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LGHL Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: Buckeyes become Jersey boys, hit the road to take on Greg Schiano and Rutgers

Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: Buckeyes become Jersey boys, hit the road to take on Greg Schiano and Rutgers
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

1658335801.0.jpg

Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Josh and Chuck give their GOAT Halloween candies, discuss Kyle McCord’s potential injury, and preview Ohio State’s road trip to Piscataway.

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they discuss Ohio State football, recruiting, and much, much more! Come for the hot takes, stay for the warm ones.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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


On this episode of “Hangout in the Holy Land,” Josh and Chuck begin with a very important discussion on Halloween candy and fall(ish) weather in Ohio. But bear with them, the conversation is brief.

The hosts then move on to more relevant topics, like initial College Football Playoff rankings, as well as Ohio State injuries and snap counts. Recording before Tuesday night’s first CFP reveal, the guys attempt to predict the top-4. How high can the Buckeyes possibly go? Will the committee go chalk? And how accurate were the hosts? Listen to find out.

Finally, after touching on the health of Kyle McCord and others, the Hangout boys become Jersey boys as they preview OSU’s roadie at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are an impressive 6-2, but own a less-than-impressive strength of schedule.

Regardless of who they’ve played and/or beaten before, Greg Schiano will undoubtedly have his team ready for a battle with the Buckeyes this weekend.

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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LGHL The make or break week in Ohio State women’s basketball schedule

The make or break week in Ohio State women’s basketball schedule
ThomasCostello 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

Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Buckeyes have a tough road to the NCAA Tournament, but one week plays a lot like a deep March Madness run

With the start of the regular season within reach, it's ok to look ahead into the schedule to see the type of games that await Ohio State women’s basketball. From Nov. 6 all the way to March 3, the road for the scarlet and gray is not a smooth one. No one can look at the schedule and think that head coach Kevin McGuff has got it easy.

Ohio State has games against the UCLA Bruins, Tennessee Volunteers and USC Trojans on the docket. However, there’s one eight-day span that will show the identity and fight of this edition of the Buckeyes. It comes in January during Big Ten play. That’s when Ohio State goes up against three teams who all have an argument for being near the top of the conference.

Jan. 17 - at Maryland Terrapins​


The stretch starts on a Wednesday night in College Park, Maryland. It’s the first time the Buckeyes take on the Maryland Terrapins, a side that’s had Ohio State’s number over the past two seasons. In four games, the scarlet and gray are 1-3, with McGuff’s side on a three-game losing streak to Brenda Freese’s Terrapins.

There’s an argument that this iteration of the Terrapins isn’t the same because it doesn’t include forward Angel Reese and guard Ashley Owusu, who played for Maryland during the 21-22 season. Or even last year’s side that featured now WNBA guard Diamond Miller causing issues for the Buckeyes.

Maryland’s next star is one Ohio State’s already faced multiple times: Ohio-born guard Shyanne Sellers. In a 90-54 win for Maryland (not a typo) last year in College Park, Sellers scored 19 points and added nine assists and four rebounds. With Miller gone, Sellers’ responsibilities will increase, and she’s a player who’s up for the additional work.

NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Greenville Regional-Maryland vs South Carolina
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Plus, the Terrapins return graduate seniors Brinae Alexander and Lavender Briggs in a team heavy with upperclassmen leadership. Not to mention a 6-foot-7 center named Hawa Doumbouya who will have a few months of NCAA basketball under her belt by the time the teams meet.

To Ohio State’s credit, it adjusted well the second time the two teams played, and a potential game-winning shot by Cotie McMahon was a fraction of a second too late to give the Buckeyes a win on the final day of last year’s regular season.

McGuff’s group returns home after the Maryland game in January, but four days later it gets exponentially more difficult.

Jan. 21 - vs. Iowa Hawkeyes​


Of all the games on the basketball calendar, this one is circled, highlighted and circled again. It’s against superstar Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Last year, the team that continued to get in Ohio State’s way was the Hawkeyes. When the Buckeyes were 19-0 and close to breaking a program record for wins in a row, it was a home game on Jan. 23 against Clark that ended with the guard racking up a triple-double and Ohio State suffering their first loss of the season.

That first loss turned into the Buckeyes’ only losing streak of the season, dropping the next two as well against the Michigan State Spartans and Indiana Hoosiers.

