Buckeyes dish out offer to transfer portal defensive line target
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Ohio State is set to host Marley Cook in the coming weeks after offering on Thursday.

Tonight starts championship weekend, and Ohio State needs multiple things to go in their favor to even have a shot at the College Football Playoff. Of course you’d want the Buckeyes to take care of business on their own, but this team has a small chance of getting in, and they’d take what they can get.

This weekend will basically seal Ohio State’s bowl game fate, and if that’s on the back burner in your mind, there’s at least some recruiting to pass the time.

Ohio State offers transfer portal defensive target​

Some of the attrition the Ohio State roster will have in the offseason is already being seen thanks to multiple players announcing they intend to enter the transfer portal this coming Monday when it officially opens. Though there will be some players leaving, there will also certainly be some additions as the staff will pay close attention to who decides to enter from other programs. Maybe not as reliant on the portal as you’d like them to be, the Buckeyes have a plan and will surely go after the guys in positions that have clear holes.

Of those positions, defensive line will be near the top, and on Thursday Ohio State wasted no time getting in the mix as they dished out an offer to Middle Tennessee State defensive tackle prospect, Marley Cook.

A 6-foot-2, 300 pound tackle, Cook is currently ranked as the No. 20 player in the transfer portal and the fifth best defensive lineman up for grabs per 247Sports. A Mississippi native, Cook entered the portal on the same day where his MTSU head coach was fired and immediately started to draw some interest from other suitors. Though Ohio State was one of the bigger programs to offer, they certainly aren’t alone, as Miami, Tennessee, Missouri, Baylor, Oregon State, Pitt, and others have also offered the tackle target. With this trend, more on the way wouldn’t be a surprise.

For the Buckeyes, this new relationship with Cook is off to a solid start, as visit plans were scheduled almost as quick as he was offered. Learning that he will visit Ohio State on the weekend of Dec. 15, the coaching staff will have their chance to show why he’d be a great fit in Columbus. Still, plans to see Miami and Tennessee are also in the works, so this won’t be an automatic addition by any means.

The Buckeyes are going to be active in this portal window, and while Cook is one of the real first names to surface, there’s sure to be others in the near future.

Blessed to receive an offer from Ohio State Univeristy @R2X_Rushmen1 @callmeagentdwil @FCProspects_ @TXRecruited pic.twitter.com/iCXjqvQHqp

— Marley Cook (@marl3ycook57) November 30, 2023

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Quick Hits​

• The latest addition to Ohio State’s 2024 class is of course Michigan native, Gabe VanSickle. The one-time Northwestern commit made the flip to the Buckeyes just a week ago, and on Thursday released his updated senior football season film.

A taste to what he’s bring to Ohio State, VanSickle is a mauler that will fit in very well at the next level at guard. A player that will need some time to develop, Gabe’s physicality can be seen in his latest tape, and of the many positive attributes to his game that he shows, his footwork may stand out the most.

Not enrolling early, VanSickle also plays on his school’s varsity basketball team and has no trouble getting up and down the floor. At 6-foot-5 and right now at 300 pounds, Gabe’s athleticism for his size is impressive to say the least and this should prove it. At any rate, it’s easy to see what Ohio State’s staff liked about his game.

Senior Year Film https://t.co/JlcVL9nuoW @AllenTrieu @Rivals_Clint @OhioStateFB @Bill_Kurelic

— 4️ (@gabe_vansickle) November 30, 2023

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Buckeyes lose five-star 2024 defensive line commit to Miami
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



Ohio State’s second-ranked 2024 class takes a major hit with the loss of Justin Scott.

Still dealing with the emotions of losing a third-straight game to TTUN, the negative news for Ohio State unfortunately continued last night when the Buckeyes lost long-time five-star defensive line commit, Justin Scott to Miami. Simply put, it has not been a great week for Ohio State.

The Decision​

Committing to the Buckeyes this past July, The No. 12 player nationally and third best player at his position per the 247Sports Composite, Scott chose Ohio State over his two other top schools, Michigan and Notre Dame. A Chicago native, the desire to play closer to home fit his Ohio State decision, and Larry Johnson with his development proved to be the final piece in sealing the deal. Now committed to Miami, it’s pretty fair to question what in the world is going on in Columbus right now, because it seems like the saying “when it rains, it pours” couldn’t be any more true.

This is certainly a matter of NIL more than Scott not being content with the Buckeyes. When looking at the announcement graphic and seeing a literal pile of money edited into the photo, it’s safe to say money was the real motivation for this decision being made.

A true thorn in the side of Ohio State, Miami has done whatever they can with multiple Ohio State commits and targets to try and sway them south, and this time money won out in the end. As mentioned, for months Scott was solid to the Buckeyes, and that reasoning was for the development he was going to have under Johnson during his career in Columbus. With that now out of the cards, there’s a variety of ways you can feel about this latest development.

BREAKING: Five-Star DL Justin Scott tells me he has Flipped his Commitment from Ohio State to Miami!

The Top 10 Recruit in the ‘24 Class had been Committed to the Buckeyes since July

“From the first time they offered me to now, they never changed.”

Huge flip for the Hurricanes… pic.twitter.com/oePehaWLRl

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 30, 2023

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Where to go from here​

One one hand, you can simply chalk this one up as a loss thanks to NIL and a student-athlete being promised something Ohio State really doesn’t do with their targeted recruits. Sure, the coaching staff and several other key members of the administration have really ramped up their NIL efforts as of late, but they’re clearly not the ones with the highest bids. If they were, you wouldn’t see them losing out with Scott or on other names that are more NIL-geared recruitments.

Ohio State’s staff feels that if a recruiting battle comes down simply to NIL amounts, they would would rather look elsewhere, but I am done with that. Pay the kids if you have to! Something has to give, because this cannot continue. Looking at Ohio State recruiting classes, you see a mass of talent, but it’s really stockpiling at only certain positions. The offensive and defensive line are where games are won and lost, and the truth is that the level desired is not being achieved right now on either side in recruiting.

Specifically on the defensive line, that leads me to my next thought, and that’s pointing towards the position coach. Should Johnson be blamed entirely for this flip? No, but with how often this has happened, it can’t be dismissed either.

In 2023’s recruiting class, LJ wasn’t able to land any of his three top defensive end targets. In the 2024 class, he lost to South Carolina for Dylan Stewart, Miami for Marquise Lightfoot, and now Miami again with Scott. For how incredible he’s been in his tenure with the Buckeyes, he flat out hasn’t been great the last couple of years. Recruiting and development for years is what he’s been so good at, but when you think of all the talent he’s had at his disposal this season, it shouldn’t be a case where Ohio State is 12th in the Big Ten in sacks. That just cannot happen.

This probably should be looked at mainly from an unfortunate NIL situation, but there’s just so many frustrations that come with that. All in all, the Buckeyes need to figure it out and fast. Losing a player isn’t the end of the world, but when it’s a five-star talent at a position that is critical and has lacked over the last couple cycles, it hurts that much worse.

Whether it’s a change in philosophy, a come to Jesus moment for LJ, or backing up the Brinks truck, something just needs to be done — and done now. Ohio State fans have a reason to be sour right now, and Wednesday was no help.

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Ryan Day, Ohio State missed a golden opportunity to bury Jim Harbaugh and TTUN
Josh Dooley 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

Between the sign stealing scandal, Harbaugh’s suspension, and the end of the Big Ten as we know it, OSU could have banished their rival to the shadow realm.

Let’s just get this part out of the way: Ohio State losing to Michigan really, really, really sucked. Selfishly, it ruined a late Thanksgiving gathering with my family. Because I am a fan, which is short for fanatic, and I become an insufferable prick when my team loses. Especially the one that I have rooted for since birth, which represents the school I attended, in the city where I was born and raised.

I can only imagine how it felt for most of the OSU players and coaches.

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Going into The Game, I firmly believed that the Buckeyes would win. I felt confident in their defense and thought that Kyle McCord would be able to get the ball to his playmakers and let them (Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson) cook. I certainly did not anticipate risk-averse coaching, interceptions, dropped balls, and missed tackles. Nor would I ever have imagined a visible lack of emotion and/or leadership when the chips were down.

Granted, we as fans are not privy to sideline interactions, but I sure as shit did not see McCord or any veteran defender(s) firing up the troops. If I missed that, then I own it. And I offer up a sincere apology. Each and every player who throws on the pads has my utmost respect regardless.

Unfortunately, what most of the current Ohio State roster does not have is a pair of coveted gold pants. The Buckeyes have not won this rivalry game since 2019, despite copious amounts of talent passing through Columbus. Seriously, we’re talking C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Paris Johnson Jr., and every single member of OSU’s 2021 recruiting class (the highest-rated class in program history). Not to mention all the others.

And the young Bucks on this roster, who probably grew up thinking it was damn-near impossible for the Scarlet and Gray to lose to the Maize and Blue... All without gold pants.

2021: Michigan, 42-27
2022: Michigan, 45-23
2023: Michigan, 30-24

No. 3 @UMichFootball beats rival Ohio State for the third straight season. pic.twitter.com/zYmvirbxl1

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 25, 2023

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But guess what? I’ll get over it. I know that I will. Because I lived through the John Cooper era. Because I was somewhat surprised that Ohio State was in this position (11-0, chance to dance) to begin with — with a new QB, injuries, etc. Because TTUN was ranked No. 3 and playing at home. And above all else, because I am a realist, ok?

I know that my team is not entitled to anything. Knocking off a College Football Playoff contender at their place is never easy, I don’t care if the coach is Ryan Day, Nick Saban, or Vince freaking Lombardi. Last Saturday was never going to be a cakewalk. I mean, the Buckeyes were underdogs for a reason! That means they were not expected to win.

So I/you/we can all be mad at Day, McCord, whomever, but they lost to arguably the best CFB team in the country. The Game came down to turnovers, tackles, and a few fourth downs, as is the case with just about every football game ever played. And sometimes good-to-great teams just lose.

Now, all of that being said, the loss still sucks. Big time. And being a realist does not prohibit me from also being petty and vindictive. Those character flaws traits are why this particular OSU loss cuts so painfully deep. It stings and it hurts because the Buckeyes had a chance to do something special. Nay, magical. Something that would have brought a tear to my eye(s)...

With a win in the last ‘Game’ of its kind, Ohio State could have driven a nail into their rival’s coffin. Day and Co. could have buried Jim Harbaugh and TTUN six feet deep (metaphorically, of course), dumped shame and embarrassment on said coffin, and earned bragging rights for all of eternity.

