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LGHL Behind Enemy Lines: Can Penn State take advantage of the new playoff format?

Behind Enemy Lines: Can Penn State take advantage of the new playoff format?
justingolba
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


NCAA Football: Penn State Spring Game

Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

A lot of the Nittany Lion’s success will come down to the success of third-year quarterback Drew Allar.

From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State’s opponents. From looking at the Big Ten Conference to individual opponents to specific players, we will bring it all to you. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Behind Enemy Lines” articles here.



As the Ohio State Buckeyes enter the 2024-25 football season, two opponents are attracting much of the attention — Oregon and Michigan. However, there is one team that always makes for an entertaining game, and the Buckeyes have to play on their home soil this year:

The Penn State Nittany Lions.

Penn State has consistently been the third-best team in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and Michigan. They will be one of the main teams that benefit from the expanded College Football Playoff, as they have often finished in the No. 5 to No. 12 range but never in the top four.

So, the question is simple. With the expanded playoffs this season, can Penn State and James Franklin get over the hump and make the CFP this season?

A main part of that conversation will be junior quarterback Drew Allar. Allar is coming into his second season as the full-time starter for Penn State, and they will look to him to lead the way through a fairly daunting schedule. Allar threw for 2,631 yards with a 59.9 completion percentage, with 25 touchdowns and two interceptions.

In general, the sophomore played well in his first season as the starter, but he struggled in big games against Ohio State and Michigan to push the ball down the field and put pressure on the defenses. Even though his stats have been good, this year he will need to make the jump into winning the big games and putting Penn State in a position to make the playoff or even contend for the Big Ten.

One of the main hurdles that Penn State will have to overcome is its schedule. The Nittany Lions were not dropped into this new conference easily, as they travel to USC and face Washington at home. They also start the season at West Virginia, host UCLA, travel to Wisconsin, and host Ohio State. The main teams absent from the schedule are Michigan and Michigan State, but both of those teams have question marks coming into this season.

They will likely have to go through that schedule 10-2 to make the playoff, although 9-3 might do the trick. They do have a bye between USC and Wisconsin to make that road trip a little more feasible, but that is a tough schedule for a team with question marks at quarterback.

The Nittany Lions will also need some of their younger skill position players to step up and fill the roles left by Keandre Lambert-Smith, who transferred to Auburn, and Dante Cephas, who transferred to Kansas State. The running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton are both capable of running for 1,000 yards each this season, and they will have to lean on them to carry the offense at times, but they will need someone in the passing game to step up and be Allar’s go to target.

That person could be Julian Fleming, the Ohio State transfer who was once a top recruit in the country, but he will first have to stay healthy to do that. If someone can step up and help Allar, this will be another great Penn State team, as all the other boxes are checked.

But a tough schedule will force a solid season from the Nittany Lions to make the postseason, even with eight more spots available this season.

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LGHL You’re Nuts: Which former Buckeye do we want to see suit up for Carmen’s Crew for the first time?

You’re Nuts: Which former Buckeye do we want to see suit up for Carmen’s Crew for the first time?
justingolba
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


NCAA Basketball: Division I Championship-Tennessee vs Ohio State

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

The Ohio State alumni team tips off its first round game on Saturday.

Congratulations on making it to the halfway point of the off-season, college basketball fans. The season’s been over for over three months now, and pre-season “secret” scrimmages will start in three more months. As a prize for making it halfway, we’ll let you have two weeks of basketball from some of your favorite college stars of years past in TBT — starting today.

Last week, Connor and Justin discussed whether college sportswriters should stop the practice of assigning “crystal balls” to recruits to predict where they will wind up for college, after a week where Ohio State football wound up not getting a big-time Ohio recruit, despite getting a crystal ball for him earlier. Connor said no, and 59% of the readers agreed. The remaining 41% sided with Justin.

After 161 weeks:

Connor- 78
Justin- 63
Other- 16

(There have been four ties)


With TBT starting today and Carmen’s Crew playing tomorrow, the guys are picking a former Buckeye they would like to see suit up for the alumni team. With their first game starting in 24 hours roster changes seem unlikely, but teams have traditionally been able to add players between rounds. Even if not, we’d love to see these guys play down the road.

This week’s question: Which former Buckeye do we want to see suit up for Carmen’s Crew for the first time?


