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LGHL Hangout in the Holy Land: How will Ohio State slow down Kaleb Johnson?
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Hangout in the Holy Land: How will Ohio State slow down Kaleb Johnson?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Johnson is one of the best running backs in the country and will be the first real test for the Buckeye defense
The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Justin Golba as they discuss Ohio State football, basketball, recruiting, and much more! Come for the hot takes. Stay for the warm ones.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
We are back for another midweek game preview episode of Hangout in the Holy Land. As the calendar turns to October, the Buckeyes will welcome the Fighting Kirk Ferentzes (?) to Columbus.
Iowa’s strong defense and running game come into Columbus as Ohio State’s toughest test yet. What can the Buckeyes do to slow down Kaleb Johnson, who is one of the best running backs in the country right now?
Also, Will Howard will have to deal with one of the best defenses in the country, so how do we expect the senior to look?
Before that, we talk about the national slate and Ryan Day and Chip Kelly’s press conference.
Make sure to like and subscribe to the podcast. As always, Go Bucks!
Connect with the pod:
Twitter: @HolyLandPod
Connect with Josh Dooley:
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye
Connect with Justin Golba:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Johnson is one of the best running backs in the country and will be the first real test for the Buckeye defense
The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Justin Golba as they discuss Ohio State football, basketball, recruiting, and much more! Come for the hot takes. Stay for the warm ones.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
We are back for another midweek game preview episode of Hangout in the Holy Land. As the calendar turns to October, the Buckeyes will welcome the Fighting Kirk Ferentzes (?) to Columbus.
Iowa’s strong defense and running game come into Columbus as Ohio State’s toughest test yet. What can the Buckeyes do to slow down Kaleb Johnson, who is one of the best running backs in the country right now?
Also, Will Howard will have to deal with one of the best defenses in the country, so how do we expect the senior to look?
Before that, we talk about the national slate and Ryan Day and Chip Kelly’s press conference.
Make sure to like and subscribe to the podcast. As always, Go Bucks!
Connect with the pod:
Twitter: @HolyLandPod
Connect with Josh Dooley:
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye
Connect with Justin Golba:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
LGHL What we learned from OSU women’s basketball coach Kevin McGuff at Big Ten Media Day
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What we learned from OSU women’s basketball coach Kevin McGuff at Big Ten Media Day
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Melissa Tamez-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes head coach took to the podium Wednesday to preview the upcoming season
College basketball season is fast approaching and Land-Grant Holy Land is getting you ready with a series of player previews. Before the season starts this fall, check back regularly for more player previews, schedule news, features, and more heading into the 2024-25 Ohio State women’s basketball season.
Big Ten women’s basketball transcended on an unsuspecting conference room in Rosemont, Illinois Wednesday. The mission? Get all 18 conference head coaches, and 36 players, under one roof to preview the upcoming expanded conference season.
After each coach sat in on a live panel discussion for Big Ten Network, the media had time to talk with the individual coaches and Land-Grant Holy Land was there to chat with Ohio State women’s basketball head coach Kevin McGuff.
Here are a few:
It’s justified to talk about the gaps on the roster with the losses of Jacy Sheldon, Celeste Taylor, Rikki Harris, and Rebeka Mikulášiková, but it also created a considerable leadership hole.
Leadership is having the players help direct freshmen and transfers on how the defense works. Integrating new talent off the court and creating an environment that’s welcoming to new generations of program student-athletes.
Each season, the Buckeyes choose captains differently. Some years, it's done by player vote, and other years it's decided by the coaches. In recent history, with the core group running the show, people knew Sheldon and her peers were leaders.
Fifth-year senior Madison Greene was part of that group, but with most of the upperclassmen gone in the offseason, part of the responsibility falls to Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon. Both are players who’ve proven themselves on the court in the last two to three seasons, but personality-wise are as different as their on-court skillsets.
“if you watch us and you kinda get a sense of the personalities. Cotie’s got this big personality and plays with incredible emotion, which is a huge strength of hers,” said McGuff. “Whereas Taylor Thierry and Madison Greene are great leaders by example but not nearly as vocal. I think if they can kind of balance out Cotie’s emotion with just being a little more vocal, I think that could be the right formula for us heading into this year.”
