are six feet under and covered in lye. Pretty sweet, right?
I am old enough to remember when conference pride meant something. Actually, forget pride. I am old enough to remember when conferences just made geographical f*cking sense! Now they are just random, loose alliances with no background, history, or story. Gene, you are a baseball fan... What if the NL East suddenly added the Kansas City Royals and Oakland A’s? You would be like “WTF are we doing here!?” And that is how I feel about all of this conference realignment. It’s dumb and I will not partake.
But if I had to, my answer would be Washington. Because their jerseys are sick. That’s all you’re getting out of me. RIP to college sports. We had a good run, and I will miss you dearly.
As you can tell, Josh is very excited about the new teams joining the Big Ten! All jokes aside, I do understand where he is coming from. College football is such a regionally dependent sport, and with things now seemingly headed towards a two-conference league comprised of all the good teams joining either the B1G or SEC in the not-so-distant future, a ton of that will be lost. It stinks, but there is nothing you or I can do to combat it, so we might as well embrace it all.
I think what I’m most excited for is an introduction of some parity to the conference. It is no secret that the Big Ten as currently constructed is a two-team league, as it would be virtually impossible for any team not named Ohio State or Michigan to emerge the victor of the B1G. Teams like Penn State, Wisconsin and occasionally Michigan State or Iowa — on super good years — can challenge these teams on an individual game basis, but the Buckeyes and Wolverines are pretty much guaranteed to win 11 games in any given year.
All four teams that are joining the Big Ten by way of the PAC-12 will become legitimate threats to upset the balance of power in the conference. Are Ohio State and Michigan still more talented than those West Coast schools? Yes, but all of them add at least another one or two more losable games to the calendar than previously existed before, which could create a different result when the dust settles at year’s end. An extra loss could prove massive, especially with the B1G getting rid of divisions.
My counterpart sort of chose Washington, reluctantly, which I am also weirdly excited for. The Huskies are a solid enough football team to make some games interesting, and as Josh said their color scheme/jerseys are aesthetically pleasing. I think I'm pretty equally excited for all four teams for the reasons I talked about above, but If I had to pick one of the four, I guess I have to go with USC.
For one, the Buckeyes are Trojans are two very similar teams. Both feature explosive, dynamic offenses with strong quarterback play and the ability to take the top off of defenses. Speaking of defenses, both programs have seen their defense hold the rest of the team back over the past few seasons — albeit USC’s Alex Grinch led defense is FAR worse than Ohio State’s. Ryan Day and Lincoln Riley have also been compared to each other throughout their coaching careers, so that just adds another layer of intrigue to future matchups.
On top of the actual on-field product, USC jerseys are a classic college football look, and LA Memorial Coliseum is a very cool and aesthetically pleasing venue. It will be fun to see these two historic programs go head-to-head at both home stadiums. The jersey matchups will be fantastic, and the atmospheres in both locations will be electric.
While there are obviously a lot of negatives to college football expansion, it is also going to create a lot of fun, exciting matchups between top tier programs. All we can really do is try to enjoy the best parts of the sport that remain, and hopefully the on-field product helps us to do just that.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
The B1G is set to add four new West Coast teams in 2024.
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.
This week’s topic: Which Big Ten addition are you most excited for?
Josh’s Take
In today’s world of college football and college sports in general, there is only one constant: Change. Oh, and greed and stupidity, which I guess makes three constants. But change as the only one (constant) sounded a little better.
And because they are never ones to underachieve or fall behind, the Big Ten embraced all three last week when the conference added Oregon and Washington, two schools both located more than 2,200 miles from Indianapolis, where the B1G currently plays its conference championship game in football. Other B1G conference championships are held even farther away, but football (and money, but shhh) is the only thing that really matters to those in charge. So what’s the point in even bringing up or giving consideration to other varsity sports, right?
The ‘new’ Big TEN will boast 18 schools – makes sense – spanning from Parsippany, NJ to Eugene, OR. Nevermind the total absence of representation from Omaha to Los Angeles, the B1G is going to be a national brand/conference, baby! The first of its kind in college football. Rumor has it that the B1G braintrust is also looking to add University of Alaska Fairbanks and Universidad Ana G. Mendez in Puerto Rico to expand the conference’s footprint even further. In that scenario, I can’t wait for the first matchup between UAGM and Maryland lacrosse, to be held on a random Tuesday evening in San Juan. Sounds like a logistical treat.
