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LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: A full TBT Preview with Andrew Zoldan
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Bucketheads Podcast: A full TBT Preview with Andrew Zoldan
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Nicolas Galindo/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Zoldan, the host of “Inside TBT”, talked about the return of Jared Sullinger to TBT, the newcomers to Carmen’s Crew, and much more
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
For episode 124 of Bucketheads, we have an interview with Andrew Zoldan, the host of Inside TBT and Drive The Lane, the social media manager for The Basketball Tournament, and, most importantly, a friend of the pod.
We discussed everything you need to know for TBT, including Jared Sullinger’s return as a player, the newcomers to Carmen’s Crew, and what they will bring. We also preview the Dayton regional, including the Red Scare and the defending champion, Heartfire.
You can buy tickets and catch all the action HERE.
Make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review on the show!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Connect with Andrew:
Twitter: @AndrewZoldan
Connect with TBT:
Twitter: @thetournament
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
Nicolas Galindo/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Zoldan, the host of “Inside TBT”, talked about the return of Jared Sullinger to TBT, the newcomers to Carmen’s Crew, and much more
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
For episode 124 of Bucketheads, we have an interview with Andrew Zoldan, the host of Inside TBT and Drive The Lane, the social media manager for The Basketball Tournament, and, most importantly, a friend of the pod.
We discussed everything you need to know for TBT, including Jared Sullinger’s return as a player, the newcomers to Carmen’s Crew, and what they will bring. We also preview the Dayton regional, including the Red Scare and the defending champion, Heartfire.
You can buy tickets and catch all the action HERE.
Make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review on the show!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Connect with Andrew:
Twitter: @AndrewZoldan
Connect with TBT:
Twitter: @thetournament
Continue reading...
LGHL A trio of Ohio State athletes are set to begin their professional careers
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A trio of Ohio State athletes are set to begin their professional careers
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
Two former Buckeyes have inked professional contracts, while the third was drafted earlier this week.
A trio of Ohio State Buckeyes in different sports have nailed down where they’ll be starting their professional careers recently. Over the last month the NBA, NHL, and MLB have held their annual drafts, and earlier in June the PWHL held their second annual draft. While there isn’t any new news on any of the Buckeyes selected in the NHL Draft, we do have updates on an Ohio State player in each of the other three leagues mentioned.
After starting his college career at George Washington, Battle transferred to Minnesota prior to his junior season, spending two seasons with the Golden Gophers before hitting the transfer portal again to spend the final season of his college career at Ohio State. Battle averaged 15.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 35 games for the Buckeyes.
The forward’s best performance in the scarlet and gray came in a February win over Nebraska, when he scored 32 points. Even though the Buckeyes weren’t able to make the NCAA Tournament, Battle was still playing hard in March, scoring at least 20 points in four of his last five games.
Despite not being selected last month in the NBA Draft, Battle signed a Summer League contract with the Toronto Raptors. In his first two games with the Raptors in Las Vegas, Battle scored 23 points. In a blowout win over Oklahoma City on Saturday, Battle scored 12 points, and followed it up with 11 points in a 84-81 win over Denver on Sunday.
The performances were enough for Toronto to sign Battle to an Exhibit 10 contract, which is a one-year minimum deal that comes with a $75,000 bonus if Battle is released and signs with the 905 Raptors, which is Toronto’s G-League affiliate.
The only Ohio State baseball player selected in this year’s MLB Draft was Gavin Bruni, who was picked by the Washington Nationals on Tuesday in the 17th round with the 500th overall pick in this year’s draft. Bruni is the 118th Buckeye to be selected in the MLB Draft since the annual event first took place in 1966.
The Ohio State pitcher is the first Buckeye to be selected by the Washington Nationals organization since 1996, when the Montreal Expos picked Matt Buirley.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25535710/1254622573.jpg "COLLEGE BASEBALL: MAY 13 UNCG at Ohio State")
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Over the last two seasons Bruni started in 26 of his 27 appearances. Last season Bruni was 5-3 in his 14 starts, posting a 4.87 ERA with 74 strikeouts over the 57.1 innings he pitched. This year saw Bruni’s numbers fall off a bit, as he went 3-3 with a 6.19 ERA and 54 strikeouts over the 54.1 innings he pitched. Bruni being the only Ohio State player drafted this year snapped a streak which saw at least three Buckeyes taken in each of the last three drafts.