Adding to that formula is the injection of new players who aren’t always seen as leaders in the traditional mindset of “doing your time” in a program before earning that kind of respect.
Kentucky transfer Ajae Petty and Oregon transfer Chance Gray are each in their first season as Buckeyes but according to McGuff are already establishing themselves as someone the coach can trust.
Petty has one season left, bringing a 10.6 rebound per game average from the SEC and the Wildcats. Gray is a deep shooter from Cincinnati who returns home after initially going to the Pacific Northwest.
“I don’t think there’s any reason why Ajae Petty or Chance Gray can’t have a role in the leadership too because they’re experienced players,” said McGuff. “They’re great kids, they work hard and they’re going to be up to speed on what we do and how we do it.”
Ohio State’s seen this new age of transfer leaders before with fellow former Oregon shooting guard Taylor Mikesell and last year with former Duke Blue Devil Celeste Taylor.
This season McGuff adds not one but two with the upperclassmen joining as likely starters.
Another topic floating around Rosemont was travel. Specifically, how is it going to work? The answer is — no one’s sure.
Ohio State travels to Los Angeles for two games in California. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, it’s the UCLA Bruins, followed by the Trojans three days later. McGuff talked about how university sports science experts are still working through the nuts and bolts of when the team leaves, how much rest is needed, and all the logistics needed to go to the West Coast.
In response, McGuff mentioned a Big Ten requirement for one rest day per week, per team. However, teams don’t know if a travel day constitutes a rest day. Also, there could be a cutoff time in the morning that if a team gets back before that deadline, it counts as a rest day.
All-in-all, the conference still has work to do for something McGuff called “an unintended consequence of conference realignment.”
There were clear talking points for the 18 coaches in attendance that they already thought the Big Ten was good, but now they’re sure it’s the best conference in the country.
It’s easy to say it but look at the conference breakdown and it includes nine teams that made the NCAA Tournament in 2024. Helping reinforce the coaches is the addition of arguably the best player in college basketball, USC Trojans sophomore JuJu Watkins.
McGuff spoke highly about Watkins, with firsthand knowledge of her skill when Watkins led the Trojans over the Buckeyes to start the 2023-24 season in Las Vegas. But what stood out to McGuff wasn’t only a 32-point performance for the then-freshman Watkins, it was what happened when Watkins wasn’t on the floor.
“The one thing that really struck me about her is that she picked up her fourth foul right about the beginning of the fourth quarter and they took her out,” said McGuff. “She didn’t pout. She didn’t get upset. She sat on the bench for a little bit and went back in. She’s shown tremendous poise in her first game in college.”
Watkins has already shown the basketball world her ability. Now, the Big Ten will attempt to do the same as a conference. Each side gets the chance to play each other, meaning every game night is another opportunity to see if the coaches are right.
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Melissa Tamez-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes head coach took to the podium Wednesday to preview the upcoming season
College basketball season is fast approaching and Land-Grant Holy Land is getting you ready with a series of player previews. Before the season starts this fall, check back regularly for more player previews, schedule news, features, and more heading into the 2024-25 Ohio State women’s basketball season.
Big Ten women’s basketball transcended on an unsuspecting conference room in Rosemont, Illinois Wednesday. The mission? Get all 18 conference head coaches, and 36 players, under one roof to preview the upcoming expanded conference season.
After each coach sat in on a live panel discussion for Big Ten Network, the media had time to talk with the individual coaches and Land-Grant Holy Land was there to chat with Ohio State women’s basketball head coach Kevin McGuff.
Here are a few:
Ohio State’s Leaders
It’s justified to talk about the gaps on the roster with the losses of Jacy Sheldon, Celeste Taylor, Rikki Harris, and Rebeka Mikulášiková, but it also created a considerable leadership hole.
Leadership is having the players help direct freshmen and transfers on how the defense works. Integrating new talent off the court and creating an environment that’s welcoming to new generations of program student-athletes.
Each season, the Buckeyes choose captains differently. Some years, it's done by player vote, and other years it's decided by the coaches. In recent history, with the core group running the show, people knew Sheldon and her peers were leaders.