But you know what, Gene!? At least the B1G is going to have exciting football games. And be able to foster new rivalries and traditions, that much I am sure of. In five or so years, the battle between the Spartans (Michigan State) and the Trojans (USC) is going to be an absolute bloodbath... Uhh, again. Alright, maybe that one checks out. My sarcastic point is/was that nobody is going to care about Indiana vs. UCLA on a Saturday night in November.
However, there will be teams, games, and matchups that people are interested in, and that is what Gene and I chose to debate. So the question we came up with was: Which current and soon-to-be former Pac-12 team are you most excited to see in the Big Ten?
Well partner, my answer is pretty simple and straightforward. I am not excited about any of the future members. Frankly, I just want to say f*ck conference realignment, expansion, the NCAA, and the horse they all rode in on. I think this whole thing is sad and gross. And it feels like the B1G is now the one holding the biggest axe being used to dismember, cut up, and bury under concrete all that was good about college football and college sports as a whole. History, pageantry, and tradition are all dead, never to be dug up again. They are six feet under and covered in lye. Pretty sweet, right?
I am old enough to remember when conference pride meant something. Actually, forget pride. I am old enough to remember when conferences just made geographical f*cking sense! Now they are just random, loose alliances with no background, history, or story. Gene, you are a baseball fan... What if the NL East suddenly added the Kansas City Royals and Oakland A’s? You would be like “WTF are we doing here!?” And that is how I feel about all of this conference realignment. It’s dumb and I will not partake.
But if I had to, my answer would be Washington. Because their jerseys are sick. That’s all you’re getting out of me. RIP to college sports. We had a good run, and I will miss you dearly.
Gene’s Take
As you can tell, Josh is very excited about the new teams joining the Big Ten! All jokes aside, I do understand where he is coming from. College football is such a regionally dependent sport, and with things now seemingly headed towards a two-conference league comprised of all the good teams joining either the B1G or SEC in the not-so-distant future, a ton of that will be lost. It stinks, but there is nothing you or I can do to combat it, so we might as well embrace it all.
I think what I’m most excited for is an introduction of some parity to the conference. It is no secret that the Big Ten as currently constructed is a two-team league, as it would be virtually impossible for any team not named Ohio State or Michigan to emerge the victor of the B1G. Teams like Penn State, Wisconsin and occasionally Michigan State or Iowa — on super good years — can challenge these teams on an individual game basis, but the Buckeyes and Wolverines are pretty much guaranteed to win 11 games in any given year.
All four teams that are joining the Big Ten by way of the PAC-12 will become legitimate threats to upset the balance of power in the conference. Are Ohio State and Michigan still more talented than those West Coast schools? Yes, but all of them add at least another one or two more losable games to the calendar than previously existed before, which could create a different result when the dust settles at year’s end. An extra loss could prove massive, especially with the B1G getting rid of divisions.
My counterpart sort of chose Washington, reluctantly, which I am also weirdly excited for. The Huskies are a solid enough football team to make some games interesting, and as Josh said their color scheme/jerseys are aesthetically pleasing. I think I'm pretty equally excited for all four teams for the reasons I talked about above, but If I had to pick one of the four, I guess I have to go with USC.
For one, the Buckeyes are Trojans are two very similar teams. Both feature explosive, dynamic offenses with strong quarterback play and the ability to take the top off of defenses. Speaking of defenses, both programs have seen their defense hold the rest of the team back over the past few seasons — albeit USC’s Alex Grinch led defense is FAR worse than Ohio State’s. Ryan Day and Lincoln Riley have also been compared to each other throughout their coaching careers, so that just adds another layer of intrigue to future matchups.
On top of the actual on-field product, USC jerseys are a classic college football look, and LA Memorial Coliseum is a very cool and aesthetically pleasing venue. It will be fun to see these two historic programs go head-to-head at both home stadiums. The jersey matchups will be fantastic, and the atmospheres in both locations will be electric.
While there are obviously a lot of negatives to college football expansion, it is also going to create a lot of fun, exciting matchups between top tier programs. All we can really do is try to enjoy the best parts of the sport that remain, and hopefully the on-field product helps us to do just that.
