LGHL Uncut Podcast: Holtmann previews trip to take on North Carolina in New York
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



The Buckeyes are headed to the Garden.

Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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


On this new episode of “Land-Grant Holy Land: Uncut,” we have press conference audio from Ohio State men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann as he talks about his team’s upcoming trip to New York City to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels in the CBS Sports Classic. The two teams will square off on Saturday, Dec. 17 from the mecca of college basketball Madison Square Garden.

The coach previews the matchup, discusses his squad’s controversial, buzzer-beating victory over Rutgers in the Big Ten opener, and more.

You can watch the full press conference on the official Ohio State athletics website.


Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

Music by: www.bensound.com

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You’re Nuts: What are you asking Santa to bring the Ohio State football team this Christmas?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Stephane Cardinale/ PLS Pool/Getty Images

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

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.

Today’s Question: What are you asking Santa to bring the Ohio State football team this Christmas?

Jami’s Take: Marvin Harrison, Jr. Superpowers against Georgia


Dear Santa,

How have you been? Is it cold at the North Pole? I can’t imagine it’s any colder than the time I jumped in Mirror Lake in sub-zero temperatures with snow falling. Not even an original Four Loko could keep me warm that night. Do you have Four Loko at the North Pole?

I have been extra good this year. I stood up for other schools’ players even when it was hard (Hendon Hooker and Blake Corum). I did not set my roommate’s bed on fire even though she went to M*chigan (but if you feel so inclined, please bring her a lump of coal). I only threw one thing at Jim Harbaugh’s televised face, a great improvement from the 17 things I threw last year.

And since I was so good, it would mean so much to me if you could bring me one present: A birthday rematch against TTUN.

Actually, I suppose that’s a really broad gift, so let me be more specific: So that we might beat Georgia on New Year’s Eve and so that I might attend a National Championship Game on my birthday just down the street from my house and so that we might have the chance for revenge and redemption against Michigan, I am asking you to please give Marvin Harrison, Jr. some superpowers in the game against Georgia.

Between the Bulldogs and the Buckeyes, this game is sure to be an offensive back-and-forth. Even though I will go to my grave angry that Stetson Bennett was a Heisman finalist when he is not even the strongest player on his own offense, there’s no question that the Bulldogs are a formidable opponent on that side of the ball. Plus, Georgia’s weakness all season has been their secondary. That means if OSU can capitalize on the talent of our wide receivers, that could be the key to a Buckeye victory.

Now surely, we know it will take more than just a strong pass game to win against Georgia. This is a great football team we’re playing, and the Buckeyes will have to fire on all cylinders if they’re to come away with a win. The defense will have to shut down Georgia’s game, our special teams has no room for error, and our run game will need to take off. BUT knowing that Georgia’s secondary is a weak spot for them, the Buckeyes need to exploit this and connect through the air early and often. C.J. Stroud will have a great opportunity to prove why he finished higher than Bennett in the Heisman rankings. And since I do not and cannot wish injuries upon human beings, Santa, a superstar performance from Marvin Harrison, Jr. on the receiving end could really help us out.

Mr. Harrison Jr. has a whopping 1,157 yards on 72 receptions this season, with 12 touchdowns and an average 16.1-yard gain on each reception. Against AP Top 25 teams, he’s gone for 361 yards in 22 receptions. And so, Santa, if you could help us out, we’re going to need him and Stroud to connect for many many yards on New Year’s Eve. I’m talking lights out.

If you can do this for us Santa, we’ll be sure to leave some Buckeye candies out for you. They stay fresh a lot longer than peaches, I can promise you that.

Say hi to Mrs. Claus and give the reindeer lots of pets for me. Have a safe trip next weekend. I can’t wait to see if Buckeye Nation made your Nice List.

Sincerely,

Jami

Matt’s Take: A New Offensive Play-Calling Philosophy


Dear Mr. Claus,

As Jami said in her letter to Santa, the UGA defense has been excellent this season (and for the majority of Kirby Smart’s tenure), but when their relative weakness has been against passing attacks. We saw it against LSU in the SEC Championship game in which a pair of Bayou Bengals combined for 502 passing yards — albeit many of those because they were down by three touchdowns at halftime, they had to essentially abandon the running game.

Statistically, Ohio State has an elite passing attack, but I can’t shake the feeling that they have feasted on lesser competition and refused to take full advantage of their ridiculous conglomerate of talent, simply because the play-calling never seemed designed to highlight what they did best. Instead, Ryan Day appeared intent on forcing the dodecahedral peg into a very, very square hole.

So, my wish to you, Kris — can I call you, Kris? — is that you bring a brand new, shiny offensive philosophy down the chimney for Coach Day. It should involve short passes (but not bubble screens), crossing and mesh routes, north-and-south running plays, a little bit of holiday razzle-dazzle, some moving the pocket, and the well-timed deep bomb.

Far too often this season, it has felt that despite a two-time Heisman finalist quarterback and the best collection of receiving talent in the country, Day has tried to run to set up the pass, rather than the other way around. There should absolutely be a balance between the two in this new gift play-calling philosophy you are bringing, but instead of Urban Meyer’s outdated 250-250 goal, it should be something more akin to 350-150 (or even 400-100).

ESPN’s Bill Connelly highlights that Ohio State’s receivers are the best in the playoff at catching contested balls, so even if Georgia’s DBs are able to keep up with Marvin Harrison Jr., a healthy Emeka Egbuka, and a more surehanded Julian Fleming (can you bring him some more reliable hands/gloves for Christmas as well?), I would trust our guys to go and get it.


I know that I have been very down on Ryan Day’s playcalling as of late, but I am thoroughly and completely open to being wrong if he can pull a rabbit out of his hat on New Year’s Eve. So, if you can bring him that new philosophy, I will be very happy and will be as good of a boy as I can possibly be all 2023.

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We are.... 5th round.

It’s official: I am sick and tired of super-duper seniors and well-traveled Peter Pan-types participating in college athletics
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



Sure, sure. Old man yells at cloud. But college sports are losing a grip on what appealed to me (and many others) in the first place.

Tradition. Pageantry. School spirit. Rivalries. Underdogs and Rudy. Not-yet-spoiled athletes chasing glory, and doing it all for the love of the game. College sports used to mean so many things to so many people. And they still do, to a certain extent.

But I, for one, am not excited about the direction in which thing are headed. Call me old school or stuck in the past, maybe even bitter. I just can’t get over the fact that we have damn-near 30-year olds competing for their third or fourth school, in their sixth or seventh year of eligibility. I have at least made peace with the fact that college athletes are being compensated for their time, effort, and ability — as they should!

But grown-ass adults, paying a mortgage and renting cars they can drive to soccer or volleyball practice? Well-traveled vagabonds doing their best Wooderson impression in order to avoid filling out job applications? What are we even doing!?

Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Samsung

For the record, this is not a shot at Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett. Ohio State (football) is set to play UGA in the upcoming Peach Bowl, and I can see how some would make that connection. Bennett, 25, began playing college football in 2017, but as a walk-on. He then spent a year at JuCo, before re-joining the Bulldogs’ program in 2019. So one could say he at least took a semi-traditional route. And he certainly worked his way up the ladder in Athens.

However, the same does not hold true for many other super seniors and those who have mastered the intricacies of the NCAA transfer portal.

While I am all for second chances and players (or anybody, really) chasing their dream, the freebie Covid season and relaxed transfer and eligibility rules have caused chaos throughout college athletics — in my humble opinion. This issue is most prevalent in college football, where there are essentially no rules governing movement of the highest number of athletes. There are comparisons to be made, between coaches and players, but those comps are not apples to oranges. And let’s not draw parallels between sports and “real life” either, because a transfer portal does not exist outside of the NCAA.

Coaches from every college sport come and go, seemingly as they please. However, we should not ignore the obvious caveats and consequences. Coaches are paid professionals. Student athletes are not. Coaches are held accountable by terms of a contract. Student athletes are not — at least not in the same way(s). Coaches can be fired for performance, whereas student athletes are not stripped of their scholarship after a missed field goal or strikeout in the bottom of the ninth. And what happens when a coach wants to leave their current position before said contract is up? They, or their new employer, is forced to pay back or shell out big money as part of a buyout agreement.

Are Jimmy and/or Sally expected to do the same if they enter the transfer portal mid-season? I don’t think so. And a new coach can be brought in (theoretically) at any moment, meaning a spot does not have to go to waste. On the other hand, if a player leaves the Buckeyes’ football, basketball, or wrestling team unannounced, his or her roster spot is likely to remain vacant for an extended period of time. OSU cannot go out and immediately hire some kid grinding away at the JuCo level.

At the end of the day, people need to look out for their own best interests, as well as those of their respective families — and I get that. I also acknowledge that the NCAA does not exactly bend over backwards to help many (or any). But do not act as if Mark Emmert and his cronies are the only selfish figures here. Jumping from school to school, and/or taking one post-grad underwater basket weaving class just to remain eligible is a selfish act. One with the potential unintended consequence of taking a high school kid’s roster spot. All because you – some random, hypothetical fourth-year senior – are not ready to grow up and move on.

Perhaps I am being petty and vindictive. Maybe I am jealous I never got the opportunity to hang out at thematic college bars for six years, or do so in Tempe, AZ (Arizona State University) or even Madison, WI (University of Wisconsin). All reasonable assumptions, and at times I can definitely be one or even all of the above. But I want to stress that I only have an issue with individuals who take advantage of a broken system to stay in school and play literal games.