Fifth-year senior Madison Greene was part of that group, but with most of the upperclassmen gone in the offseason, part of the responsibility falls to Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon. Both are players who’ve proven themselves on the court in the last two to three seasons, but personality-wise are as different as their on-court skillsets.
“if you watch us and you kinda get a sense of the personalities. Cotie’s got this big personality and plays with incredible emotion, which is a huge strength of hers,” said McGuff. “Whereas Taylor Thierry and Madison Greene are great leaders by example but not nearly as vocal. I think if they can kind of balance out Cotie’s emotion with just being a little more vocal, I think that could be the right formula for us heading into this year.”
Adding to that formula is the injection of new players who aren’t always seen as leaders in the traditional mindset of “doing your time” in a program before earning that kind of respect.
Kentucky transfer Ajae Petty and Oregon transfer Chance Gray are each in their first season as Buckeyes but according to McGuff are already establishing themselves as someone the coach can trust.
Petty has one season left, bringing a 10.6 rebound per game average from the SEC and the Wildcats. Gray is a deep shooter from Cincinnati who returns home after initially going to the Pacific Northwest.
“I don’t think there’s any reason why Ajae Petty or Chance Gray can’t have a role in the leadership too because they’re experienced players,” said McGuff. “They’re great kids, they work hard and they’re going to be up to speed on what we do and how we do it.”
Ohio State’s seen this new age of transfer leaders before with fellow former Oregon shooting guard Taylor Mikesell and last year with former Duke Blue Devil Celeste Taylor.
This season McGuff adds not one but two with the upperclassmen joining as likely starters.
Questions Around Big Ten Travel
Another topic floating around Rosemont was travel. Specifically, how is it going to work? The answer is — no one’s sure.
Ohio State travels to Los Angeles for two games in California. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, it’s the UCLA Bruins, followed by the Trojans three days later. McGuff talked about how university sports science experts are still working through the nuts and bolts of when the team leaves, how much rest is needed, and all the logistics needed to go to the West Coast.
In response, McGuff mentioned a Big Ten requirement for one rest day per week, per team. However, teams don’t know if a travel day constitutes a rest day. Also, there could be a cutoff time in the morning that if a team gets back before that deadline, it counts as a rest day.
All-in-all, the conference still has work to do for something McGuff called “an unintended consequence of conference realignment.”
The Big Ten is Good
There were clear talking points for the 18 coaches in attendance that they already thought the Big Ten was good, but now they’re sure it’s the best conference in the country.
It’s easy to say it but look at the conference breakdown and it includes nine teams that made the NCAA Tournament in 2024. Helping reinforce the coaches is the addition of arguably the best player in college basketball, USC Trojans sophomore JuJu Watkins.
McGuff spoke highly about Watkins, with firsthand knowledge of her skill when Watkins led the Trojans over the Buckeyes to start the 2023-24 season in Las Vegas. But what stood out to McGuff wasn’t only a 32-point performance for the then-freshman Watkins, it was what happened when Watkins wasn’t on the floor.
“The one thing that really struck me about her is that she picked up her fourth foul right about the beginning of the fourth quarter and they took her out,” said McGuff. “She didn’t pout. She didn’t get upset. She sat on the bench for a little bit and went back in. She’s shown tremendous poise in her first game in college.”
Watkins has already shown the basketball world her ability. Now, the Big Ten will attempt to do the same as a conference. Each side gets the chance to play each other, meaning every game night is another opportunity to see if the coaches are right.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: What matchup will determine the winner of Ohio State vs. Iowa?
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You’re Nuts: What matchup will determine the winner of Ohio State vs. Iowa?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Brooke LaValley / USA TODAY NETWORK
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.
Five games into the season, Ohio State will finally have a defensive opponent in Iowa who puts the Buckeye offense to the test (and just in time, as this game marks the start of a string of tough matchups for the Buckeyes).
While Ohio State’s offense has been firing on all cylinders up to now, they also haven’t really been challenged. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly seemingly hasn’t made a dent in his playbook, and with an arsenal of weapons at their disposal, the team has the ability to pivot and adjust for most defensive schemes with little to no interruption.
But it’s an offense built on explosion—big run plays, flashy pass plays, the kind of things you see in highlight reels at weekend’s end. That’s something that doesn’t tend to fly with Iowa’s defense.