Continue reading...
LGHL Player to Watch: It’s time for Jack Sawyer to dominate for Ohio State
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Player to Watch: It’s time for Jack Sawyer to dominate for Ohio State
Michael Citro 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
After showing flashes of what he can do over the past couple of years, Sawyer is poised to make the leap for the Buckeyes.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Indiana.
Big expectations have followed Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer ever since he committed to becoming a Buckeye over the likes of Michigan, Penn State, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame. The Pickerington North product played tight end, defensive end, and even quarterback while in high school, sitting out the 2020 COVID season as a prep senior.
Sawyer arrived as a five-star recruit and was considered the top overall player in the state of Ohio, while being rated the No. 4 player nationally at any position and the nation’s No. 3-ranked defensive end.
He saw the field early as a freshman and appeared in 13 games during his first season in Columbus. He’s been a part of the defensive rotation since the beginning and has played in 25 games across his first two years as a Buckeye, compiling 19 solo tackles, 18 assists, 9.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, two passes defended, and one forced fumble.
Sawyer has shown flashes of greatness since the beginning of his collegiate career, but has yet to fully unlock the promise he showed as a high school star. Now, a couple of things might unlock Sawyer’s potential in 2023.
In 2022, Sawyer filled the “Jack” role on the Ohio State defense. He was still one of the best defensive players on the field for the Buckeyes, but learning that role may have distracted him and limited his effectiveness in what he does well — getting after the quarterback. Despite being in an unfamiliar role, Sawyer still managed to tie Mike Hall Jr. for the team lead in sacks last year — with 4.5 — but more is expected from an Ohio State starting defensive end.
These are highly rated recruits being coached by one of the best position coaches to ever teach the game at a collegiate level — Larry Johnson. While it’s understandable that they won’t all put up numbers like Joey/Nick Bosa or Chase Young, they should be more of a threat to the opposing quarterback than Ohio State’s have been over the last couple of years.
The Jack requires doing things beyond just setting the edge or rushing the passer. If Sawyer is unburdened by other responsibilities, it stands to reason he can do the things a typical defensive end would be expected to do, simplifying his reads and allowing him to flourish with the things he does best.
Sawyer being excused from Jack responsibilities may ultimately depend on Mitchell Melton’s health. Melton, a senior linebacker, was reportedly flourishing as the Buckeyes’ Jack player in spring ball last year until suffering a season-ending knee injury in the 2022 OSU Spring Game.
Football, especially on defense, is a team game. Sawyer has come close to sacks a number of times, only to see a quarterback get rid of the ball just before his arrival. Much of that has been on the OSU secondary over the last two seasons. If Ohio State’s secondary can keep tighter coverage for just one to two additional seconds, Sawyer’s near misses should become sacks in 2023.
I expect Ohio State’s secondary to be improved in 2023 after taking a step forward last year. If that happens, and if Sawyer is free of his Jack responsibilities, it is reasonable to expect his quarterback pressures and sacks to rise during his junior season.
With his high motor, strength, and quickness, Sawyer has the talent to reach double-digit sack totals. Whether he does that during the upcoming season or not depends largely on how he is used and how the defensive backfield performs behind him.
However the part that he can’t control goes, Sawyer will certainly be a player to watch for Ohio State this upcoming season.
Continue reading...
Michael Citro 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
After showing flashes of what he can do over the past couple of years, Sawyer is poised to make the leap for the Buckeyes.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Indiana.
Big expectations have followed Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer ever since he committed to becoming a Buckeye over the likes of Michigan, Penn State, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame. The Pickerington North product played tight end, defensive end, and even quarterback while in high school, sitting out the 2020 COVID season as a prep senior.
Sawyer arrived as a five-star recruit and was considered the top overall player in the state of Ohio, while being rated the No. 4 player nationally at any position and the nation’s No. 3-ranked defensive end.
He saw the field early as a freshman and appeared in 13 games during his first season in Columbus. He’s been a part of the defensive rotation since the beginning and has played in 25 games across his first two years as a Buckeye, compiling 19 solo tackles, 18 assists, 9.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, two passes defended, and one forced fumble.