There is a chance Bruni could return to Ohio State, as he does have college eligibility left. Bruni has until Aug. 1 to decide on whether he wants to sign with the Nationals or return to Columbus.
It’s no surprise that Ohio State’s women’s hockey players are in high demand after the Buckeyes won their second NCAA title in the last three years back in March. In the second overall PWHL Draft that took place on June 10, Ohio State had three players taken in the first two rounds of the draft.
After Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes were taken with the fourth and fifth picks in the first round, Jennifer Gardiner was selected by Montreal in the second round with the 11th overall pick in the draft. Gardiner will be joining Barnes, who was also selected by Montreal. Other Buckeyes drafted in the fourth round and later were Gabby Rosenthal, Stephanie Markowski, Lauren Bernard, Hadley Harmetz, and Raygan Kirk.
Coming to Ohio State from Surrey, British Columbia in 2019, Gardiner eventually became the team captain. The most memorable moment of Gardiner’s Ohio State career came in the 2022 Frozen Four semifinal against Yale where her game-winning goal sent the Buckeyes to their first NCAA title game in program history.
During the 2022-23 season, Gardiner amassed 57 points, which is third-most in program history, and second-highest point total in a season by a forward. Along with her two national titles, Gardiner set a program record by playing in 176 career games. Over those games, Gardiner averaged nearly a point a game, finishing her Ohio State career with 71 goals and 100 assists, making her just the third Buckeye to record 100 assists in her career.
While the PWHL schedule for the upcoming season hasn’t been released, last year the league started in early January, so expect to see Gardiner back on the ice in early 2025.
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
Two former Buckeyes have inked professional contracts, while the third was drafted earlier this week.
A trio of Ohio State Buckeyes in different sports have nailed down where they’ll be starting their professional careers recently. Over the last month the NBA, NHL, and MLB have held their annual drafts, and earlier in June the PWHL held their second annual draft. While there isn’t any new news on any of the Buckeyes selected in the NHL Draft, we do have updates on an Ohio State player in each of the other three leagues mentioned.
Jamison Battle
After starting his college career at George Washington, Battle transferred to Minnesota prior to his junior season, spending two seasons with the Golden Gophers before hitting the transfer portal again to spend the final season of his college career at Ohio State. Battle averaged 15.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 35 games for the Buckeyes.
The forward’s best performance in the scarlet and gray came in a February win over Nebraska, when he scored 32 points. Even though the Buckeyes weren’t able to make the NCAA Tournament, Battle was still playing hard in March, scoring at least 20 points in four of his last five games.
Despite not being selected last month in the NBA Draft, Battle signed a Summer League contract with the Toronto Raptors. In his first two games with the Raptors in Las Vegas, Battle scored 23 points. In a blowout win over Oklahoma City on Saturday, Battle scored 12 points, and followed it up with 11 points in a 84-81 win over Denver on Sunday.
The performances were enough for Toronto to sign Battle to an Exhibit 10 contract, which is a one-year minimum deal that comes with a $75,000 bonus if Battle is released and signs with the 905 Raptors, which is Toronto’s G-League affiliate.
Gavin Bruni
The only Ohio State baseball player selected in this year’s MLB Draft was Gavin Bruni, who was picked by the Washington Nationals on Tuesday in the 17th round with the 500th overall pick in this year’s draft. Bruni is the 118th Buckeye to be selected in the MLB Draft since the annual event first took place in 1966.
The Ohio State pitcher is the first Buckeye to be selected by the Washington Nationals organization since 1996, when the Montreal Expos picked Matt Buirley.
Over the last two seasons Bruni started in 26 of his 27 appearances. Last season Bruni was 5-3 in his 14 starts, posting a 4.87 ERA with 74 strikeouts over the 57.1 innings he pitched. This year saw Bruni’s numbers fall off a bit, as he went 3-3 with a 6.19 ERA and 54 strikeouts over the 54.1 innings he pitched. Bruni being the only Ohio State player drafted this year snapped a streak which saw at least three Buckeyes taken in each of the last three drafts.
There is a chance Bruni could return to Ohio State, as he does have college eligibility left. Bruni has until Aug. 1 to decide on whether he wants to sign with the Nationals or return to Columbus.
