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LGHL Everything you need to know about new Ohio State quarterback commit Luke Fahey
- News
- 0 Replies
Everything you need to know about new Ohio State quarterback commit Luke Fahey
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Luke Fahey | @luke.fahey3
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!
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
BOOM! Ohio State lands its 2026 quarterback with Luke Fahey’s commitment
Caleb Houser, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State adds QB to its 2026 recruiting class with Luke Fahey
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
QB Luke Fahey has committed to Ohio State
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
Four-Star 2026 Quarterback Luke Fahey Commits to Ohio State
Garrick Hodge and Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Scouting Take: Ohio State lands yet another talented QB from out West in Luke Fahey
Greg Biggins, 247Sports
The Impact: Luke Fahey gives Ohio State its long-awaited 2026 quarterback
Jeremy Birmingham, Buckeye Huddle
Three thoughts on Ohio State landing four-star QB Luke Fahey
Mick Walker, Lettermen Row
QB Luke Fahey discusses his Ohio State commitment
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
Luke Fahey talks Ohio State commitment: ‘It feels like a dream come true’
Alex Gleitman, Lettermen Row
Three-star quarterback Luke Fahey is ready to compete in loaded position room
Blair Angulo, 247Sports
Reactions after Buckeye QB target Luke Fahey committed to Ohio State
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
Ohio State adds QB to its 2026 recruiting class with Luke Fahey
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Burning Questions: What will Ohio State’s offensive line look like this season?
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State’s Keenan Bailey Has Evolved From Intern to One of Nation’s Best Tight End Coaches, All in Columbus
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Ohio State hoping to flip in-state DL from Florida
Caleb Houser, Land-Grant Holy Land
Arvell Reese maturing into “special talent” at linebacker for Buckeyes
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Who Will Be The Surprise Stars For Ohio State This Year
Tony Gerdeman, Buckeye Huddle
Burning Questions: Is there a dark-horse Big Ten challenger to Ohio State this season
Alex Frank, Land-Grant Holy Land
They came back to finish the job: Ohio State’s core trio returns with one goal – win
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Ohio State basketball’s Jimmy Sotos recalls when cops mistakenly stormed campus apartment
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Former OSU golfer beats current Buckeye at Ohio Open
Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal
Women’s Lacrosse: Carrasquillo Joins Ohio State Staff
Ohio State Athletics
This was wild to notice live:
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
Luke Fahey | @luke.fahey3
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 to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
The Buckeyes are BOOMing
BOOM! Ohio State lands its 2026 quarterback with Luke Fahey’s commitment
Caleb Houser, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State adds QB to its 2026 recruiting class with Luke Fahey
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
QB Luke Fahey has committed to Ohio State
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
Four-Star 2026 Quarterback Luke Fahey Commits to Ohio State
Garrick Hodge and Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Scouting Take: Ohio State lands yet another talented QB from out West in Luke Fahey
Greg Biggins, 247Sports
The Impact: Luke Fahey gives Ohio State its long-awaited 2026 quarterback
Jeremy Birmingham, Buckeye Huddle
Three thoughts on Ohio State landing four-star QB Luke Fahey
Mick Walker, Lettermen Row
QB Luke Fahey discusses his Ohio State commitment
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
Luke Fahey talks Ohio State commitment: ‘It feels like a dream come true’
Alex Gleitman, Lettermen Row
Three-star quarterback Luke Fahey is ready to compete in loaded position room
Blair Angulo, 247Sports
Reactions after Buckeye QB target Luke Fahey committed to Ohio State
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
On the Gridiron
Ohio State adds QB to its 2026 recruiting class with Luke Fahey
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Burning Questions: What will Ohio State’s offensive line look like this season?
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State’s Keenan Bailey Has Evolved From Intern to One of Nation’s Best Tight End Coaches, All in Columbus
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Ohio State hoping to flip in-state DL from Florida
Caleb Houser, Land-Grant Holy Land
Arvell Reese maturing into “special talent” at linebacker for Buckeyes
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Who Will Be The Surprise Stars For Ohio State This Year
Tony Gerdeman, Buckeye Huddle
Burning Questions: Is there a dark-horse Big Ten challenger to Ohio State this season
Alex Frank, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
They came back to finish the job: Ohio State’s core trio returns with one goal – win
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Ohio State basketball’s Jimmy Sotos recalls when cops mistakenly stormed campus apartment
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Former OSU golfer beats current Buckeye at Ohio Open
Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal
Women’s Lacrosse: Carrasquillo Joins Ohio State Staff
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
This was wild to notice live:
Continue reading...