Sawyer has shown flashes of greatness since the beginning of his collegiate career, but has yet to fully unlock the promise he showed as a high school star. Now, a couple of things might unlock Sawyer’s potential in 2023.
In 2022, Sawyer filled the “Jack” role on the Ohio State defense. He was still one of the best defensive players on the field for the Buckeyes, but learning that role may have distracted him and limited his effectiveness in what he does well — getting after the quarterback. Despite being in an unfamiliar role, Sawyer still managed to tie Mike Hall Jr. for the team lead in sacks last year — with 4.5 — but more is expected from an Ohio State starting defensive end.
These are highly rated recruits being coached by one of the best position coaches to ever teach the game at a collegiate level — Larry Johnson. While it’s understandable that they won’t all put up numbers like Joey/Nick Bosa or Chase Young, they should be more of a threat to the opposing quarterback than Ohio State’s have been over the last couple of years.
The Jack requires doing things beyond just setting the edge or rushing the passer. If Sawyer is unburdened by other responsibilities, it stands to reason he can do the things a typical defensive end would be expected to do, simplifying his reads and allowing him to flourish with the things he does best.
Sawyer being excused from Jack responsibilities may ultimately depend on Mitchell Melton’s health. Melton, a senior linebacker, was reportedly flourishing as the Buckeyes’ Jack player in spring ball last year until suffering a season-ending knee injury in the 2022 OSU Spring Game.
Football, especially on defense, is a team game. Sawyer has come close to sacks a number of times, only to see a quarterback get rid of the ball just before his arrival. Much of that has been on the OSU secondary over the last two seasons. If Ohio State’s secondary can keep tighter coverage for just one to two additional seconds, Sawyer’s near misses should become sacks in 2023.
I expect Ohio State’s secondary to be improved in 2023 after taking a step forward last year. If that happens, and if Sawyer is free of his Jack responsibilities, it is reasonable to expect his quarterback pressures and sacks to rise during his junior season.
With his high motor, strength, and quickness, Sawyer has the talent to reach double-digit sack totals. Whether he does that during the upcoming season or not depends largely on how he is used and how the defensive backfield performs behind him.
However the part that he can’t control goes, Sawyer will certainly be a player to watch for Ohio State this upcoming season.
Continue reading...
2025 CA OL Peter Langi (Washington Decommit)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
- 4 Replies
247
Rivals
Twitter
HudL
Class: 2025
Position: OL
School: San Bruno(CA) Archbishop Riordan
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 330lbs
Login to view embedded media
Rivals
HudL
Class: 2025
Position: OL
School: San Bruno(CA) Archbishop Riordan
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 330lbs
Login to view embedded media
LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 26
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Ohio State Football Countdown: 26
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
One play or big moment per day as we count down to the start of Ohio State’s 2023 football season.
As we count down to the start of the 2023 season, we will be looking back at one play or big moment in Ohio State history over the past decade or so that corresponds to the remaining days left until Buckeyes take the field against Indiana on Sept. 2. There are 26 days remaining.
Something I hope to see more this season, here C.J. Stroud finds TreVeyon Henderson for a relatively easy 26-yard touchdown. Henderson has shown a propensity early in his career for making plays through the air out of the backfield, but we barely saw it at all in 2022 as Tre caught just four passes for 28 yards and a TD. After 27 catches for 312 yards and four TDs in 2021, it is odd that Ohio State went away from this entirely. Obviously injuries played a part, as did a loaded receiver room to throw the ball too, but if it aint broke don’t fix it. With so much attention on these Buckeye receivers, Henderson should be a legitimate pass-caching weapon in 2023.
Continue reading...
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
One play or big moment per day as we count down to the start of Ohio State’s 2023 football season.
As we count down to the start of the 2023 season, we will be looking back at one play or big moment in Ohio State history over the past decade or so that corresponds to the remaining days left until Buckeyes take the field against Indiana on Sept. 2. There are 26 days remaining.
Play of the Day: TreVeyon Henderson’s 26-yard TD vs. Maryland (2021)
Something I hope to see more this season, here C.J. Stroud finds TreVeyon Henderson for a relatively easy 26-yard touchdown. Henderson has shown a propensity early in his career for making plays through the air out of the backfield, but we barely saw it at all in 2022 as Tre caught just four passes for 28 yards and a TD. After 27 catches for 312 yards and four TDs in 2021, it is odd that Ohio State went away from this entirely. Obviously injuries played a part, as did a loaded receiver room to throw the ball too, but if it aint broke don’t fix it. With so much attention on these Buckeye receivers, Henderson should be a legitimate pass-caching weapon in 2023.