Think about it: Harbaugh was embarrassingly sidelined for the sixth time this season, meaning he coached in as many regular season games as he was suspended for. This most recent suspension was the result of an ongoing sign-stealing investigation, which is only like the 20th different act, action, exploit, thing, whatever, that has earned ol’ Khaki Jim the ire of the NCAA and/or Big Ten. TTUN even had an interim head coach at the helm this past Saturday, who just a few weeks ago gave a tearful interview as if THEY had been done a tragic injustice...

Like, dude, what world are you living in!?

Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Beating a team and a program known the world over as your rival, while the latter is/was potentially on the ropes, would have been enjoyable enough for the Buckeyes, their fans, and perhaps most of all, their head coach. But that would not (even) have been the end or the extent of it. No, because this ‘Game’ was also the last of its kind.

With the B1G expanding and divisions going away – and the CFP expanding as well – OSU and TTUN will likely never play another regular season game with absolutely everything on the line. I’m talking conference title, CFP berth, AND bragging rights for at least a year.

Ohio State could have invalidated Harbaugh’s entire U of M coaching existence. His entire existence! Lost 100 straight bowl games... Cringey videos... Recruiting violations... Ducked the Buckeyes in 2020... Couldn’t beat them without stolen signs... Harbaugh would have become the laughingstock of the football world.

Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

And his beloved program may have followed suit. For those TUN fans who thought the Brady Hoke era was bad, how does the Butch Davis/vacated wins/bowl ban/scholly reduction era sound?

Who knows what will ultimately come of this whole sign-stealing saga, but now that program up north holds an odd arrow in their quiver. They can argue rogue agent, oblivious coach(es), AND attempt to minimize any advantage gained: “Hey Tony Panini, we know we had a few shady characters in the building, but why would we knowingly cheat in order to pants Ryan Day? We don’t need to!”

Unfortunately, we will never find out what could or would have happened to the coach and the team up north with an Ohio State win. Because Day did not have (or at least show) a killer instinct. Afraid is probably the wrong word, but the Buckeyes’ coach was definitely risk averse. Day seemed to be coaching not to lose. And in his defense, there were also players who just didn’t play well. As opposed to the most recent Peach Bowl, when Day and most of his guys were hitting on all cylinders.

An opportunity wasted is how I will remember this past Saturday’s game. A golden opportunity wasted. Ryan Day and Ohio State could have buried Harbaugh and TTUN — and then prepared to dance on their rival’s grave. Instead, this moment got the best of Buckeyes and their coaching staff. And that sucks, too.

But I’ll get over it. For real, I will.

Go Bucks!

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Class: 2019
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Bucketheads Podcast: Ohio State men win the Emerald Coast Classic, currently at five wins in a row
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Brooke LaValley / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Buckeye's next game is against Minnesota, and they will need to exercise some demons from last season.

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.

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

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On episode 94 of “Bucketheads,” Connor and Justin have three games to discuss.

The Buckeyes won the Emerald Coast Classic and defeated Alabama and Santa Clara over the weekend to help lessen the blow of “The Game,” and then came home to Columbus and took down Central Michigan 88-61 to start the season 6-1.

How real is this team? What has been different from last season so far? And the Buckeyes lost to Minnesota last season as the season started to snowball, time for revenge?

Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast and leave a review of your thoughts on the show!

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Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN

Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor

Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba

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This dude doesn't even have a thread here, yet he's referenced often. Here's why: this bum should've been fired a decade earlier.

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Ohio State men blow past Central Michigan 88-61 led by Bruce Thornton’s 25-point night
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Buckeyes have gone streaking, winning their fifth game in a row Wednesday night.

Riding a four-game winning streak and suddenly the owner of a nice, tall trophy, the Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1) welcomed the Central Michigan Chippewas (2-5) to the Schott Wednesday night for another B1G-MAC showdown. Ohio State beat Western Michigan earlier this month to start their trio of MAC games in the non-conference and will face off with in-state foe Miami a week from Wednesday to close out the three-pack.

CMU entered this game as the No. 304 team in the nation according to KenPom — the worst team on Ohio State’s schedule, if you trust the scholarly mind of Ken Pomeroy. The ‘Chips were beaten up pretty good by Oklahoma and Florida State before facing Ohio State, but also have an upset win over South Florida this year. CMU was picked to finish last in the MAC in the preseason.

Third-year head coach Tony Barbee went with a starting five of Brian Taylor, Cayden Vasko, Derrick Butler, Anthony Pritchard, and Hunter Harding. Chris Holtmann went with the same five he’s used all season — Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle, Jamison Battle, Evan Mahaffey, and Felix Okpara.

It was a lethargic start for both teams in this one, with the Chippewas scoring just two points over the first four-plus minutes of play. Ohio State jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead, but it had a hard time speeding things up against a CMU team that is ranked No. 299 in defensive efficiency. The Buckeyes were hitting at a reasonable clip, but only taking six shots in the first five or so minutes of play means they weren’t creating open looks as quickly as they’d like.

ARE YOU KIDDING, @roddy_gayle?! pic.twitter.com/vhFpINWXHR

— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) November 30, 2023

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Central Michigan hung tight to the Buckeyes, trailing 22-20 at the under-eight media timeout. After looking so good in Florida, Ohio State looked sleepy and unaware on the defensive end for the first 14 minutes of the first half. But the switch was flipped around the six-minute mark, and the Buckeyes outscored CMU 19-8 over the final 6:18 of the first half to head to the locker room with a 41-29 lead. Thornton led Ohio State with 19 first-half points, whilst his teammates combined for the other 22. Davis, Pritchard, and Taylor each had seven points for CMU, which shot 38.7% overall in the first half.

Buckeyes on top through .@Bruce2T_ leads the way with points so far tonight #Team125 | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/ExAnFMAqEA

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 30, 2023

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The second half was all Buckeyes. The scarlet and gray outscored the maroon and gold 22-5 over the first eight-plus minutes of the second half, taking a 63-34 lead into the under-12 media timeout. Thornton and Gayle continued to stir the drink and set the tone with their ability to penetrate below the basket and then either dish it off in tight windows or score themselves. Chris Holtmann even went with the never-before-used lineup of Dale Bonner, Taison Chatman, Devin Royal, Evan Mahaffey, and Zed Key for a stretch once the lead ballooned to 29.

Not today. @iamzedkey x @OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/EVlDtYPWCt

— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) November 30, 2023

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By the time the final buzzer sounded, Ohio State had wrapped up a 88-61 win over yet another directional Michigan school. Thornton led Ohio State with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting — his third 20-point game of the season. Okpara, Gayle, Battle, and Devin Royal all scored in double digits as well for the Buckeyes. Jemal Davis led CMU with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

If you weren’t around tonight to catch Ohio State extend its winning streak to five games, here are a few key moments and plays that helped carry the Buckeyes to victory:

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Zed Key, always open ​

Key hasn’t played enough minutes per game to qualify for statistical leaderboards this season, but if he did, his 71.4% shooting percentage would lead the Big Ten conference heading into Wednesday night’s game. The senior big has maximized the opportunities he’s been given and is knocking on the door for more minutes while Felix Okpara (4.8 PPG) has not been as much of an offensive factor.

Key checked in for the first time at the 15:50 mark tonight, and scored on his first touch two minutes later. After Battle missed a three-point attempt, Key was able to grab the board and score over the top for his first bucket of the evening.

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‘Chips take an early lead, but Thornton takes it right back ​

Junior forward Jemal Davis capped off a 7-2 CMU run with a three-pointer, giving the Chippewas a 12-11 lead seven minutes into the game.

However, Thornton, who had one of his best halves of basketball of the season, got to the other end and knocked down a three of his own 12 seconds later, putting the Buckeyes back ahead, 14-12. Thornton then scored on each of Ohio State’s next two possessions, pushing the lead to 18-12 less than two minutes later.

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15-0 run puts Buckeyes back in control ​

Vasko’s hoop-and-the-harm got Central Michigan back within one point with 6:35 left in the first half, but that would be the last CMU bucket for quite some time. The Buckeyes responded with an assertive 15-0 run over 3:33 — highlighted by seven points from Thornton in a 60-second span — that put them up, 37-21. Thornton had one of his best all-around halves of basketball ever, scoring 19 first-half points on 7-of-9 shooting

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Gone streakin’​

In a game that always has been and always will be determined by runs, the Buckeyes put a few together Wednesday night that were absolute back-breakers for their directional Michigan foes. After closing the first half on a 19-8 run, Ohio State opened the second half with a quick 9-0 run to take that 12-point lead and turn it into a 21-point lead. Gayle scored his second basket of the night, followed by consecutive buckets from Thornton, and then a Battle three-pointer from the deep corner in front of Ohio State’s bench 3:19 into the second half.

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Another #HotRod sighting​

Gayle was impactful in the first half without scoring the ball, dishing out four assists, grabbing three rebounds, and recording one steal while scoring just two points on 1-of-2 shooting.

He opened it up a bit in the second half, scoring seven points over the first six minutes of the second half. In the blink of an eye, Gayle was knocking on the door of another double-digit game, as well as a handful of rebounds and assists.

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Zed Key, to the time-out chair ​

Key has exceeded expectations in pretty much every way this season, and we’ve made sure to give him his flowers. But everyone has their “D’oh!” moments, and Zed had one in the second half of tonight’s contest.

With Ohio State leading 67-43 and 9:39 remaining in the game, Thornton swung the ball over to Key on the right wing, who hoisted his second three-point attempt of the season. It was too long, and CMU’s Paul McMillan grabbed the rebound.

Key raced down the floor, and eight seconds later lost his man and wound up fouling Jemal Davis on a three-point attempt from the far corner. Holtmann immediately had Okpara check in for Key, who had a brutal eight-second stretch on the floor.

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Five in a row ​

With the win, Ohio State has now won five games in a row for the first time since the 2021-2022 season. The Buckeyes will have a chance to extend that streak over the next two weeks, with very winnable games against Minnesota, Miami, and Penn State.

During the 2021-2022 season, Ohio State beat Duke, Penn State, Towson, Wisconsin, and Nebraska from November 30 to January 2. The Buckeyes did not string together five wins in a row for the remainder of that season, or the entirety of the 2022-2023 season.

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Up Next:​

Ohio State (6-1) has three days off and then will welcome the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2) to Columbus on Sunday evening in the Big Ten opener. At No. 133, Minnesota is the lowest-rated Big Ten team in KenPom, and was picked to finish last in the Big Ten this season. Minnesota only won two conference games last season, but one of them was on the road at Ohio State on January 12.

Ohio State’s game against Minnesota will tip off at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on BTN.

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Visiting Locker Room: Talking Tennessee Volunteers with Lo Dreher
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

There are tough times for the Volunteers heading into a clash with the Buckeyes.

