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LGHL You’re Nuts: What is your boldest prediction for an Ohio State position group?
- News
- 0 Replies
You’re Nuts: What is your boldest prediction for an Ohio State position group?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
As preseason camp begins this week, Land-Grant Holy Land is diving into its final theme every week of the off-season. This week is all about making predictions that may or may not be reasonable, in fact, some might say they are bold. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Bold Predictions” articles here.
While one player can definitely have an impact on a game of football, there is power in numbers. As the old saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This will be especially true for Ohio State football this year since they’ll be introducing a bunch of new starters on both sides of the football. Even though some of the new starters saw action last year for the Buckeyes, this will be the first time they have been at the top of the depth chart at the college level.
Since today we are talking about the group over individuals, our question of the day is going to focus on position groups for the Buckeyes. Some are at the top of the college football world, such as the wide receivers who have the nation’s best receiver to go along with tremendous depth. There are other areas that have a lot of questions to answer this season. Two of those units that will have to prove themselves are the quarterbacks and the running backs, since Ohio State will essentially be starting from scratch at both positions after Will Howard, TreVeyon Henderson, and Quinshon Judkins were all selected in April’s NFL Draft.
Since we are making “Bold Predictions” this week at LGHL, today we are going to show which position group we have the most faith in heading into the 2025 season. What we want to know is what is your boldest prediction for an Ohio State position group? Maybe it’s a number of sacks for the defensive line, interception total for the defensive backs, or maybe you have faith in how many receptions the Buckeye tight ends will haul in this year. All we ask is that you don’t be boring with your prognostications.
Some are probably thinking this is an easy mark to hit, especially since J.K. Dobbins was able to do this by himself in a season. Think again. Last year, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson barely cracked this number in 16 games, with the pair recording 2,076 yards in Ohio State’s championship season. James Peoples did add a little to the total, as he finished with 197 yards in limited mop-up action. The 2024 season total for the running backs was actually an improvement on what we saw from the Buckeye running backs in 2023, as the team as a whole ran for just over 1,800 yards in 13 games.
So why am I expecting the running backs to excel when Ohio State is going to have to replace Henderson and Judkins? There are a number of reasons I think we are in for a big season for the running backs. While Peoples will be in a starting role for the first time in his college career, he’ll be able to share carries with West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson, who has rushed for at least 526 yards in his first three college seasons, totaling over 700 yards as both a sophomore and a junior.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/26049855/2210248210.jpg "Ohio State Spring Showcase")
Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images
Despite the Buckeyes losing Josh Simmons, Seth McLaughlin, Donovan Jackson, and Josh Fryar from last year’s offensive line, they have an experienced group coming back. Carson Hinzman started at center in 2023 and replaced McLaughlin after he suffered an Achilles injury late in the regular season. Tegra Tshabola was a starter at guard last year, while Austin Siereveld saw playing time throughout the season. Then there is the mountain that is Ethan Onianwa, who Ohio State plucked from the transfer portal after Onianwa started his college career at Rice.
Even though the Buckeyes have established receiving targets in Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Max Klare, they will be breaking in a new starting quarterback. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Brian Hartline and Ryan Day go a little more run-heavy to try and take some of the pressure off of Julian Sayin. Plus, if the Buckeyes are able to hurt teams on the ground, it will open the passing attack for Smith, Tate, and the others. If this works out the way I envision it, the rest of the college football world is in big trouble this season.
Now, I realize that Brett and I might be suggesting two incredibly sympatico predictions, therefore making neither of them particularly bold. However, given all of the agita over the Buckeye offensive line over the past few seasons, coming into a year with a new o-line coach, and a projected starting five featuring a transfer at left tackle, and four upperclassmen still trying to prove themselves to varying degrees, I am surprisingly confident about this unit.
Over the years, I have sounded the alarm about how underwhelming the OSU offensive line unit has been, not that it takes a football genius to have picked up on that. However, as the Buckeyes marched toward a national championship last season, the offensive line, under then-position coach Justin Frye, overcame devastating injuries to end up being an integral part in winning the national title.