Players to Wear the #26 (since 2010):
- Carlos Hyde (2010)
- Kevin Niehoff (2012)
- Tim Scott (2013)
- Arman Reeves (2012-14)
- Patrick Wise (2015)
- Jarrod Barnes (2015-16)
- Antonio Williams (2016-17)
- Cam Brown (2018-22)
- Jaelen Gill (2018-19)
- Cayden Saunders (2021-present)
- Cedrick Hawkins (present)
Continue reading...
LGHL I-80 Football Show: 2023 season preview - the Middling Tier
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I-80 Football Show: 2023 season preview - the Middling Tier
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Previewing the teams that will hover around 5-7 wins, but before that: conference realignment.
Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s I-80 Football Show. On this show, we talk about all things Big Ten football and basketball from New Jersey to California. With four new teams joining the conference in 2024, we’ll integrate them in the show, getting a head start on the 18-team conference.
After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
The PAC-12 has effectively ceased to exist, and the Big Ten and Big 12 are the beneficiaries — or the culprits, depending on who you ask. Dante and Jordan discuss the impact of Oregon and Washington joining the Big Ten both in football and non-revenue generating sports.
Is it naïve to think the Big Ten will find a way to fix this scheduling issue as best as possible, or will this only hurt non football sports? Plus, how did this happen and how much blame should the PAC-12 hold?
In this episode, we discuss Michigan State and Minnesota — two very similar teams that are likely to end up with similar records but for very different reasons.
Michigan State is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 campaign in 2022, but it’s hard to see a positive future with all they’ve lost. They may have their quarterback of the future with Noah Kim or Katin Houser, but he’ll have no one to throw to with Jayden Reed in the NFL and Keon Coleman at Florida State. The defense, albeit slightly better in 2022 still hasn’t improved their secondary and will rely heavily on continued production from linebackers Cal Holiday and Jacoby Windmon. Can Mel Tucker hit transfer portal gold or finally develop his guys?
Minnesota should be expected to have a step-back year, but it is just the ebbs of flows of college football. Despite not being high on them, the guys fully expect the Gophers to bounce back in future seasons. The same cannot be said about Michigan State. Minnesota is going to have a hard time replacing quarterback Tanner Morgan, Center John Michael-Schmitz, and All-American running back Mo Ibrahim. They are also losing two other starters on their offensive line and will rely heavily on their defense to keep them in games. They should still be a good team, but their schedule does them no favors with games against North Carolina, Ohio State, and Michigan.
Lastly, the US Women’s National Team was bounced from the World Cup in the round of 16 Sunday morning but Jordan doesn’t think this is a negative. Sure, the coach needs to be fired, but the young talent on the team is awesome and will be in their prime in 2027. Enjoy the break because we may be dominant again here soon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow the show on YouTube: @JordanW330 and @LandGrantPods
Connect with us on Twitter: Jordan: @JordanW330 and Dante: @DanteM10216
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Continue reading...
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Previewing the teams that will hover around 5-7 wins, but before that: conference realignment.
Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s I-80 Football Show. On this show, we talk about all things Big Ten football and basketball from New Jersey to California. With four new teams joining the conference in 2024, we’ll integrate them in the show, getting a head start on the 18-team conference.
After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
The PAC-12 has effectively ceased to exist, and the Big Ten and Big 12 are the beneficiaries — or the culprits, depending on who you ask. Dante and Jordan discuss the impact of Oregon and Washington joining the Big Ten both in football and non-revenue generating sports.
Is it naïve to think the Big Ten will find a way to fix this scheduling issue as best as possible, or will this only hurt non football sports? Plus, how did this happen and how much blame should the PAC-12 hold?
In this episode, we discuss Michigan State and Minnesota — two very similar teams that are likely to end up with similar records but for very different reasons.
