-
New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.
LGHL Tell us where you think Ohio State will be seeded in the College Football Playoff
- News
- 0 Replies
Tell us where you think Ohio State will be seeded in the College Football Playoff
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
Throughout the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
Six games down, six more to go. On Saturday, the Ohio State Buckeyes will open up the back half of their regular season when they welcome the reeling Nebraska Cornhuskers to Ohio Stadium. so, as is our weekly wont, we are checking in with Buckeye Nation to see how the first half dozen games of the season have impacted their thoughts and feelings about what is to come.
In this week’s fan survey, not only are we asking for your prediction on Saturday’s matchup, but we also want you to do a little more forward-looking prognosticating by predicting where OSU will end up in the College Football Playoff... if they make it at all. I will break down the two survey questions, and then you can vote at the bottom of the article.
If we didn’t include options that accurately summarizes your thoughts, feel free to write in a pick in the comments below.
As there always is following each and every Ohio State loss, there was a lot of doom and gloom amongst the Buckeye fandom, but after a week and a half to reflect, it’s time to reassess what the final six games of the season (plus a potential Big Ten Championship Game) have in store for Ohio State.
Personally, I still think that they will win the conference title. I certainly am not expecting the games against Penn State, Indiana, and even Michigan (on rivalry vibes alone) to be easy wins, and obviously, OSU could lose any of those contests, but I would be picking them to win each of them, so I’ll stick to that.
If they do win the B1G, then obviously they will be a top-4 seed, probably the No. 1 seed. However, if they make the conference title game and lose, then there’s really no shot for them to get a home game in the playoff as a two-loss team, so that would put them in the No. 9 to No. 12 range. If they go 11-1 in the regular season but somehow get edged out of the Big Ten Title Game (which would essentially require Illinois to be ahead of them in tiebreakers), then they could slot into the No. 5 through No. 8 slots and host a CFP game at The Horseshoe.
While certainly possible, I can’t imagine that OSU loses enough games to not make the playoff, so I am not even entertaining that option as of now. What do you think?
When FanDuel Sportsbook opened betting on this game on Sunday, the line came in at a whopping 23.5 points, far higher than some envisioned preseason when they thought this could be a matchup of undefeateds. The gold standard college football analytics metric SP+ is predicting a score of 33-11 in favor of the Buckeyes.
Personally, following a week off — that came on the heels of a heartbreaking loss — I imagine that the Buckeyes will want to get off to a solid start for their remaining six regular season games. They will need to solidify the offensive line now that Josh Simmons is out, and there needs to be some sort of change across the defensive front, because the lack of true pressure is handcuffing the entire defense.
So, I am optimistic that the Bucks will come out playing as inspired a brand of football as we have seen this season... or at least I hope they will.
Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
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
Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
Throughout the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
Six games down, six more to go. On Saturday, the Ohio State Buckeyes will open up the back half of their regular season when they welcome the reeling Nebraska Cornhuskers to Ohio Stadium. so, as is our weekly wont, we are checking in with Buckeye Nation to see how the first half dozen games of the season have impacted their thoughts and feelings about what is to come.
In this week’s fan survey, not only are we asking for your prediction on Saturday’s matchup, but we also want you to do a little more forward-looking prognosticating by predicting where OSU will end up in the College Football Playoff... if they make it at all. I will break down the two survey questions, and then you can vote at the bottom of the article.
If we didn’t include options that accurately summarizes your thoughts, feel free to write in a pick in the comments below.
Question 1: Where do you think Ohio State will be seeded in the College Football Playoff?
As there always is following each and every Ohio State loss, there was a lot of doom and gloom amongst the Buckeye fandom, but after a week and a half to reflect, it’s time to reassess what the final six games of the season (plus a potential Big Ten Championship Game) have in store for Ohio State.
Personally, I still think that they will win the conference title. I certainly am not expecting the games against Penn State, Indiana, and even Michigan (on rivalry vibes alone) to be easy wins, and obviously, OSU could lose any of those contests, but I would be picking them to win each of them, so I’ll stick to that.
If they do win the B1G, then obviously they will be a top-4 seed, probably the No. 1 seed. However, if they make the conference title game and lose, then there’s really no shot for them to get a home game in the playoff as a two-loss team, so that would put them in the No. 9 to No. 12 range. If they go 11-1 in the regular season but somehow get edged out of the Big Ten Title Game (which would essentially require Illinois to be ahead of them in tiebreakers), then they could slot into the No. 5 through No. 8 slots and host a CFP game at The Horseshoe.
While certainly possible, I can’t imagine that OSU loses enough games to not make the playoff, so I am not even entertaining that option as of now. What do you think?
Question 2: What will the margin of victory be in Saturday’s game against Nebraska?
When FanDuel Sportsbook opened betting on this game on Sunday, the line came in at a whopping 23.5 points, far higher than some envisioned preseason when they thought this could be a matchup of undefeateds. The gold standard college football analytics metric SP+ is predicting a score of 33-11 in favor of the Buckeyes.