Jennifer Gardiner
Notre choix de deuxième ronde 2024, Jennifer Gardiner, a signé un contrat de deux ans avec la LPHF de Montréal
We’ve signed 2024 PWHL Montréal Draftee Jennifer Gardiner to a two-year contract! pic.twitter.com/si3ErKWD5Z
— LPHF Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) July 16, 2024
It’s no surprise that Ohio State’s women’s hockey players are in high demand after the Buckeyes won their second NCAA title in the last three years back in March. In the second overall PWHL Draft that took place on June 10, Ohio State had three players taken in the first two rounds of the draft.
After Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes were taken with the fourth and fifth picks in the first round, Jennifer Gardiner was selected by Montreal in the second round with the 11th overall pick in the draft. Gardiner will be joining Barnes, who was also selected by Montreal. Other Buckeyes drafted in the fourth round and later were Gabby Rosenthal, Stephanie Markowski, Lauren Bernard, Hadley Harmetz, and Raygan Kirk.
Coming to Ohio State from Surrey, British Columbia in 2019, Gardiner eventually became the team captain. The most memorable moment of Gardiner’s Ohio State career came in the 2022 Frozen Four semifinal against Yale where her game-winning goal sent the Buckeyes to their first NCAA title game in program history.
During the 2022-23 season, Gardiner amassed 57 points, which is third-most in program history, and second-highest point total in a season by a forward. Along with her two national titles, Gardiner set a program record by playing in 176 career games. Over those games, Gardiner averaged nearly a point a game, finishing her Ohio State career with 71 goals and 100 assists, making her just the third Buckeye to record 100 assists in her career.
While the PWHL schedule for the upcoming season hasn’t been released, last year the league started in early January, so expect to see Gardiner back on the ice in early 2025.
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LGHL One month away from decision day for Ohio State’s top remaining target
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One month away from decision day for Ohio State’s top remaining target
Caleb Houser 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
Plus, the Buckeyes are likely set to add another 2025 commitment on Thursday.
It’s a little bit of a slow period for Ohio State recruiting. The staff not as active on the trail and the headlines decreasing the last week or two, it correlates with the season getting closer to being here. Recruiting, while always important, does take a bit of a back seat in comparison to the current on-field development.
Still, Crystal Ball predictions have been submitted in Ohio State’s favor this week, and though July is a bit of a slower month compared to June, there’s still big-time players out there getting closer to decisions of their own. Fortunately, the Buckeyes are very much in the mix for multiple of those top targets.
The coming weeks should give Ohio State some good news for their top-ranked class, and with Alabama right on their heels, regaining that infamous No. 1 class ranking depends on these remaining uncommitted players.
Arguably the most important player in the 2025 class and certainly the top remaining target on Ohio State’s board, five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. is now just a month away from making his commitment to the school of his choice.
The No. 2 player nationally and top offensive tackle in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Sanders Jr. is slated for an Aug. 17 decision date between the likes of Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia, and Nebraska. Of the four programs, the Buckeyes and Tennessee are thought to be the two in the lead for his services, but watching his next steps in terms of visit plans will shed light towards where his mind is at.
The Buckeyes have done any and everything they can to appeal to Sanders Jr., and with an inside track to early playing time atop of the list, Ohio State is in the thick of this recruitment for a reason. Knowing how well the rest of the staff has recruited and the need for offensive linemen in a hurry, all eyes have been on Justin Frye during this recruitment. The question of whether or not he can pull his own weight almost resides with the coming announcement.
The Buckeyes will continue pulling out all of the stops for this one, and that definitely includes current members of the current 2025 class as quarterback commit, Tavien St. Clair isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts via social media. We’re just a month away, but this recruitment will be watched closer than any other knowing how critical he would be to an already loaded group of commits.
Not an Ohio State target down the stretch, five-star cornerback DJ Pickett surprised some people on Wednesday when he chose LSU over the likes of Miami and Oregon.
The Florida native’s commitment to the Tigers doesn’t hurt Ohio State by any means, who boast the nation’s top two players at the position, but Pickett’s decision does have at least some impact on the Buckeyes, as Oregon was thought to potentially be the landing spot up until he made it public.
Specifically, Ohio State now avoids having to face DJ in conference play, but maybe more closely related, the previous commitment by Dorian Brew to Oregon may be further cemented, as he had feelings of choosing elsewhere due to the fact that Ohio State did have two elite guys already in the fold.