Michigan State is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 campaign in 2022, but it’s hard to see a positive future with all they’ve lost. They may have their quarterback of the future with Noah Kim or Katin Houser, but he’ll have no one to throw to with Jayden Reed in the NFL and Keon Coleman at Florida State. The defense, albeit slightly better in 2022 still hasn’t improved their secondary and will rely heavily on continued production from linebackers Cal Holiday and Jacoby Windmon. Can Mel Tucker hit transfer portal gold or finally develop his guys?
Minnesota should be expected to have a step-back year, but it is just the ebbs of flows of college football. Despite not being high on them, the guys fully expect the Gophers to bounce back in future seasons. The same cannot be said about Michigan State. Minnesota is going to have a hard time replacing quarterback Tanner Morgan, Center John Michael-Schmitz, and All-American running back Mo Ibrahim. They are also losing two other starters on their offensive line and will rely heavily on their defense to keep them in games. They should still be a good team, but their schedule does them no favors with games against North Carolina, Ohio State, and Michigan.
Lastly, the US Women’s National Team was bounced from the World Cup in the round of 16 Sunday morning but Jordan doesn’t think this is a negative. Sure, the coach needs to be fired, but the young talent on the team is awesome and will be in their prime in 2027. Enjoy the break because we may be dominant again here soon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow the show on YouTube: @JordanW330 and @LandGrantPods
Connect with us on Twitter: Jordan: @JordanW330 and Dante: @DanteM10216
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Continue reading...
LGHL With Miami booster in hot water, Ohio State could attempt to pillage Canes’ 2024 class
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With Miami booster in hot water, Ohio State could attempt to pillage Canes’ 2024 class
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2024 Miami DL commit Marquise Lightfoot | via @MarquiseL01 on Twitter
The Buckeyes are potentially well-positioned to flip a few players from Miami if things go south for the ‘NIL King’.
It is no secret that NIL has greatly changed the college recruiting game. Gone are the fabled ‘bag men’ that paid recruits behind closed doors, and instead replace them with top prospects earning paychecks in broad daylight to attend the school of a booster’s choice.
Since the legalization of NIL, we have seen this happen at big programs across the country, but perhaps no more so than places like Miami, Texas A&M, and most recently Florida State with the commitment of five-star safety K.J. Bolden for a reportedly large NIL deal. However, while these big boosters can giveth, they can also taketh away when that money well dries up.
Such is the story for the Hurricanes, as John Ruiz, dubbed Miami’s ‘NIL King,’ is currently under federal investigation for his company LifeWallet. Ruiz has provided an large influx of money to Miami’s athletic programs, and he and his money have played a pivotal role in attracting recruits to the school — most notably Nigel Pack’s $800K deal. With LifeWallet now the target of “federal civil and criminal investigations,” the company once valued at $32B has seen its stock prices drop under 25 cents per share.
All this to say: that Ruiz money may not be flowing to Miami for much longer. The Athletic has reported that the Canes don’t expect much of an impact on NIL without Ruiz, as LifeWallet allegedly is only responsible for around 15-20 percent of the school’s current deals, I find that hard to believe. Even if it is actually only that size slice of the pie, that could still have a significant impact on a handful of players that are weighing a quick paycheck versus the chance to play at a school that will actually win football games and develop them for the next level.
Regardless, Ohio State may have an opportunity to potentially sway some targets away from Miami in the 2024 class amid this news, and have continued to recruit players such as Marquise Lightfoot and recently Chance Robinson to Columbus even despite their commitment to the Canes.
Lightfoot, the No. 5 EDGE and No. 62 overall player in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite, was once considered an Ohio State lean. However, Miami swooped in late with what was likely a large enough NIL offer to sway the Illinois native. Even after his commitment elsewhere, Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes never stopped recruiting the 6-foot-5, 220-pound defensive lineman, and with this news coming out of Miami, their chances may have only increased to flip Lightfoot before he signs on the dotted line.
Robinson is a bit of a different story, as Brian Hartline only extended an offer to the wide receiver on July 30. Coming in this late in the game to a player who already held over 30 offers is usually a massively uphill battle, but between the Miami NIL issues and Hartline’s reputation as both a recruiter and a developer, this is another player Ohio State seems to have a legitimate chance of flipping.
Robinson currently ranks as the No. 23 WR and the No. 151 overall player in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite. The Buckeyes would love to finish out a stacked receiver class with both Robinson and Jeremiah McClellan.