Ohio State women’s basketball put its name back on the national college basketball map last season, in part because of a key win against the Tennessee Volunteers. This season, the home-and-home agreement ends, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

In that Buckeyes victory, Tennessee was a formidable powerhouse featuring top names like center Tamari Key, guard Jordan Horston, and forward Rickea Jackson. Now, Horston is in the WNBA, Key is recovering from almost a season off the court and Jackson is the linchpin in the Volunteers’ chances this season, but is currently away with an injury.

To talk about the state of Tennessee with a Big Ten/SEC battle coming up between the sides on Sunday, Land-Grant Holy Land reached out to SEC basketball expert Lo Dreher of The Committee. Dreher talks about Jackson’s impact, who — if anyone — can hurt the Buckeyes in the paint, and an outlook at the 2023-24 edition of a basketball staple.

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Land-Grant Holy Land: Last season, the Buckeyes saw the Volunteers in the first game of the season. The first game as a Vol for Jackson. Now, after a year with Tennessee, the senior is playing the best basketball of her career, averaging a double-double with over 20 points per game. How crucial is Jackson to Tennessee’s success?

Lo Dreher: Jackson is the backbone of Tennessee’s team and the key to their success. She is their do all player, and in my opinion she masks a lot of roster concerns for the Lady Vols. They have struggled mightily without her. I can’t say enough about RJ and her talents, she is going to make some WNBA GM supper happy. Just an all around type player whose ceiling is … whew!

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LGHL: Going into the first game of last year, Key had everything to make Ohio State’s life extremely difficult. Fouls held Key back in Columbus and then an unfortunate heart condition kept her out for the rest of the season. The center is back this year, but not starting anymore. So, who is the player who can exploit the Buckeyes defense in the paint like many have in the past few seasons?

LD: Without Jackson, I’m honestly not completely sure! There isn’t one name that just jumps out. COULD they? Maybe, but I’m not sure enough to hypothetically put my money on it.

For instance, I could say forward Jillian Hollingshead but the reality is she can be a little on and off. We never truly know what we are going to get. Forward Karolina Striplin, as well, could be her. She definitely works hard! Key isn’t really in game shape yet, and I’m not sure if the Buckeyes will allow the game to slow down enough for her to be a huge factor. So the jury is out on that one!

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LGHL: The start of last year was tumultuous for the Vols as they adjusted to transfers, injuries, and a tough non-conference schedule. Tennessee ended the season strong, but this year they’ve hit a couple of speed bumps to kick off the season. How is the team different this year and how can they hurt teams?

LD: This team is different in my opinion because they have a legitimate point guard! Jordy (Walker) did fine and definitely held it down, but when we think of traditional PGs getting Destiny Wells in the building was perfect.

They also added a dynamic scorer with Jewell Spear! When she wants to take over a game she most definitely will. When Rickea comes back that one two punch of her and Jewell can really keep things off balance. I do think, on the flip, they lost a bit of intensity and fire with Jordy leaving and their defense misses her as well.

Click to expand...

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Ohio State still has a shot at the playoffs, but do you really want them to make it?
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

Speaking just for myself, I know I do.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have three goals every season, and thanks to last weekend’s loss in the rivalry game, two of them are now off the table for Ryan Day’s team, but there is still an outside chance that they could still sneak their way into a shot at the national title.

While it would take a decent amount of help and luck, the Buckeyes do still have the opportunity to hear their name called on Sunday when the playoff field is officially unveiled. Will it happen? Probably not. Could it happen? Definitely. Do you want it to happen? Well, that’s a difficult question for many Buckeye fans to answer.

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Where does Ohio State stand in the College Football Playoff rankings?​

On Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff committee released its penultimate rankings of the 2023 season. Following their loss in The Game last weekend, the Ohio State Buckeyes fell from second to sixth. By my calculations, there are still eight teams in the hunt for CFP berths. The top two teams are essentially guaranteed spots at this point, with the No. 3 team very close to that status as well.

But, let’s take a look at the teams still capable of winning the national title.

• 1) Georgia Bulldogs
• 2) Michigan Wolverines
• 3) Washington Huskies
• 4) Florida State Seminoles

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• 5) Oregon Ducks
• 6) Ohio State Buckeyes
• 7) Texas Longhorns
• 8) Alabama Crimson Tide

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What needs to happen for Ohio State to make the 2023-24 College Football Playoff?​

As I mentioned above, I think it is pretty clear that UGA and TTUN are both firmly in the playoff field, even if they were to lose their respective conference championship games — some far less likely to happen to Michigan than it is Georgia.

So, if those two spots are secured, that means that there are two spots remaining for six teams to fight over. The Buckeyes are the one of that half dozen that does not play in Championship Weekend, so they will just have to sit and wait to see what happens.

So, let’s run through the scenarios:

Pac-12 Championship Game | No. 3 Washington vs. No. 5 Oregon​

The winner of this game is obviously in with Washington currently at No. 3 and Oregon at No. 5. The real question becomes what happens to UW if it loses? That would mean that the two teams would have split their season series, but the Huskies have seemed to fade down the stretch, and their sure-fire Heisman Trophy contender Michael Penix Jr. has almost taken a backseat to the team’s running game.

Ohio State has been ranked higher than the Huskies all season, so all things being equal, I think it’s safe to say that the committee prefers the Buckeyes. So, I do think that it is possible that OSU gets in over Washington, especially if Oregon looks dominate, but it obviously would be better for Ohio State’s playoff chances if Washington just won and completely eliminated the Ducks.

Best outcome for the Buckeye: Washington wins

ACC Championship Game | No. 4 Florida State vs. No. 14 Lousiville​

The Florida Gators almost made this one irrelevant last weekend, but the Florida State Seminoles were able to secure the victory. With starting quarterback Jordan Travis out for the season, FSU will not get any benefit of the doubt if they fall from the ranks of the unbeaten against Louisville this weekend. If that happens, the ACC will be shut out of the CFP picture altogether.

Best outcome for the Buckeye: Louisville wins

SEC Championship Game | No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 8 Alabama​

As mentioned above, Georgia is in the playoff no matter what, so if the Dawgs were to lose to Bama, then both SEC schools would make it, nearly completely eliminating Ohio State’s chances to sneak in. Despite being down at No. 8, there is no question that the Tide would jump to at least the No. 4 spot (probably higher) win a win.

Best outcome for the Buckeye: Georgia wins

Big 12 Championship Game | No. 7 Texas vs. No. 18 Oklahoma State​

This is one that I’m not really sure I have a great handle on. Obviously, it is best for the Buckeyes if Texas loses, which would eliminate the Horns’ ability to leapfrog them into a playoff spot by virtue of a conference title, but I’m not so sure that this would happen anyway. Clearly, the committee believes that the Buckeyes are a better team than Texas as it stands now, by virtue of their higher ranking.

And a win against a top-20 team in the Cowboyws would certainly bolster their resume, but would that be enough to get them ahead of OSU? I think so, but I’m not so sure. It is vaguely similar to the 2014 situation where Ohio State got in over the TCU Horned Frogs, despite not playing in the Big Ten Championship Game.

So, while I think an ugly win for Texas might not be enough to push them based the idle Buckeyes, if you are pulling for OSU to have a shot, it’s best to root for the Pokes.

Best outcome for the Buckeye: Oklahoma State wins

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Do you really want Ohio State to make the College Football Playoff?​

Five years ago, here on these very same pages of Land-Grant Holy Land, I argued that I didn’t want Ohio State to make the 2018 College Football Playoff, because 1) I didn’t want to see a team that I loved, but didn’t believe could legitimately compete for a national title, get embarrassed on yet another national stage, and 2) I thought that it could potentially damage recruiting if they got blowout by superior Alabama or Clemson teams.


However, things are different this year from where I sit. I think that Georgia and Michigan are clearly the top two teams in the country, but beyond that, I still think that Ohio State is the third-best squad in the country. And considering that the Buckeyes were within one score of beating the Wolverines in the Big House despite an extremely questionable touchdown review that went the home team’s way, two terribly timed interceptions by Kyle McCord, and yet another example of Day coaching scared in big games, I think that it is safe to say that given another shot, OSU would at least have a puncher’s chance against their rivals and potentially the two-time defending national champions.

Therefore, if there is even a shot that the Buckeyes could still win the title, I want them to have it. The college football landscape has changed tremendously since my 2018 column, and I think getting back to the playoff and having a strong showing — even if it ends in another loss — can help eliminate some of the bad taste from the mouths of OSU fans and recruits.

Now, I certainly understand the feelings of those in Buckeye Nation who would rather see the team play in a non-CFP New Year’s Six Bowl like facing the Louisville Cardinals in the Orange Bowl. I try to make it a point never to question how anyone else authentically manages their fandom, as long as they aren’t being complete and total asshats about it.

So, if it is better for your heart and psyche for the Buckeyes to avoid another backdoor entry into the College Football Playoff, I completely understand. But for me, I still think that this very flawed iteration of the Ohio State Buckeyes football program has enough talent to win a national title, especially during a season where even the cream of the crop don’t appear to be world beaters.

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Ohio State Men’s Basketball vs Central Michigan: Game Preview and Prediction
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

The Buckeyes will look to take down a different directional Michigan school, this one being centrally located.

The Ohio State men’s basketball team is coming off a successful trip to Florida, winning the Emerald Coast Classic and securing wins over No. 22 Alabama and Santa Clara. The Buckeyes (5-1) now head back to Columbus to face Central Michigan (2-4), their second Mid-American Conference opponent this year. They defeated Western Michigan 73-56 on Nov. 19.


Since the Buckeyes’ loss to Texas A&M, they have won four games in a row by an average of just over 20 points per game. Central Michigan has suffered 30-point losses to Florida State and Oklahoma this season, and is coming off a 10-point loss to Stetson.

For the first time this season, the Buckeyes received votes in the AP Poll, and sit in the No. 29 spot (if you count past the initial top-25 and expand to the other teams receiving votes). Ohio State will play two non-conference games and two Big Ten games over the next two weeks and look to improve to 9-1 as they head into the CBS Sports Classic to play UCLA on Dec. 16.

But first, they have to take on the Central Michigan Chippewas.

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Preview​

Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ohio State is being led into this one by sophomore guards Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle, who are becoming one of if not the best backcourt duo in the conference.

Thornton comes into the game leading the Buckeyes, averaging 17.2 points, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He is also only averaging just a singular turnover per game. Through six contests, he has a 4.8 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Gayle scored 31 points over two games in the Emerald Coast Classic, bringing his scoring average up to 15.0 points to go along with 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Minnesota transfer Jamison Battle had his best game in a Buckeye uniform against Santa Clara, recording 21 points and bringing his scoring average to 12.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, and is shooting 39.5 percent from three-point range.