For context, Iowa’s defense ranks in the top 20 in the nation in both points and yards allowed per game, allowing an average of 13.75 points and 272.8 yards respectively. They’ve forced seven turnovers so far this season, and they are the poster child for consistency, going back to the fundamentals every time.
What’s more impressive is that they do it without the headline-worthy recruiting a school like Ohio State has. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who won the Broyles Award (given annually to the top assistant coach in college football) last season, has seemingly curated the defense by hand to meet the exact specifications the team needs and then developed the unit from within.
He also returned several key veterans this year, building a roster loaded with NFL Draft Prospects including defensive backs Sebastian Castro, Jermari Harris, and Quinn Schulte and linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson.
Ohio State is no stranger to how dangerous a group of guys on a mission can be—just ask our returning seniors who came into this season with a “National Championship or Bust” attitude that should terrify opponents.
To that end, Iowa’s defense is at least a little bit terrifying.
While, to Matt’s point, the Buckeye defense will definitely have to be able to contain Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson on the other side of the ball, it’s much easier to contain one guy than to produce against a defense that has allowed an average of just 62 rushing yards per game.
It’s not all bad news here, Buckeye fans. Even with the stellar numbers Iowa’s defense is putting up, they’re not quite as good as they were last year, so they’ve exposed some areas the Buckeyes can try to exploit when the Hawkeyes get to Columbus this weekend.
As I mentioned, this defense is fundamentally structured to prevent explosive plays, something that features prominently in Ohio State’s offensive strategy. The thing is, the Hawkeyes haven’t executed this part as flawlessly as they did last season. Thrice in two games, Iowa gave up passing touchdowns of 60-plus yards, including a 75-yard bomb in their loss to Iowa State.
Now, keep in mind, that when holes get exposed, that’s also an opportunity for the team to plug them from within. You can trust that Parker knows where his team needs to improve, and with Ohio State coming up this weekend, he’s been drilling down on that with fervor.
Still, the critiques are warranted, particularly around the Hawkeye secondary. Ohio State would be wise to capitalize on these weak points this weekend, cracking the door for guys like Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate to put up some yards on big plays. Given how challenging it could be to get a run game going against this defense, it will be even more critical that the Buckeyes can gain yardage in the air.
The Buckeyes also cannot afford to turn the ball over against the Hawkeyes, who, as I mentioned before, have forced seven turnovers in four games. Given the threat Iowa poses to the Buckeyes’ running game already, failing to hold onto the football could prove costly. It’s not something Ohio State can afford as they enter the meat of their schedule.
If Ohio State wants to head to Oregon with a 5-0 record, they’re going to need the offense firing on all cylinders, executing the fundamentals flawlessly, and making adjustments to account for a versatile and dangerous Iowa defense.
Iowa’s defense under Kirk Ferentz has historically been stellar and put up a challenge for any offense that they face. So, I understand why Jami would go with the matchup that she did. However, I think the try swing in the game comes when the Hawkeyes have the ball.
At this point in the season, I have more faith in Chip Kelly’s ability to maneuver all of the weapons at his disposal — despite an offensive line that I am still a bit suspect of — than I am in Jim Knowles’ defense being able to stop a Heisman-Trophy level running back like Kaleb Johnson.
Fortunately for Ohio State, Iowa has little to no passing game with former Michigan signal caller Cade McNamara under center. He is averaging just 147 yards passing per game this season with three touchdowns and two interceptions. So, I don’t think that the secondary will be tested by repeated deep-ball threats throughout the game.
But, I am anxious about how the linebackers and corners will factor into guarding tight ends Luke Lachey — the son of Ohio State legend and radio color commentator Jim Lachey — and Addison Ostrenga — who, to my knowledge, has no familial connections to anyone on the Buckeyes’ broadcast crew.
However, the true test for the Silver Bullets — if they want to keep that distinction — is how will they handle Johnson, a Cincinnati native who is still apparently a bit salty that he never got an Ohio State offer. Currently, the running back is averaging 171.25 yards per game, which is good for second nationally; his 10 rushing touchdowns are tied for third in the FBS as well.