Were they also taken advantage of, at some point, as a student athlete? Probably. So were many before them... such is life. That does not mean I am going to champion the cause of misguided hangers-on who roam campus under the false pretense of being a college athlete.

Case in point: J.T. Daniels, current “free agent” quarterback, most recently of the West Virginia Mountaineers. No offense to Daniels, I’m sure he is a hell of a person. He is also currently searching for his fourth university at which to play college football. The reason? Because he has not played well enough to earn or hold down a starting role at various stops throughout the country (USC, UGA, WVU)… That’s it. That is the sole reason Daniels keeps signing on with other programs.

He has not met expectations, so he continues to canvas the CFB world for coaches and coaching staffs who are foolish enough to make him a promise RE: playing time. When he inevitably does find his next opportunity, he will do so armed with one and possibly even two more years of eligibility. And according to at least one sports columnist in Oregon, Daniels also comes with a list of demands for his superior services. What. A. World.

But Daniels is just one of many — playing football, basketball, or what have you. His name stands out to me because his actions come across as those of a spoiled kid who never got his way. Ohio State had Tate Martell, half of FBS has now had J.T. Daniels. Jack Abraham of Missouri is another example. Granted, he has dealt with a few injuries, but he signed with Louisiana Tech in 2016! Missouri is/was his fifth school, and he threw eight passes this season. Two of which were picked off, so I am glad it was worth the wait.

Kyle Pugh has Daniels and Abraham both beat, as the Northern Illinois linebacker just completed his eighth (!) year as part of the Huskies’ program. Credit to him though, as he overcame injury after injury, and was productive when on the field. Pugh also earned two master’s degrees. But as impressive as I find his resilience and commitment to academics (and football) to be, I still think Pugh wore out his welcome a few years ago.

My larger point is this: I don’t ever want college sports to become a bunch of Woodersons. 24, 25-year old adults taking a single class to barely remain eligible, so they can play a kids game — while on the field with actual kids! Many are simply delaying the inevitable. Which is, a job at the local post office or insurance office, punching a clock like the rest of us. Glorious? Hell no. But it’s real life!

These same athletes are doing themselves and others a major disservice. They are holding a spot in line, for an exclusive club they will never get into. So grow up, Peter Pan. Count Chocula. It’s time to move on.

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Column: In moments of tragedy, sports can unite us. Let’s let them.
Meredith Hein 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 Ford/Getty Images

Remembering some of those we’ve lost in 2022.

As the year once again draws to a close, we find ourselves, as is natural, reflecting on those we have lost during the previous 12 months. This week, that reflection took a turn for college football fans particularly with the unexpected death of Mississippi State head football coach, Mike Leach.

Leach, 61, had been preparing his Bulldogs team to face Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl. He was a pioneer of the air raid offense. His eccentricities during press conferences left us scratching our heads and eventually shaking them and laughing about his comments.

One of the biggest personalities of the sport, Leach’s time at Texas Tech, Washington State and, most recently, Mississippi State revolutionized college football. The prolific passing we see throughout the Big 12, in the Pac-12 and many other programs across the country has its roots in schemes drawn up by Leach. It led to greater consideration for quarterbacks with huge arms and receivers with great speed — kind of like some folks near and dear to Ohio State.

Today, whatever we thought of Leach, the air raid, pirate ships, mascot battles or Halloween candy, the football world is collectively memorializing the coach who provided so much fodder for silly conversations and the basis for so many modern football offenses.

Over time, we’ve learned that tragedy also serves to unite us around a cause and, if not a cause, just in supporting one another for a moment. Sports is one of those avenues where even shared interest in a game can mean a greater bond when times are tough — and this year, there have surely been some tough times.

Just last week, famed soccer columnist Grant Wahl also passed away unexpectedly while covering the World Cup in Qatar. In a sporting event rife with controversy that united much of the world against the human rights violations of the host nation, Grant’s reporting served as a bastion of what is right. His death meant a pause, and unity, amid the hype and glamour surrounding the event to something that feels much more real and personal.

And just last month, three Virginia football players were murdered in another senseless mass shooting. And whatever programs we cheer for, we wept, because they were connected to this sport we all love; they are a part of us.

When Dwayne Haskins was killed in April, Ohio State felt that warm embrace of support from the anonymous, collective sports nation. For just a moment, we all feel the shock of these individuals passing, even if we don’t know them personally, and the rest of the world comforts us in that time of need.

There are many more individuals whose lives have impacted us — and whose absence we feel as the year draws to a close. In this world where we are so frequently divided, let’s recognize these moments when we can unite. Let’s remember the good times. For just a moment, let’s all feel the same feelings. And let’s vow, wherever possible, to try to make things better.

And maybe, in honor of Mike Leach, have some gummy bears and wave that pirate flag.

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Bestbuck36 said:

Interesting we were the only school left out of his 5

Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure OSU stopped recruiting him a while ago. And especially after landing McDonald

LGHL Uncut Podcast: Ryan Day talks Georgia, OSU’s health in pre-Peach Bowl press conference
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State Athletics

Ohio State also officially accepts its invitation to play Georgia in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve

Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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


On today’s episode, we have uncut press conference audio from the special Peach Bowl media availability from Tuesday, Dec. 13. First the president and CEP of the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl Gary Stoken officially invites the Ohio State Buckeyes to participate in the game and after athletic director Gene Smith accepts the invitation (how wild would it have been if he had turned it down?), head coach Ryan Day answers questions about his team and the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup.

Among the topics that Day discusses are the health of his team, why Dallan Hayden was not called up to do more against Michigan, how his team will work to contain UGA’s tight ends, and more. Of note, this presser happened before TreVeyon Henderson announced that he had undergone season-ending surgery and will not be available for the game against Georgia.

You can watch the full press conference on the official Ohio State athletics website.


Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

Music by: www.bensound.com

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for December 14, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


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On the Gridiron


Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson undergoes surgery, will miss College Football Playoff
Will Backus, 247Sports

Ohio State’s Jantzen Dunn enters transfer portal
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Trio of Buckeyes earn All-American status from The Sporting News
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Watch Ryan Day’s first Peach Bowl Press Conference:


Key Takeaways as Buckeyes handle busy stretch, Peach prep (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Ryan Day discusses Dallan Hayden’s role versus Michigan, TreVeyon Henderson’s health
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

For Ryan Day, December is busiest month, even with only one game
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

Kevin Wilson keeping Ohio State national title pursuit ‘first and foremost’
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

I hope we get one more year of a healthy TreVeyon Henderson in 2023.


Peach Bowl expecting ‘record crowd’ for an Ohio State-Georgia College Football Playoff semifinal
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Ohio State football coach Ryan Day explains WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba missing Georgia, CFB Playoff due to injury
Mariah Guzman, 247Sports

Ohio State football’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba found ‘peace’ at end of frustrating season, said Ryan Day
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

Orlovsky is still a horrible analyst, but this is a good answer:


Ryan Day remembers Mississippi State coach Mike Leach
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

Transfer Portal: How departing Buckeyes impact program moving forward (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

You’re Nuts: Which non-CFP bowl game are you most looking forward to?
Brett Ludwiczak and Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


What could Ohio State work on before North Carolina? Here are 6 ideas
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Listen to the latest women’s basketball press conference:


B1G WBB Week 5: Corn, Injured Huskies and MACtion takes Maize & Blue
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Game Gallery: No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Michigan State
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Men’s Swimming and Diving: OSU Divers Set For Winter Nationals
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


Skip Bayless is the literal worst, but these guys are the best:


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Column: C.J. Stroud has one game to define his Ohio State legacy
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images

I don’t know if there’s ever been another Buckeye QB in this situation.

In less than a month, C.J. Stroud will play what may be the final game of his collegiate career. However, he is definitely playing in the game that defines his legacy, and winning that game could totally change the narrative surrounding him. Being on the opposite end of this one could haunt him forever.

Let’s take a look at what Stroud has brought Ohio State the past two seasons. He is 21-3 as a starter. He has lost to Michigan twice, therefore failing to make the conference championship twice. Last year, the Bucks didn’t make the College Football Playoff, but did end the year with a great Rose Bowl win.

Now, Stroud has an opportunity to avenge for all of that. Yes, he failed to beat Michigan. Yes, last year’s finish was a disappointment even though it was a win. However, if he can lead this team to a National Championship, in my eyes, all will be forgiven.

Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Will it be enough if Stroud beats Georgia to define his legacy? It will be interesting. I don’t think there is any instance where Stroud can be classified as a failure, He was a Heisman finalist — twice. He’s got the stats. He just needs to prove that he can bounce back from adversity and show up in the big games.

And there is no bigger game he will play in than the one scheduled on New Year’s Eve. If the Buckeyes win, he will prove all of the haters wrong. Some said during the Michigan game, it looked like he didn’t care or that he wasn’t trying. While I believe both of these statements are certainly false, he can prove this wrong himself.

The hype is there. The hype has always been there when it comes to Stroud. The question is: can he live up to it? He can! He threw for 573 yards against Utah. He’s certainly talented enough and has the weapons around him to make it happen. But, this Georgia team is going to be the best team he has played in his collegiate career.

Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Up until this point, Michigan has been the best team he’s faced. And last year they got whomped by Georgia. Last year he played well against Michigan, despite the loss. This year, his defense failed him. Are there excuses? Maybe. Did he fail to perform to his fullest potential? Yes. There’s no question that he has failed in the past, but Buckeye nation also can’t expect him to be perfect. In high-pressure situations, nobody is perfect.

What the Buckeyes need him to be is the leader on offense. He needs to drive this team down the field, whether he has the ball in his hands or not. He cannot be shaken and he cannot lose faith in himself. As long as he is steady under center, Ohio State has a shot at winning.