Connor: Evan Turner

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The recent news that Jared Sullinger is going to play in TBT this year made me more willing to take a big swing here. Why not Evan Turner?

Turner is the 2010 National Player of the Year, one of the greatest players to ever wear an ohio State uniform, and has his name hung up in the rafters at the Schott. He retired from basketball in 2020 at the age of 32, and after coaching for the Boston Celtics for a short time moved on and (to my knowledge) has not held another basketball-related position aside from helping coach Carmen’s Crew every year in TBT. Currently, he co-hosts the Point Forward Podcast with Andre Iguodala.

Unlike Sullinger who still plays professionally, Turner has not played in a setting similar to TBT in several years. Despite that, I have no doubt that Turner would be one of, if not the best player on Carmen’s Crew if he were to suit up this year or next.

This year’s team is heavy on post players, with Jeff Gibbs, Kyle Young, Kaleb Wesson, and Sullinger all committed to play in Dayton this weekend. The team is a little lighter on guards, especially guards who actually played for Ohio State (no offense, Erick Neal and Co.). Not only would Turner step in at a position the team is a bit thin on, but he’d also drum up some much-needed excitement for a team that’s made up of more guys who didn’t play for Ohio State than guys who did. Just take a look at how excited people were when it was announced Sullinger was going to play!


Justin: Jamison Battle

Ohio State v Iowa
Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images

I am going with someone who very recently played for the Buckeyes. I think there is still a chance that when his NBA career is over, you could see this person suit up with Carmen’s Crew.

Jamison Battle.

Battle only played for the Buckeyes for one year, but he quickly became a fan favorite because he embraced playing in Columbus and shot the ball well.

Some of the top names to play in The Basketball Tournament over the years have been guys who can shoot the lights out, and that is what Battle does best. Plus, when looking at the way Carmen’s Crew is constructed, they could use some perimeter shooting and wings, and Battle brings both.

In his one year at Ohio State, he averaged 15.3 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and shot 43.3 percent from three-point range as one of the top shooters in the country. He also shot 46.9 percent from the field and 92.6 percent from three-point range.

Battle recently signed a deal with the Toronto Raptors after an impressive summer league showing, so we will selfishly have to wait for his TBT debut. I hope we wait for a long time and that Battle has a successful NBA career.

And whenever he decides to hang it up in the league, Carmen’s Crew will be waiting for him.



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LGHL Buckeyes get a BOOM, Inniss is healthy again, OSU introduces new coaches

Buckeyes get a BOOM, Inniss is healthy again, OSU introduces new coaches
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: Journal-Courier

Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

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

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

You’re welcome!


For your Earholes...


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


On the Gridiron


BOOOOM! Four-star 2025 DL Jarquez Carter commits to Ohio State
Caleb Houser, Land-Grant Holy Land


Newberry DT Jarquez Carter commits to @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/TWuWE5ZL68

— Mike Ridaught (@ridaught) July 18, 2024

Jarquez Carter is a Buckeye: The impact (paywall)
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Social media reacted after defensive lineman Jarquez Carter committed to Ohio State
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts

Ohio State has two of the top five recruiters in 247Sports’ 2025 midway rankings
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts


BREAKING: Class of 2025 DL Jarquez Carter has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’2 280 DL from Newberry, FL chose the Buckeyes over Miami, Penn State, & Florida

“I’m home! Let’s bring a Natty back to Columbus!”https://t.co/dFAvDoJIu4 pic.twitter.com/o5UTMcrd0n

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 18, 2024

Ohio State’s 2024 Football Season Ticket Sales Highest in at Least 15 Years
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors

Buckeyes WR Brandon Inniss back to full strength after foot injury
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

Bjork talks his hiring philosophy, revenue sharing, his first OSU football season
Steve Helwagen, 247Sports


Szn 2️⃣ loading ⏳ pic.twitter.com/CdteKlNwyy

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 18, 2024

Behind Enemy Lines: Nebraska is looking to upset the Big Ten apple cart in Year 2 under Matt Rhule
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land

Behind Enemy Lines: Which Big Ten team will surpass preseason expectations?
Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land


On the Hardwood


Ohio State’s Jake Diebler has deep ties in Ohio coaching community
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

How former Buckeyes Sheldon, Taylor WNBA rookie seasons are going
Brianna Mac Kay, The Columbus Dispatch


A smooth 31 for Ohio State commit Marcus Johnson (@Marcus_J32), 13-23 FG, 5-9 3P for @indyheatgymrats #PeachJam

— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) July 18, 2024

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Presser Bullets: New Ohio State Baseball Coach Justin Haire and Softball Coach Kirin Kumar Aim for Higher Program Heights
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors

A trio of Ohio State athletes are set to begin their professional careers
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land

New Ohio State Baseball Coach Justin Haire Believes Program Can Be a “Monster”
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors


And now for something completely different...