Johnson has thus far accounted for nearly 33% of Iowa’s offensive plays and 45.5% of their yards. While the Hawkeyes have other competent running backs — Jaziun Patterson and Kamari Moulton — neither is as electric as Johnson. Of his 685 yards on the ground this season, 457 are after contact, and he has 30 missed tackles through 40 games. Johnson leads the country in runs of 20 yards or more and is tied with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty on runs of 30+ yards.
Now, you might be reading this and think, “But, Matt, Ohio State is third nationally in rushing defense, allowing only 61.75 yards per game,” and you would be right to bring that up.
However, when looking at the teams that the Buckeyes’ have played this season, it is reasonable to acknowledge that they don’t really have the same kind of ground-game pedigree that the Hawkeyes do.
So, when you couple that with some recent defensive concerns for OSU, it does seem reasonable to have some apprehension about this game dynamic. Last week against Michigan State, it felt like Jim Knowles had his team playing with three linebackers more than any time in recent memory — save, perhaps, last season’s rivalry game; roughly half of the first-team defense’s 40 snaps.
However, the Spartans’ offense didn’t seem to be doing anything that would especially warrant a move to a 4-3 look upfront from the Buckeyes. I imagine this was done to prep Cody Simon, Sonny Styles, and Arvell Reese for the more ground-and-pound approach awaiting them this weekend, but even accounting for the fact that MSU was doing something fundamentally different on offense, neither OSU’s defensive line or linebackers played especially well.
As a defensive unit, the Buckeyes had a 49.9 tackling grade from Pro Football Focus. When you are getting ready to face a 6-foot, 215-pound back who runs as if each and every defender made a disparaging comment about his mother, that can be dangerous. Ultimately, I don’t think that the Hawkeye offense has enough diversity to truly run over the Buckeyes, but if OSU is unable to contain Johnson, it might not bode well for the future.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Brooke LaValley / USA TODAY NETWORK
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: What matchup will determine the winner of Ohio State vs. Iowa?
Jami’s Take: Ohio State offense vs. Iowa defense
Five games into the season, Ohio State will finally have a defensive opponent in Iowa who puts the Buckeye offense to the test (and just in time, as this game marks the start of a string of tough matchups for the Buckeyes).
While Ohio State’s offense has been firing on all cylinders up to now, they also haven’t really been challenged. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly seemingly hasn’t made a dent in his playbook, and with an arsenal of weapons at their disposal, the team has the ability to pivot and adjust for most defensive schemes with little to no interruption.
But it’s an offense built on explosion—big run plays, flashy pass plays, the kind of things you see in highlight reels at weekend’s end. That’s something that doesn’t tend to fly with Iowa’s defense.
For context, Iowa’s defense ranks in the top 20 in the nation in both points and yards allowed per game, allowing an average of 13.75 points and 272.8 yards respectively. They’ve forced seven turnovers so far this season, and they are the poster child for consistency, going back to the fundamentals every time.
What’s more impressive is that they do it without the headline-worthy recruiting a school like Ohio State has. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who won the Broyles Award (given annually to the top assistant coach in college football) last season, has seemingly curated the defense by hand to meet the exact specifications the team needs and then developed the unit from within.
He also returned several key veterans this year, building a roster loaded with NFL Draft Prospects including defensive backs Sebastian Castro, Jermari Harris, and Quinn Schulte and linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson.
Ohio State is no stranger to how dangerous a group of guys on a mission can be—just ask our returning seniors who came into this season with a “National Championship or Bust” attitude that should terrify opponents.
To that end, Iowa’s defense is at least a little bit terrifying.
While, to Matt’s point, the Buckeye defense will definitely have to be able to contain Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson on the other side of the ball, it’s much easier to contain one guy than to produce against a defense that has allowed an average of just 62 rushing yards per game.
It’s not all bad news here, Buckeye fans. Even with the stellar numbers Iowa’s defense is putting up, they’re not quite as good as they were last year, so they’ve exposed some areas the Buckeyes can try to exploit when the Hawkeyes get to Columbus this weekend.
As I mentioned, this defense is fundamentally structured to prevent explosive plays, something that features prominently in Ohio State’s offensive strategy. The thing is, the Hawkeyes haven’t executed this part as flawlessly as they did last season. Thrice in two games, Iowa gave up passing touchdowns of 60-plus yards, including a 75-yard bomb in their loss to Iowa State.