Zed Key has been a force off the bench this season, averaging 11.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest in 21 minutes per night. He has been incredibly efficient, shooting over 71 percent from the field — tops on the team. This mark would also lead the Big Ten if he had played enough minutes to qualify. At 21 minutes per game, Key does not qualify to lead the conference in any stat categories that are based on averages.

Central Michigan is led by junior guard and Tulsa transfer Anthony Pritchard, who is averaging 14.5 points, 5.7 boards and 5.3 assists per game, as well as averaging 2.3 steals. Junior forward Markus Harding averages 11.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, and senior guard Brian Taylor averages 11.2 points and 6.7 boards per game.

The Chippewas are led by third-year head Coach Tony Barbee, who has a 19-48 record there in three seasons. CMU is No. 304 in KenPom, making it the lowest-ranked KenPom team Ohio State has faced so far.

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Prediction​

Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

This is the type of game that can derail a season if Ohio State loses. Western Michigan is better than Central Michigan this season, and at one point, the Buckeyes were up by 30 on the Broncos. Ohio State is playing its best basketball of the season, and Central Michigan is in the bottom tier of the MAC.

It will be interesting to see if Taison Chatman gets more run in this one. Chatman is a highly regarded freshman guard for the Buckeyes who underwent offseason surgery. He made his debut against Alabama, but was only in for 30 seconds to give Bruce Thornton a quick rest, and then he played in about three minutes of garbage time against Santa Clara after the bow was put on that one.

He seems ready to go, and the Buckeyes will surely ease him in, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays 10-plus minutes in this contest since it will likely be in hand for most of the second half.

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ESPN BPI: Ohio State 95.1%
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network

LGHL score prediction: Ohio State 84, Central Michigan 62​

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What is the one thing Ohio State needs to do this offseason in order to get back to the top?
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

And, do you want to see the Buckeyes back in the CFP?

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.

Well, it’s been a tough one, hasn’t it, Buckeye fans? We are all still reeling from a third-straight loss at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines, and even though there is a chance that Ohio State could still make the College Football Playoff, much of the post-rivalry game discussion has been about what needs to change to get the OSU football program back to the dominance it held just a few short years ago.

So, in this week’s fan survey, we want to know what you think is the biggest change that has to be made this offseason to get the Buckeyes back on top of the Big Ten and whether or not you want to see them sneak into the CFP again this year. Take a look below and make sure to register your vote in the survey. Then, if you have additional thoughts, hit up the comments at the bottom of the page!

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Question 1: What is the biggest thing that the Ohio State football program must do in the offseason?​

The Ohio State football team has three expressed goals every season but has failed to accomplish any of them over the past three seasons; despite all of the wins they have had, they have failed to beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, or win the national title. While not actually the definition of insanity, if those goals truly are the three most important things that the program is attempting to achieve each season, it would be crazy to expect different results while doing the exact same things.

So, there needs to be changes over at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, but the question is, which ones? I know that there are many people in the Ohio State fandom who want to see a change at the top, and while I think at this point that is a valid opinion, I am going to eliminate Ryan Day being replaced from consideration because I just don’t think it is a possibility this offseason.

Long-time athletic director Gene Smith is retiring following this academic year, and barring some sort of scandal, for both personal or professional reasons, there is just no way Smith will fire Day. Not only did Smith hire the current OSU coach, but he has been Day’s biggest supporter during his tenure, but perhaps the biggest reason why Smith wouldn’t relieve him of his duties is out of respect for his successor. If and when a new football coach is hired, Smith almost certainly sees it as a decision the new AD should make.

So, if Day will be back next season, which of the options listed in the survey below do you think absolutely must happen before the team kicks off in September 2024? I personally have my choice, but I won’t put my thumb on the scale of the survey. However, when we get the results back later in the week, I will certainly share my opinion.

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Question 2: Do you want the Buckeyes to make the College Football Playoff if chaos happens this weekend?​

On Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff committee slotted Ohio State at No. 6 in the penultimate rankings. That means that the Buckeyes still very much have a shot to make the playoffs, should things break their way.

The question is, do you want them to sneak into the CFP through the backdoor like they did last year? Following the loss in The Game, I saw a lot of very disappointed fans online making it very clear that they didn’t want to see this team face off against Georgia or — heaven forbid — Michigan again. But, I wonder if after a few days, whether or not those hurt feelings have subsided a bit, and they want another shot at the title.

I know that last year, once the Buckeyes were officially in the playoff, my entire opinion of the possibility changed, so I am curious about what the whole of Buckeye Nation feels with that possibility still looming, even if it isn’t particularly likely.

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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.

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You’re Nuts: What do you want to see for Ohio State’s bowl game?
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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

We all saw what happened on Saturday in Ann Arbor. Buckeye Nation is still in mourning for a third straight loss to Michigan and will be for quite some time. If there was ever a year to take down Michigan, 2023 was the year to do it with Jim Harbaugh finishing out a three-game suspension for the Connor Stalions cheating scandal. Instead, Ryan Day coached scared and Kyle McCord threw a couple of interceptions in Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to the Wolverines.

Now Ohio State will miss out on playing in the Big Ten Championship Game for a third straight year, and while the Buckeyes should be heading to a New Year’s Six bowl, they won’t be playing in the College Football Playoff. Since Ohio State won’t be playing for a national title, it’s likely we have seen the last of Marvin Harrison Jr. and TreVeyon Henderson in a Buckeye uniform since it wouldn’t make any sense to put themselves at risk if they declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Even though there might be a number of Ohio State players sitting out, there will be plenty of Buckeyes looking to mark their mark, whether it be to end the season on a high mark and raise expectations for next year, or they might be looking to close out their Ohio State career with one last strong performance. Despite whatever bowl game they play in technically being meaningless, there are still some important things that can come out of the game.

What we want to know is what you most want to see for Ohio State’s bowl game. It could be a certain opponent, a specific bowl game, a player you want to see get some more playing time, or the coaching staff preparing for the game in a different way. The Buckeyes will likely get an intriguing opponent in a desirable vacation setting, so even though the game is meaningless when it comes to the result mattering, there is still reason to watch, especially since it will be the last time Ohio State takes the field until the spring game in April.

Today’s question: What do you want to see for Ohio State’s bowl game?​

We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.​

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Brett’s answer: Ryan Day to let Brian Hartline call the offensive plays in the bowl game​

It feels like Ryan Day has too much on his plate right now. Despite having a great offensive mind, Day turtles in the biggest games. Why not give Hartline a shot to see what he can cook up for the bowl game? When Day elevated Hartline to offensive coordinator in the offseason, it sounded like it would be more of a collaboration between the two with some shared play-calling. If that is what actually happened, it certainly wasn’t obvious.

There’s no question that Hartline is a rising star in the coaching ranks. I just wonder if Day elevated Hartline’s position to keep him from looking at and taking head coaching jobs. At some point, Hartline is going to move on to a position where he calls all the shots and isn’t looked at as just an outstanding recruiter. I get why Day is doing what he has done with Hartline, but it’s only sustainable for so long.

Unfortunately, Day is such a control freak it feels like he wouldn’t even be able to stomach somebody else calling the plays for even a series. What Day is doing right now obviously isn’t working against Michigan or in other high-pressure games, so he needs to take a long look at himself in the mirror and make some changes. Unfortunately, I doubt he does that since the College Football Playoff is expanding after this season and the Big Ten going without divisions increases the margin for error for Ohio State.

Believe me, I’m not expecting Day to give up play-calling in the bowl game since he is too proud to admit there are things that need to change. It’s just fun to think about how a bowl game might look if Hartline was given a little power and could show what he has to offer when it comes to offensive game-planning.

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Matt’s answer: I still want them to make the College Football Playoff​

This is going to be a bit redundant because I am going to have another article about this topic coming up later on Wednesday, but I still want to see the Buckeyes make the College Football Playoff. I realize that this incarnation of the Ohio State football team is far from perfect, but so was last year’s team, and it came within a last-second field goal of almost certainly winning the national title.

Unlike last year, the Buckeyes had every opportunity to beat Michigan in the regular season finale last Saturday, and I think it is pretty clear that the Wolverines are one of the two best teams in the country. So, if a questionable replay review goes the other way, OSU very well could be preparing to play Iowa in the Big Ten title game. In all honesty, despite the sub-par play from the quarterback position, I have more confidence in the ability of this year’s team to make a championship run than I did in the 2022 squad’s.

While it is clear that Jim Knowles pulled back on the reins a bit in Ann Arbor, the current Ohio State defense is a unit that can level the playing field with anyone. Last year, the Buckeyes had a dominant offense, but still got smoked by their rival in The Horseshoe. This year, warts and all, the defense made it a one-score game on the road. That says something to me.

So, if the Buckeyes were to sneak into the CFP this year (and they would need a significant amount of help to do so), I do think that the issues that led to last weekend’s loss are correctable enough to not only upset the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs, but also to win the title. Is that outcome guaranteed? No, of course not, but I do think that they have a shot, and, as long as they have a legitimate chance to win it all, I want to see them have the opportunity.

The team was clearly rejuvenated by making the playoff last season, and Ryan Day and company clearly put forth their best effort of the year in the semifinals. If they are fortunate enough to have another shot at it this year, I expect something similar, which could have historic implications for the team.

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Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: Post-Rivalry Week randomness — OSU is a basketball school now, offseason changes, and Ryan Day’s popularity
Josh Dooley 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

Josh and Chuck attempt to move past The Game by celebrating Buckeye basketball and pondering the future... Of Ohio State football, not so much their own.

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they discuss Ohio State football, recruiting, and much, much more! Come for the hot takes, stay for the warm ones.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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

On this episode of “Hangout in the Holy Land,” Josh and Chuck ignore Ohio State football completely and instead focus on basketball, wrestling, and synchronized swimming... Just kidding, but kudos to those Scarlet and Gray teams currently taking care of business.

Still a little salty as a result of The Game, the Hangout Boys attempt to boost morale by talking a little roundball. Both of Ohio State’s basketball teams are currently thriving; one doing so rather unexpectedly. So what has been the key to the OSU men’s team’s hot start? And can Chris Holtmann’s squad keep it up?

Elsewhere, some football was recently played. Have you heard? And it will continue to be played by teams seeking a blissful end to their 2023-24 season. However, Ohio State will likely not be one of them. So how can the Buckeyes improve this offseason, and put themselves in a better position to win big games — not just the ones they’re supposed to?