This show was far from perfect, but everybody hating on it like it was the worst Star Wars thing they’ve ever seen clearly have ulterior motives:


Before Revenge of the Sith came out, I thought Anakin was gonna do this with his lightsaber once he fully turned to the dark side

I based that solely on the fact that all the toys of him came with a red & blue lightsaber

Glad to finally see it

pic.twitter.com/i5u5Z7KGJA

— Will Wulff, Damn It! (@WillWulffDamnIt) July 17, 2024

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LGHL BOOOOM! Four-star 2025 DL Jarquez Carter commits to Ohio State

BOOOOM! Four-star 2025 DL Jarquez Carter commits to Ohio State
Caleb Houser
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


12346922.0.jpeg

Jarquez Carter | 247Sports

The Buckeyes add another four-star prospect to their stellar 2025 class.

On Thursday evening, Ohio State added the 24th member of its 2025 class with the third defensive tackle commitment in three weeks, thanks to the pledge of Florida native Jarquez Carter.

A somewhat smaller defensive tackle at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds, Carter is not the prototypical size for his position, but makes up for it with his speed off the ball and overall strength. Drawing comparisons to former Buckeye Mike Hall Jr., the staff loves what Carter brings to the table, and were thrilled to see him end his recruitment in their favor. The lineman chose Ohio State over the likes of Florida, Miami, Penn State, and a host of others.

The No. 394 player nationally and 42nd best defensive tackle in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite, the ranking may not be the highly-touted status Ohio State fans are used to seeing — especially in this current cycle — but again, he can flat out play. Showing out earlier this summer at various recruiting camps and winning multiple events, Carter’s on-field play is the reason the Buckeyes are so excited to add his talents. It wouldn’t be a total shock to see his stock increase now that he’s committed to one of the top programs in college football.

Taking an official visit to Ohio State in June, the Buckeyes clearly did enough to win out in the end, and with three interior defensive linemen in the fold now, it gives Larry Johnson the depth he needed, all the while still trying to land elite difference makers such as Malik Autry who is a “take” regardless of how many guys are already locked in at that position.

It’s been a great haul thus far, and the efforts are still being put forth to make it that much more impressive.


BREAKING: Class of 2025 DL Jarquez Carter has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’2 280 DL from Newberry, FL chose the Buckeyes over Miami, Penn State, & Florida

“I’m home! Let’s bring a Natty back to Columbus!”https://t.co/dFAvDoJIu4 pic.twitter.com/o5UTMcrd0n

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 18, 2024

Quick Hits

  • Ohio State is desperately trying to land the top offensive tackle in the 2025 class with the likes of David Sanders Jr., and certainly are in the mix down the stretch. Even if they’re able to land his commitment in the coming weeks, the offensive tackle position is a spot that the staff needs to address in every recruiting cycle.

Fortunately, the Buckeyes are off to a solid start in the next class, as on Thursday top 2026 offensive tackle target Jackson Cantwell (Nixa, Missouri/Nixa) kept Ohio State in his top schools list that included a total of 14 programs still under his consideration. The No. 3 player nationally and top offensive tackle per the 247Sports Composite, Cantwell is now down to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M, and USC in addition to Ohio State.

With nearly 30 offers to his name from the top schools around the country, cutting his list basically in half shows Jackson is well on his way to narrowing down his top suitors. Of course, there’s still plenty of time to go in this recruitment. For now, Ohio State remains in it.


NEWS: Five-Star OT Jackson Cantwell is down to 1️⃣4️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’8 305 OT from Nixa, MO is ranked as the No. 4 Recruit in the ‘26 Class (per On3)

Where Should He Go? https://t.co/5y15HopxZo pic.twitter.com/YmqpiFELKP

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 18, 2024

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