Now, keep in mind, that when holes get exposed, that’s also an opportunity for the team to plug them from within. You can trust that Parker knows where his team needs to improve, and with Ohio State coming up this weekend, he’s been drilling down on that with fervor.
Still, the critiques are warranted, particularly around the Hawkeye secondary. Ohio State would be wise to capitalize on these weak points this weekend, cracking the door for guys like Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate to put up some yards on big plays. Given how challenging it could be to get a run game going against this defense, it will be even more critical that the Buckeyes can gain yardage in the air.
The Buckeyes also cannot afford to turn the ball over against the Hawkeyes, who, as I mentioned before, have forced seven turnovers in four games. Given the threat Iowa poses to the Buckeyes’ running game already, failing to hold onto the football could prove costly. It’s not something Ohio State can afford as they enter the meat of their schedule.
If Ohio State wants to head to Oregon with a 5-0 record, they’re going to need the offense firing on all cylinders, executing the fundamentals flawlessly, and making adjustments to account for a versatile and dangerous Iowa defense.
Matt’s Take: Iowa offense vs. OSU defense
Iowa’s defense under Kirk Ferentz has historically been stellar and put up a challenge for any offense that they face. So, I understand why Jami would go with the matchup that she did. However, I think the try swing in the game comes when the Hawkeyes have the ball.
At this point in the season, I have more faith in Chip Kelly’s ability to maneuver all of the weapons at his disposal — despite an offensive line that I am still a bit suspect of — than I am in Jim Knowles’ defense being able to stop a Heisman-Trophy level running back like Kaleb Johnson.
Fortunately for Ohio State, Iowa has little to no passing game with former Michigan signal caller Cade McNamara under center. He is averaging just 147 yards passing per game this season with three touchdowns and two interceptions. So, I don’t think that the secondary will be tested by repeated deep-ball threats throughout the game.
But, I am anxious about how the linebackers and corners will factor into guarding tight ends Luke Lachey — the son of Ohio State legend and radio color commentator Jim Lachey — and Addison Ostrenga — who, to my knowledge, has no familial connections to anyone on the Buckeyes’ broadcast crew.
However, the true test for the Silver Bullets — if they want to keep that distinction — is how will they handle Johnson, a Cincinnati native who is still apparently a bit salty that he never got an Ohio State offer. Currently, the running back is averaging 171.25 yards per game, which is good for second nationally; his 10 rushing touchdowns are tied for third in the FBS as well.
Johnson has thus far accounted for nearly 33% of Iowa’s offensive plays and 45.5% of their yards. While the Hawkeyes have other competent running backs — Jaziun Patterson and Kamari Moulton — neither is as electric as Johnson. Of his 685 yards on the ground this season, 457 are after contact, and he has 30 missed tackles through 40 games. Johnson leads the country in runs of 20 yards or more and is tied with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty on runs of 30+ yards.
Now, you might be reading this and think, “But, Matt, Ohio State is third nationally in rushing defense, allowing only 61.75 yards per game,” and you would be right to bring that up.
However, when looking at the teams that the Buckeyes’ have played this season, it is reasonable to acknowledge that they don’t really have the same kind of ground-game pedigree that the Hawkeyes do.
So, when you couple that with some recent defensive concerns for OSU, it does seem reasonable to have some apprehension about this game dynamic. Last week against Michigan State, it felt like Jim Knowles had his team playing with three linebackers more than any time in recent memory — save, perhaps, last season’s rivalry game; roughly half of the first-team defense’s 40 snaps.
However, the Spartans’ offense didn’t seem to be doing anything that would especially warrant a move to a 4-3 look upfront from the Buckeyes. I imagine this was done to prep Cody Simon, Sonny Styles, and Arvell Reese for the more ground-and-pound approach awaiting them this weekend, but even accounting for the fact that MSU was doing something fundamentally different on offense, neither OSU’s defensive line or linebackers played especially well.
As a defensive unit, the Buckeyes had a 49.9 tackling grade from Pro Football Focus. When you are getting ready to face a 6-foot, 215-pound back who runs as if each and every defender made a disparaging comment about his mother, that can be dangerous. Ultimately, I don’t think that the Hawkeye offense has enough diversity to truly run over the Buckeyes, but if OSU is unable to contain Johnson, it might not bode well for the future.