Fast forward to the Big Ten Tournament. A day after coming back from a 24-point deficit to the Hoosiers, the Buckeyes faced none other than the Hawkeyes in the final. It wasn’t really a game. Like the day before, Ohio State went down big, but this time there was no comeback. Clark had another triple-double (30 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds) in the 105-72 demolishing.

NCAA Womens Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship - Ohio State vs. Iowa
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

If Ohio State is in the same position on Jan. 21 as they were last year, expect this game to be one with even more national attention. Tickets already sold out within moments of going on sale, and at time of publishing are up to $148 for the cheapest available seat.

Iowa lost center Monika Czinano and forward Kate Martin, who ended their NCAA careers, and the Hawkeyes were quiet in the transfer portal. However, they still have the reigning Naismith Player of the Year in Clark, plus the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year in Hannah Stuelke.

The Hawkeyes aren’t a test for Ohio State. They’re the test. It goes back to the old wrestling adage of, “If you wanna be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.”

Jan. 25 - at Illinois Fighting Illini​


At this point of the eight-day stretch, the Buckeyes could be riding high or trying to pick themselves back up. Either way, Illinois isn’t a team Ohio State can take lightly.

While McGuff’s team has had Illinois’ number in recent years, it wasn’t easy last year. With 6:56 remaining in the third quarter against Illinois, the Buckeyes were down 17 points to first-year Illinois head coach Shauna Green.

Green turned the Illini around in a short period of time. After not making the NCAA Tournament since the 02-03 season, Illinois’ 20-10 record was the program’s best since the late 90s.

Up 17 points to the Buckeyes though, it turned into the McMahon show. The freshman forward scored 11 of Ohio State’s 28 third quarter points to enter the fourth quarter with a one point lead. It was the lone matchup between the two teams last season, and its not a stretch to think that Illinois is looking forward to seeing the Buckeyes twice this year to make up for it.

Illinois gets one more year with Green at the helm, which means more time to build out her system. The players who got the Illini to that point last year are back too. All of the starting lineup is back, including guards Makira Cook and Genesis Bryant who combined for 32 points and 13 assists in the defeat last year. Also outstanding forward Kendall Bostic, who rocked the Buckeyes on the boards grabbing 15 rebounds on top of 27 points.

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

In the last six years, only one team has won the conference regular season with more than five losses. That team was the 21-22 Ohio State Buckeyes. If McGuff and the scarlet and gray hope to add more to its trophy case, it could come down to this stretch of three games.

The last week of the season doesn’t get any easier, with the Buckeyes facing Maryland, rival Michigan Wolverines and the Iowa Hawkeyes to end the season.

This year, there are no weeks off in Big Ten play.

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Google Ohio State Opens As a 19-Point Favorite Over Rutgers Ahead of the Buckeyes' First Game in November 2023 | Elev - Eleven Warriors

Ohio State Opens As a 19-Point Favorite Over Rutgers Ahead of the Buckeyes' First Game in November 2023 | Elev - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Ohio State Opens As a 19-Point Favorite Over Rutgers Ahead of the Buckeyes' First Game in November 2023 | Elev Eleven Warriors

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LGHL Column: Marvin Harrison Jr. is a no-brainer as a Heisman Trophy contender

Column: Marvin Harrison Jr. is a no-brainer as a Heisman Trophy contender
Megan.Husslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Penn State v Ohio State

Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images

How has he not been near the top of the conversation?!

Everyone who is a part of Buckeye nation knows that Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best wide receiver in the country. However, he is now trending into the debate of whether he is the best PLAYER in college football. In my opinion, after what Marv has done this year, he should at the very least be a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Since 2000, only three non-quarterbacks have won the award. I’m aware that it has turned into an honor for QBs, and there are definitely some worthy quarterbacks this year who are favored to win— Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix, to name a few.

However, I believe that Marv should be in the same conversation as them. He is truly the difference maker on Ohio State’s offense, and without his two touchdowns and yet another 100-yard receiving game against Wisconsin, it may have turned out to be a different ball game.

Marv has at least 105 receiving yards and one touchdown in six of the Buckeyes’ last seven games. That kind of consistency is insane. Mind you, he did this against Penn State, who’s defense at the time was the best in the nation and still contains some of the top cornerbacks in the country. It doesn’t matter who No. 18 goes up against; he’s simply going to beat them every time.