Brew being so closely linked to the Buckeyes made it tough to see him choose the Ducks, and thoughts of Pickett heading to Oregon may have given Ohio State a puncher’s chance at flipping him down the stretch. With Pickett now committed to LSU, it certainly decreases that likelihood — at least for now.
Ohio State is in prime position right now with Devin Sanchez and Na’eem Offord as two huge parts of the 2025 class, but keeping them locked in is the goal until pen hits paper.
Going as far as to say the Buckeyes are the top school on his list right now, Larry Johnson continues to impress in North Carolina. There’s a ton of time before the 2026 class enters decision mode, but leading early for a top player at a position of importance is always great to see.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser 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
Plus, the Buckeyes are likely set to add another 2025 commitment on Thursday.
It’s a little bit of a slow period for Ohio State recruiting. The staff not as active on the trail and the headlines decreasing the last week or two, it correlates with the season getting closer to being here. Recruiting, while always important, does take a bit of a back seat in comparison to the current on-field development.
Still, Crystal Ball predictions have been submitted in Ohio State’s favor this week, and though July is a bit of a slower month compared to June, there’s still big-time players out there getting closer to decisions of their own. Fortunately, the Buckeyes are very much in the mix for multiple of those top targets.
The coming weeks should give Ohio State some good news for their top-ranked class, and with Alabama right on their heels, regaining that infamous No. 1 class ranking depends on these remaining uncommitted players.
One month from decision day
Arguably the most important player in the 2025 class and certainly the top remaining target on Ohio State’s board, five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. is now just a month away from making his commitment to the school of his choice.
The No. 2 player nationally and top offensive tackle in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Sanders Jr. is slated for an Aug. 17 decision date between the likes of Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia, and Nebraska. Of the four programs, the Buckeyes and Tennessee are thought to be the two in the lead for his services, but watching his next steps in terms of visit plans will shed light towards where his mind is at.
The Buckeyes have done any and everything they can to appeal to Sanders Jr., and with an inside track to early playing time atop of the list, Ohio State is in the thick of this recruitment for a reason. Knowing how well the rest of the staff has recruited and the need for offensive linemen in a hurry, all eyes have been on Justin Frye during this recruitment. The question of whether or not he can pull his own weight almost resides with the coming announcement.
The Buckeyes will continue pulling out all of the stops for this one, and that definitely includes current members of the current 2025 class as quarterback commit, Tavien St. Clair isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts via social media. We’re just a month away, but this recruitment will be watched closer than any other knowing how critical he would be to an already loaded group of commits.
Buckeyes impacted by a player committed elsewhere?
Not an Ohio State target down the stretch, five-star cornerback DJ Pickett surprised some people on Wednesday when he chose LSU over the likes of Miami and Oregon.
The Florida native’s commitment to the Tigers doesn’t hurt Ohio State by any means, who boast the nation’s top two players at the position, but Pickett’s decision does have at least some impact on the Buckeyes, as Oregon was thought to potentially be the landing spot up until he made it public.
Specifically, Ohio State now avoids having to face DJ in conference play, but maybe more closely related, the previous commitment by Dorian Brew to Oregon may be further cemented, as he had feelings of choosing elsewhere due to the fact that Ohio State did have two elite guys already in the fold.
Brew being so closely linked to the Buckeyes made it tough to see him choose the Ducks, and thoughts of Pickett heading to Oregon may have given Ohio State a puncher’s chance at flipping him down the stretch. With Pickett now committed to LSU, it certainly decreases that likelihood — at least for now.
Ohio State is in prime position right now with Devin Sanchez and Na’eem Offord as two huge parts of the 2025 class, but keeping them locked in is the goal until pen hits paper.
Quick Hits
- Ohio State will have a chance to add to its 2025 class on Thursday, when four-star defensive lineman Jarquez Carter is set to announce his commitment. The Newberry, Florida native is the No. 42 DL and a top-400 player nationally, and is set to choose between a top five of Florida, Miami, Penn State, UCF and Ohio State. Notably, the Buckeyes have landed a swarm of Crystal Balls in their favor for Carter over the past week, and so this recruitment appears to be trending towards Columbus.
- Ohio State is currently in the lead for 2026 defensive lineman, Zavion Griffin-Haynes. A 6-foot-6, 220 pound edge rusher out of North Carolina, Griffin-Haynes is the No. 127 player nationally and 11th best edge rusher in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite.