Personally, following a week off — that came on the heels of a heartbreaking loss — I imagine that the Buckeyes will want to get off to a solid start for their remaining six regular season games. They will need to solidify the offensive line now that Josh Simmons is out, and there needs to be some sort of change across the defensive front, because the lack of true pressure is handcuffing the entire defense.
So, I am optimistic that the Bucks will come out playing as inspired a brand of football as we have seen this season... or at least I hope they will.
Share your thoughts here:
Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Evan Mahaffey
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Evan Mahaffey
justingolba 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
Mahaffey returns to the Buckeyes having logged the second-most minutes behind Bruce Thornton.
Even though it’s October and fans are locked into college football, the fall also means that college basketball is right around the corner.
From now until the start of the hoops season in early November, we will be doing player previews and team previews for all the players on the men’s basketball team and the new look Big Ten Conference.
Name: Evan Mahaffey
Position: Forward
Class: Junior
High School/Previous School: Archbishop Moeller H.S./Penn State
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Weight: 200 pounds
Height: 6-foot-6
The Penn State transfer and Ohio native was one of the top overall producers for the Buckeyes last season, as one of four players to play in all 36 games and made 35 starts.
He was one of the team’s top defenders, and averaged 4.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while also recording 25 blocks. As a scorer for the Buckeyes, he had four double-digit scoring games, including a career-high 16 against his former team, Penn State.
Before Ohio State, he played in 34 games as a true freshman at Penn State, averaging 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game while shooting 56.9 percent from the field in an average of 9.4 minutes per contest
He is one of the few Ohio State players with tournament experience, as he appeared in both NCAA Tournament games for the Nittany Lions in 2023 against Texas A&M and Texas.
According to 247Sports, he was a consensus three-star prospect coming out of Cincinnati’s Archbishop Moeller High School. As a senior at Moeller, he was a finalist for 2022 Ohio Mr. Basketball, the GCL Conference Player of the Year, the Ohio Player of the Year by Cincinnati.com, and a Division I first-team All-Ohio honoree.
Mahaffey is one of the few returning players to the Buckeyes, and his role will look much different this year. He started all but one game last season, and will come off the bench this year.
With the addition of Micah Parrish and Sean Stewart, they will push Mahaffey to the bench. More than likely, Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. will come off the bench before Mahaffey, so he could be the 8th or 9th player in the rotation for Jake Diebler and the coaching staff.
Last year, as a starter, he played just over 22 minutes a game for Ohio State. I expect that number to drop a little, but he is still a valuable player to the team with his defense and as a returning player. He also played the second most minutes of any returning player, only to Bruce Thornton.
I would expect him to be the third guy off the bench, and play 14-18 minutes per game.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Mahaffey returns to the Buckeyes having logged the second-most minutes behind Bruce Thornton.
Even though it’s October and fans are locked into college football, the fall also means that college basketball is right around the corner.
From now until the start of the hoops season in early November, we will be doing player previews and team previews for all the players on the men’s basketball team and the new look Big Ten Conference.
The Evan Mahaffey File
Name: Evan Mahaffey
Position: Forward
Class: Junior
High School/Previous School: Archbishop Moeller H.S./Penn State
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Weight: 200 pounds
Height: 6-foot-6
Breakdown
The Penn State transfer and Ohio native was one of the top overall producers for the Buckeyes last season, as one of four players to play in all 36 games and made 35 starts.
He was one of the team’s top defenders, and averaged 4.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while also recording 25 blocks. As a scorer for the Buckeyes, he had four double-digit scoring games, including a career-high 16 against his former team, Penn State.
Before Ohio State, he played in 34 games as a true freshman at Penn State, averaging 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game while shooting 56.9 percent from the field in an average of 9.4 minutes per contest
He is one of the few Ohio State players with tournament experience, as he appeared in both NCAA Tournament games for the Nittany Lions in 2023 against Texas A&M and Texas.
According to 247Sports, he was a consensus three-star prospect coming out of Cincinnati’s Archbishop Moeller High School. As a senior at Moeller, he was a finalist for 2022 Ohio Mr. Basketball, the GCL Conference Player of the Year, the Ohio Player of the Year by Cincinnati.com, and a Division I first-team All-Ohio honoree.
Expected Role
Mahaffey is one of the few returning players to the Buckeyes, and his role will look much different this year. He started all but one game last season, and will come off the bench this year.
With the addition of Micah Parrish and Sean Stewart, they will push Mahaffey to the bench. More than likely, Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. will come off the bench before Mahaffey, so he could be the 8th or 9th player in the rotation for Jake Diebler and the coaching staff.
Last year, as a starter, he played just over 22 minutes a game for Ohio State. I expect that number to drop a little, but he is still a valuable player to the team with his defense and as a returning player. He also played the second most minutes of any returning player, only to Bruce Thornton.
I would expect him to be the third guy off the bench, and play 14-18 minutes per game.
Continue reading...