LGHL BOOOOM! Four-star 2026 QB Luke Fahey commits to Ohio State
- News
- 0 Replies
BOOOOM! Four-star 2026 QB Luke Fahey 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
2026 Ohio State QB commit Luke Fahey
The Buckeyes have found their quarterback in the 2026 class.
Starting the holiday weekend off with some early fireworks, Thursday brought Ohio State their 2026 quarterback when California native Luke Fahey gave the Buckeyes the nod. The No. 357 player nationally and 25th best signal caller per the 247Sports Composite, Fahey chose Ohio State over the likes of Indiana, Oklahoma State, and Stanford.
Filling a major hole for Ohio State’s current class, the Buckeyes long waited for the quarterback of this cycle to commit. While Fahey wasn’t necessarily atop the list to begin the cycle, the coaching staff firmly believes they found a player better than his ranking, but also a great fit scheme wise with his accuracy and ability to move in and out of the pocket.
Former teammates with current Ohio State receiver Phillip Bell, Ryan Day has seen plenty of what Fahey brings to the table, and clearly feels good enough about where his game can go if he continues to develop. Doing so under this offensive staff, you have to like the upside under Day’s watchful eye and help.
A recruitment that didn’t take long after Ohio State offered, Fahey made it clear that the Buckeyes would be hard to say no to, and yesterday he put his money where his mouth is by saying yes.
Ohio State wants to take a player at quarterback in every recruiting class considering how crucial the depth is each year. While some may look at the ranking and compare it to the usual five-star caliber players the Buckeyes tend to bring in under center, Ohio State is confident in Fahey, and they now have their guy.
Slotting in between current freshman Tavien St. Clair and 2027 commit Brady Edmunds, this is a great addition and a solid fit.
If there’s a position that been talked about more than any other surrounding Ohio State recruiting lately, it’s edge rusher. Just one commitment in the fold thus far, the Buckeyes are in desperate need to add numbers at the spot, and that’s been a theme the last couple of cycles.
Ohio State been able to land their top edge rusher targets as of late, and that has many fans questioning not only the strategy, but the personnel going after these highly coveted players.
Narrowing it down to NIL and Ohio State’s viewpoints on the matter, the Buckeyes are losing out on their top targets many times due to what they are offering money wise. A safe approach, sure it could benefit them down the road, but in the current landscape it’s costing them the players they want the most and something needs to change.
Top guys coming off the board quickly, Ohio State is running out of real options here. On Thursday, Texas native KJ Ford set his commitment date for July 11. Down to Florida, Texas A&M, and Ohio State, the Buckeyes really need to win this recruitment, and they know what it’s going to take. If the program changes their tune with the NIL stance, then the Buckeyes have every bit of a shot here. If not, it’s going to be hard to win out.
The No. 116 player nationally and 15th best at his position per the 247Sports Composite, you can’t overstate how important this win would be. Time is the only measure that will tell if the Buckeyes go all in, but with little to no options left, it may be time to increase the offer.
Announcing his commitment later today, Ojo took to his social media to share four schools he would be deciding from, but Texas Tech is clearly making a last minute effort to sway him away from the original four schools, which included Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas.
The No. 7 player nationally and the second-best offensive tackle in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, Ojo landing at Texas Tech would have to be an NIL deal situation, but either way, it would be a surprise if the Buckeyes were the ones called in the end.
Looking to set a date in the near future, the Buckeyes have long been in the running, but right now it seems like Michigan and Tennessee are out in front. Rumors of what he could cost in the NIL landscape, it’s not likely Ohio State gets into a bidding war if that’s what it comes down to.
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
2026 Ohio State QB commit Luke Fahey
The Buckeyes have found their quarterback in the 2026 class.
Starting the holiday weekend off with some early fireworks, Thursday brought Ohio State their 2026 quarterback when California native Luke Fahey gave the Buckeyes the nod. The No. 357 player nationally and 25th best signal caller per the 247Sports Composite, Fahey chose Ohio State over the likes of Indiana, Oklahoma State, and Stanford.