If he can do that, he doesn’t need to throw for 400 yards. While I hope he does, it won’t be necessary if he keeps this team calm and effective under pressure. He needs to show why his teammates voted him captain and why he is trusted to be the Ohio State quarterback. That is what will define his legacy.

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Ohio State target, four-star linebacker set to reveal his commitment today
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

With Alabama and Tennessee also in the mix, Ohio State awaits the decision of a top defensive target in this years class.

As Ohio State continues their preparation for the Peach Bowl against Georgia, they also are looking to put the finishing touches on their 2023 recruiting class. Later today, they will learn their fate with an uncommitted linebacker that has the Buckeyes as a finalist. Plus, a rising corner from Maryland talks about his recent offer from Ohio State.

Carter set to commit today

It’s decision day for one of the few remaining targets in the 2023 class for the Buckeyes. Four-star linebacker Arion Carter of Smyrna (TN) is set to decide between Alabama, Ohio State, and Tennessee this afternoon.

For the Buckeyes, they initially jumped into the picture for Carter back when he was committed to Memphis and was beginning to see an increase in interest from programs across the country. Ohio State ultimately was impressive enough to Carter that he wound up making an official visit to campus during the weekend of the Buckeyes 56-14 victory over Indiana.

But as the day for Carter to make his big decision has arrived, it feels as if Ohio State is running third in this race. The 247Sports Crystal Ball doesn’t help paint a picture of what the All-American Bowl participant may do later today, as there is no predictions made as of now. But one could bet on it being far more likely that Alabama or staying home and suiting up for Tennessee is far more likely than him choosing to play in Columbus.

Truthfully, it’s another hit for the 2023 recruiting class for Ohio State that has been enduring a rough stretch as of late but that isn’t to say the sky is falling though. The Buckeyes still have work to do in the class and their is still a pathway to finishing the haul out on a positive note.

As for Carter, he will head to either Knoxville or Tuscaloosa as the second best player coming out of Tennessee in the class. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder also grades out as the No. 181 overall player and the 14th best linebacker that this cycle has to offer.

Woodby talks Buckeye offer

It was just two days ago that Ohio State jumped into the mix for 2025 cornerback Blake Woodby of St. Frances Academy (MD) when awarded him with an offer. On Tuesday, the Baltimore native caught up with Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors to discuss the offer from the Buckeyes and he had plenty of good to say.

“Just growing up watching Ohio State and seeing all the guys they produce in the league as far as cornerbacks go, it’s just an ultimate level I want to reach one day. It means the world,” Woodby told Hodge.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder went on to tell Eleven Warriors that former Buckeye Marshon Lattimore is a player he watches and admires. Woodby also came away with high remarks regarding Perry Eliano, the safeties coach for his supposed dream school, and detailed with Hodge a bit of their conversation.

“We hopped on the phone and got to talking. His first question for me was do I love football? I told him, ‘I’d die for football.’ We connected on the point to where he told me he coached Sauce Gardner and told me what type of player he was on and off the field. Not only did he point out Sauce was good on the field, he pointed out Sauce had a 3.4 GPA and that you have to take care of your business off the field as well.”

Quick Hits

• 247Sports updated their 2023 class rankings on Tuesday and among the biggest risers for future Buckeyes was four-star defensive lineman Kayden McDonald who leaped up 51 spots to No. 178 overall, four-star cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt was bumped up 30 spots to No. 157, and four-star defensive lineman Will Smith got a 13 spot elevation and now sits at No. 154 in the class.

While there wasn’t many drastic drops among Buckeye pledges in the update, five-star wide receiver Brandon Inniss, four-star cornerback Kayin Lee, and four-star defensive lineman Jason Moore saw the biggest drops.

• After reaffirming his commitment to Ohio State last week, 2023 four-star cornerback Jermaine Matthews of Winton Woods (OH) was back in Columbus on Tuesday. The No. 2 ranked player in Ohio was checking out a bowl practice for the Buckeyes as they prepare for their Peach Bowl contest against Georgia.

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LGHL Uncut Podcast: Coach McGuff, Thierry and Mikesell dissect first B1G home win
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land

The Buckeyes survived in their closest win of the season, and the top performers talked about it after the game.

Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.


The Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team played their first home Big Ten conference game of the season. On the schedule was the Michigan State Spartans, a team the Buckeyes beat three times in their 2021-22 conference regular season co-championship season.

Following the Buckeyes’ closest win of the season, a six-point win over Sparty, head coach Kevin McGuff, forward/guard Taylor Thierry and guard Taylor Mikesell stepped in front of the media to talk about the win.

Coach McGuff discussed what he saw going poorly for the Buckeyes, and how having a close game earlier in the season can help the team in the long-run. Also, he provides an update on guard Jacy Sheldon, who missed the previous two games before taking to the bench again, this time in a home Big Ten game.

Next up is Thierry. The forward/guard flex player hit a career high with 21 points and talked about that career day.

Last up is Mikesell. Although Ohio State struggled shooting overall, Mikesell talks about what coach McGuff called her “nerves of steel” to hit four late free throws to ice the game for Ohio State. Also, learning lessons in a win when they don’t play their best, citing how much of the season is left to go.

The Buckeyes return for one more home game before going out west for the San Diego Invitational. Find out more this week on Land-Grant Holy Land.


Connect with Thomas:

Twitter: @1ThomasCostello

Theme music provided by www.bensound.com

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B1G WBB Week 5: Corn, Injured Huskies and MACtion takes Maize & Blue
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

It was one of the final weeks of non-conference basketball and three games grabbed attention

The Big Ten conference saw all but one team hit double-digit games played in the 2022/23 campaign. While it’s still too early to tell how the conference competition is going to shake out, there was action worth noting. Conference games stayed close, like the Indiana Hoosiers winning close games against the Illinois Fighting Illini and Penn State Nittany Lions, but the final non-conference games of the regular season took the spotlight.

Here are the wins, a big loss, and all the corn you can handle, in the latest Big Ten WBB Weekly Update.

Iowa Wins Corn Cy-Hawk Series Event


Sure, everyone knows about The Game between Ohio State and Michigan and Texas vs. Oklahoma and the Red River Showdown grabs the collective attention. There’s a rivalry that goes deeper than all of those and it's corn that’s the motivating factor.

Between Iowa and Iowa State, every competition is a battle for Corn Cy-Hawk Series supremacy. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the then No. 16 Iowa Hawkeyes welcomed then No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones to Iowa City for the next installment of the fall athletics series.

With Iowa guard Caitlin Clark on one side and Iowa State guard/forward Ashley Joens on the other, it was a midweek heavyweight fight in NCAA women’s basketball.

The Hawkeyes got the better of the Cyclones, and they achieved the 70-57 win with defense, of all things. Iowa held Iowa State to only eight points in the third quarter, on 33.3% shooting.

In the first half, Clark primarily played facilitator — only scoring six points, but adding four assists and five rebounds.

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (left) defends guard Denae Fritz, with Stephanie Soares looking on in a game where two high-powered offenses leveraged defense.

Making the difference were bigs for the Hawkeyes: Monika Czinano and Addison O’Grady. Going up against 6-foot-6 center Stephanie Soares, the two Iowa players in the paint held Soares to five fewer points than her season average, scoring 11 points in the game.

While Clark ended the day leading Iowa with 19 points, Czinano’s consistent stellar play net the Hawkeyes 18 points and 10 rebounds in her second double-double of the season.

That’s all well and good on the basketball side, but after a swimming and diving win by the Cyclones on Dec. 9, Iowa State leads the Cy-Hawk series 11-6, with four remaining events netting the winning university two points per win. Iowa State’s going for their second back-to-back championship.

There’s a lot of corn on the line, folks.

Maryland Defeats UConn(ish)


Another big victory for the conference, in non-conference play, was a Sunday win for Diamond Miller and the Maryland Terrapins. It’s no easy task beating the UConn Huskies, but Sunday’s match-up left out a lot of the flair of the game with many UConn players injured.

Guard Paige Bueckers, who’s out all season with a knee injury. Also, the star leading the Huskies’ offensive power this year, guard Azzi Fudd, was also out after sustaining an injury. In addition, starting forward Dorka Juhasz, the Ohio State 2021 transfer, was out with a broken thumb.

Overall, UConn had seven healthy players, doing their own Rutgers impersonation.

Miller had the highlight three to ice the game in the fourth, but it was Abby Myers and Shyanne Sellers who led the way for Maryland. The two combined for 39 of the Terrapins' 85 points and added a combined 10 rebounds and nine assists.


Maryland’s win came three days after edging the Purdue Boilermakers 77-74, in an away game in Indiana. Beating a ranked team and a tough in-conference opponent It’s a strong bounce back though, injuries or not, for the Terps after losing their first conference game 90-67 to the inconsistent 2022-23 Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Battle of Toledo Goes to Rockets


The shock of the week came in Ann Arbor, Michigan when the Maize & Blue faced the MAC’s Toledo Rockets.

Entering the game 9-0, the Wolverines faced a Toledo team that’s no slouch. The Rockets were 6-2 coming into the game, with their only large loss of the season coming to the Duke Blue Devils, plus a narrow one-point defeat to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Even with a strong start to the year for Toledo, it’s a game Michigan’s expected to win.

Toledo came out of the gate, like a rocket, really. The Rockets scored 42 first-half points, keeping the home team to just 31 points. From there, Toledo played “hold onto the lead” basketball.