Please make sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast! And as always, Go Bucks!

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Connect with the pod
Twitter: @HolyLandPod

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Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye

Connect with Chuck Holmes
Twitter: @ctholmes3

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B1G Thoughts: Michigan three-peats and Michigan State hires a coach
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Jonathan Smith, welcome to the Big Ten! Plus, Michigan outlasts Ohio State in a massive showdown.

Every week after the Big Ten slate of games, I will bring you some B1G thoughts on everything that happened! This will include analysis, stats, key players, moments, and maybe a joke. With the Big Ten expanding from 14 teams to 18 teams in 2024 this article will also include the newest members, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington. Check out the I-80 Football Show for more in-depth analysis and to preview the next week of B1G games.

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Michigan continues to reign supreme in the Big Ten ​

Michigan is once again the class of the Big Ten after outlasting Ohio State in a heavyweight showdown. With Jim Harbaugh sidelined for his third-straight game, interim head coach Sherrone Moore led the Wolverines past their biggest rivals by simply believing in his players more.

In the 30-24 win, Moore went 3-for-3 on fourth down, got a big play on a running back pass, and brought in his backup quarterback for a brief QB run package. In key moments, Moore put the ball in the hands of his players and Ryan Day did not. That was the difference. Michigan now gets a playoff warm-up game against Iowa in the Big Ten Championship before getting another shot at winning the national title.

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Which means more: 56 wins or 7 losses? ​

Ryan Day, after a third-straight loss to Michigan, has a career record of 56-7. That is one of the best winning percentages in college football history, but is it full of empty calories?

Ryan Day’s record includes an undefeated mark against every conference foe besides Michigan. He deserves credit for that. Day has not been susceptible to the weird upset that rules college football. The seven losses are tough though when you look at them.

Day is 1-7 against top-five opponents. He is 1-3 in playoff games, with three losses against Michigan and the seventh loss against Oregon in non-conference play. So, is it more important that Day has 56 wins and doesn’t lose games he shouldn’t? Or is it more critical that he has only one win compared to seven losses when he plays the best teams in the sport?

It is not an easy question to answer. Just check Buckeye Nation Twitter where fans are split on whether it’s time to fire Day or if the fanbase standards are too high.

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Jonathan Smith, welcome to the Big Ten ​

After a long season following a shocking scandal that led to the firing of Mel Tucker, Michigan State has a new head coach. Michigan State has announced the hiring of former Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith. Smith has a career record of 34-35, which is a little deceiving as he turned around a barren program by winning seven, 10, and eight games in the last three seasons.

Smith, unlike Tucker, is a straight-up ball coach who has a proven track record of building a winning program and culture. With more resources and the Big Ten brand, Smith should be able to build a solid program in East Lansing. The Big Ten is expanding to 18 teams and Michigan State is firmly in the middle class, but if Smith can get the Spartans to a playoff appearance every couple of years and the occasional Big Ten championship appearance, they will be more than happy.

Smith has a tough task ahead of him, but he is going to go down as one of the better hires of this cycle.

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Tom Allen, here is $15.5 million not to coach! ​

Indiana has finally decided to move on from head coach Tom Allen. Allen had a couple of solid seasons for the Hoosiers, but the last three seasons have been hard to stomach and it was clear he lost the locker room.

The biggest concern with firing Allen was the buyout, which was over $20 million due to the ill-advised contract extension they gave him after the pandemic season. Allen, who has a great reputation and is well-liked, did Indiana a favor by agreeing to a smaller buyout of $15.5 million split into two payments of $7.75 million. It’s not much of a sacrifice to lose a little over $5 million when you’re getting $15.5, but that money will go a long way towards hiring their new coach and Allen could’ve made them pay the whole thing as stated in his contract.

Allen should be a hot name as a defensive coordinator if he wants to jump right back into coaching, but he has 15.5 million reasons not to rush his decision. Indiana is now in the market for a new coach, with names like former IU defensive coordinator and current South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack being mentioned as potential replacements.

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Disappointing finish for three West Division teams​

Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska all entered rivalry week at 5-6, needing a win over their rival to reach bowl eligibility. All three of them fell short by a combined total of nine points. They all fought hard, but ultimately came up short to end their season.

These three programs are in different places, but they have a few things in common. They all couldn’t overcome an exodus of talent and bad quarterback play. None of the coaches are in danger of losing their jobs entering 2024, but they will need to take a deep look at their roster, starting with the quarterback position, if they want to have any success in the new Big Ten. It’s now or never as the landscape changes.

Someone has to be at the bottom, and they need to turn it around before it’s them.

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David Braun the miracle worker ​

David Braun weathered the storm of the Pat Fitzgerald hazing scandal and led Northwestern to seven wins. That’s the same number of wins as Fitzgerald had in his last three non-pandemic seasons combined. Braun should win the Big Ten Coach of the Year and should be a finalist for the national coach of the year, although that will likely go to Jerry Kill of New Mexico State.

I have no idea how Braun pulled this out, but he’s earned the right to lead the Wildcats full-time and build on this positive momentum. Northwestern would’ve never fired Fitzgerald for football reasons and their problems are far from over, but they lucked into a good coach.

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Taulia Tagoviloa, the Big Ten’s newest record-holder​

Taulia Tagoviloa has been the starting quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins for the past four seasons. He’s been a top-three quarterback in the conference for the past three. This past Saturday, he became the Big Ten’s all-time leader in passing yards with 11,256. Maryland has reached a bowl game three seasons in a row for the first time since 2006-2008 behind his play.

He will go down as one of if not the best quarterback in school history. This record will probably stand for a long time, as not many prolific passers stick around for four years. Congrats to Taulia, a well deserved record for a good quarterback.

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A sad end, here’s to a bright future ​

The 2023 season is over, We have bowl games remaining, but the regular season is final and it’s a bittersweet end.

College football as a whole changes as soon as this season ends. The Pac-12 will be no more, unless Oregon State and Washington State find a way to keep it alive. The Big Ten moves to 18 teams while the SEC will be a 16-team conference. The College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams, and you will no longer be able to watch the Big Ten on ESPN.

While I genuinely believe most of these changes are for the better, it’s hard not to get whiplash as the sport changes in the blink of an eye.

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Column: Ryan Day’s record says 56-7, but over the past three seasons, he’s really 0-9 in what matters
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Buckeyes come into every season with three goals in mind, and have failed on all of them for the third-straight year.

I promise this is not going to be another ‘Ohio State needs to fire Ryan Day’ article. I said he should be on the hot seat back in October, and while all my points from that piece still stand, I understand the Buckeyes are not going to search for a new head coach this offseason. Still, I cannot get past people blindly defending Day for his 56-7 record, because while that is an impressive mark that nearly every school in the country would be happy with, a peek behind the curtain shows why those seven losses outweigh the 56 victories.

Ohio State is one of the premier programs in the country, bringing in some of the nation’s best talents year over year and entering every season with the realistic goal of winning a national title. As the head coach of the Buckeyes, and by Day’s own admission, the team has three goals each year:

1. Beat Michigan
2. Win the Big Ten
3. Win a national title

Over the last three seasons, Ohio State is 0-9 in accomplishing those goals. This latest loss to Michigan brings Day’s record to 1-3 against the team’s biggest rival, the Buckeyes previously having not lost to the Wolverines since 2011. He has just two Big Ten titles in his five-year stint at the helm, with the last one coming in 2020. Sure, he has avoided the odd loss to a Purdue or an Iowa like Urban Meyer would occasionally suffer, but in his last five years Meyer won three Big Ten titles AND a national championship, on top of his perfect 7-0 record against Michigan.

Aside from his struggles against TTUN, Day has not performed well against the better teams on Ohio State’s schedule. He is 1-6 against teams ranked in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings, including a 1-3 mark in the CFP itself. The Buckeyes have lost games to a No. 12 Oregon team (at home), had two blowout losses to Michigan in 2021 and 2022, and very easily could have lost to Notre Dame this season if not for 1-yard touchdown on the game’s final play. While Day is lauded as an offensive-minded aggressive coach, that all seems to evade him when the opposition isn’t at a massive talent deficit.

Day is a flawed head coach, but Ohio State is not going to move on, especially with Gene Smith set to retire this summer. It is incredibly strange to see Day go away from the mesh concept offense that were wildly successful and led to some of the Buckeyes’ best offenses, even more so given the fact the the wide receiver talent is way better than it was when that was the game plan. I don’t understand why Day is trying to re-invent the wheel, and it is clear that talks of giving up the play-calling to Brian Hartline this season never came to fruition. The head coach is making life harder on himself by both going away from what worked best and by trying to do the work of several people at once.

You cannot be the CEO of the roster, the head coach during the week AND the primary play-caller on game day. It is too much to put on one man’s plate, and even the areas that Day is known for like a high-powered offense and elite quarterback play have taken a massive hit because of it. He has to start delegating some of these tasks, starting with giving up the play-calling — for real this time — heading into next season. On top of that, there are a number of tough decisions Day will have to make this offseason in regards to his coaching staff in order for Ohio State to even have a chance to win anything of substance with him at the helm.

The first, and most obvious, coaching move is to dump the waste of space colloquially known as Parker Fleming. Having a special team’s coach as one of your 11 allotted full-time coaches is stupid, especially when it results in only four defensive assistants on a team with an offense-oriented head coach and an atrocious special teams unit. It is not a shock that Ohio State’s defense has let them down in the games that matter most, showing glaring issues at linebacker in some of the biggest matchups — the group that does not have a full-time position coach. The Buckeyes also had one of the worst special teams in the country in all facets, from punting and kickoff returns to areas as simple as getting lined up correctly.

I wouldn’t trust Fleming to bag my groceries, and he should have been gone a year ago. In his place, Ohio State should promote James Laurinaitis, who is already on staff as a graduate assistant, to full-time linebackers coach. The promotion would both give him more of a hands-on role in developing the position, as well as allow him to get on the road as a recruiter, where I believe he could have a huge impact in bringing in some real difference makers on the trail. Fleming isn’t recruiting anything, sucks at his job, and is wasting a coaching spot. All of this is easily rectifiable, and should have been done already even before Ohio State learns what meaningless bowl game it will play in this season.

Secondly, it is time to fire Mickey Marotti and finally bring the Buckeyes’ strength and conditioning program into the 21st century. For the past three seasons, Ohio State has spent half the year missing key players seemingly out of nowhere with avoidable soft tissue injuries and other bumps and bruises that would be fewer and farther between if the Buckeyes were training to be football players rather than bodybuilders. Marotti is constantly making guys add or lose weight to fit some made up specification for whatever position they play, regardless of how it impacts their abilities — see: Jack Sawyer. His methods are wildly outdated, and Ohio State is lacking behind other top competitors as a result.