Let us know who you are agreeing with:
Continue reading...
2026 AL RB Ja'Michael Jones (Verbal Offer)
- By brodybuck21
- Football Recruiting
- 1 Replies
LGHL Ryan Day: ‘I love this team’; Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson ‘wouldn’t have went’ to OSU if offered
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- 0 Replies
Ryan Day: ‘I love this team’; Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson ‘wouldn’t have went’ to OSU if offered
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
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!
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Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
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Ryan Day Press Conference: Ohio State coach says ‘I love this team, I love the way they play’
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts
What makes Iowa’s defense stingy? Buckeyes hope to solve that riddle
Bill Rabinowitz, Columbus Dispatch
‘They understand the defense.’ Takeaways from Ryan Day’s pre-Iowa press conference
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Do you think Jeremiah Smith is already Ohio State’s GOAT wide receiver?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
What Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz said about Buckeyes
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Ohio Native and Star Iowa Running Back Kaleb Johnson Claims He “Wouldn’t Have Went” to Ohio State if He Was Offered Because He Wants “To Beat Them”
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors
Chip Kelly notebook: Ohio State OC on O-line, Will Howard | How many plays is he saving
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts
Four Lessons Learned from Jim Knowles, Buckeyes defense ahead of Iowa game
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
You’re Nuts: What is the best catch you’ve seen an Ohio State player make?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Luke Lachey’s family is all-in for return to Ohio State
Chad Leistikow, Des Moines Register
Big Ten Top 10: Alabama takes top spot, Ohio State leads 3 Big Ten teams in top 10
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Bruce Thornton Named to Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Ohio State Athletics
Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Aaron Bradshaw
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State women’s basketball freshman Ava Watson’s ability to make early impact
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Rifle: Ohio State Fires Record-High Opening Match Score to Start 2024 Season
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Soccer: Top-Ranked Offense, Consistent Defense Leads to Record Start
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Golf: Choi, Hollenbaugh Lead Ohio State Through 36 Holes of Blessings Collegiate
Ohio State Athletics
These movies are so stupidly fun. I can’t wait for Tom to wrap up the trilogy:
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
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.
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Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
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On the Gridiron
Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Says Right Guard and Kick Return Positions Aren’t Settled, Caleb Downs’ Preparation is “Remarkable”
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Key Takeaways as Ryan Day, Buckeyes turn attention to Iowa test
Austin Ward, Dotting The Eyes
Ryan Day Press Conference: Ohio State coach says ‘I love this team, I love the way they play’
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts
What makes Iowa’s defense stingy? Buckeyes hope to solve that riddle
Bill Rabinowitz, Columbus Dispatch
‘They understand the defense.’ Takeaways from Ryan Day’s pre-Iowa press conference
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Do you think Jeremiah Smith is already Ohio State’s GOAT wide receiver?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
What Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz said about Buckeyes
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Ohio Native and Star Iowa Running Back Kaleb Johnson Claims He “Wouldn’t Have Went” to Ohio State if He Was Offered Because He Wants “To Beat Them”
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors
Chip Kelly notebook: Ohio State OC on O-line, Will Howard | How many plays is he saving
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts
Four Lessons Learned from Jim Knowles, Buckeyes defense ahead of Iowa game
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
You’re Nuts: What is the best catch you’ve seen an Ohio State player make?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Luke Lachey’s family is all-in for return to Ohio State
Chad Leistikow, Des Moines Register
Big Ten Top 10: Alabama takes top spot, Ohio State leads 3 Big Ten teams in top 10
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Bruce Thornton Named to Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Ohio State Athletics
Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Aaron Bradshaw
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State women’s basketball freshman Ava Watson’s ability to make early impact
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Rifle: Ohio State Fires Record-High Opening Match Score to Start 2024 Season
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Soccer: Top-Ranked Offense, Consistent Defense Leads to Record Start
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Golf: Choi, Hollenbaugh Lead Ohio State Through 36 Holes of Blessings Collegiate
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
These movies are so stupidly fun. I can’t wait for Tom to wrap up the trilogy:
Continue reading...