They did just that until 2:22 left in the fourth, when the Wolverines tied the game and went ahead two points. After trading small leads, the Rockets did what the Buckeyes did against the Spartans and got to the line, hitting their shots.

The Rockets shocked the conference, beating the Wolverines 71-68. They did it wearing blue and yellow too. Savage.

Way-Too-Early Standings

AP Poll


The Big Ten is tied with the Pac-12, with each conference having five teams in the top 25 and two in the top 10.

3 - Ohio State (NC)

4 - Indiana Hoosiers (NC)

12 - Iowa Hawkeyes (+4)

15 - Maryland Terrapins (+5)

19 - Michigan Wolverines (-5)

Games to Watch (non-OSU)


It’s a slow week for games to watch, with most sides playing smaller, regional, non-conference opponents. Illinois vs. Missouri is the highlight of the week, but Northern Iowa University almost beat then No. 7 ranked Iowa State on Nov. 17, so another game against a big Iowa team has small upset potential.

Sunday, Dec. 18

• Northern Iowa Panthers at No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes - 3:00 p.m. ET
• Illinois Fighting Illini at Missouri Tigers - 5:00 p.m. ET

Christmas Week Action


Catching up with the slow week of competitive games in week six will be rewarded in week seven. Going into the holidays, big games are on the horizon.

Ohio State heads to San Diego for the San Diego Invitational. They’ll face the USF Bulls and either the Oregon Ducks or Arkansas Razorbacks. Elsewhere, ranked games and match-ups featuring top conference sides line the week.

No. 19 Michigan State will face No. 7 North Carolina Tar Heels, who have Big Ten revenge on their mind after the Hoosiers took care of them in the ACC/B1G Challenge. No. 4 Indiana takes on the Butler Bulldogs and the No. 22 Kansas Jayhawks face the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

There won’t be any games from Dec. 23 to 27, so enjoy what you can as an early gift to yourself.

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You’re Nuts: Which non-CFP bowl game are you most looking forward to?
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 Tim Warner/Getty Images

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

The college football bowl season kicks off on Friday at 11:30 a.m. when Miami (OH) takes on UAB in the Bahamas Bowl. When the RedHawks take on the Blazers, it will be the first of over 40 bowl games this year. The final bowl game of the season will be the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where the winner of the Michigan/TCU semifinal will take on the winner of the Ohio State/Georgia semifinal.

Obviously the semifinals on New Year’s Eve will be the most anticipated bowl games of the year, since they’ll be the only bowl games before the title game that actually mean something. While earning a spot in some of the other New Year’s Six contests is a great thing for a college football program, a little of the luster has been taken off some of those bowl appearances with the emergence of players heading to the NFL and sitting out to protect their draft stock.

Not to say there isn’t some interesting matchups and entertainment to be found in those games — just look at the Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Utah last year. Even though the Buckeyes were without Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, we still saw a very fun game on New Year’s Day in Pasadena. We could get another fun one this year when Penn State takes on the Utes.

Today we want to know what non-CFP bowl game you are most looking forward to this year. There certainly are plenty of options to choose from on this year’s schedule. Maybe it’s another Big Ten team you want to see in action. Four other teams from Ohio are playing in bowls besides the Buckeyes this year. Or it could be a wild offensive shootout that looks like could be on tap in one of these games. The best part is there is no wrong answer!

Today’s question: What non-CFP bowl game are you most looking forward to this year?

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 Alamo Bowl


While it hasn’t been officially announced yet, I’m assuming that Texas running back Bijan Robinson won’t play in this game, as the smart move would be to sit out the game and protect himself from injury ahead of April’s NFL Draft. Even with Robinson on the sidelines, I’m still looking forward to the game between Texas and Washington in San Antonio a couple days before the end of 2022.

One reason I’m excited for this game is because of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Indiana transfer has been great for the Huskies this year, throwing for over 4,300 yards and tossing 29 touchdowns. If Washington played even half their games before all the olds that are Heisman Trophy voters were already asleep, Penix would have made a strong case for being a finalist this year. Washington went from 4-8 last year under Jimmy Lake to 10-2 with Penix and new head coach Kalen DeBoer this year.

Another reason I’m excited to watch this game is to see how former Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers does in his final start before Arch Manning joins the Longhorns in January. Ewers has had an up-and-down college career so far, spending a year in Columbus before returning to the Lone Star State. Ewers was inconsistent at times, so he’ll need a strong performance to try and slow down the calls for Manning to start heading into the 2023 season. With Robinson likely not playing, it will give Ewers even more of an opportunity to impress.

Meredith’s answer: The Gator Bowl


I’m really excited about this year’s bowl schedule. There are so many intriguing games, particularly because the College Football Playoff field looks different than it has in previous seasons, and because there seems to be more parity in the sport which naturally leads to more exciting postseason matchups.

As an honorable mention for pure awkwardness, the Wasabi Fenway Bowl features Cincinnati vs. Louisville. As a reminder, Cincinnati just poached Scott Satterfield from the Cardinals after Luke Fickell left for Wisconsin.

In terms of other non-New Year’s Six bowls, I’m looking forward to Notre Dame vs. South Carolina in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Dec. 30. What’s so exciting about a pair of 8-4 teams, neither of whom are in the Big Ten and one of whom Ohio State already beat this season?

Primarily, these are two teams that didn’t just get hot at the end of the season — they sizzled. South Carolina finished the season with two, top-10 wins over Tennessee and Clemson, two teams playing each other in the Orange Bowl. The Irish, meanwhile, won five-straight at the end of the season before falling to USC in the regular season finale. That streak also included a victory over Clemson.

It’s been an exciting ride watching Marcus Freeman in his first season as head coach with Notre Dame. He definitely struggled early (and it doesn’t help when your first game is on the road against your alma mater), but he’s pulled this Irish squad together and won the second half of the season.

Finally, congrats to Kansas on making their first bowl game since 2008.

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Game Gallery: No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Michigan State
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land

Land-Grant Holy Land expands their coverage of basketball with photos from the first Big Ten home game of the season.

The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team took to home court on Sunday, facing the Michigan State Spartans. Even though Michigan State lost three starters, including their top scorer and now WNBA player Nia Clouden, the Spartans weren’t going down without a fight.

To grow Land-Grant Holy Land’s coverage of Buckeyes women’s hoops, photographer Ben Cole got into the action to bring you photos from the 74-68 nail-biter of a victory for Ohio State.

Here’s some of the action in the first game gallery of the season:

Connect with Ben Cole:


Instagram: @BenColeImaging
Twitter: @BenColeImaging
Website: www.bencoleimaging.com

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for December 13, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Brooke LaValley-The Columbus Dispatch

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


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On the Gridiron


Five Buckeyes earn AP All-American honors
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Marvin Harrison Jr. now Ohio State football’s first consensus All-American receiver since 1995
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

You’re Nuts: Which position should Ohio State upgrade through the transfer portal?
Gene Ross and Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land


Film Preview: What makes Georgia’s defense so difficult for opposing offenses to break down?
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land

Five Thoughts on Georgia as Buckeyes prepare for Peach Bowl test (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes

By the Numbers: Comparing Ohio State and Georgia
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

Ohio State seeks 30-Year revenge win vs. Georgia
Michel Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land

Five Questions as Buckeyes dig into Peach Bowl practices (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Six Georgia Players Ohio State Will Need to Game Plan for in the Peach Bowl
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

Love seeing good dudes doing good things!


What promotion of Keenan Bailey to tight ends coach means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Column: Bad faith media members used Ohio State’s injury disclosure policy as a weapon to attack Smith-Njigba
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

We’ll talk about this later: There’s more to life than being ridiculously good looking (or good at football)
Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Ohio State’s Cotie McMahon wins Big Ten Freshman of the Week
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State men’s basketball moves up to No. 23 in newest AP Poll
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land

Watch Chris Holtmann’s press conference as he previews North Carolina:


Without Isaac Likekele, Ohio State ironman Bruce Thornton soldiers on
Adam Jasrdy, The Columbus Dispatch

Game Notes: No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball survives Michigan State
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Column: Two years after collapsing mid-game, Keyontae Johnson’s comeback is the best story in college basketball
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Wrestling: No. 3 Ohio State Downs Kent State 32-9
Robbie Mackinnon, The Lantern

Men’s Swimming and Diving: Five Buckeyes to Compete at FINA World Championships
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


What the hell is Zaslav doing over there?


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Silver Bullets Podcast: Ohio State awards and B1G bowls
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 G Fiume/Getty Images

Buckeye honores, coaching news, and the non-OSU slate of postseason games.


With a couple of weeks left before Ohio State takes on Georgia in the College Football Playoff, there is a lot of activity throughout college football, particularly when it comes to transfer portal news, recruiting, and (of course) awards season. This week’s discussion begins with a little OSU coaching news, but then we quickly pivot into talks about Ohio State All-American selections, C.J. Stroud’s finish in the Heisman Trophy race, invitations to postseason all-star games, and the like.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is getting some much deserved love on the postseason All-America lists even if he was a snub for two trophies — one he should have won and one for which he should have at least been in the conversation, according to one of our hosts. Meanwhile, there’s also some love for Ohio State’s offensive line, but not as much as there probably should be for linebacker Tommy Eichenberg.

After our conversation about the coaching staff and Buckeye honors, we dove into our walk through the other Big Ten bowl games. There’s a lot of uncertainty these days with bowl season. When you factor in coaching changes, opt-outs, and the transfer portal, it’s hard to even begin to dissect how a game might unfold.

Those aren’t the only factors that make bowl season less desirable than it once was. What’s up with the names of these games? You could at least figure out the line of business of most of the sponsors in the past, but good luck with it in this group of bowls.