This is all mostly speculation, but with the recent offer to Robinson and the continued pursuit of Lightfoot, the Ohio State coaching staff must feel like they have at least non-zero chances here or they would not continue to waste resources on players already committed elsewhere. Either way, it is a situation worth monitoring as we get deep into the summer months and inch closer and closer to signing day.
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2024 Miami DL commit Marquise Lightfoot | via @MarquiseL01 on Twitter
The Buckeyes are potentially well-positioned to flip a few players from Miami if things go south for the ‘NIL King’.
It is no secret that NIL has greatly changed the college recruiting game. Gone are the fabled ‘bag men’ that paid recruits behind closed doors, and instead replace them with top prospects earning paychecks in broad daylight to attend the school of a booster’s choice.
Since the legalization of NIL, we have seen this happen at big programs across the country, but perhaps no more so than places like Miami, Texas A&M, and most recently Florida State with the commitment of five-star safety K.J. Bolden for a reportedly large NIL deal. However, while these big boosters can giveth, they can also taketh away when that money well dries up.
Such is the story for the Hurricanes, as John Ruiz, dubbed Miami’s ‘NIL King,’ is currently under federal investigation for his company LifeWallet. Ruiz has provided an large influx of money to Miami’s athletic programs, and he and his money have played a pivotal role in attracting recruits to the school — most notably Nigel Pack’s $800K deal. With LifeWallet now the target of “federal civil and criminal investigations,” the company once valued at $32B has seen its stock prices drop under 25 cents per share.
All this to say: that Ruiz money may not be flowing to Miami for much longer. The Athletic has reported that the Canes don’t expect much of an impact on NIL without Ruiz, as LifeWallet allegedly is only responsible for around 15-20 percent of the school’s current deals, I find that hard to believe. Even if it is actually only that size slice of the pie, that could still have a significant impact on a handful of players that are weighing a quick paycheck versus the chance to play at a school that will actually win football games and develop them for the next level.
Regardless, Ohio State may have an opportunity to potentially sway some targets away from Miami in the 2024 class amid this news, and have continued to recruit players such as Marquise Lightfoot and recently Chance Robinson to Columbus even despite their commitment to the Canes.
Lightfoot, the No. 5 EDGE and No. 62 overall player in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite, was once considered an Ohio State lean. However, Miami swooped in late with what was likely a large enough NIL offer to sway the Illinois native. Even after his commitment elsewhere, Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes never stopped recruiting the 6-foot-5, 220-pound defensive lineman, and with this news coming out of Miami, their chances may have only increased to flip Lightfoot before he signs on the dotted line.
Robinson is a bit of a different story, as Brian Hartline only extended an offer to the wide receiver on July 30. Coming in this late in the game to a player who already held over 30 offers is usually a massively uphill battle, but between the Miami NIL issues and Hartline’s reputation as both a recruiter and a developer, this is another player Ohio State seems to have a legitimate chance of flipping.
Robinson currently ranks as the No. 23 WR and the No. 151 overall player in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite. The Buckeyes would love to finish out a stacked receiver class with both Robinson and Jeremiah McClellan.
This is all mostly speculation, but with the recent offer to Robinson and the continued pursuit of Lightfoot, the Ohio State coaching staff must feel like they have at least non-zero chances here or they would not continue to waste resources on players already committed elsewhere. Either way, it is a situation worth monitoring as we get deep into the summer months and inch closer and closer to signing day.
Quick Hits
- After whiffing on Dylan Stewart last week, Ohio State is in need of a big win along the defensive line in 2024. They got one step closer to that on Friday afternoon, as four-star EDGE Booker Pickett included the Buckeyes among his top schools. The No. 13 EDGE and No. 190 player overall, Pickett cut down his list of nearly 40 offers to just five, with Ohio State making the cut alongside Florida State, Georgia, Miami and South Carolina.
- Ohio State extended an offer on Sunday to 2025 offensive tackle Peter Langi. A California native, Langi is currently a three-star prospect per 247Sports’ own ranking, coming in as the No. 22 IOL in the class. At 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, there is plenty of time for the Archbishop Riordan product to rise up the ranks as we get closer to the 2025 cycle coming into the spotlight.
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