Filling a major hole for Ohio State’s current class, the Buckeyes long waited for the quarterback of this cycle to commit. While Fahey wasn’t necessarily atop the list to begin the cycle, the coaching staff firmly believes they found a player better than his ranking, but also a great fit scheme wise with his accuracy and ability to move in and out of the pocket.
Former teammates with current Ohio State receiver Phillip Bell, Ryan Day has seen plenty of what Fahey brings to the table, and clearly feels good enough about where his game can go if he continues to develop. Doing so under this offensive staff, you have to like the upside under Day’s watchful eye and help.
A recruitment that didn’t take long after Ohio State offered, Fahey made it clear that the Buckeyes would be hard to say no to, and yesterday he put his money where his mouth is by saying yes.
Ohio State wants to take a player at quarterback in every recruiting class considering how crucial the depth is each year. While some may look at the ranking and compare it to the usual five-star caliber players the Buckeyes tend to bring in under center, Ohio State is confident in Fahey, and they now have their guy.
Slotting in between current freshman Tavien St. Clair and 2027 commit Brady Edmunds, this is a great addition and a solid fit.
2026 EDGE target sets commitment date
If there’s a position that been talked about more than any other surrounding Ohio State recruiting lately, it’s edge rusher. Just one commitment in the fold thus far, the Buckeyes are in desperate need to add numbers at the spot, and that’s been a theme the last couple of cycles.
Ohio State been able to land their top edge rusher targets as of late, and that has many fans questioning not only the strategy, but the personnel going after these highly coveted players.
Narrowing it down to NIL and Ohio State’s viewpoints on the matter, the Buckeyes are losing out on their top targets many times due to what they are offering money wise. A safe approach, sure it could benefit them down the road, but in the current landscape it’s costing them the players they want the most and something needs to change.
Top guys coming off the board quickly, Ohio State is running out of real options here. On Thursday, Texas native KJ Ford set his commitment date for July 11. Down to Florida, Texas A&M, and Ohio State, the Buckeyes really need to win this recruitment, and they know what it’s going to take. If the program changes their tune with the NIL stance, then the Buckeyes have every bit of a shot here. If not, it’s going to be hard to win out.
The No. 116 player nationally and 15th best at his position per the 247Sports Composite, you can’t overstate how important this win would be. Time is the only measure that will tell if the Buckeyes go all in, but with little to no options left, it may be time to increase the offer.
NEWS: Four-Star EDGE KJ Ford is down to Florida, Texas A&M, & Ohio State, he tells me for @rivals
The 6’4 245 EDGE from Duncanville, TX will announce his Commitment on July 11th
Where Should He Go?https://t.co/vI9jwNqacU pic.twitter.com/s6FwRRmUv1
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 3, 2025
Quick Hits
- An unexpected contender this late in his recruitment, last night five-star offensive tackle prospect and long-time Ohio State target Felix Ojo was predicted to land at Texas Tech, per Steve Wiltfong of On3.
Announcing his commitment later today, Ojo took to his social media to share four schools he would be deciding from, but Texas Tech is clearly making a last minute effort to sway him away from the original four schools, which included Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas.
The No. 7 player nationally and the second-best offensive tackle in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, Ojo landing at Texas Tech would have to be an NIL deal situation, but either way, it would be a surprise if the Buckeyes were the ones called in the end.
- The top running back in the 2026 class, Virginia native Savion Hiter took to his social media on Thursday to share that a decision was coming closer to being made. Set to decide between a final four schools, Ohio State is in the mix with Georgia, Michigan, and Tennessee rounding out the rest.
Looking to set a date in the near future, the Buckeyes have long been in the running, but right now it seems like Michigan and Tennessee are out in front. Rumors of what he could cost in the NIL landscape, it’s not likely Ohio State gets into a bidding war if that’s what it comes down to.
Commitment date coming soon#GoBucks #GoDawgs #GoBlue
#GBO pic.twitter.com/6Z4egQUO5j
— Savion “Cinco” Hiter (High-ter) (@5starsavi) July 3, 2025
Continue reading...
LGHL Jeremiah Smith signs an NIL deal with adidas, but will wear Nikes in games
- News
- 0 Replies
Jeremiah Smith signs an NIL deal with adidas, but will wear Nikes in games
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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!