LGHL Buckeyes and Nittany Lions set for the always thrilling, big-game, marque 12 noon kickoff
- News
- 0 Replies
Buckeyes and Nittany Lions set for the always thrilling, big-game, marque 12 noon kickoff
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / 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!
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
Kickoff time, TV set for OSU’s upcoming road trip to Penn State
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State adds big visitor to guest list for Nebraska game
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ryan Day Lasered In On Ohio State’s Defensive Dilemmas During Buckeyes’ Bye Week
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Four thoughts on Ohio State football in the second half of the 2024 season
Bill Landis, Dotting The Eyes
Stock Market Report: Special Big Ten edition, Is Indiana the standout stock of the league
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
This makes me very, very happy. But also, don’t count out a loss to Little Brother and going 5-7 and not making a bowl game!
Stat Pack: Where Ohio State stands statistically after Week 8
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
You’re Nuts: Who is Ohio State’s biggest non-Oregon threat in the Big Ten?
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
Entering final season, Taylor Thierry key to Ohio State women’s basketball success
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Soccer: Ohio State Earns No. 1 NCAA Committee Ranking
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Golf: Choi, Hollenbaugh Fire Rounds in the 60s as Buckeyes Tie for Fourth at Jim West Challenge
Ohio State Athletics
Now they are saying that 247 was hacked, but then why did they have the graphic made? ️
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
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / 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 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
Kickoff time, TV set for OSU’s upcoming road trip to Penn State
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
️ Game Time Announcement
Penn State
️ Beaver Stadium
️ Saturday, Nov. 2
@CFBONFOX
12 P.M. pic.twitter.com/AqWxcRQrG9
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 21, 2024
Ohio State adds big visitor to guest list for Nebraska game
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ryan Day Lasered In On Ohio State’s Defensive Dilemmas During Buckeyes’ Bye Week
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Four thoughts on Ohio State football in the second half of the 2024 season
Bill Landis, Dotting The Eyes
Stock Market Report: Special Big Ten edition, Is Indiana the standout stock of the league
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
This makes me very, very happy. But also, don’t count out a loss to Little Brother and going 5-7 and not making a bowl game!
Stat Pack: Where Ohio State stands statistically after Week 8
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
You’re Nuts: Who is Ohio State’s biggest non-Oregon threat in the Big Ten?
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Entering final season, Taylor Thierry key to Ohio State women’s basketball success
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Men’s Soccer: Ohio State Earns No. 1 NCAA Committee Ranking
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Golf: Choi, Hollenbaugh Fire Rounds in the 60s as Buckeyes Tie for Fourth at Jim West Challenge
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
Now they are saying that 247 was hacked, but then why did they have the graphic made? ️
Continue reading...
LGHL Silver Bullets Podcast: Ohio State’s bye week, Big Ten results and Nebraska preview
- News
- 0 Replies
Silver Bullets Podcast: Ohio State’s bye week, Big Ten results and Nebraska preview
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Will the Huskers go after Denzel Burke on Saturday? | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes complete their second “improvement week” and prep for the Huskers.
With the Ohio State Buckeyes on their second bye week of the 2024 season, it provided a great opportunity for us to focus on some of the other teams around the Big Ten. With that in mind, we opened this week’s show with a trip around the other B1G results to see how everyone was doing.
It was a bad weekend to be an Iowa Hawkeyes or a Michigan Wolverine — is there ever a good week to be a Michigan Wolverine though? — and the wheels seem to have come off for Rutgers. On the flip side, Michigan State notched an important win and Indiana looks as formidable as it has been in my lifetime. We discuss some of the key talking points.
After looking around the conference and the country, we turned our attention toward the Buckeyes’ upcoming game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Huskers were humbled on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back with a much stronger defensive performance than they had against Indiana. Dylan Raiola, a former OSU quarterback commit, will no doubt feel like he has something to prove to Ohio State fans, even though it wasn’t the Buckeyes’ fault he decided to flip — not once, but twice. Raiola started the year strong but has not looked great the last two games.
We made our score predictions and selected the players we thought might have good games on Saturday against Nebraska.
We also looked at the Ohio State players who were named “Midseason All-Americans,” although we don’t agree that that’s actually a thing, and we had another black stripe removal to discuss.
We would love to hear from you, so please reach out with your feedback and questions below in the comments section or send us an email. Any questions directed toward us will be answered on our next show.
Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, share, and follow the show over on Twitter at @SilvrBulletsPod.
As always, thanks for listening!
0:21 - The Buckeyes were off over the weekend, but there was plenty of drama around the rest of the Big Ten.
33:01 - The Buckeyes get set to take on a Nebraska Cornhuskers team that just got humbled by Indiana — and a former OSU quarterback commit.
Continue reading...
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Will the Huskers go after Denzel Burke on Saturday? | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes complete their second “improvement week” and prep for the Huskers.
With the Ohio State Buckeyes on their second bye week of the 2024 season, it provided a great opportunity for us to focus on some of the other teams around the Big Ten. With that in mind, we opened this week’s show with a trip around the other B1G results to see how everyone was doing.