While some of the bigger names from last year’s line are gone — Josh Simmons, Seth McLaughlin, Donovan Jackson, Josh Fryar — because two of those four had season-ending injuries last year, other guys were able to be thrown straight into the fire far sooner than they would have been otherwise.
That’s why guys like Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, and Austin Siereveld are riding some significant momentum into the fall. While Tegra Tshabola was essentially a starter for the vast majority of last season, his productivity and reliability faded as the season went on, but coming into Year 4 in the program and Year 2 as a starter, he has the opportunity to be a much-needed leader on the line.
Then you throw in Rice-transfer Ethan Onianwa, who was the No. 102 overall prospect in the transfer portal this season and No. 13 tackle. Onianwa is slotted into playing left tackle, tasked with protecting the new starting quarterback’s blindside, whether that is Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz. While he will be taking a step up in competition, going from the AAC to the B1G, he has experience and a ton of talent.
So, between Onianwa and the surprisingly battle-tested returning Buckeyes, we are going into a fall with an almost unheard of level of certainty amongst the starting o-line. Then, you have to factor in new position coach Tyler Bowen, who has years of NFL and Power Five coaching experience, and hit the ground running on the recruiting trail.
I know quantifiably judging offensive lines is nearly impossible with traditional counting stats, but when the Buckeyes make another run to a national championship, I think many people around the country will be surprised by how impactful this year’s hogmollies will be in that quest.
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
As preseason camp begins this week, Land-Grant Holy Land is diving into its final theme every week of the off-season. This week is all about making predictions that may or may not be reasonable, in fact, some might say they are bold. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Bold Predictions” articles here.
While one player can definitely have an impact on a game of football, there is power in numbers. As the old saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This will be especially true for Ohio State football this year since they’ll be introducing a bunch of new starters on both sides of the football. Even though some of the new starters saw action last year for the Buckeyes, this will be the first time they have been at the top of the depth chart at the college level.
Since today we are talking about the group over individuals, our question of the day is going to focus on position groups for the Buckeyes. Some are at the top of the college football world, such as the wide receivers who have the nation’s best receiver to go along with tremendous depth. There are other areas that have a lot of questions to answer this season. Two of those units that will have to prove themselves are the quarterbacks and the running backs, since Ohio State will essentially be starting from scratch at both positions after Will Howard, TreVeyon Henderson, and Quinshon Judkins were all selected in April’s NFL Draft.
Since we are making “Bold Predictions” this week at LGHL, today we are going to show which position group we have the most faith in heading into the 2025 season. What we want to know is what is your boldest prediction for an Ohio State position group? Maybe it’s a number of sacks for the defensive line, interception total for the defensive backs, or maybe you have faith in how many receptions the Buckeye tight ends will haul in this year. All we ask is that you don’t be boring with your prognostications.
Today’s question: What is your boldest prediction for an Ohio State position group?
We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.
Brett’s answer: The Ohio State running backs will total over 2,000 yards rushing this season
Some are probably thinking this is an easy mark to hit, especially since J.K. Dobbins was able to do this by himself in a season. Think again. Last year, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson barely cracked this number in 16 games, with the pair recording 2,076 yards in Ohio State’s championship season. James Peoples did add a little to the total, as he finished with 197 yards in limited mop-up action. The 2024 season total for the running backs was actually an improvement on what we saw from the Buckeye running backs in 2023, as the team as a whole ran for just over 1,800 yards in 13 games.
So why am I expecting the running backs to excel when Ohio State is going to have to replace Henderson and Judkins? There are a number of reasons I think we are in for a big season for the running backs. While Peoples will be in a starting role for the first time in his college career, he’ll be able to share carries with West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson, who has rushed for at least 526 yards in his first three college seasons, totaling over 700 yards as both a sophomore and a junior.
Despite the Buckeyes losing Josh Simmons, Seth McLaughlin, Donovan Jackson, and Josh Fryar from last year’s offensive line, they have an experienced group coming back. Carson Hinzman started at center in 2023 and replaced McLaughlin after he suffered an Achilles injury late in the regular season. Tegra Tshabola was a starter at guard last year, while Austin Siereveld saw playing time throughout the season. Then there is the mountain that is Ethan Onianwa, who Ohio State plucked from the transfer portal after Onianwa started his college career at Rice.