Thirdly, and this may be more of an unpopular opinion, but it is time to move on from Larry Johnson. I understand that he is a legend in his respective area and he has produced some truly elite players during his time in Columbus, but his room has fallen off since Chase Young left in 2019. The recruiting is still largely okay, but Ohio State has gotten abysmal production from its defensive lines over the last few seasons relative to the amount of five-star talent along that unit. The Buckeyes ranked 12th in the Big Ten this season with 22 sacks despite having a pair of five-star ends in J.T. Tuimoloau and Sawyer. That isn’t going to cut it.

On top of the issues with Johnson’s unit himself, his open feud with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has been ridiculous from the start, and Day should not have allowed it to continue on into the season — let alone all the way through. Johnson has refused to let Knowles incorporate his ‘Jack’ position, which has been a staple of Knowles’ defensive schemes, and instead has stuck to his antiquated four-down front. Ohio State has had issues getting to the quarterback and stopping some of the better rushing attacks it has faced, and something resembling a MINT front would fix a lot of those issues, but Johnson has gotten in the way. You don’t have to outright fire him, but a mutual parting of ways or letting him retire would improve the defense as a whole.

I was critical of Knowles’ defense on Twitter following The Game, as Ohio State did not force a single Michigan punt in the second half, but after breaking it down thoroughly in the aftermath of the loss, I think he did about as well as he could with virtually one arm tied behind his back. Knowles was put in a position to fail by not having a full-time linebackers coach and having a defensive line coach that refused to let him run one of the most important parts of his scheme. Even despite those massive hinderances, the Ohio State defense was really good this season, which I think is more of a testament to Knowles’ coaching ability than anything else.

Elsewhere, it would probably help to bring in a real quarterbacks coach to try and at least take some of that work off of Day’s plate. Corey Dennis tricked us into thinking he was good at his job when Ohio State had elite quarterbacks on the roster like Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud, but Kyle McCord did not show any sort of development this season as he finished the year looking like the same QB in Week 12 as he was in Week 1. Day will likely still maintain a hands-on approach at the position, but having an assistant that is actually qualified for the job rather than just being a family member of Urban Meyer would go a long way in making sure things continue to run smoothly when the head coach has other responsibilities — maybe even one that can assist in play-calling as well.

The rest of the staff seems pretty good. People want to blame Justin Frye for Ohio State’s poor offensive line play, but he was given a raw hand with the barren room he inherited from Greg Studrawa — again, Day’s fault for letting a bad coach stick around too long. I’m willing to give him another season. Perry Eliano and Tim Walton did a great job in the secondary, Brian Hartline is obviously tremendous at what he does, and Tony Alford is largely inoffensive. The Buckeyes’ rushing attack hasn’t been truly elite for quite a bit, but I don’t know how much of that falls on Alford. I can take or leave Keenan Bailey at tight ends coach, who seems mostly fine even though blocking at that position has been lacking.

There will obviously also have to be some tough personnel decisions to be made on the field heading into next season. Ohio State should not guarantee the starting quarterback job to McCord again, and it should be an open condition between himself and Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz and even incoming freshman Air Noland. The Buckeyes should be aggressive in the transfer portal, looking to add potential impact players along the offensive line, in the running backs room, and anywhere on defense where an outgoing player may leave a potential hole. Day whiffed in the portal last year when it was clear Ohio State needed offensive linemen, and he cannot afford to do so again in key areas.

While I’m not sure I trust Ryan Day to win anything of substance at Ohio State after watching him turtle against Michigan three years in a row, and I definitely don’t trust him to make the necessary moves mentioned above, I know we will be going into next season with him at the helm once again. If things remain status quo, the Buckeyes will fall short of their ultimate goals, even if they are still good enough to make what will be a 12-team College Football Playoff. The Big Ten is only going to get tougher with the additions of Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washignton, and Day cannot afford to hamstring his team with poor decision making, bad coaching staff construction, and a lack of aggression both in the transfer portal and on the field.

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Buckeyes Return Home to Host Central Michigan on Wednesday​

Ohio State vs. Central Michigan
Date: November 29, 2023
Time: 7 p.m.
Venue: Value City Arena – Columbus, Ohio
Watch: BTN

Ohio State returns home from a great weekend in Florida and will open a three-game homestand against Central Michigan on Wednesday night. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Connor Onion and former Ohio State standout Joey Lane will call the action.

• This will be the third all-time meeting between the two programs. Jay Burson scored 26 points to lead The Buckeyes to an 85-83 victory on Jan. 2, 1988, inside St. John Arena. In the most recent meeting, current director of professional development and former Big Ten player of the year Terence Dials scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead OSU to a 77-71 victory in the consolation round of the Maui Invitational on Nov. 25, 2003.
• The Buckeyes are coming off an Emerald Coast Classic championship, beating No. 17 Alabama 92-83 and then topping Santa Clara 86-56 in the championship game. Bruce Thornton was named the tournament's MVP after averaging 21.0 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds. He scored a career-high 29 points in the win over Alabama. Roddy Gayle Jr. also scored a career-high 23 points against Alabama and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
• The Buckeyes shot over 53 percent in the two games and now have the 18th most efficient offense according to Kenpom. The top-ranked offense is still Alabama and the Buckeyes held the Crimson Tide to its lowest scoring output of the season.
• The win was Ohio State's first win in a true multi-team bracket event since the 2012 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off.
• Since 2000, the only Buckeye freshman or sophomore to score 29 points against a ranked team before Thornton last Friday were Justin Ahrens and Malaki Branham. Ahrens made six three-pointers and scored 29 points as a freshman vs. No. 22 Iowa on Feb. 26, 2019. Branham netted 31 points as a freshman in the 86-83 victory at No. 15 Illinois on Feb. 24, 2022.
• Thornton is second in the Big Ten with a 4.83 assist-to-turnover ratio and is in the Top 10 at 17.2 points per game.
• Felix Okpara has blocked a shot in each of his last 13 games dating back to the end of last season. Since 2000, Okpara is just the fifth Buckeye big man to have a streak of 13 or more games with at least one block, joining Ken Johnson, Greg Oden, Dallas Lauderdale and Amir Williams.
• Jamison Battle knocked-down a season-high five three-pointers and led the Buckeyes with a season-high 21 points in the win over Santa Clara. He has made at least one three-pointer in every game this season.
• The Buckeyes have made 10 or more three-pointers in each of the last three games, marking the longest streak since a four-game stretch of 10 or more in January of 2021.

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Column: Is there any chance at all Marvin Harrison Jr. stays for one more year?
Megan.Husslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Maybe a 1% chance.

Saturday’s loss was heartbreaking; I think we’ve established that. A third-straight year of losing to TTUN, no conference championship and likely no College Football Playoff for the Buckeyes. One of the most depressing parts of this loss is how none of the three Buckeye teams that Marvin Harrison Jr. played on accomplished their goals. Now, will he leave Ohio State being unfulfilled?

Time and time again, when awards and accolades are brought up to Marv, he repeatedly says how he doesn’t care about the Heisman or the Biletnikoff, or whatever it may be. His two main goals at Ohio State were to beat TTUN and to play in a Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis — the same stadium where his father played in the NFL.

His freshman year, in 2021, he sat behind Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, so he didn’t play. But these past two years, he has done absolutely everything he can in order to help his team win the big games. Against Penn State last year, he had 185 receiving yards. And TTUN? 120 receiving yards and a touchdown. Georgia in the playoff semifinal? 106 yards and a TD before he got injured.

Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

And we all know how he did this year. A Heisman-worthy season. Only four games where he didn’t reach the 100-yard mark. 162 yards against Penn State and 118 versus TTUN this past Saturday. Marv has been the backbone of this offense for the past two years. Especially this year, with a new quarterback and an inconsistent run game.

He has achieved numerous individual accolades and set a ton of records in the program. He has perfectly set himself up to be a top pick in the NFL Draft, perhaps the No. 1 overall pick. But, he has hasn’t met all of his goals as Buckeye. Will he decide to go pro anyways, wondering what could have been if he stayed for one more year, or will he come back, trying for one more shot at achieving those goals?

I feel like it’s almost impossible to come back, knowing that you have millions of dollars waiting for you — possibly even as the top pick in the draft — without having to play any more college games. He’s done the work, now he can wait and reap the rewards.

Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

On the other hand, Marv is a team guy. He absolutely loves being a Buckeye. When you consider the teams that he has been on, they’ve all been failures when it comes to Ohio State’s standards. No rivalry wins. No Big Ten Championships. No National Championships. Could this push him enough to try again for one more year?

Personally, I don’t think so. Right now, it’s looking like it’s going to be a very new team next year, with a lot of guys going pro following this season. Who knows what’s going to happen at the QB position. Even if Marv did come back, would the team be good enough to accomplish his goals? I’m sure they would be contenders, as they are every year, but you never know with a new group.

After the loss Saturday, Marv wouldn’t say whether or not he was going pro, which is obviously to be expected. It’s unlikely he will play in whatever bowl game the Bucks end up in, just like Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson chose not to play in the Rose Bowl against Utah because they were going pro.

Was Saturday the last time we saw Marv in a Buckeye uniform? Unfortunately, I think so. He deserves absolutely nothing but the best in the pros, but selfishly we would all love to see him play another year at Ohio State. So now, we wait and see.

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Silver Bullets Podcast: Michigan rewind, Ryan Day, Kyle McCord and more
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

The regular season is over already. Where did it go?

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Ohio State’s 2023 regular season is over. The college football schedule always seems long until the games begin, and then before you know it, it’s gone. So it is again this year as the Buckeyes concluded their 2023 regular season at 11-1 after a bitter, 30-24 loss in Ann Arbor.

The team was in it from start to finish, but couldn’t quite overcome an early interception that set up Michigan’s first touchdown after the Wolverines had done nothing up to that point on offense. Oh, the Buckeyes pulled level at one point, but they simply made too many errors and some questionable (and conservative) decisions, and that’s no way to handle The Game.

We break down a tough day on the road in Ann Arbor, Kyle McCord’s poor start, Ryan Day’s key decisions, and more. We also wonder what happened to Jim Knowles’ defense after halftime. And we look back at our predictions and our picks to click to see how well we anticipated the happenings in the mitten state.

We addressed fan concerns about Day and McCord, and tried to look at it objectively in the cold light of day. Are there coaches who should be fired? Absolutely, and we tell you which ones.