We went game by game, chronologically, to talk about each match-up as best we could. We also touched on the news of Mississippi State coach Mike Leach’s health and the impact that could have on the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois. By the time this podcast reaches you, things could have changed, as there was still a lot of uncertainty as the time we sat down to record this show.

We’ll be off next week, returning Dec. 27 to preview the big match-up with the Georgia Bulldogs in the Peach Bowl. In the meantime, feel free to reach out with your feedback and questions below in the comments section or send us an email. Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share.

Thanks for listening!

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Ohio State offers handful of Maryland teammates
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


2024 CB Ify Obidegwu | 247Sports

Ohio State offered four teammates from St. Francis Academy in Maryland on Monday, while Auburn tries to flip a current Buckeye CB commit.

With a break between now and New Years Eve, the Ohio State football team will be hard at work preparing for its matchup versus Georgia in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. The extra time will give the Ohio State coaching staff more flexibility in recruiting as well. The staff will be traveling across the country in efforts to close out its 2023 class, but also to get a head start in recruiting future classes.

Ohio State offers four Maryland teammates


Ohio State traveled to Maryland on Monday, and the day ended with safeties coach Perry Eliano offering four different recruits from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, MD. Two of the DB’s are in the 2024 class, and the other two are in the 2025 class.

Four-star CB Ify Obidegwu


Class: 2024
Hometown: Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy
Size: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds
Recruiting Interests: Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Tennessee, Oregon, USC, Pitt, Kansas, Ohio State, etc.

Three-star S Edrees Farooq


Class: 2024
Hometown: Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy
Size: 6-foot, 185 pounds
Recruiting Interests: Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee, West Virginia, USC, Cincinnati, Arizona, Arkansas, Ohio State, etc.

CB Blake Woodby


Class: 2025
Hometown: Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy
Size: 5-foot-11, 180 pounds
Recruiting Interests: Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Georgia, USC, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Ohio State, etc.

CB Kevyn Humes


Class: 2025
Hometown: Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy
Size: 5-foot-10, 150 pounds
Recruiting Interests: Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Ohio State

Five-star DE commits to Alabama


Ohio State has been recruiting 2023 five-star defensive end Keon Keeley (Tampa, FL / Berkeley Prep) ever since he decommitted from Notre Dame on Aug. 17. The Buckeyes were not alone in their pursuits, although their efforts did put them in the thick of things with Alabama and Florida.

Keeley took multiple visits to Ohio State following his decommitment from the Irish, including two in September for the Notre Dame game and then again when Ohio State played host to Wisconsin. Following the visits Ohio State seemed legitimized themselves as contenders but Alabama never stopped its pursuit.

In October, the Crimson Tide hosted Keeley on an official visit and seemingly cemented themselves as the favorites again. Both Ohio State and Alabama sent their coaching staffs in to visit him in the last few weeks, but on Monday Keeley ended his recruitment, officially committing to Alabama.


Keeley was not the only five-star DE Ohio State has targeted down the stretch in this class. Ohio State has also been heavily involved with five-star DE’s Damon Wilson and Matayo Uiagalelei.

Wilson has set a commitment date for Dec. 21, and Ohio State and Georgia are the favorites in this one. Georgia has gained a lot of traction in Wilson’s recruitment as of late, but his interest in Ohio State never wavered.

Georgia will likely win out for Wilson, but the Buckeyes are also still in play for the aforementioned Uiagalelei. The five-star has set a final three of Ohio State, Oregon and USC but will wait until Signing Day to make it official.

Ohio State has long been viewed as the favorites to land Uiagalelei, but USC has made a very strong push for him in the last couple months. Oregon has also made a strong push but the tea leaves currently show this one coming down to USC and Ohio State.

Quick Hits

• Chad Simmons of on3.com Tweeted Monday that Auburn is trying to flip current Ohio State 2023 four-star cornerback commit Kayin Lee. The blue-chip prospect committed to Ohio State on June 27, but he took an official visit to Auburn on Dec. 2. Losing Lee would be a big blow to this Ohio State class, but the Buckeyes also hold commitments from fellow 2023 CBs Calvin Simpson-Hunt and Jermaine Mathews.

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Column: Bad faith media members used Ohio State’s injury disclosure policy as a weapon to attack Smith-Njigba
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-USA TODAY Sports

How the well-intentioned policy blew up in JSN’s face.

It is an unfortunate byproduct of the media environment that we now find ourselves in that gossip has essentially replaced journalism, narratives have replaced news, conjecture has replaced confirmation, virality has replaced veracity, and hot takes have replaced headlines,

In an era in which a single statement can morph from an uninformed message board post into a multi-media cycle talking point from presumably credible pundits, anything that gets clicks or engagement becomes a self-fulfilling story based solely on the number of people willing to parrot it without giving it the consideration or due diligence that it so obviously requires.

This, of course, isn’t new; we have seen this painfully destructive phenomenon play itself out for decades on cable news networks covering everything from politics to entertainment to sports. However, as Ohio State fans, we are — once again — seeing it hit home with an unsuspecting player stuck in the center; only this time, it is due — at least in part — to the well-meaning, but short-sighted actions of his coach and his program.

I understand why Ryan Day has essentially closed ranks around injuries within his program, not only does it provide a strategic and tactical advantage to not disclose injuries to the public, keeping your opponent in the dark about what they might see on the field in any given game. But also, having learned lessons from the pandemic, keeping the medical information of students private is certainly something to be championed.

Under Urban Meyer, the Buckeye football program was remarkably lax when it came to discussing injuries, a fact that was no doubt appreciated by journalists and fans alike. However, since Day took over, there has been a progressive reversal in the opposite direction, each year seeing the head coach become more tight-lipped on the topic, to the point where during this past regular season, even the OSU coach himself admitted that he needed to do a better job of accurately communicating the status of players ahead of games.

There are obviously basic informational reasons for football programs to be somewhat open about injury statuses, but those are mostly unsubstantial reasons — giving beat writers information for stories or assuaging fans' curiosity. Of course, as more and more states (including Ohio on Jan. 1, 2023) legalize sports gambling, there could be calls for a uniform injury report standard like that seen in the NFL, but those considerations are neither here, nor there at this point.

How the policy of Day’s program has had the most negative impact has been on display in recent weeks with the unwarranted controversy over Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s decision not to play in the College Football Playoff. What began as entitled and unhinged “fans” voicing displeasure and conspiracy theories on social media and message boards became a national point of conversation when CBSSports and SiriusXM’s Danny Kanell popped off on Twitter and ESPN’s Todd McShay cited “NFL scouts” in claiming that the wide receiver is unequivocally healthy enough to play in New Year’s Eve’s Sugar Bowl, but has opted not to play solely to protect his draft potential.

These asinine comments were not only refuted by legitimate journalists, including The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, but Smith-Njigba’s father took exception to them as well, providing — for the first time — any substantive information about his son’s rehabilitation process.


I don’t want to spend too much time on either Kanell or McShay’s insulting audacity and lack of journalistic ethics or rigor, but anyone who has paid attention to Smith-Njigba this season knows that after getting hurt in the season opener against Notre Dame, he attempted to come back and play two weeks later against Toledo — certainly not a team you would be rushing back to play against if you preferred to sit out the entire year as Kanell accused Smith-Njigba of doing.

The receiver had two catches in that game before having to exit due to injury, and then didn’t play again for five weeks, when he tried to come back against Iowa on Oct. 22. Again, he had one catch and quickly exited the game, never to return to the field as a Buckeye again. It was shortly after that game that it was reported that his father said that Nov. 26’s game against Michigan was the “best-case scenario” for Smith-Njigba’s return... clearly this was not the best-case scenario.

As we sit here now, the Iowa game was just over seven weeks ago and the CFP semifinal in two and a half weeks is still very much in the recovery period for severe hamstring injuries.

But, instead of doing actual reporting on how bad Smith-Njigba’s injury is — at best — McShay laundered talking points from an indeterminant number of NFL scouts who almost certainly had ulterior motives in speaking to him, or — at worst — made it all up either for clicks or out of animus.

However, it is not just the likely factual inaccuracies and complete lack of consideration or nuance that McShay and Kanell approached the story with (which is becoming increasingly emblematic of how they and their colleagues across the sports media landscape operate), but what is even more frustrating and damaging is the obvious biases and venom that they directed at a player who tried to come back from this injury twice before very clearly being unable to even walk without pain. Watch that video and read those tweets again. Why do they sound like they are personally offended by JSN’s decision?

I am not a doctor, nor do I have insight into Smith-Njigba’s specific injury situation, but neither do McShay, Kannel, or even Brugler for that matter. While the former two’s lack of journalistic ethics or objectivity would still be a problem no matter the circumstance, I do think that Day’s refusal to provide even the most basic of details about players’ injuries exacerbated the situation to where Smith-Njigba became an easy target for talking heads looking to gin up attention for themselves.

Because Ohio State still has never confirmed what Smith-Njigba’s injury actually is, there’s been no ability for the public or media to accurately ascertain what the realistic expectations were for his return. So instead, it became a constant guessing game about when JSN might come back; could it be this week? Will it be for The Game? What about the playoff?

By not providing details or a realistic timetable, it allowed people to create their own narratives in their heads about what was and wasn’t going on, leading them to often have wholly outsized expectations about what was happening behind the scenes. We saw this on Twitter and message boards with fans discussing the possibility of the receiver returning on a nearly weekly basis.