It was a bad weekend to be an Iowa Hawkeyes or a Michigan Wolverine — is there ever a good week to be a Michigan Wolverine though? — and the wheels seem to have come off for Rutgers. On the flip side, Michigan State notched an important win and Indiana looks as formidable as it has been in my lifetime. We discuss some of the key talking points.
After looking around the conference and the country, we turned our attention toward the Buckeyes’ upcoming game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Huskers were humbled on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back with a much stronger defensive performance than they had against Indiana. Dylan Raiola, a former OSU quarterback commit, will no doubt feel like he has something to prove to Ohio State fans, even though it wasn’t the Buckeyes’ fault he decided to flip — not once, but twice. Raiola started the year strong but has not looked great the last two games.
We made our score predictions and selected the players we thought might have good games on Saturday against Nebraska.
We also looked at the Ohio State players who were named “Midseason All-Americans,” although we don’t agree that that’s actually a thing, and we had another black stripe removal to discuss.
We would love to hear from you, so please reach out with your feedback and questions below in the comments section or send us an email. Any questions directed toward us will be answered on our next show.
Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, share, and follow the show over on Twitter at @SilvrBulletsPod.
As always, thanks for listening!
0:21 - The Buckeyes were off over the weekend, but there was plenty of drama around the rest of the Big Ten.
33:01 - The Buckeyes get set to take on a Nebraska Cornhuskers team that just got humbled by Indiana — and a former OSU quarterback commit.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State a top school for new No. 1 overall recruit
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State a top school for new No. 1 overall recruit
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2026 five-star edge Zion Elee | via @D1zion26 on X
Ohio State is one of the top schools for Zion Elee, who was just named the No. 1 overall prospect by On3.
Ohio State is still 5-1 following the team’s week off. The Buckeyes made the most of the extra time, as the coaching staff was busy preparing this year’s team for Saturday’s game against a Nebraska team that is stronger than in recent years. With the Oregon loss still being the last time this team was on the field, the Buckeyes are hard at work ensuring they give a stronger performance.
The coaching staff was not only busy working with the current roster on the bye week, as the team was also busy making recruiting headlines. Even though Monday meant the start of a new game week, the Buckeyes still found a way to make more recruiting headlines.
In case you missed any Ohio State recruiting news on Monday, as always Land-Grant Holy Land has you covered.
Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class is all but complete, which has allowed the coaching staff to put more focus into next year’s class for the last couple months. The Buckeyes only have one verbal commitment in the 2026 class, albeit it is a great one in five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., but the Buckeyes would like to start adding more names to the class sooner rather than later.
One of the recruits Ohio State has made a priority target was recently named the No. 1 overall prospect by On3.com. Five-star edge Zion Elee (Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy) is the new top recruit in the 2026 class, and he also released an updated list of schools that stand out to him — and the Buckeyes were one of them.
Alongside Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, Texas A&M, Maryland, Miami, Tennessee and Penn State were also named one of his top schools.
Ohio State has long been targeting Elee, but the school may have some work to do if it is to secure a commitment from him. Shortly after being named the new No. 1 recruit by On3, Steve Wiltfong dropped a prediction for him in favor of Oregon. There is still plenty of time left in Elee’s recruitment, but Ohio State will need to get him on campus for an official visit if it is to remain contenders.
Elee is the No. 3 edge and is the No. 16 overall recruit by 247Sports, he is also the No. 2 recruit out of Maryland.
That being said Ohio State is far from out of it, but it will definitely need to get him on campus this season to remain contenders. Curtis is the No. 1 QB and the No. 6 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He is also the top recruit out of Tennessee.
Continue reading...
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2026 five-star edge Zion Elee | via @D1zion26 on X
Ohio State is one of the top schools for Zion Elee, who was just named the No. 1 overall prospect by On3.
Ohio State is still 5-1 following the team’s week off. The Buckeyes made the most of the extra time, as the coaching staff was busy preparing this year’s team for Saturday’s game against a Nebraska team that is stronger than in recent years. With the Oregon loss still being the last time this team was on the field, the Buckeyes are hard at work ensuring they give a stronger performance.
The coaching staff was not only busy working with the current roster on the bye week, as the team was also busy making recruiting headlines. Even though Monday meant the start of a new game week, the Buckeyes still found a way to make more recruiting headlines.
In case you missed any Ohio State recruiting news on Monday, as always Land-Grant Holy Land has you covered.
Ohio State a top school for five-star edge
Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class is all but complete, which has allowed the coaching staff to put more focus into next year’s class for the last couple months. The Buckeyes only have one verbal commitment in the 2026 class, albeit it is a great one in five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., but the Buckeyes would like to start adding more names to the class sooner rather than later.
One of the recruits Ohio State has made a priority target was recently named the No. 1 overall prospect by On3.com. Five-star edge Zion Elee (Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy) is the new top recruit in the 2026 class, and he also released an updated list of schools that stand out to him — and the Buckeyes were one of them.
Alongside Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, Texas A&M, Maryland, Miami, Tennessee and Penn State were also named one of his top schools.