Wrapping up this week’s podcast, we looked at the other results around the Big Ten, as we usually do, but we also looked back at our preseason predictions to see how our soothsaying skills turned out. As usual, we seem to know much more about the Big Ten East than the West, but the same could be said for most people. Alas, we won’t have the divisions anymore, so the wild West will simply have to be wild without ramifications for the Big Ten title game.

We’ll be here with you every week from now until the end of the 2023 Ohio State football season (and then monthly). We’d love to hear from you, so please reach out with your feedback and questions below in the comments section or send us an email.

Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, share, and follow the show over on Twitter at @SilvrBulletsPod.

As always, thanks for listening!

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Ohio State QB commit to play in 2025 All-American Bowl
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


2025 four-star QB Tavien St. Clair via @TJSaint_1 on X

Buckeyes’ four-star quarterback commit accepts an invite to play in the 2025 All-American Bowl.

Ohio State fell to its rival Saturday, giving the program an 11-1 record. The Buckeyes are now on the outside looking in for the College Football Playoff, and unless multiple teams lose this week in their conference championship games, it will remain that way.

The Buckeyes will likely be heading to a marquee bowl game, but this is not enough of a consolation prize to make up for last weekend’s loss. While Ohio State will be trying to get over the loss, the team can still pick up some last-minute recruiting wins in the coming months. The Early Signing Period will soon begin and the Buckeyes still have a couple targets remaining they would like to secure commitments from.

Many of the headlines surrounding Ohio State this week will focus on what the team could have accomplished this year, but the Buckeyes will also continue to make the recruiting headlines.

Ohio State QB commit receives accolade​

Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class is almost completely wrapped up. There are a few recruits the Buckeyes are still hoping to add in the coming weeks, but for the most part, the team has shifted focus towards the 2025 class.

The Buckeyes have gotten off to a quick start in 2025, securing four verbal commitments, including one from four-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair (Bellfontaine, OH / Bellfontaine). St. Clair is currently slated as one of the top recruits in the state of Ohio in his class, and he is one of the top quarterbacks in the entire cycle.

St. Clair had a very impressive junior season, which came to an end this past weekend. He completed more than 70 percent of his pass attempts for 3,083 yards. He also threw 37 touchdowns to just six interceptions. On Monday, he received another impressive accolade as he accepted an invite to play in the 2025 All-American Bowl.

No. 1 Player in Ohio

️️️️ QB Tavien St. Clair (@TJSaint_1) has accepted his invitation to the 2025 All-American Bowl.#GoBucks #AllAmericanBowl pic.twitter.com/SCc0ylLvsa

— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) November 27, 2023​

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St. Clair committed to Ohio State in June of this year, and there has been nothing to insinuate he could be swaying on his pledge. He is the No. 4 QB in his class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 57 overall recruit. He is also the No. 2 recruit from Ohio.

Quick Hits​

With the 2024 Early Signing Period quickly approaching, Ohio State is still targeting a handful of recruits. Possibly the biggest name of the list, five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, appears to be less and less realistic as the cycle comes to an end. Seaton included Ohio State as one of his final schools, but it appears Oregon and Tennessee have separated themselves from the rest of his list.

Ohio State is still working on getting him to campus, as he has yet to make the trip to Columbus this season. If the Buckeyes are able to get him in town, their chances in landing him will jump exponentially. However, if they are not able to get the coveted official visit, the Buckeyes will likely need to look elsewhere to complete a haul on the offensive line that includes four-star Ian Moore, three-star twins Devontae Armstrong and Deontae Armstrong as well as Ohio State’s newest commit, Gabe VanSickle.

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Sources: Syracuse targeting Georgia assistant Fran Brown​

Syracuse is targeting Georgia defensive assistant Fran Brown for its head-coaching vacancy, sources told ESPN on Monday night, confirming a report.

Brown, 41, has coached Georgia's defensive backs the past two seasons after holding similar roles at Rutgers, Temple and Baylor. The New Jersey native has extensive ties to the Northeast and has recruited the region throughout his career. Brown, who twice served as a Temple assistant, was a top candidate for the school's head-coaching vacancy in late 2021. Georgia is set to face Alabama on Saturday in the SEC championship game.

Syracuse fired Dino Babers on Nov. 19 after eight seasons with the school. Tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile is serving as the team's interim coach for its upcoming bowl appearance.

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Class: 2026
Position: DL
School: New Orleans (LA) St. Augustine
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 270lbs

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Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan on Saturday is going to sting for a while
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Buckeyes had everything trending in the right direction heading into The Game but still couldn’t get the job done.

Ohio State’s loss on Saturday to Michigan is going to sting for quite a while. Even though the losses the previous two seasons, and really any loss to Michigan hurts, the 30-24 defeat at the hands of the Wolverines hits a little differently. It all starts with coaching on both sides and there are a number of other reasons why a few days after the loss, it is still hard to stomach.

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Ryan Day​

As a fan of the Buffalo Bills, I already have to watch one coach that soils himself in big games, I don’t need to see the same when I watch the Buckeyes. Unfortunately, any time Day has to coach against Michigan or in the College Football Playoff, he channels his inner John Cooper. Day has now lost the last three meetings with Michigan and he is 1-3 in the College Football Playoff. Something needs to change or a change needs to be made.

What makes Day’s failures in big games so infuriating is he talks so tough heading into games against Michigan or CFP games. How his teams are going to be playing with an edge and how he is going to open things up. Then when the games actually kick off, nothing close to what he says his teams need to do actually happens. I get there is some coach speak in the interviews, but it just feels like Ohio State teams tend to come out flat when it matters most. How this continues to happen is extremely puzzling.

Now Day has some tough decisions to make in the offseason. The first thing he needs to do is kick special teams coach Parker Fleming to the curb. Fleming’s coaching contributions definitely don’t match his huge salary. If we are being honest, if Fleming’s salary was $0, he still would be overpaid. Fleming isn’t needed on this staff and his salary can actually be used for things that will actually help the team.

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Another big decision Ryan Day will have to make is what to do with his play-calling role with the team. After last season it sounded like there would be more of a collaboration between Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. I highly doubt anything like that has happened. It feels like Day is too arrogant to actually utilize Hartline when it comes to the offensive game plan. There are too many similarities when it comes to the play-calling from previous years to think Day is accepting much input from Hartline.

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Jim Harbaugh’s suspension​

While it would have been great for Ohio State to beat Michigan with Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines on Saturday, Day and the Buckeyes couldn’t even beat interim head coach Sherrone Moore. Props to Moore for not being a blubbering mess in any post-game interviews and cursing every chance he got. He has come a long way since two weeks ago.

For as many jokes as Buckeye fans got off since the Michigan cheating scandal dropped last month, the only joke on Saturday was the Ohio State performance. While further punishment might end up coming down from the NCAA, as of now, all the cheating scandal resulted in was Jim Harbaugh getting a three-week vacation before the Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoff.

If there was every a year for Ohio State to make Michigan eat a loss, this was the year. Had the Buckeyes won, Michigan might have had some conversations about where their future was at head coach. Even though the Wolverines and Harbaugh were talking extension before everyone became aware of who Connor Stalions was, it wouldn’t have been surprising to see Harbaugh make a serious push to head back to the NFL coaching ranks. Now it’s going to be hard to imagine Harbaugh leaving after three straight Big Ten titles and three straight trips to the College Football Playoff.

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Kyle McCord​

Kyle McCord had an unenviable task heading into this season. Prior to McCord being named starting quarterback, the previous Ohio State quarterbacks were Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud, who both went on to be first-round picks in the NFL Draft. Nobody was expecting quite the same production as Fields and Stroud, Buckeye fans were just hoping he wouldn’t lose the team any games.

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Even though there were some hiccups with consistency this season, McCord was playing confident heading into The Game after Ohio State beat Michigan State and Minnesota by a combined score of 75-6. Then early in Saturday’s game, McCord threw a brutal interception that set Michigan up in prime position to score their first touchdown. As if that wasn’t tough enough to stomach, McCord’s interception late in the fourth quarter with Ohio State driving clinched the game for the Wolverines.

Unless some really tough decisions are made, Kyle McCord will be back as starting quarterback for the Buckeyes. That’s not a bad thing! McCord did have some strong moments this season, with the highlight being the comeback late against Notre Dame. Hopefully the loss to Michigan will make McCord even hungrier, and the year under his belt as the starter will make him a better leader. Who joins McCord on the quarterback depth chart remains to be seen and will come into clearer view over the next two months.

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Marvin Harrison Jr. and TreVeyon Henderson​

With the loss to Michigan, Saturday felt like the last time we’ll see Marvin Harrison Jr. and TreVeyon Henderson play for Ohio State. There is nothing for either player to gain by playing in a bowl game unless the Buckeyes somehow back their way into the College Football Playoff. It makes no sense for Harrison and Henderson to not declare for the 2024 NFL Draft since Harrison is likely to be the first receiver taken in the draft, and Henderson needs to capitalize on his strong finish to the season since the shelf life for running backs is so short.

What is really tough to stomach for both Buckeyes is they weren’t able to beat Michigan during their outstanding careers. During the previous two decades, the question players faced during the Buckeye careers wasn’t if they were able to beat Michigan, but how many times they beat the Wolverines during their careers. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case lately since Michigan has won the last three meetings.

If we never see either play for Ohio State again, thanks for the great memories. I was at the Tulsa game when Henderson ran for over 270 yards as a freshman. If only the running back hadn’t had to deal with so many injuries, he would be in the conversation with Archie Griffin, Ezekiel Elliott, and others as the greatest running back in school history.

Harrison definitely can be in the best wide receiver conversation since he has done things no other Buckeye receiver has done. Not only did Harrison break David Boston’s school record of 14 100-yard receiving games by gaining 118 receiving yards against the Wolverines to notch his 15th game of at least 100 receiving yards. Harrison is also the only Ohio State receiver to record two seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving. It was a helluva ride to watch.

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Message to Ohio State women’s basketball guard Emma Shumate on impressive start to season
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

The Buckeyes lost deep shooting in the offseason, but the Newark, Ohio guard is starting to fill the gap.

Follow Ohio State women’s basketball for even a day or two this season, and a name that pops up more often than not is guard Taylor Mikesell. The guard’s name surfaces any time perimeter shooting is mentioned on broadcasts, in articles or media availability. However, Mikesell isn’t on the team and hasn’t been since the end of the Buckeyes’ NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight. While the guard’s presence is missed, a name on the roster who’s showing signs of a bright deep shooting future is guard Emma Shumate.

The statistics speak volumes for Mikesell. The guard made 454 shots from deep in her five-season NCAA career, good for sixth best all-time, four of those years in the Big Ten earning a conference second best record of 415 made threes.