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Football: Training Camp Tickets are On Sale NOW
Ohio State Athletics
Jeremiah Smith signs with Adidas but can’t wear its shoes during games
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Burning Questions: Is Ryan Day finally going to get over his Michigan block?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Championship in pocket, Ryan Day ready to claim next major prize at Ohio State
Austin Ward, Lettermen Row
Burning Question: Has the Ohio State-Michigan game lost some of its importance?
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
‘More organized’ James Laurinaitis still learning, growing in role as Buckeyes LB coach
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Ohio State’s returning starters discuss loyalty, position changes
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Women’s Lacrosse: Carrasquillo Joins Ohio State Staff
Ohio State Athletics
From Eruwa to male athlete of the year: Michael Adedokun’s Rise at Ohio State
Jack Diwik, The Lantern
Webster’s Unmatched Journey: Two Sports, Countless Honors, One Impactful Buckeye
Reilly Cahill, The Lantern
Yeah, this is super messed up...
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
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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 to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Football: Training Camp Tickets are On Sale NOW
Ohio State Athletics
Jeremiah Smith signs with Adidas but can’t wear its shoes during games
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
DIFFERENT️
Welcome to the three stripes, @Jermiah_Smith1 pic.twitter.com/gupNG8TbZH
— adidas Football US (@adidasFballUS) July 2, 2025
Burning Questions: Is Ryan Day finally going to get over his Michigan block?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Championship in pocket, Ryan Day ready to claim next major prize at Ohio State
Austin Ward, Lettermen Row
Burning Question: Has the Ohio State-Michigan game lost some of its importance?
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
‘More organized’ James Laurinaitis still learning, growing in role as Buckeyes LB coach
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
On the Hardwood
Ohio State’s returning starters discuss loyalty, position changes
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Women’s Lacrosse: Carrasquillo Joins Ohio State Staff
Ohio State Athletics
From Eruwa to male athlete of the year: Michael Adedokun’s Rise at Ohio State
Jack Diwik, The Lantern
Webster’s Unmatched Journey: Two Sports, Countless Honors, One Impactful Buckeye
Reilly Cahill, The Lantern
And now for something completely different...
Yeah, this is super messed up...
Continue reading...
LGHL Burning Questions: Is there a dark-horse Big Ten challenger to Ohio State this season?
- News
- 0 Replies
Burning Questions: Is there a dark-horse Big Ten challenger to Ohio State this season?
Cincinnati1968 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
ATLANTA, GA JANUARY 20: Defensive End Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and teammate JT Tuimoloau #44 celebrate with the winning trophy following the conclusion of the the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. | Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Big Ten is going to be a battle in 2025.
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 the most important questions yet unanswered for the season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content and our ”Burning Questions” articles here.
Ohio State is the Super Bowl for every other team in the Big Ten. When they show up on opposing team’s schedules, it’s a huge deal for those programs and universities.
Except for maybe The Team Up North, who has their fair share of back and forth with the Buckeyes, beating Ohio State can be viewed as one of, if not the greatest, moment in that program’s history.
The Big Ten is going to be ridiculously good again this season...
Michigan, Oregon and Penn State are, undoubtedly, the biggest challengers to Ohio State this season in the Big Ten. But is there another team in the Big Ten we’re not talking about that could be a threat to the Buckeyes in the Big Ten?
Could that team be the Illinois Fighting Illini?
For starters — literally — there are 16 of them returning from last year’s team. That 2024 Illinois squad went 10-3 and beat South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl. They reached as high as No. 19 in the AP Poll in September, and they were No. 21 in the final CFP rankings of the season.
Senior quarterback Luke Altmeyer is coming off a really good season, throwing for 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He’ll be protected up front by all five returning starters along the offensive line, and Altmeyer will also have running back Aidan Laughery and tight end Tanner Arkin coming back.
On defense, the Fighting Illini will return seven starters from last season. Illinois was 31st in the country allowing just 21.7 points per game, which was good for ninth in the Big Ten.
This is an Illinois team that is hoping to establish some consistency in 2025 — something that its program hasn’t had since the 1980s. Fifth-year head coach Brett Bielema may be establishing just that, with Illinois coming off its first 10-win campaign since 2001.
Ohio State is Illinois’s seventh game this season. Prior to that, the Fighting Illini play at Duke and Indiana, and host USC. Those are their most notable games, which won’t be easy. But if Illinois wins two of those three games and is 5-1 going into the game on Oct. 11, that is going to be a raucous crowd at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois when the Buckeyes roll in.