Going as far as to say the Buckeyes are the top school on his list right now, Larry Johnson continues to impress in North Carolina. There’s a ton of time before the 2026 class enters decision mode, but leading early for a top player at a position of importance is always great to see.
“Ohio State is definitely No.on my list right now.”
Four-star EDGE Zavion Griffin-Haynes is high on Ohio State after working with Larry Johnson at camp last month️
READ: https://t.co/qsLa1OoVcA pic.twitter.com/zjaZuh7ywy
— Mick Walker (@mickdwalker) July 17, 2024
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LGHL Behind Enemy Lines: Which Big Ten team will surpass preseason expectations?
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Behind Enemy Lines: Which Big Ten team will surpass preseason expectations?
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
One Big Ten team has just enough talent to really mess things up for their opponents, despite what preseason rankings predict.
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 preseason power rankings and updates continue to roll in, there are a few teams I’m surprised to see consistently toward the bottom of the Big Ten lists. Of course, conference expansion pushes a few teams down to make way for powerhouses like Oregon and Washington, particularly as more power teams means tougher schedules.
Take Rutgers for example—they went bowling last year after a 6-6 season in which I believe they were more talented than their final wins and losses would lead you to believe. But they enter 2024 with an absolutely brutal schedule in which they face Virginia Tech, Washington, Nebraska, Wisconsin, UCLA, and USC back to back.
That would take a lot out of any team.
But you’re telling me Maryland—another sleeper team last season, not quite strong enough to be considered on the same level as Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State but certainly strong enough to pose a threat to any of these three teams on an off day—won’t even finish in the top 50 percent of the Big Ten?
Most power rankings have Rutgers somewhere around the mid-way point. I’ve seen them as high as eight and as low as 15. Maryland, however, falls below Rutgers in most rankings, coming in somewhere around 12 or 13 on average but falling as low as 16 out of 18 on some.
ESPN, for reference, has Rutgers at 11 and Maryland at 12 currently.
Now, power rankings are largely meaningless in terms of the actual numbers—that is to say, any of the top four teams could easily finish in the No. 1 spot in actual rankings (or fall out of them altogether, replaced by an unexpected foe depending on how some of the more challenging schedules play out). These rankings are more helpful in terms of gauging expectations.
So in looking at the aggregate data across various power rankings from late spring through the present, the takeaway is that Maryland is expected to fall somewhere in the mid-to-bottom half of the Big Ten this season.
I was born at night, but not last night. I understand that the Big Ten became even more competitive this year, almost overnight thanks to the expansion. With the addition of Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA, the mid-level teams are going to have to fight a lot harder to maintain their status. We added two, possibly three playoff-caliber teams to a conference that already had two dominant teams in Ohio State and Michigan and one fighting hard to join them in Penn State.
Still, that ranking feels low for Maryland in a conference with so many teams who are just kind of there. You’re telling me Indiana is going to be better than the Terrapins (and some power rankings do have Indiana ranked higher)? Indiana. A team that won just one conference game last season, going 3-9 on the year? I just don’t buy it. (In all fairness, ESPN has Indiana at the bottom of the conference, while other rankings have them as high as 13).
I mean no disrespect to Indiana—the program has made extremely smart moves in the offseason, with the hiring of new head coach Curt Cignetti and the addition of Kurtis Rourke at quarterback (the standout transferred to Indiana from Ohio). Six wins are not out of the realm of possibility for them this year, and it would be fun to see them do well as a spoil.
But Maryland is coming off a season in which they won their bowl game against Auburn and gave the Big Ten power teams good scares.
Maryland was tied, 10-all, with Ohio State at the half in 2023, and while Ohio State came up big in the fourth quarter, they held a narrow three-point lead at the end of the third. They finished within just one touchdown against the reigning National Champions in a November matchup.
And though they will certainly have an uphill battle in replacing their star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, the rest of their roster remains full of talent, particularly defensively where they are fairly intact. While M.J. Morris (a transfer from NC State) and Billy Edwards Jr. duke it out for the starting role, the Terrapins will be able to rely on running back Roman Hemby and wide receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather to support their QB.
The Terrapins also have the benefit of a fairly easy schedule. They’ll have a tough home matchup against USC, with road games at Oregon and Penn State, but they’ve managed to escape Michigan and OSU, and nine wins is not out of the realm of possibility for them this season.