Ohio State has long been targeting Elee, but the school may have some work to do if it is to secure a commitment from him. Shortly after being named the new No. 1 recruit by On3, Steve Wiltfong dropped a prediction for him in favor of Oregon. There is still plenty of time left in Elee’s recruitment, but Ohio State will need to get him on campus for an official visit if it is to remain contenders.
Elee is the No. 3 edge and is the No. 16 overall recruit by 247Sports, he is also the No. 2 recruit out of Maryland.
Quick Hits
- Ohio State saw former Georgia commit and five-star quarterback Jared Curtis (Nashville, TN / Nashville Christian School) become available over the weekend. The Buckeyes were also named one of six schools he is interested in, alongside Alabama, Clemson, Oregon, USC and South Carolina. It appears that Oregon is the early leader in of that short group, as he told Hayes Fawcett so on Monday.
That being said Ohio State is far from out of it, but it will definitely need to get him on campus this season to remain contenders. Curtis is the No. 1 QB and the No. 6 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He is also the top recruit out of Tennessee.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State fans remain optimistic about season despite loss to Oregon
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State fans remain optimistic about season despite loss to Oregon
Matt Tamanini 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 via Imagn Images
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
Throughout the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
Ohio State’s second and final bye week of the season is now behind us, and it is time to look forward to next Saturday’s matchup with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. With that forward-looking eye in mind, we asked two questions about the Buckeye roster and the second half of the regular season in this week’s fan survey, but we also took the temperature of Buckeye Nation coming out of the 32-31 loss to Oregon.
So, check out the results and see what your fellow Buckeye fans are thinking about the Buckeyes and the rest of the season.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25689653/OhioState_1_101624.png)
If ever you hear anyone saying that all Ohio State football fans overreact or that we all think the same thing about the team (often something negative), point them to these results, because the results ran the gamut. Half of the respondents were essentially calling for calm following the one-point road loss to the new No. 1 team in the country.
I think that is a very fair way to feel coming out of OSU’s first defeat of the season, but, to be honest, I think that you could convincingly argue for any of these answers. One thing that we know now though is that there are no perfect teams in college football this season, so even with weaknesses and shortcomings, Ohio State is still certainly able of winning the national championship.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25689676/OhioState_2_101624.png)
Another fairly close vote, which I think bodes well for how fans feel about the potential of the season. Going with the two passing game veterans seem like solid choices, and honestly, I wouldn’t argue with any of the top-five vote-getters. However, I am a bit concerned about the impact that the loss of Isaiah Simmons will have on the running game. Obviously, it will also play into the pass protection as well, but that has felt sturdier for the Buckeyes the last few years.
I would probably go with the quarterback as well, because I think that there is still room for him to get comfortable with the offense and with his teammates, and more that he can do in the running game. So, hopefully, if Chip Kelly pulls out all the stops from now until the end of the season, we will see more from Will over the next six games.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25689677/OhioState_3_101624.png)
A few weeks ago, Jim Knowles said that he was unleashing Caleb Downs and we’ve seen his production increase a bit in terms of the big play/counting stat categories. But there certainly seems to be room for him to continue to improve. However, I do think that part of the reason that the Alabama transfer hasn’t been a more front-and-center part of the Buckeye defense this year is because of the scheme.
Ohio State continues to run a very vanilla front four where the four defensive linemen just simply run straight forward into the offensive line. Not only is that not productive when it comes to generating pressure on the opposing quarterback, but it also puts the defensive backs in nearly impossible situations when it comes to keeping guys locked in coverage for abnormally long periods of time.
So, if Knowles and Larry Johnson can finally figure out a way to do something... anything... creative with the pass rush, that should also help Downs, Lathan Ransom, Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, and the rest of the secondary.
Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
Throughout the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.
Ohio State’s second and final bye week of the season is now behind us, and it is time to look forward to next Saturday’s matchup with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. With that forward-looking eye in mind, we asked two questions about the Buckeye roster and the second half of the regular season in this week’s fan survey, but we also took the temperature of Buckeye Nation coming out of the 32-31 loss to Oregon.
So, check out the results and see what your fellow Buckeye fans are thinking about the Buckeyes and the rest of the season.
Question 1: What is your general feeling about the season following Ohio State’s 32-31 loss to Oregon?
If ever you hear anyone saying that all Ohio State football fans overreact or that we all think the same thing about the team (often something negative), point them to these results, because the results ran the gamut. Half of the respondents were essentially calling for calm following the one-point road loss to the new No. 1 team in the country.
I think that is a very fair way to feel coming out of OSU’s first defeat of the season, but, to be honest, I think that you could convincingly argue for any of these answers. One thing that we know now though is that there are no perfect teams in college football this season, so even with weaknesses and shortcomings, Ohio State is still certainly able of winning the national championship.
Question 2: Which offensive Buckeye will have the biggest second half of the season?