However, when the reality of the situation proved to be nowhere close to what many had hoped and/or imagined, it soured some on Smith-Njigba — through no fault of his own. That rancor began to percolate as the regular season finale approached and reached a boiling point when JSN announced that he was going to focus his recovery efforts on prepping for the NFL Draft.

Whether pundits like Kanell and McShay already had their targets set on Smith-Njigba, or they picked up on the storyline from the darker corners of the Ohio State interwebz we’ll never know, but they certainly capitalized on the most selfish and cynical pockets of college football fandom by throwing raw meat into a cage populated with people who were already predisposed to think of players as entertainment products rather than human beings.

Neither Kanell’s argument that JSN wanted to skip the entire season, nor McShay’s claim that he is healthy enough to play were ever made in good faith. Both were either concern-trolling to create a bigger platform for their reductive views on how college athletes should be able to exercise autonomy over their bodies, lives, and careers, or they are simply so addicted to the rush that social media engagement or being at the center of a controversial storyline that they never considered the real-life implications that their statements could have.

I feel fairly confident that in their heart of hearts, neither Kanell, nor McShay has any actual idea about what’s going on with Smith-Njigba’s injury, but they are more than comfortable enough spouting off for kicks and giggles, knowing full well that what they say has an impact on how players are perceived, both by fans and people inside the game.

Either the pair — and others who made similar comments — never considered that they could be unfairly damaging Jaxon’s future, or they didn’t care; both would be egregious, but the latter would be unforgivable.

Some of these same people (looking at you McShay) attempted to do the same thing to Justin Fields following the 2020 season. They carried water for similar “unnamed NFL sources” who allegedly claimed that the greatest quarterback in Ohio State history was a poor leader, “didn’t love football,” wasn’t smart enough to play QB at the NFL level, and other obviously bullshit talking points designed to hurt his draft stock for one reason or another; and it very well might have had an impact since Fields dropped out of the top 10.

Justin Fields didn’t deserve that then, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba doesn’t deserve it now.


Earlier in the season, I made a case that perhaps all of the players getting hurt for the Buckeyes — and the programs’ reticence to discuss them — was actually part of a bigger plan to get guys healthy for the biggest games of the season. That clearly did not turn out to be accurate, as the injury issues proved to be a problem all season.

However, injuries happen in football, that’s a part of the game that to a certain extent is not only unavoidable but also inevitable. But what is avoidable and absolutely didn’t have to happen is Ohio State keeping things so buttoned up that it blew up in their faces and potentially hurt the NFL career of one of their most talented players in recent memory.

Gossip-mongering media members are undoubtedly the bad guys here, but I hope — in addition to a lot of on-field lessons — that Day and the program realize that protecting their injured players is about more than just keeping everything private. Sometimes, providing information that the player is comfortable sharing can actually save them more headaches than it causes.

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Game Notes: No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball survives Michigan State
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land

The Buckeyes struggled offensively but still pulled away with their first home conference win of the season

Until Sunday, the Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team won every game by double-digits. Against the Michigan State Spartans, the game started strong in the Buckeyes’ favor but it was anyone’s game until the final seconds.

Here are notes from the 74-68 win, including an update on guard Jacy Sheldon.

Weird Win


Overall, the Buckeyes win felt weird. So far in the 2022-23 season, it’s been a few big runs, a lot of frustrating press against the opposition, and a mostly comfortable win at the sound of the final buzzer. Sunday was different.

Ohio State was up and down in their shooting, scoring 29 of their 74 points in the first quarter and never hitting 20 points a quarter in the three quarters that followed. Even then, the Buckeyes were more efficient in shooting, 41.7% to 40.9%.

All game it felt like the Buckeyes were turning the ball over (20 on the day), but still forced 22 against Sparty.

It’s a win that Ohio State needed, really. Even going down against teams like Tennessee and Louisville, they surged back to win. A close game puts things into perspective.

“We showed really good competitive character,” said McGuff. “We have a lot to work on, it’s nice to be able to do it off of a win, but there’s a lot of areas we got to improve.”

Not only perspective, but the game, even with its flaws and areas of improvement, is a positive this early in the season.

“You want to have that adversity,” said guard Taylor Mikesell. “It would be wrong if we were in our March form right now, so there’s always going to be some growing pains and adversity that might stump us at times but I’m happy with how we fought tonight.”

Taylor Thierry Leads NCAA


Last season, head coach Kevin McGuff didn't put a ceiling on the future of forward Taylor Thierry’s abilities. Often lauded as the most athletic player on the court, Thierry started her freshman 21/22 season on the bench, but turned into an integral seventh player on the court, often impacting the game defensively over scoring. An offseason in college can make all the difference.

Today, Thierry leads the NCAA in field goal percentage, hitting 73% of her 74 shots on the season. On Sunday, Thierry led the way for the second time this season in scoring, but did it through another game of making high-percentage shots, hitting 76.9% of her shots.

Thierry led all players on the court with 21 points, with one three snuck in that total for good measure. The forward found space and charged the basket with confidence, opting for her underhand layup more often than not and grabbing nine rebounds, one away from her first career double-double.

When the Spartans fought back, and the Buckeyes had trouble buying a bucket, it was Thierry breaking the deadlock. In the first quarter, Michigan State got within two points, after an early back-and-forth between the two teams. Thierry scored six of the final 10 points of the quarter, extending the first-quarter lead to 12.

Then, in the third quarter, a fast break by Thierry stopped a nine-point Michigan State run. After the game, Thierry picked up another dub chain for her efforts.

Madison Greene Free Throw Dominance


Between the two teams on Sunday, 40 fouls were called. Michigan State had 22 of those personal fouls, and 12 fouls went against Buckeyes’ guard Madison Greene. Starting for her third game in a row, Greene scored 15 points but grabbed 12 of them from the free throw line.

Greene had six in the first quarter alone, in a game where Ohio State took advantage of a quick whistle reflex by officials. In the bonus, Greene charged the rim and genuinely frustrated defenders into fouls.


On the day, Greene had another strong performance. Even though Greene had more turnovers than any other game this season, giving the ball up four times, the guard more than made up for it with five steals and five assists, including a no-look pass at the buzzer, finding Thierry under the basket for a buzzer-beating layup.

Cotie McMahon on the Precipice


In match-ups where the Buckeyes were down or fighting in closer games, freshman forward Cotie McMahon’s taken a bench seat to allow experience to right the Scarlet and Gray’s ship. Sunday, McMahon played a game that allowed her to be the one on the court for the final minutes of the game, as the Spartans battled.

McMahon got the game going from the tip, going at the basket, missing a layup but getting her own rebound-induced second-chance attempt. Overall, McMahon’s scoring hit eight points, but each one had highlight reel potential.


The Dayton, Ohio forward played eight minutes of the final quarter, when the Buckeyes needed performances. McMahon provided one outside of scoring.

It’s hit or miss if Ohio State wins the rebounding game, currently sitting at a +0.7 margin. Going into the halftime locker room, Michigan State was up eight rebounds but McMahon helped change the script.

The Buckeyes outrebounded Sparty 25-15 in the second half, and McMahon grabbed six of her 10 rebounds on the day in the fourth quarter. There’s still plenty of time for McMahon’s offensive game to find its mark, but overall the top-25 recruit in the nation is growing into her role as a future leader with the Scarlet & Gray.

Struggling Deep


What stood out in the Buckeyes' scoring was shooting three-point attempts. The way Ohio State played wasn’t in line what coach McGuff wants to see, including getting good chances from deep.

“We had some great stretches where we were really good, then we would get away from execution, and moving the ball,” said McGuff. “We have to be able to sustain who we are for longer stretches.”

The Buckeyes had 22 shots from deep, making only six. Outside of two from forward Rebeka Mikulášiková to start the third quarter, there never seemed to be a string of them to rip the motivation away from the opposition.

From the starting group, Mikesell went 2-for-9 and Greene and McMahon each attempted a shot from behind the arc but missed. Ohio State shot 38% from deep going into the game against Michigan State. If they shot even that, it’d be six more points on the board and potentially not having to hold on tight at the end of the game.

Part of that was extra attention on Mikesell by the high-pressured Spartans' defense often double-teaming her from deep. However, more passing and patient offensive build-up in the half-court can also give other players open looks.

Taylor Mikesell Ices the Victory


Even if shooting from deep was tough for Mikesell, in the highest-pressure moments of the last 23 seconds of the game, Mikesell was the difference. In the bonus, Sparty sent Mikesell to the line for four free throws. The graduate senior transfer from Oregon hit all four, putting Ohio State up four points with 15 seconds remaining.

“She has nerves of steel, said McGuff. “It’s great to have her on our side.”

Mikesell still had 16 points on the day, plus a season-high seven rebounds. Even if the three isn’t falling for the guard, Mikesell’s always making a game-changing impact for the Buckeyes.

Jacy Sheldon Status Updated


A name left off the roster for Sunday’s win was guard Jacy Sheldon. Out with a lower leg injury, Sheldon had to sit on the sidelines and cheer for her team instead of forcing rebounds and making shots.

Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land
Jacy Sheldon, middle, sits with a boot on her leg watching the Ohio State game against Michigan State.

Sheldon missed two games before going down to then-No. 18 Louisville and playing over 30 minutes. It felt like Sheldon was going to sit out some of the easier games for Ohio State and then possibly take the court for games like Sunday, but it didn’t come to fruition.

After the game, coach McGuff changed her status from day-to-day to week-to-week, not giving a timeline on the guard’s return.

It’s early in the season, with plenty of time for Sheldon to heal. For now, it looks like the Buckeyes aren’t taking any chances with the unanimous First Team All-B1G star.