Even though the Buckeyes have established receiving targets in Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Max Klare, they will be breaking in a new starting quarterback. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Brian Hartline and Ryan Day go a little more run-heavy to try and take some of the pressure off of Julian Sayin. Plus, if the Buckeyes are able to hurt teams on the ground, it will open the passing attack for Smith, Tate, and the others. If this works out the way I envision it, the rest of the college football world is in big trouble this season.
Matt’s answer: The Ohio State offensive line will be a top-10 unit in the country
Now, I realize that Brett and I might be suggesting two incredibly sympatico predictions, therefore making neither of them particularly bold. However, given all of the agita over the Buckeye offensive line over the past few seasons, coming into a year with a new o-line coach, and a projected starting five featuring a transfer at left tackle, and four upperclassmen still trying to prove themselves to varying degrees, I am surprisingly confident about this unit.
Over the years, I have sounded the alarm about how underwhelming the OSU offensive line unit has been, not that it takes a football genius to have picked up on that. However, as the Buckeyes marched toward a national championship last season, the offensive line, under then-position coach Justin Frye, overcame devastating injuries to end up being an integral part in winning the national title.
While some of the bigger names from last year’s line are gone — Josh Simmons, Seth McLaughlin, Donovan Jackson, Josh Fryar — because two of those four had season-ending injuries last year, other guys were able to be thrown straight into the fire far sooner than they would have been otherwise.
That’s why guys like Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, and Austin Siereveld are riding some significant momentum into the fall. While Tegra Tshabola was essentially a starter for the vast majority of last season, his productivity and reliability faded as the season went on, but coming into Year 4 in the program and Year 2 as a starter, he has the opportunity to be a much-needed leader on the line.
Then you throw in Rice-transfer Ethan Onianwa, who was the No. 102 overall prospect in the transfer portal this season and No. 13 tackle. Onianwa is slotted into playing left tackle, tasked with protecting the new starting quarterback’s blindside, whether that is Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz. While he will be taking a step up in competition, going from the AAC to the B1G, he has experience and a ton of talent.
So, between Onianwa and the surprisingly battle-tested returning Buckeyes, we are going into a fall with an almost unheard of level of certainty amongst the starting o-line. Then, you have to factor in new position coach Tyler Bowen, who has years of NFL and Power Five coaching experience, and hit the ground running on the recruiting trail.
I know quantifiably judging offensive lines is nearly impossible with traditional counting stats, but when the Buckeyes make another run to a national championship, I think many people around the country will be surprised by how impactful this year’s hogmollies will be in that quest.
Continue reading...
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LGHL You’re Nuts: Will Christoph Tilly or Brandon Noel score more points per game this season?
- News
- 0 Replies
You’re Nuts: Will Christoph Tilly or Brandon Noel score more points per game this season?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State is expecting big things out of its new power forward and center.
Friends and colleagues, we are past the halfway mark of the college basketball off-season, which means we’re four months away from games being played and about three months away from secret scrimmages and open practices. The transfer portal window has come and gone, and while the Buckeyes technically may add one more player to the team, the odds of that diminish a little bit every day as we grind through July and approach August.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated which “classic” Ohio State team would be fun to play as in a new college basketball video game. Since the last NCAA Basketball game came out in 2009, the options were limited to teams that existed since that last game came out.
Connor went with the 2011-2012 team that made it to the Final Four, while Justin picked the 2014-2015 team that had D’Angelo Russell, Jae’Sean Tate, and Keita Bates-Diop. 56% of the readers sided with Connor, 6% of the readers agreed with Justin, and the final 38% actually picked a different team than either of those two options.
Connor- 96
This week, our basketball writers are pitting two incoming transfers – Christoph Tilly and Brandon Noel – against each other. Both came from the mid-major ranks – Tilly from Santa Clara and Noel from Wright State – and both are expected to start this year at Ohio State. Neither has played in the NCAA Tournament before, and both are banking on this team to get them there for the first time ever.