Shumate is on the other side of her collegiate career, playing in her redshirt sophomore season. The Central Ohioan joined Ohio State following a freshman year with the West Virginia Mountaineers, not playing in a game and transferring back to Columbus last season. Even when the guard wasn’t playing many minutes, or hitting shots efficiently, the word was out there that Shumate was someone to watch from deep.

While the guard hit multiple threes in a game twice in 31 appearances, head coach Kevin McGuff said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Shumate hit seven in a game at some point. That moment never came, hitting two as her game high for the season and going 23.1% from beyond the three-point line on an average of 1.7 shots taken per game.

This season, something’s different.

Against Cornell Big Red on Sunday, the lopsided score allowed Shumate more time on the court. The guard went 3-for-5 from deep, and after the game, coach McGuff was asked if this is the Shumate the Buckeyes want on offense.

“Yeah, definitely, and we need that,” said McGuff. “We lost one of the best three-point shooters we’ve ever had here, Taylor Mikesell, and we’re not going to make up with that with one person, but we need multiple people to step up, and Emma being one of them.”

Other people have stepped up this season. Guard Jacy Sheldon leads the team from beyond the arc, making two per game and averaging 19.4 points. Shumate though has been an intriguing prospect for more minutes because she’s right behind Sheldon from deep.

Shumate already has three games this year where she’s hit at least two three-point shots — in only five appearances. Plus, two of those three had Shumate reaching a new career high for made threes in a game with three.

So, what’s helped the guard improve? Ask her teammates and its clear.

“Shooting is a mental thing and she kind of started off rough just in practice,” said guard Celeste Taylor about the start to Shumate’s season. “But I mean, just her consistency to get in the gym and shoot the ball. Everybody, all the teammates, all of us are constantly telling her, ‘if you’re open, shoot it.’”

That’s what’s happening too. Against Oklahoma State, the guard went 2-for-6 from deep. In a low scoring contest, they made a difference. So much so that the coaching staff awarded Shumate her first dub chain as a Buckeye, an honor given to one player after each Ohio State victory.

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Moments like that dub chain, and the follow-up 3-for-5 shooting performance against Cornell, shows that Shumate is getting closer to coming off the bench earlier. Also, in times when offense is sorely needed. Shumate’s Buckeye teammates’ support is helping her remember the skills that are already there, and Ohio State is benefiting.

“We have faith that you’re going to hit it, because we see the work that she puts in and we’ve seen her hit shots,” said Taylor. “I’m really happy for her and proud of her.”

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You’re Nuts: What comes next for Ohio State football?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Buckeyes have once again come up short in the biggest game of the year.

Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.

In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.

This week’s topic: What comes next for Ohio State football?​

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Josh’s Take​

Welp. Saturday sure was a kick in the teeth, huh? Ohio State lost its third-straight rivalry game to Michigan, did not look particularly good in doing so, extended the team’s Big Ten title drought, and was likely knocked out of CFP contention... Again.

I know they got in last year; whatever. That was an anomaly.

The Buckeyes’ mighty defense looked rather mid. Kyle McCord and the offense looked overwhelmed. And both Ryan Day and Jim Knowles coached like they had nothing to win and everything to lose... Or something like that.

Saturday’s game was yet another reminder that TTUN currently owns The Rivalry and subsequent bragging rights, whether they are stealing signs or not. Hell, maybe OSU should get their own Connor Stalions to offset the disadvantage caused by poor coaching lack of aggressiveness and/or execution.

So what’s next for Ohio State? Where does this program go? What do the Buckeyes do? Who do they want and/or need to be, in order to reclaim the B1G and achieve their annual goal of winning a national championship?

Frankly, I have no idea. Because OSU beats every single team it is supposed to and essentially sleepwalks to 10 or 11 wins based on talent alone. That’s sort of the main ingredient in the winning casserole. So it’s not as if the Scarlet and Gray are in need of a total reset. But they are in need of something. Which is what Gene and I decided to discuss in today’s edition of You’re Nuts.

I posed four(ish) questions above, however, I am struggling to answer even one. Maybe that’s because your boy here gave about a 90-minute eulogy on Ohio State’s season yesterday – great, great podcast BTW, in case you haven’t had the pleasure – and now my brain is mush. Or maybe... Just maybe... It’s because this is like asking/answering “what do you get for the person who has everything?”

The Buckeyes literally have everything. EXCEPT big wins as of late. Which is a big ol’ nasty stain on Day’s otherwise very clean and expertly-tailored white shirt (record). But it’s there. And it’s real. And it’s starting to stink a little bit. So he needs to metaphorically clean it or buy a new shirt, otherwise, he risks being run out of Columbus sooner rather than later.

That being said, I just can’t quit the guy. Not yet. Because I have seen too many failures elsewhere. And I’ve seen programs take massive, massive steps back. Whereas Day has maintained most Ohio State’s more recent momentum created and/or cultivated by Urban Meyer and, to a certain extent, Jim Tressel.

Look at Florida. Look at USC and Clemson. Hell, look at an individual like Luke Fickell. Love him to death, but there is a group of Buckeye fans out there who want nothing more than for Fickell to return to Columbus. Well Wisconsin went 7-5 this season! They lost to Indiana!

I don’t want OSU to keep Day around just because he beats beatable teams. But I remember his big win over Clemson. I remember last year’s Peach Bowl. I believe that greatness is within reach with Day at the helm. But he can’t keep doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.

Getting back to the questions above... Look, I hope you’ve figured out by now that I don’t know what it’s going to take for the Buckeyes to hoist a CFP trophy. I’ve been stammering and stalling for a reason. If it were so easy to figure out, Ryan Day probably would have done it by now. And that is my point. Winning titles is hard. Defeating top-5 opponents is hard.

But if I am forced to come up with something RE: the questions above, I would say that I think the offensive coaching staff needs a makeover.

It starts with Day no longer calling plays. He is great offensive mind who has simply gone/gotten too far into into his own (mind, head, etc.) He needs to take a step back and hand playcalling duties to Brian Hartline. If he (Day) doesn’t, not only does he risk losing his greatest recruiting asset, but he also never opens himself up to the possibility of Hartline being brilliant. What if the latter is the next Andy Reid? Gotta find out sooner or later. Otherwise, he might be coaching against his alma mater — with an arsenal of elite wide receivers.

I also think that Justin Frye needs to go. Nothing personal, but this year’s offensive was an abomination. And I get that recruiting tailed off under Greg Studrawa, but Frye has done nothing to get the OL back on track. You could argue that all five starters either regressed or made minimal progress, and the 2024 recruiting class is comprised mainly of three-star recruits. And shit, they’re almost all guards! Like, what are we doing here? Show progress, or get shown the door. Go get Jim Michalczik from Oregon State or Joe Rudolph from Notre Dame.

Other than Day passing the playcalling sticks, I’m not asking for major changes. Make a few tweaks, keep the defensive braintrust together, and coach like your ass is one fire. Be aggressive, and fans will be on board. Go Bucks.

Gene’s Take​

I am not going to sit here and rant about Ryan Day, because at the end of the day I know Ohio State isn’t actually going to fire him. The Buckeyes have come into The Game looking woefully unprepared for three-straight seasons, and their head coach has made decisions both in-game and with his staff that have directly costed his team each of those games. While I don't know who else you would go out and get, it is clear right now that the man in charge simply does not understand what it takes to win at this level.

That being said, there are a handful of obvious changes that can be made this offseason to at least put Ohio State in a better position to succeed than it has been the past few years.

The first and most important is to finally fire Parker Fleming. On top of him being a dog shit coach at a position that costed the Buckeyes numerous times in big games — including partially in this one, where the punting unit failed to flip the field time and time again and continually gave Michigan great starting position — there is no need to have a special teams coordinator at this level. Fleming is worse at his job than any other individual across all fields in the United States, but even if he were competent, only five teams have ever produced an AP Top-10 finish with just four of the 11 allotted coaches assigned to one side of the ball:

• 2023 Ohio State
• 2022 Ohio State
• 2021 Ohio State
• 2018 Texas

Are you noticing a trend here?

Ohio State is the only team doing this at the top end of the sport, and the only reason things aren’t even worse than they are right now is because the program continues to bring in some of the nation’s top talent. Ryan Day, who is an offensive-minded head coach, is severely hamstringing his defense by only have four assistants on that side of the ball. The Buckeyes worst position group by far over the last three games against Michigan has been linebacker. Want to guess which defensive position is the only one without a full-time coach assigned to it?

I’m actually mad that it is now Monday and Fleming is still employed.

Jim Knowles deserves some of the blame for another lackluster defensive performance against the Wolverines, but he is playing with the deck stacked against him. The only way some of these issues can be fixed is to fire Fleming and promote James Laurinaitis — who you literally already have on staff as a graduate assistant — to full-time linebackers coach, allowing him to hit the trail and recruit as well as work on a position group that has let Ohio State down when they need them the most.

But that is not the only change Ohio State needs to make on that side of the ball. I understand he is a legend and I respect what he has done over the years in Columbus, but it is time to let Larry Johnson go. The Buckeyes’ defensive line recruiting has not quite been at the level it has in the past, and the production on the field has been awful considering the amount of five-star talent on that unit. On top of that, he is further hampering Knowles’ ability to call his defense by not allowing him to incorporate his ‘Jack’ position, which is a staple of his defensive scheme.

Having two of your defensive coaches openly feuding is incredibly stupid and should not have been allowed to linger into this season. It is time to rectify it by moving on from Johnson.

Outside of a shakeup on the coaching staff, Day should probably give up the play-calling, but I’m less worried about that than other people. I think the down-to-down play-calling was more or less okay against Michigan, but his conservativeness in big moments continues to get the better of him. I don't think Brian Hartline would have the full authority to decide to go for it on 4th-and-short or to try and score a touchdown at the end of the first half rather than settle for a 52-yard field goal, as Day would ultimately still have the final word on those types of calls, so I don't think passing the sticks would change the actual problems of the offense — which is turtling in big games.

Finally, there will obviously need to be some work done in the portal this offseason, and for real this time. No bargain shopping for offensive lineman late after you’ve already watched the top names come off the board because you didn’t want to upset the players on your roster. If you can get an upgrade at any position, you have to go out and get it. This is Ohio State. You cannot be more worried about hurting feelings than you are about winning football games. If you can go out and get an offensive lineman, an experienced quarterback, more experienced linebackers or players in the secondary, then do it.

There is a lot of work to be done in order to get Ohio State back to a national title caliber program, and at this point I cannot trust Day to do it. He hasn’t cleaned up the obvious problem areas to this point, so why would he start now?

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