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You’re Nuts: Which position should Ohio State upgrade through the transfer portal?
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 Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There are no shortage of players taking advantage of college football’s free agency.

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: Which position should Ohio State upgrade through the transfer portal?

Josh’s Take


Tis the season, Gene — and no, I am not talking about the Christmas season. Nor am I referring to wonderful holidays such as Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or even Boxing Day. No sir.

I am talking about Transfer Portal SZN in the world of college football — the annual celebration of J.T Daniels finding a new school at which to crash and burn as an average quarterback. It is an exciting period for those who favor new opportunities and limited commitment, while at the same time being a source of nerves and frustration for others.

Over 1,000 players from across both FBS and FCS have entered the transfer portal since it officially opened on Dec. 5, and that is likely just the tip of the iceberg. We will see dozens more throw their proverbial hat(s) in the ring as bowl games come and go, and future coaching staffs begin to take shape. With limited transfer restrictions in place and NIL money being thrown about, CFB has essentially adopted professional free agency, emboldening players to jump ship at breakneck speed. This new system also allows for on-the-fly roster construction or destruction, as fans (and coaches, for that matter) are left hoping that their favorite team can hang onto key players at key positions.

In the past, a powerhouse such as Ohio State could sit by idly and watch a backup or two head off in search of greener pastures. No harm, no foul; Joe Schmoe likely would not have developed into a major contributor in Columbus. That is simply not the case anymore, as players are leaving even the most prestigious programs – and starting roles behind – to “chase the bag” or enjoy mountaintop views elsewhere.

Looking through a more positive lens: transfer rules and regulations allow for the immediate plugging of roster holes — as opposed to traditional recruiting and player development. Taking advantage of the portal means finding a potential shortcut to the top, and we have seen schools like Michigan State and USC experience great success by acting in a very aggressive manner. More power to them, even if their chosen approach is not something I am quite comfortable with as an OSU fan. But alas, the Buckeyes must adapt to survive. So which holes should they look to fill via transfer?

Assuming C.J. Stroud does not have an evil twin brother playing elsewhere, I believe Ohio State needs to reinforce the support beams. I am talking either interior line, tight end, maybe secondary — positions which may not receive the most hype or attention, but that are integral to the foundation and success of Ryan Day’s team as a whole. While I would not be upset with the program bringing in a star running back or wide receiver, neither position is considered one of need. However, others I did specifically mention either lack experience or failed to meet expectations this season. Or last season. And maybe even the season before that. So enough beating around the bush, Gene, the Buckeyes need secondary help!

OSU has struggled in recent years to slow down teams with a legitimate passing attack. You know it, I know it, the coaches and players know it. I am not sure why, but I would like it fixed. ASAP. Because Ohio State used to have a secondary unit known as BIA; Now you could just call them TOAST. The DB group (corners specifically) held back what could have been a special defense this year, and in my opinion, severely limited what Jim Knowles would have otherwise been able to cook up in pressure and blitz packages. The need starts at corner, but I would welcome a cover safety to replace Tanner McCalister.

I still have hope that cornerback Denzel Burke will revert back to his 2021 form, but he has not been the same player in 2022. Cam Brown will be moving on after battling through injury for most of his career. JK Johnson, Jordan Hancock, and Jyaire Brown all have potential, but lack quality reps. Not great, Bob. There is not a CB currently on this roster who Buckeye fans should have a ton of confidence in, and that needs to change. Maybe it does so internally. I am not giving up on Tim Walton as a coach, and we have seen flashes of borderline brilliance from Burke. But a “Help Wanted: Experience a must” sign outside of the Woody would not hurt my feelings.

In addition to CB, a cover safety should also be on the shopping list for OSU. McCalister, while perhaps not the flashiest playmaker in the world, was incredibly steady as both a safety and a coach on the field. His experience and knowledge of Knowles’ defense will be missed. Listed behind him on the depth chart is Cam Martinez, and if you watched the Michigan game, you know why I am concerned. The Buckeyes cannot and should not ignore this position if an opportunity presents itself.

There you have it. I would only like Ohio State to replace most of its secondary. And if Lathan Ransom chooses to pursue his NFL dream, then I will go into hibernation after the CFP, and hopefully awake to a spring roster loaded with experience in the secondary. It is an absolute must for Day and his staff, that they go out and get proven veterans to defend the pass. Otherwise, I don’t think we will ever see the full potential of a Knowles defense, and that would be a damn shame.

Gene’s Take


Unlike my counterpart, I have given up on Tim Walton after a miserable season for Ohio State’s corners — one wherein the new position coach was gifted a freshman All-American in Burke, a sturdy veteran in Brown and a handful of young four and five-star talents, all of which played terribly this season. That being said, bringing in a proven commodity who got some real coaching elsewhere certainly couldn’t hurt, and as I mentioned in my ‘big names to watch in the portal’ piece last week, there are some really good options out there.

With Josh already taking care of the secondary, I instead will look to offensive side of the football. We know the talent and depth Ohio State has at wide receiver, with both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka both returning to Columbus next season with even more coming behind them. The running back room should be in great shape as well, and there will be a healthy QB competition between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown with C.J. Stroud off to the NFL. With the skill positions all accounted for, I’m turning my attention to the offensive line.

The big guys up front for the Buckeyes this season were solid, especially in pass protection, but Justin Frye’s unit will be losing a lot of talent this offseason. Both starting tackles in Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones are almost certainly off to the NFL Draft, and center Luke Wypler has been getting some draft buzz as well after a strong 2022 campaign. Matthew Jones is eligible to enter the Draft as well, but after an injury-plagued season, you’d have to imagine he will return for another year.

This means Ohio State could be looking at replacing at least two or three starters along the offensive line, including both starting tackles. The only surefire returnee for next year is guard Donovan Jackson, and with Frye’s predecessor Greg Studrawa whiffing on the recruiting trail more often than not, there isn’t a whole bunch of top-end talent to fill out the group. It’s easy to project Josh Fryar as a starter next season after his production as a backup this year, but that still leaves two open spots, assuming Matt Jones returns and is healthy enough to contribute.

There are a number of offensive line options out there, and as I mentioned in my aforementioned transfer portal piece, a guy like Myles Hinton out of Stanford could come in and start right away as a one-year gap player before your young guys are ready to shoulder the load. It wouldn’t be the first time Ohio State has looked to the portal to fill a need up front, and it worked pretty darn well the last time when the Buckeyes brought in Josh Jackson as a one-year starter at guard.

Sure, there are some young guys who could step up next season that are already on the roster, including the likes of Tegra Tshabola, Zen Michalski and Enokk Vimahi, but it couldn’t hurt to add another experienced player to the mix at such an important position.

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Ohio State’s Cotie McMahon wins Big Ten Freshman of the Week
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land

The Ohioan pulls in her first Freshman of the Week honor after two strong performances, and Taylor Thierry makes Honor Roll

Monday, the Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team stayed put in the AP Poll at No. 3, but still received recognition they haven’t earned in almost three years. The Big Ten conference awarded Forward Cotie McMahon won her first B1G Freshman of the Year honor.

McMahon’s started every game this season for the Scarlet & Gray, but week four was her best. In games against the New Hampshire Wildcats and Michigan State Spartans, McMahon averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals per game.

Against the Wildcats, McMahon scored a team, and career, high 20 points alongside five steals and four assists. At the start of the second half, McMahon opened up the first 3:04 of the third quarter with four of those five steals, on her way to 10 points in the game.

In the Buckeyes’ first Big Ten home game of the season, McMahon continued that strong play, opening the game up with two points, two rebounds, and a steal in the first 0:40 of the game. McMahon grabbed 10 rebounds on the day, with eight points.

Both performances aren’t too surprising for the Ohioan from Centerville. McMahon’s played with intensity all season, helping on the defensive press and showing speed that can cover the court quicker than almost anybody in the arena.

The two games are a shift for McMahon, who over the past couple of weeks has been sat by head coach Kevin McGuff, opting for more experience on the court in close games against the Louisville Cardinals and Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Even then, McGuff’s always applauded the freshman forward for her ability and how McMahon will be a leader for the Buckeyes for years to come.

Sunday, McMahon showed that ability to lead the team, playing eight minutes of the final quarter against a surging Spartans team. Michigan State cut a once 18-point lead down to two points with 18 seconds remaining and McGuff kept McMahon on the court, with short substitutions for free throw shooting purposes.

McMahon grabbed six of her 10 rebounds in that fourth quarter, making an impact when Ohio State needed it most. On the season, McMahon averages 9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game.

The B1G Freshman of the Week award hasn’t been awarded to the program since Feb. 17, 2020, when then-freshman Madison Greene won the award for the Scarlet & Gray.

Elsewhere in the weekly conference awards was another forward: Taylor Thierry. The sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio won a spot on the Big Ten’s Weekly Honor Roll after averaging 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds on 77.3% shooting in the two wins, plus nine rebounds to go with 21 points on Sunday.

Thierry currently leads the country in field goal percentage with an astounding 73%.

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Dunno, but once upon a time, 'Hack-a-Shaq' was a for real strategy. When Shaq got the ball underneath, his dunk percentage was pretty near 100%. However, if one hung on his arm, his FT percentage was around 50%, ergo, his team would get held to one point on that possession.

Plus, there's a saying....May your life last as long (relatively) as the last two minutes of an NBA game...

Film Preview: What makes Georgia’s defense so difficult for opposing offenses to breakdown?
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ohio State will need to execute at a high level to make plays against Georgia’s defense.