Another fairly close vote, which I think bodes well for how fans feel about the potential of the season. Going with the two passing game veterans seem like solid choices, and honestly, I wouldn’t argue with any of the top-five vote-getters. However, I am a bit concerned about the impact that the loss of Isaiah Simmons will have on the running game. Obviously, it will also play into the pass protection as well, but that has felt sturdier for the Buckeyes the last few years.
I would probably go with the quarterback as well, because I think that there is still room for him to get comfortable with the offense and with his teammates, and more that he can do in the running game. So, hopefully, if Chip Kelly pulls out all the stops from now until the end of the season, we will see more from Will over the next six games.
Question 3: Which offensive Buckeye will have the biggest second half of the season?
A few weeks ago, Jim Knowles said that he was unleashing Caleb Downs and we’ve seen his production increase a bit in terms of the big play/counting stat categories. But there certainly seems to be room for him to continue to improve. However, I do think that part of the reason that the Alabama transfer hasn’t been a more front-and-center part of the Buckeye defense this year is because of the scheme.
Ohio State continues to run a very vanilla front four where the four defensive linemen just simply run straight forward into the offensive line. Not only is that not productive when it comes to generating pressure on the opposing quarterback, but it also puts the defensive backs in nearly impossible situations when it comes to keeping guys locked in coverage for abnormally long periods of time.
So, if Knowles and Larry Johnson can finally figure out a way to do something... anything... creative with the pass rush, that should also help Downs, Lathan Ransom, Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, and the rest of the secondary.
Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Continue reading...
LGHL LGHL’s WBB Podcast: Recapping the major storylines from Big Ten Media Day
- News
- 0 Replies
LGHL’s WBB Podcast: Recapping the major storylines from 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
Ohio State women’s basketball on Twitter | @OhioStateWBB
Recapping storylines from the Buckeyes’ first expanded conference media day
The Land-Grant Women’s Basketball Podcast is a show dedicated to coverage of the Ohio State women’s basketball team. Each Monday during the basketball season, LGHL recaps recent games, previews upcoming contests and talks with those in and around the Ohio State women’s basketball universe. Hear directly from players and coaches and receive additional context behind what they say to the media.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
In the debut episode of the Land-Grant Women’s Basketball Podcast, beat writer and host Thomas Costello talks about his trip to the Chicagoland area for Big Ten media day.
Ohio State women’s basketball head coach Kevin McGuff joined his fellow coaches in boosting the stature of the newly expanded 18-team Big Ten conference. When talking about the Buckeyes, he discussed how Taylor Thierry needs to grow in her final season, new recruits, and what he’ll be doing instead of going to a haunted house.
Also, how will Madison Greene be vital to the Buckeyes’ success on and off the court? Plus, what Thierry sees as her areas of improvement heading into the 2024-25 season.
Connect with Thomas:
Twitter: @1ThomasCostello
Theme music: HOLY MOLY by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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
Ohio State women’s basketball on Twitter | @OhioStateWBB
Recapping storylines from the Buckeyes’ first expanded conference media day
The Land-Grant Women’s Basketball Podcast is a show dedicated to coverage of the Ohio State women’s basketball team. Each Monday during the basketball season, LGHL recaps recent games, previews upcoming contests and talks with those in and around the Ohio State women’s basketball universe. Hear directly from players and coaches and receive additional context behind what they say to the media.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
In the debut episode of the Land-Grant Women’s Basketball Podcast, beat writer and host Thomas Costello talks about his trip to the Chicagoland area for Big Ten media day.
Ohio State women’s basketball head coach Kevin McGuff joined his fellow coaches in boosting the stature of the newly expanded 18-team Big Ten conference. When talking about the Buckeyes, he discussed how Taylor Thierry needs to grow in her final season, new recruits, and what he’ll be doing instead of going to a haunted house.
Also, how will Madison Greene be vital to the Buckeyes’ success on and off the court? Plus, what Thierry sees as her areas of improvement heading into the 2024-25 season.
Connect with Thomas:
Twitter: @1ThomasCostello
Theme music: HOLY MOLY by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Continue reading...
LGHL Entering final season, Taylor Thierry key to Ohio State women’s basketball success
- News
- 0 Replies
Entering final season, Taylor Thierry key to Ohio State women’s basketball success
ThomasCostello 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
Thierry continues to grow and will have an enhanced role for the 2024-25 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.
For years, the extra year of eligibility granted to student-athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of the sport. Players stayed at schools longer, transferred more, and provided roster stability. Now, most of the 2021-22 class of freshmen are entering their final collegiate seasons and for Ohio State women’s basketball, that means one more season of head coach Kevin McGuff’s Swiss Army knife fans know as Taylor Thierry.
Name: Taylor Thierry
Position: Forward/Guard
Class: Senior
High School: Laurel High School (Shaker Heights, Ohio)
2023-24 Stats: 11.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, .610 FG%, .448 3FG%, .757 FT%
In the 2022-23 season, Thierry went from a freshman who had increasing responsibility off the bench to a starter. Thierry hasn’t relinquished that spot since and last season continued showing the growth that’s made the quiet kid from Northeast Ohio into a consistent force on both sides of the ball.