Of all the teams that seem poised to surpass their preseason expectations, look to the Terrapins to continue surprising people for the fourth season in a row. They won’t have to face the Buckeyes or the Wolverines this season, but there’s still plenty of opportunity for them to throw a wrench in people’s expected outcomes and keep things interesting in this newly expanded Big Ten.
Continue reading...
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
One Big Ten team has just enough talent to really mess things up for their opponents, despite what preseason rankings predict.
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 preseason power rankings and updates continue to roll in, there are a few teams I’m surprised to see consistently toward the bottom of the Big Ten lists. Of course, conference expansion pushes a few teams down to make way for powerhouses like Oregon and Washington, particularly as more power teams means tougher schedules.
Take Rutgers for example—they went bowling last year after a 6-6 season in which I believe they were more talented than their final wins and losses would lead you to believe. But they enter 2024 with an absolutely brutal schedule in which they face Virginia Tech, Washington, Nebraska, Wisconsin, UCLA, and USC back to back.
That would take a lot out of any team.
But you’re telling me Maryland—another sleeper team last season, not quite strong enough to be considered on the same level as Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State but certainly strong enough to pose a threat to any of these three teams on an off day—won’t even finish in the top 50 percent of the Big Ten?
Most power rankings have Rutgers somewhere around the mid-way point. I’ve seen them as high as eight and as low as 15. Maryland, however, falls below Rutgers in most rankings, coming in somewhere around 12 or 13 on average but falling as low as 16 out of 18 on some.
ESPN, for reference, has Rutgers at 11 and Maryland at 12 currently.
Now, power rankings are largely meaningless in terms of the actual numbers—that is to say, any of the top four teams could easily finish in the No. 1 spot in actual rankings (or fall out of them altogether, replaced by an unexpected foe depending on how some of the more challenging schedules play out). These rankings are more helpful in terms of gauging expectations.
So in looking at the aggregate data across various power rankings from late spring through the present, the takeaway is that Maryland is expected to fall somewhere in the mid-to-bottom half of the Big Ten this season.
I was born at night, but not last night. I understand that the Big Ten became even more competitive this year, almost overnight thanks to the expansion. With the addition of Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA, the mid-level teams are going to have to fight a lot harder to maintain their status. We added two, possibly three playoff-caliber teams to a conference that already had two dominant teams in Ohio State and Michigan and one fighting hard to join them in Penn State.
Still, that ranking feels low for Maryland in a conference with so many teams who are just kind of there. You’re telling me Indiana is going to be better than the Terrapins (and some power rankings do have Indiana ranked higher)? Indiana. A team that won just one conference game last season, going 3-9 on the year? I just don’t buy it. (In all fairness, ESPN has Indiana at the bottom of the conference, while other rankings have them as high as 13).
I mean no disrespect to Indiana—the program has made extremely smart moves in the offseason, with the hiring of new head coach Curt Cignetti and the addition of Kurtis Rourke at quarterback (the standout transferred to Indiana from Ohio). Six wins are not out of the realm of possibility for them this year, and it would be fun to see them do well as a spoil.
But Maryland is coming off a season in which they won their bowl game against Auburn and gave the Big Ten power teams good scares.
Maryland was tied, 10-all, with Ohio State at the half in 2023, and while Ohio State came up big in the fourth quarter, they held a narrow three-point lead at the end of the third. They finished within just one touchdown against the reigning National Champions in a November matchup.
And though they will certainly have an uphill battle in replacing their star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, the rest of their roster remains full of talent, particularly defensively where they are fairly intact. While M.J. Morris (a transfer from NC State) and Billy Edwards Jr. duke it out for the starting role, the Terrapins will be able to rely on running back Roman Hemby and wide receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather to support their QB.
The Terrapins also have the benefit of a fairly easy schedule. They’ll have a tough home matchup against USC, with road games at Oregon and Penn State, but they’ve managed to escape Michigan and OSU, and nine wins is not out of the realm of possibility for them this season.
Of all the teams that seem poised to surpass their preseason expectations, look to the Terrapins to continue surprising people for the fourth season in a row. They won’t have to face the Buckeyes or the Wolverines this season, but there’s still plenty of opportunity for them to throw a wrench in people’s expected outcomes and keep things interesting in this newly expanded Big Ten.
Continue reading...