Ohio State v Wisconsin
Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images

Now, how likely is it that Marv beats out a quarterback for this trophy? It’ll be hard to say. Penix Jr. is the favorite right now, and for good reason. He has 2,945 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and a 82.7 QBR on the season. McCarthy is next on the list, but his stats are not as gaudy as Penix Jr.’s — 1,799 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and a 93.8 QBR, which does lead the nation.

The Washington QB did out-duel Nix in a phenomenal offensive showdown, and Oregon is a very difficult opponent. Michigan hasn’t faced any top-10 opponents this year yet, and it had a bye week last week. So, in my opinion, McCarthy should be the third or fourth best QB listed.

LSU’s Jayden Daniels is also widely talked about as the possible winner, as his stats are pretty similar to Penix Jr.’s. In my opinion, Daniels, Penix Jr. and Nix should be in the conversation, but McCarthy really cannot be discredited.

Washington v Stanford
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Ryan Day said after the game this past Saturday that Marv is, “the best player in the country.” Right now, he has +1300 odds to win, good for sixth-best of any player, and the best for any non-quarterback. Through eight games, he has 48 receptions for 889 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

It’s always difficult to beat out a quarterback in the Heisman Trophy race. However, if anyone can do it, and if anyone deserves it, it’s Marv. There is no running back, receiver or other position player on any other team that is more critical to the team’s success than him. Watching him with my own eyes every game this season has proven that to me. I just hope the Heisman voters can see that.

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Google Ohio State football beat Wisconsin: 4 things we learned about OSU - The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State football beat Wisconsin: 4 things we learned about OSU - The Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

  1. Ohio State football beat Wisconsin: 4 things we learned about OSU The Columbus Dispatch
  2. Sights and Sounds: Buckeyes grind out tough victory at Wisconsin 247Sports
  3. Ohio State injury report: 6 Buckeyes unavailable for Wisconsin game 10TV

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Google NFL Legend J.J. Watt Describes Ohio State Buckeyes WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with Four Simple Words - Sports Illustrated

NFL Legend J.J. Watt Describes Ohio State Buckeyes WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with Four Simple Words - Sports Illustrated
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

NFL Legend J.J. Watt Describes Ohio State Buckeyes WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with Four Simple Words Sports Illustrated

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LGHL Ohio State should be the No. 1 team in first College Football Playoff rankings

Ohio State should be the No. 1 team in first College Football Playoff rankings
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Penn State v Ohio State

Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images

Will the committee do the right thing and put them on top of the initial rankings? I have no idea, but they should.

The inaugural College Football Playoff rankings of the 2023 season are set to be released on Tuesday, Oct. 31 and for Ohio State fans, it should be far more of a treat than a trick. Through eight games, the Buckeyes are undefeated and are currently No. 3 in both the AP and Coaches polls, but when the CFP Committee announces their rankings on Halloween, Ryan Day’s squad should be the No. 1 team. Will they be? I have my doubts, but based on their resume, the Buckeyes have earned the top spot through the first two months of the season.

Will Ohio State Be No. 1 in the First College Football Playoff Rankings of 2023?​


Obviously, anyone who has watched the Buckeyes knows that they are far from a perfect team, but looking across the landscape of college football this year, it is clear that no dominant team has emerged thus far so whichever team claims the top spot is going to have a few faults. The difference is that despite their struggles offensively, Ohio State has already amassed an impressive number of wins.

The playoff committee has a very specifically prescribed set of criteria when ranking teams that, in my humble reading, sets the Buckeyes up very nicely to be the top team tomorrow night.

The CFP’s website says that, ”The selection committee ranks the teams based on the members’ evaluation of the teams’ performance on the field, using conference championships won, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and comparison of results against common opponents to decide among teams that are comparable.”

For the most part, none of those metrics really apply at this point of the season. There are still eight unbeaten FBS teams, but only five are actually in contention for a playoff berth: Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Florida State, and Washington. So, there are no conference championships won yet, and obviously, none of these teams have played each other, so there are no head-to-head results either.

The Wolverines did beat Indiana more soundly than the Buckeyes did, but OSU played them in Week 1, and Michigan was probably cheating when they beat the Hoosiers anyway. Otherwise, there are no common opponents to draw on. So, the one remaining major factor is strength of schedule.