For Ohio State, that matchup is after the Homecoming game in Columbus against Minnesota, and before the road trip to Wisconsin. That’s not going to be an easy three-game stretch for the Buckeyes, and an Illinois team that’s going to be playing for a lot this season could be a much tougher fight than some fans may think.
The Buckeyes open the season against Texas and play both Penn State and Michigan in November. Those are three huge games. But Illinois is also a really big game, especially if the Fighting Illini live up to expectations. Similar to what the game against Indiana became in 2024, that’s what the game against Illinois can become in 2025, with this one being on the road.
Illinois is a dark-horse team in the Big Ten. Given that the Illini avoid all three of Penn State, Oregon and Michigan this season, that game on Oct. 11 could prove meaningful towards the final conference standings.
Continue reading...
Cincinnati1968 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
ATLANTA, GA JANUARY 20: Defensive End Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and teammate JT Tuimoloau #44 celebrate with the winning trophy following the conclusion of the the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. | Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Big Ten is going to be a battle in 2025.
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 the most important questions yet unanswered for the season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content and our ”Burning Questions” articles here.
Ohio State is the Super Bowl for every other team in the Big Ten. When they show up on opposing team’s schedules, it’s a huge deal for those programs and universities.
Except for maybe The Team Up North, who has their fair share of back and forth with the Buckeyes, beating Ohio State can be viewed as one of, if not the greatest, moment in that program’s history.
The Big Ten is going to be ridiculously good again this season...
- The Wolverines are expected to be much better offensively with true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood poised to be their starter.
- Oregon, despite losing quarterback Dillon Gabriel and wide receiver Tez Johnson to the NFL Draft, should still be really good with new quarterback Dante Moore and senior wide receiver Evan Stewart.
- Penn State enters 2025 with national championship aspirations with Drew Allar returning. Allar has gotten progressively better each year he has been with the Nittany Lions, and he’s got unfinished business after coming up just short in the College Football Playoff Semifinals against Notre Dame.
Michigan, Oregon and Penn State are, undoubtedly, the biggest challengers to Ohio State this season in the Big Ten. But is there another team in the Big Ten we’re not talking about that could be a threat to the Buckeyes in the Big Ten?
Could that team be the Illinois Fighting Illini?
For starters — literally — there are 16 of them returning from last year’s team. That 2024 Illinois squad went 10-3 and beat South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl. They reached as high as No. 19 in the AP Poll in September, and they were No. 21 in the final CFP rankings of the season.
Senior quarterback Luke Altmeyer is coming off a really good season, throwing for 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He’ll be protected up front by all five returning starters along the offensive line, and Altmeyer will also have running back Aidan Laughery and tight end Tanner Arkin coming back.
On defense, the Fighting Illini will return seven starters from last season. Illinois was 31st in the country allowing just 21.7 points per game, which was good for ninth in the Big Ten.
This is an Illinois team that is hoping to establish some consistency in 2025 — something that its program hasn’t had since the 1980s. Fifth-year head coach Brett Bielema may be establishing just that, with Illinois coming off its first 10-win campaign since 2001.
Ohio State is Illinois’s seventh game this season. Prior to that, the Fighting Illini play at Duke and Indiana, and host USC. Those are their most notable games, which won’t be easy. But if Illinois wins two of those three games and is 5-1 going into the game on Oct. 11, that is going to be a raucous crowd at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois when the Buckeyes roll in.
For Ohio State, that matchup is after the Homecoming game in Columbus against Minnesota, and before the road trip to Wisconsin. That’s not going to be an easy three-game stretch for the Buckeyes, and an Illinois team that’s going to be playing for a lot this season could be a much tougher fight than some fans may think.
The Buckeyes open the season against Texas and play both Penn State and Michigan in November. Those are three huge games. But Illinois is also a really big game, especially if the Fighting Illini live up to expectations. Similar to what the game against Indiana became in 2024, that’s what the game against Illinois can become in 2025, with this one being on the road.
Illinois is a dark-horse team in the Big Ten. Given that the Illini avoid all three of Penn State, Oregon and Michigan this season, that game on Oct. 11 could prove meaningful towards the final conference standings.
Continue reading...