Strictly comparing numbers from her first starting season to her second shows a dip in points, rebounds, and assists per game but Thierry’s impact makes an argument for being vital to team success.
Using offensive rating, a complicated formula including shooting percentage, times fouled, opponent point differential, and more shows that Thierry’s impact is the most wide-reaching not only in the Big Ten but the country.
In Division I, Thierry led the nation with an offensive rating of 135.2. The top 10 players in offensive rating also included stars like UConn’s Paige Bueckers, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, and Utah’s Alissa Pili.
“She’s a really consistent player. She’s got great work ethic and discipline. So you tell her to do something she’s going to do it right and she’s going to keep doing it,” said McGuff about Thierry. “She’s always in the right spot defensively, she’s a great defender. She’s a good rebounder. She can score the ball. She’s unselfish.”
The decline of traditional stats can be chalked up to a less effective offense for the Buckeyes. Losing the three-point shooting of Taylor Mikesell meant fewer rebounds, fewer made shots for assists, and fewer passes inside to Thierry for easy baskets. Even so, Thierry was as consistent as a player can be.
When calculating a player’s true field goal percentage (including two-point, three-point, and free throw percentage), Thierry had a 67.3% true percentage, which is top of the Big Ten.
A good example of that is the Buckeyes’ trip to Maryland in January. The usual offensive linchpins of Jacy Sheldon and Cotie McMahon started the game slow. That’s when Thierry shined, grabbing six offensive rebounds and scoring 17 points. Seven of which came in the third quarter, helping Ohio State keep up with the Terrapins before a fourth-quarter performance of the year by McMahon brought the game to the Buckeyes’ win column.
Thierry always producing at a consistent clip meant Ohio State was usually always in games and provided the support for the names who usually grab more attention like Sheldon and McMahon for their key moments in games.
While playing the support role and always being there in the background has been crucial for Ohio State, McGuff wants Thierry to be more assertive.
That means more shooting. More driving to the basket. Turn Thierry into that player grabbing attention and taking over games from the forefront.
Efficiency is definitely important to me. I don’t really like missing shots, I’m sure anyone else could say the same thing,” said Thierry. “I’m going to be more offensively aggressive, just taking the open shot and having the confidence that my teammates trust me to take those shots.”
An area to watch is beyond the arc. Thierry is the type of player who stays late after practice to take more shots. It’s something she did alongside the renowned deep shooter Mikesell in their two years together in Columbus.
Last season, when Thierry was open and missed a three-point attempt, it was usually followed up with more hesitancy to try it again. It would stretch to other games too where Thierry felt more comfortable finding a teammate instead of taking the open look. This year that could change.
In previous years, Thierry has shown the aptitude to adjust. As a freshman, it was Thierry getting down on herself for fouls and not playing as aggressively. The soft-spoken forward worked through it. Even taking threes themselves is a sign of the player’s growth after being known mostly as an interior presence in her first year and a half.
Defensively, each season Thierry’s made strides off the ball, and expect that to continue. McGuff often mentions how Thierry is usually the most athletic player in whatever game she steps into. With Sheldon and Celeste Taylor gone, Thierry’s role in the press will be even more important and will lead to her best defensive year in her career.
The only way you don’t see Thierry playing is injury. McGuff’s starting lineup has Thierry’s name written in permanent ink.
There may be speed bumps early in the season with Thierry asserting herself more, but the level of opponent not stretching outside of mid-major sides will lessen the burden.
Outside of another standout defensive year, once the Buckeyes’ offense gels in Big Ten play, Thierry could also have her best offensive season. Ohio State is full of offensive weapons like McMahon and newcomers Chance Gray and Jaloni Cambridge. With the presence all of them will demand from opposing defenses, Thierry will get the chance to go one-on-one and drive, or drive-and-dish to one of the many outlets around her.
Also, rebounding won’t completely be on Thierry’s shoulders with the addition of Ajae Petty from the transfer portal. That extra freedom will be evident with Thierry hurting opponents from anywhere on the offensive side of the court.
Thierry has a real chance to not only end her NCAA career as a conference First Team player but also an honorable mention for AP All-American.
Despite it being in a losing effort, the 20-point performance of Thierry against the UCLA Bruins shows the diverse skillset of the Ohio State senior.
Miss a player preview? Click the links below to learn more about the 2024-25 Buckeyes roster:
Madison Greene
Eboni Walker
Ava Watson
Chance Gray
Elsa Lemmilä
Kennedy Cambridge
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Thierry continues to grow and will have an enhanced role for the 2024-25 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.
For years, the extra year of eligibility granted to student-athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of the sport. Players stayed at schools longer, transferred more, and provided roster stability. Now, most of the 2021-22 class of freshmen are entering their final collegiate seasons and for Ohio State women’s basketball, that means one more season of head coach Kevin McGuff’s Swiss Army knife fans know as Taylor Thierry.