On the raw strength of schedule metric through nine weeks, Ohio State is No. 15, the top team in contention for a CFP top-four ranking. In fact, most teams even in the discussion for a top-eight seeding are way back; only Alabama is in the top 30 at No. 8, and Penn State — which Ohio State beat two weeks ago — is down at No. 33.

With wins on the road against Notre Dame and Wisconsin and victories at the Horseshoe over Penn State and Maryland, there’s no team in the country that can point to as impressive of a slate of victories this season, especially since Ohio State really has not been in trouble against significantly lesser competition, like many of the other teams in the running for the top CFP spot have been.

Georgia has struggled against South Carolina, UAB, and Auburn; Florida State could have lost to Boston College and Clemson; Washington was in danger against Arizona, Arizona State, and Stanford; Michigan has played nobody... no really, their strength of schedule is currently 111 in all of FBS. While the Buckeyes have not been scoring as many points this season as in the other years of Ryan Day’s, so some scores are closer than normal, the only two games that weren’t decided by double digits were against the Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions, two top-10 teams.

UGA is currently No. 100 in strength of schedule, Washington is 75th, and Florida State is a respectable-ish 49th.

Judging by strength of record — which measures how an average top-25 team would do against a specific schedule — the Buckeyes are No. 1. This metric is a bit more helpful in comparative conversations, because it factors in how well you played, not just who you played. So, unsurprisingly, this is a much closer metric.

Florida State is No. 2, Washington is No. 3, Georgia is No. 7, and Michigan is No. 9. Ohio State is still the top team here, but it’s a much closer discussion.

How Does Ohio State Rank in Advanced Analytics?​


From a more in-depth analytical standpoint, OSU is currently ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s Football Power Index with Michigan at No. 2, Georgia is No. 6, and Florida State is No. 7. In fairness, the gold standard college football analytical model, SP+, has the Bucks at No. 3 behind the Wolverines and Bulldogs, but again, neither team has played no one to warrant the top spot in the CFP rankings, especially when we know that the committee values wins and resumes above all else.

The one thing working against the Buckeyes is that they are the least efficient team on offense that is in the discussion. SP+ has the OSU offense at No. 16, behind Washington (4), Georgia (6), Michigan (7), and Florida State (8).

Granted, the Buckeyes’ defense helps bridge that gap. They come in at No. 3 defensively with Michigan at No. 2, UGA at No. 5, Florida State at No. 16, and Washington at No. 32.

To me, I think that’s all close enough to come out in a wash — with perhaps the exception of UW. So, when you factor in the SOS and SOR metrics, I feel pretty good about the Buckeyes’ place.

Who Do the Experts Think Will Be No. 1 in First College Football Playoff Rankings of 2023?​


While a lot of folks like to portray the CFP committee’s selections as good old boys’ backroom dealings, it is actually fairly regimented and standardized. For years, the CFP has invited journalists to sit in on mock seeding discussions in order for them to understand the processes that go into generating a set of rankings, and because of that, they have gotten very good at predicting how these things will shake out. And, no matter what you think about the media, I’m liking what many of the most esteemed members of the college football beat are picking.

If you watched the Ohio State and Wisconsin game on Saturday night, you know that the official NBC Sports prediction had the Buckeyes at No. 1 followed by Michigan, Florida State, and then Washington, with Georgia on the outside looking in. I’m not sure that I would have UGA at fifth, just because of the gravitas that they carry as the two-time defending national champion, but I’m certainly not mad at it.


Who is in your top six? pic.twitter.com/1Q0PjRqkKW

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 29, 2023​
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Similarly, the NCAA’s official prediction also has the Buckeyes on top. They have FSU and Washington in second and third with Georgia fourth and Michigan fifth (which probably just adds more to the Michigan Man “The NCAA Hates Us” conspiracy theories).

Then Heather Dinich from ESPN, who is quite possibly the most accurate CFP committee prognosticator, also has OSU in the top spot. She has Florida State, Georgia, and Washington rounding out the top four (which probably just adds more to the Michigan Man “The ESPN Hates Us” conspiracy theories).

Where Will Ohio State Rank in the First College Football Rankings of 2023?​


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