Jake Diebler’s second Ohio State team will return three double-digit scorers in Bruce Thornton, John Mobley, and Devin Royal, and all three are expected to improve with another year of experience under their belt. But the Buckeyes will also need production from their two new big men, and will likely need one of them to be more than just productive – they need one of them to be impressive.
With that said, which guy do you think will average more points per game this season?
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/26053284/usa_today_26485177.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
I’m more confident in Tilly adjusting to the Big Ten than I am in Noel. While both guys weigh in at a hefty 240 pounds, Tilly is four inches taller than Noel and to the naked eye looks a bit more athletic. I’m not convinced that either of these two guys are going to be stud defenders for Ohio State, so in my opinion that side of the ball is a draw.
However, if both players struggle to adjust to the higher level of play, I like that Tilly will have plenty of looks right beneath the basket. Those high-percentage looks fill the stat sheet, and even more importantly they are confidence boosters. Noel will likely rely on hitting jumpers more than Tilly will, and if his 36% three-point shot from last season doesn’t carry over, he’s going to need to be creative to get the ball through the basket on some nights.
Something else to consider: from day one, A’mare Bynum will be pushing Noel for minutes. I’m sure the freshman will get plenty of opportunities off the bench, but when he starts to figure things out, it will be Noel’s minutes — not Tilly’s — that start to get bitten into.
Since Josh Ojianwuna is a big question mark, Tilly’s biggest threat for minutes at center right now is Ivan Njegovan. The former Santa Clara Bronco has never played more than 23 minutes per game in a collegiate season, so he’ll likely play somewhere between 20 and 25 this season. But if we’re picking between these two guys of “who is more likely to wind up in a bench role at some point” it is Noel, not Tilly.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/26053035/usa_today_24677143.jpg "NCAA Basketball: Wright State at Kentucky")
Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
At Wright State, Brandon Noel was an elite three-level scorer that had some of his best games against top competition.
For his career, he has averaged 15.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 97 games. He has shot 56.3 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 77.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Last season, he averaged 19 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, while shooting 55.2 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from three-point range and 75.3 percent from the free-throw line.
At Wright State, the 6-foot-8 forward was a two time All-Horizon League member, made the Horizon League All-Freshman team and was the 2022-23 Horizon League Rookie of the Year.
Noel had some big performances in a handful of marquee matchups in 2024-25, scoring 20 points against Kentucky, 27 points against Miami (OH) — who made the MAC Championship Game — 24 points against Toledo, and 26 points against Bradley.
In the annual Kingdom Summer League, Noel was a part of Team Committed to My Craft, and showed out. He recorded 26 points, had three rebounds and recorded one assist. He also made a couple of three-pointers to show off his range.
Christoph Tilly might be a better overall player and contributor for the Buckeyes as the main big man next season, but Noel will average more points. My prediction is around 11 points per game, while Tilly is around nine or 10.
Continue reading...
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State is expecting big things out of its new power forward and center.
Friends and colleagues, we are past the halfway mark of the college basketball off-season, which means we’re four months away from games being played and about three months away from secret scrimmages and open practices. The transfer portal window has come and gone, and while the Buckeyes technically may add one more player to the team, the odds of that diminish a little bit every day as we grind through July and approach August.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated which “classic” Ohio State team would be fun to play as in a new college basketball video game. Since the last NCAA Basketball game came out in 2009, the options were limited to teams that existed since that last game came out.
Connor went with the 2011-2012 team that made it to the Final Four, while Justin picked the 2014-2015 team that had D’Angelo Russell, Jae’Sean Tate, and Keita Bates-Diop. 56% of the readers sided with Connor, 6% of the readers agreed with Justin, and the final 38% actually picked a different team than either of those two options.
After 212 weeks:
Connor- 96
Justin- 90
Other- 20
(There have been six ties)
This week, our basketball writers are pitting two incoming transfers – Christoph Tilly and Brandon Noel – against each other. Both came from the mid-major ranks – Tilly from Santa Clara and Noel from Wright State – and both are expected to start this year at Ohio State. Neither has played in the NCAA Tournament before, and both are banking on this team to get them there for the first time ever.