Name: Taylor Thierry
Position: Forward/Guard
Class: Senior
High School: Laurel High School (Shaker Heights, Ohio)
2023-24 Stats: 11.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, .610 FG%, .448 3FG%, .757 FT%
Last Season
In the 2022-23 season, Thierry went from a freshman who had increasing responsibility off the bench to a starter. Thierry hasn’t relinquished that spot since and last season continued showing the growth that’s made the quiet kid from Northeast Ohio into a consistent force on both sides of the ball.
Strictly comparing numbers from her first starting season to her second shows a dip in points, rebounds, and assists per game but Thierry’s impact makes an argument for being vital to team success.
Using offensive rating, a complicated formula including shooting percentage, times fouled, opponent point differential, and more shows that Thierry’s impact is the most wide-reaching not only in the Big Ten but the country.
In Division I, Thierry led the nation with an offensive rating of 135.2. The top 10 players in offensive rating also included stars like UConn’s Paige Bueckers, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, and Utah’s Alissa Pili.
“She’s a really consistent player. She’s got great work ethic and discipline. So you tell her to do something she’s going to do it right and she’s going to keep doing it,” said McGuff about Thierry. “She’s always in the right spot defensively, she’s a great defender. She’s a good rebounder. She can score the ball. She’s unselfish.”
The decline of traditional stats can be chalked up to a less effective offense for the Buckeyes. Losing the three-point shooting of Taylor Mikesell meant fewer rebounds, fewer made shots for assists, and fewer passes inside to Thierry for easy baskets. Even so, Thierry was as consistent as a player can be.
When calculating a player’s true field goal percentage (including two-point, three-point, and free throw percentage), Thierry had a 67.3% true percentage, which is top of the Big Ten.
A good example of that is the Buckeyes’ trip to Maryland in January. The usual offensive linchpins of Jacy Sheldon and Cotie McMahon started the game slow. That’s when Thierry shined, grabbing six offensive rebounds and scoring 17 points. Seven of which came in the third quarter, helping Ohio State keep up with the Terrapins before a fourth-quarter performance of the year by McMahon brought the game to the Buckeyes’ win column.
Thierry always producing at a consistent clip meant Ohio State was usually always in games and provided the support for the names who usually grab more attention like Sheldon and McMahon for their key moments in games.
What to Expect
While playing the support role and always being there in the background has been crucial for Ohio State, McGuff wants Thierry to be more assertive.
That means more shooting. More driving to the basket. Turn Thierry into that player grabbing attention and taking over games from the forefront.
Efficiency is definitely important to me. I don’t really like missing shots, I’m sure anyone else could say the same thing,” said Thierry. “I’m going to be more offensively aggressive, just taking the open shot and having the confidence that my teammates trust me to take those shots.”
An area to watch is beyond the arc. Thierry is the type of player who stays late after practice to take more shots. It’s something she did alongside the renowned deep shooter Mikesell in their two years together in Columbus.
Last season, when Thierry was open and missed a three-point attempt, it was usually followed up with more hesitancy to try it again. It would stretch to other games too where Thierry felt more comfortable finding a teammate instead of taking the open look. This year that could change.
In previous years, Thierry has shown the aptitude to adjust. As a freshman, it was Thierry getting down on herself for fouls and not playing as aggressively. The soft-spoken forward worked through it. Even taking threes themselves is a sign of the player’s growth after being known mostly as an interior presence in her first year and a half.
Defensively, each season Thierry’s made strides off the ball, and expect that to continue. McGuff often mentions how Thierry is usually the most athletic player in whatever game she steps into. With Sheldon and Celeste Taylor gone, Thierry’s role in the press will be even more important and will lead to her best defensive year in her career.
Prediction
The only way you don’t see Thierry playing is injury. McGuff’s starting lineup has Thierry’s name written in permanent ink.
There may be speed bumps early in the season with Thierry asserting herself more, but the level of opponent not stretching outside of mid-major sides will lessen the burden.
Outside of another standout defensive year, once the Buckeyes’ offense gels in Big Ten play, Thierry could also have her best offensive season. Ohio State is full of offensive weapons like McMahon and newcomers Chance Gray and Jaloni Cambridge. With the presence all of them will demand from opposing defenses, Thierry will get the chance to go one-on-one and drive, or drive-and-dish to one of the many outlets around her.
Also, rebounding won’t completely be on Thierry’s shoulders with the addition of Ajae Petty from the transfer portal. That extra freedom will be evident with Thierry hurting opponents from anywhere on the offensive side of the court.
Thierry has a real chance to not only end her NCAA career as a conference First Team player but also an honorable mention for AP All-American.
Highlights
Despite it being in a losing effort, the 20-point performance of Thierry against the UCLA Bruins shows the diverse skillset of the Ohio State senior.
Other Player Previews
Miss a player preview? Click the links below to learn more about the 2024-25 Buckeyes roster:
Madison Greene
Eboni Walker
Ava Watson
Chance Gray
Elsa Lemmilä
Kennedy Cambridge
Continue reading...