Since the Georgia Bulldogs hired Kirby Smart as their head coach, they have found success on the back of their dominant defenses. This year has been no different, even with an expected drop off with many players leaving for the NFL. Despite the turnover, Georgia has found success.

In their biggest games of the year, Georgia has limited explosive offenses across the country, including Tennessee and Oregon, and have taken care of almost every team they’ve lined up across from. Throughout the season this defense has evolved to make up for personnel being injured, but they have made it work in a variety of ways.

Georgia has done this through a dominant defensive line led by Jalen Carter, who has returned from injury in recent weeks. In the secondary, cornerbacks Kelee Ringo and Kamari Lassiter steal the show with a pair of talented safeties behind them. From a talent standpoint, there is not be a group with more in the country on that side of the ball.

Ohio State will need to execute their gameplan, but the real test is going to be how the Buckeyes prepare for the moment. That is one place where the Bulldogs have won games from the start. If the Buckeyes can’t match the psychological aspects of this game, the Dogs could take control early — and with this talented defense, not relinquish that control until the end of the game.

Pressure


Georgia has one of the worst sack percentages in college football, getting to the QB on 5.52 percent of drop backs. This number has improved since Carter’s return, and Georgia has also brought more pressure from the second level compared to recent years. The combination of blitz packages and having one of the best interior pass rushers has netted significantly better results in recent weeks.

On the year, they have over 200 quarterback pressures and the per game numbers have increased since Carter’s return from injury. Georgia relies on their four man rush on most passing situations, choosing to keep the players behind in coverage. When they do blitz, they come fast and hard, giving the quarterback little time to throw.

As we can see in the play below, Tennessee is running their quick passing game to get the five yards needed. They protect against the pressure well, but even when Georgia’s defense did not get home, the result of the play was a rushed incompletion.


The main reason Georgia does not rely on bringing additional pressure from the second level is the interior pass rush. Interior pressure has been a common theme for Smart’s Georgia defenses, and this is one of the hardest things for a quarterback to face. With dominant edge rushers, players are able to step up and maneuver around, but when the pressure comes from the inside, the defender ends up in the quarterbacks lap before he can do anything about it.

This happened to Hendon Hooker quite a few times against Georgia, most notably on the safety that was overturned. Carter is lined up in a 2i alignment, meaning he is over the guard shaded slightly inside the to A-Gap. Tennessee keeps the back in to help and release. Carter’s rush starts with a Bull Rush that gets the guard off balance. Once the back escapes out, Carter uses a Push-Pull move and ragdolls the Tennessee guard.

With the man-coverage behind the rush, Hooker makes a late decision and this allows Carter to get home.


The Georgia pass rush is complementary to their man-coverage, and when the secondary covers well downfield, the four man rush is able to create pressure forcing hurried throws. When they need to they are prepared to bring the blitz, but the gamble has bit them before.

Ohio State will need to have a great day protecting Stroud, and the likes of Donovan Jackson and whoever ends up suiting up at right guard will have their work cut out for them. If they’re not up to the task, there a plenty of games to look back on for what the outcome would most likely be.

Run Defense


Georgia's has the No. 1 ranked rush defense in yards per game, and is No. 5 overall in yards per rush. Ryan Day’s goal will be to remain balanced, but teams have struggled to find any semblance of a run game against this team. This starts up front again, as the Georgia defensive line leads the way in the Bulldogs’ rush defense. Their athleticism and strength allows them to eat up blockers, clearing space for the linebackers to flow freely.

Against Kentucky, Georgia had one of their least successful games against the run from a per rush standpoint — and still only gave up 89 yards. In the play below, Kentucky is in Ohio State’s worst situation with a 3rd-and-1. Georgia’s goal with their defensive linemen is to cross the face of the blocker in front of them. By doing this, it takes away the running backs front side running lane. After they cross the face, the next goal is to get up field forcing the running back to make a decision.

Kentucky gets to the second level on the front side of the play, but the defensive line forces this back into the linebacker who is unblocked, resulting in a short yardage stand for the Dogs.


Where teams have found success on occasion against Georgia’s defense running the ball is with slight misdirections. Kentucky uses a Pin-and-Pull blocking scheme here to run their Wide toss. As we saw in the last play, Georgia is trying to cross the face of the down blocking defenders.

The reason this play works for Kentucky is because to the right side both players follow the Kentucky linemen down. On the left side of the offensive line, both players get walled off by down blocking linemen. The tight end is responsible for getting up to the second level, and the pulling guard impedes the defensive end getting back in the play. Ohio State runs this concept regularly. Georgia will either have to change tendencies or rely on their linebackers to beat the blocks.


There are no guarantees for having success against Georgia from a run game standpoint — many teams have tried. The goal will be to have success in the run game in key situations and keep Georgia off balance. If Ohio State finds some big plays and is able to get Georgia off balance, this is where they can find some big plays.

Coverage


In coverage, Georgia is by far at their best when they are playing man-to-man. This allows them to bring four, and they are confident that the windows will make quarterbacks make bad decisions. In the videos up in the pressure section, Georgia was in man-coverage and that is why their defense is at its most dynamic when they can play their base coverage.

Against Tennessee, Georgia thrived in man-coverage and were physical against the Tennessee receivers. Against the slot receiver, the nickel corner is playing a catch technique, meaning he is letting the defender get into him so he can get his hands on him. Once the receiver shows where he is going, the defender is able to stay in phase and breaks up the pass.

Ohio State will need to win one-on-one matchups and play hard through the catch. Georgia competes for every ball, so the Buckeyes will have to as well.


Georgia plays man with two-high safeties, which creates a different look for opposing quarterbacks. If opponents run shallow routes, the safeties have the freedom to come down. If teams run deep, they are capable of covering downfield. The issue for Georgia that arises in this coverage is the fact that there is no help in the middle of the field. One linebacker has the tight end and the other has the running back in coverage.

This allows Tennessee’s receiver to find space for an easy completion, and turn a short route into a big gain.


Ohio State will need to do their best to win their one-on-one matchups, and when they have an opportunity make a play after the catch. Georgia mixes in zone coverages on occasion, but this was more the case against mobile quarterbacks. They will do this to throw off the timing of opposing quarterbacks.

Against LSU, Georgia gave up more big plays than usual, and the mixtures of coverages really put the Bulldogs in a bind at times. The Buckeyes should expect to see more man-coverage with one or two high safety looks. But if they do see a zone, there will be opportunities for some big window throws.

LSU was able to hit on some big plays against Georgia’s zone because of the threat of their quarterback to run. Keeping eyes in the backfield was a detriment here, and LSU’s receiver was able to cross the field into wide open space for the catch. A missed tackle leads to a long touchdown.


Ohio State has the talent on offense to challenge Georgia’s defense, but they will need to get out of their comfort zone at times. Ryan Day has routinely forced being balanced, running the ball when teams expect it and doing the same in throwing situations. Avoiding tendencies and attacking Georgia with intent in both the run game and passing game will not be easy, but the effort has to be there.

For Ohio State to be successful passing the ball, the Buckeyes will need to limit the four man rush. If they are successful, it will make Georgia choose between defending downfield comfortably with seven defenders or bringing extra bodies to throw off timing. Stroud has not been great against the blitz this year, so I expect to see the Bulldogs bring pressure early. If the Buckeyes can hit on some plays downfield this will open up the rest of the offense.

In the run game, misdirection with the offensive linemen and blocking with the receivers will need to be an emphasis. The plays to Xavier Johnson and Egbuka coming in motion are actually plays that can keep Georgia off balance. Seeing how Pin-and-Pull blocking schemes have worked because they attack Georgia’s tendencies, seeing these more will mean the Buckeyes saw what we did today.

This is no small task, but the Buckeyes are a capable, talented football team. They need to be willing to take some risks. Of all the teams this season, Ohio State has three players capable of winning man-to-man matchups against Georgia. Even though most of the country gives Ohio State no chance, if the Buckeyes execute, anything can happen.

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Ohio State men’s basketball moves up to No. 23 in newest AP Poll
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

The Buckeyes jumped a few spots after a not at all controversial win over Rutgers last week.

Following their buzzer-beating 67-66 win over Rutgers last week, Ohio State (7-2, 1-0) jumped from No. 25 to No. 23 in the Associated Press Top-25 Poll this week.

The No. 23 Buckeyes had an 11-point lead at one point but couldn’t hold it, finding themselves behind in the final minute of play Thursday night at home. But after a Caleb McConnell missed free throw kept the deficit at two points with seven seconds remaining, Tanner Holden knocked down the game-winning three-pointer from just in front of the Ohio State bench as the buzzer went off for a walk-off win.


The following day, the Big Ten Conference released a statement that Holden’s bucket should not have counted — instead, the play should have been blown dead the moment Holden caught the ball, because he stepped out of bounds on his own accord and then came back in and was the next person to touch the ball. By rule, the ball should have been given back to Rutgers with 0.5 seconds remaining, with the Scarlet Knights up two points. But hey, no takebacks!

With last week’s top team (Houston) losing, the Purdue Boilermakers (10-0, 2-0) moved into the top spot in the AP Poll once again. Matt Painter’s squad also occupied the No. 1 spot last December for one week before losing to Rutgers.

The top five is rounded out by Virginia, UConn, Alabama, and Houston.

Aside from No. 23 Ohio State and No. 1 Purdue, four other Big Ten teams were ranked this week. They are: No. 14 Indiana, No. 18 Illinois, No. 20 Maryland, and No. 22 Wisconsin.

Iowa and Michigan State both received votes in the poll, but were left out of the top-25.

You can check out the full poll here.

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