Jake Diebler’s second Ohio State team will return three double-digit scorers in Bruce Thornton, John Mobley, and Devin Royal, and all three are expected to improve with another year of experience under their belt. But the Buckeyes will also need production from their two new big men, and will likely need one of them to be more than just productive – they need one of them to be impressive.
With that said, which guy do you think will average more points per game this season?
This week’s question: Will Brandon Noel or Christoph Tilly score more points per game this season?
Connor: Tilly
I’m more confident in Tilly adjusting to the Big Ten than I am in Noel. While both guys weigh in at a hefty 240 pounds, Tilly is four inches taller than Noel and to the naked eye looks a bit more athletic. I’m not convinced that either of these two guys are going to be stud defenders for Ohio State, so in my opinion that side of the ball is a draw.
However, if both players struggle to adjust to the higher level of play, I like that Tilly will have plenty of looks right beneath the basket. Those high-percentage looks fill the stat sheet, and even more importantly they are confidence boosters. Noel will likely rely on hitting jumpers more than Tilly will, and if his 36% three-point shot from last season doesn’t carry over, he’s going to need to be creative to get the ball through the basket on some nights.
Something else to consider: from day one, A’mare Bynum will be pushing Noel for minutes. I’m sure the freshman will get plenty of opportunities off the bench, but when he starts to figure things out, it will be Noel’s minutes — not Tilly’s — that start to get bitten into.
Since Josh Ojianwuna is a big question mark, Tilly’s biggest threat for minutes at center right now is Ivan Njegovan. The former Santa Clara Bronco has never played more than 23 minutes per game in a collegiate season, so he’ll likely play somewhere between 20 and 25 this season. But if we’re picking between these two guys of “who is more likely to wind up in a bench role at some point” it is Noel, not Tilly.
Justin: Noel
At Wright State, Brandon Noel was an elite three-level scorer that had some of his best games against top competition.
For his career, he has averaged 15.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 97 games. He has shot 56.3 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 77.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Last season, he averaged 19 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, while shooting 55.2 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from three-point range and 75.3 percent from the free-throw line.
At Wright State, the 6-foot-8 forward was a two time All-Horizon League member, made the Horizon League All-Freshman team and was the 2022-23 Horizon League Rookie of the Year.
Noel had some big performances in a handful of marquee matchups in 2024-25, scoring 20 points against Kentucky, 27 points against Miami (OH) — who made the MAC Championship Game — 24 points against Toledo, and 26 points against Bradley.
In the annual Kingdom Summer League, Noel was a part of Team Committed to My Craft, and showed out. He recorded 26 points, had three rebounds and recorded one assist. He also made a couple of three-pointers to show off his range.
Christoph Tilly might be a better overall player and contributor for the Buckeyes as the main big man next season, but Noel will average more points. My prediction is around 11 points per game, while Tilly is around nine or 10.
Continue reading...
Big Ten and other Conference Expansion
- By Zurp
- College Football
- 13789 Replies
From the article:Ummm what?
Sun Belt & Ohio Conference Realignment: Could The Bobcats Depart From The MAC?
Leaders at Ohio have reportedly contacted the Sun Belt about potential membership. Here's what that could mean for the Group of Five.herosports.com
So I did a little bit of calculations.
Since 2019, they are averaging the following attendance for home games by day:
Saturday..........19,260 (21 games)
Tuesday...........13,090 (5 games)
Wednesday....16,486 (3 games)
Friday............... 11,804 (1 game)
So, maybe they have a point.
BUT!!! check out their average attendance for home games by month:
August............ 16,665 (1 game)
September..... 20,406 (10 games)
October........... 18,374 (10 games)
November...... 14,079 (9 games)
It appears that most or maybe ALL of the mid-week games are in November, and most or maybe ALL of the November games are mid-week. So the attendance goes down for the mid-week games, but it also goes down in November. They're probably right that it's due to the games being mid-week. But I think it also goes down because it's probably cold out.
And being cold is boof.
And watching Ohio U is boof.
Sitting at the stadium watching Ohio U be boof in the cold is like triple boof.
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