Column: What I love about each of Ohio State’s football captains
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Six players received the honor of being named a captain, and I am so happy with each and every selection — read on to see why.

lBeing named a captain of THE Ohio State University’s football team is one of the biggest honors that a player can receive. This year in particular is special, because the team lost all of their captains from last season. Therefore, six brand-spankin new guys were selected by their fellow teammates as leaders of the team.

This year broke a few records in regards to captains. It is the first time in seven seasons where at least one captain isn’t returning (Tuf Borland isn’t STILL on this team?!). It is also the fewest number of captains selected since 2015, with only six being chosen. So, these guys must feel pretty special that their teammates collectively thought of them to lead them!

Let me give you the list of players: WR Kamryn Babb, DT Haskell Garrett, DE Zach Harrison, LB Teradja Mitchell, OT Thayer Munford, and last, but certainly not least, WR Chris Olave. We have a lot of experience here, with most of them being seniors, but Garrett and Munford are super-seniors (thx, COVID!). Zach Harrison is only a true junior— yet still a leader on this powerhouse of a defense. All of these guys truly deserve to be awarded with this prestigious honor, and I’m going to tell you why I love every single one of these picks!

Kamryn Babb

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So, you hear this name, and you might not immediately recognize it. You might look up his stats and be extremely confused. Babb has been through A LOT during his football career. The worst injury that an athlete can suffer from, a torn ACL, happened to him. THREE TIMES. I feel so sorry for him, yet he has persevered and kept working hard— on the field and in the classroom. Babb is a three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He redshirted his first two seasons, and played for his first time last season. He got injured again during the spring, so he’ll be out for at least the start of the season this fall. However, this shows how much respect he has gained if his teammates chose him as a leader, even if he hasn’t been playing beside them very much. You have to root for Kamryn Babb. Praying that he gets back on the field soon!

Haskell Garrett

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

First off, we know how Garrett exploded onto the scene last year- First Team All-American, one of the best parts of our D-Line. He has a lot of experience— 41 games played, and the stats racked up, too; 40 tackles, 6.5 TFL, two sacks, two PBU, and a pick-6 interception. Oh yeah, and he got shot in the face last summer— AND DIDN’T MISS A SINGLE GAME. He is just a total beast on and off the field. He is on the preseason All-America list, and the watch list for the Outland Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. He has clearly battled adversity, but didn’t let anything, even a gunshot wound, stop him. He also gets my respect for taking advantage of his COVID year. We love super-seniors!

Zach Harrison

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Can anyone else not believe that he is already a junior? To highlight that point, though, it is extremely impressive that he was selected as one of the six as a true third year player. The local kid from Lewis Center has shined in his first two years, with a team-best 9.5 TFL, and 5.5 sacks. He is also on the watch lists for the Bronko Nargurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. One of the most intriguing facts about him, I think, is that he was one of the three Buckeye student-athletes at Big Ten Media Day this year. This shows how much of a leader he is, and his teammates and coaches think highly of him. I can’t wait to see what he does in possibly his final collegiate season.


Teradja Mitchell: Okay, if you haven’t seen the video of linebacker coach Al Washington calling Mitchell’s father to relay the news of his son being named a captain, here you go, You might want to grab some tissues:


Sadly, his big brother died very recently, so it was nice to see some good news for the Mitchell family. On the field, he has been a great special teams player, and is one of the more experienced linebackers in this year’s room. I really expect a breakout season for him! One more thing: he is majoring in fashion and retail studies, so I will be focusing on his pregame outfits this year.

Thayer Munford

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Another super senior! Munford is entering the 2021 season as one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the Big Ten – and country – after starting 33 games over the past three years and played in 45 of 50 games over the last four seasons. He is a preseason first team All-American. His experience and talent is unmatched among offensive linemen across the nation! Why I love this pick is because he came back as a result of a promise made to his momma. He promised her that he would graduate, and you can expect him with a degree in sports industry following the fall semester. He’ll be the first one in his family to graduate from college, plus I expect him to be a high pick in next year’s NFL draft! Thayer Munford is just a great story.

Chris Olave

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This, I feel like, was a no-brainer. Olave is one of the best players in the country, will most likely be a top-ten draft pick, and has been/will continue to be a record breaker. He is also a preseason first team All-American, and could break the OSU record for most career TD receptions (he only needs 13 more). I feel like rattling off his stats is not necessary, and frankly, would fill up the rest of this page. We all know his greatness. However, I respect the fact that he came back for his senior year, and wants to help this team win a National Championship. Last year was a receiver-heavy draft, so I definitely believe that he will be chosen near the top this year. But, we still get one more season of watching CO2 for the Scarlet and Gray— let’s enjoy it!

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You’re Nuts: Which Week 1 game that isn’t Ohio State/Minnesota are you most excited for?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

The great thing about Ohio State opening up their season on Thursday this year is that it gives us time to relax over Labor Day weekend and take in the rest of the college football action around the country. Taking in a full slate of college football action over Labor Day weekend is an even bigger deal this year, after last year saw just a handful of games played over the holiday weekend.

The start of the 2021 college football season shouldn’t disappoint. There are five games over Labor Day weekend between ranked teams on the schedule, including two Big Ten conference games. By the time Week 1 of the college football season wraps up, there will have been five Big Ten conference games, which is a change from normal scheduling that saw conference games a little later down the line.

One of those Big Ten conference games is Ohio State heading to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers. We are all excited to see how the Buckeyes look with a new quarterback taking the snaps, along with some of the new talent on both sides of the football that will be stepping into starting positions vacated by those that have graduated or moved on to the NFL.

What we want to know is what game aside from Ohio State/Minnesota are you most excited for in Week 1 of the college football season. You could also include a game from Week 0 of this season, but if you are most excited for Nebraska/Illinois or Hawai’i/UCLA over what Week 1 has to offer, then you might want to take to a therapist since there isn’t something right going on upstairs.

Today’s question: Which Week 1 game that isn’t Ohio State/Minnesota are you most excited for?


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

Brett’s Pick: #17 Indiana v. #18 Iowa


Many have Ohio State’s trip to Bloomington later in the year pegged as the toughest game of the year for the Buckeyes. The Hoosiers have a number of hurdles to clear if they want to go into that game against Ohio State undefeated. The first of these hurdles is a trip to Kinnick Stadium to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The expectations for Indiana this year were high even before the Hoosiers were ranked 17th the AP Poll, marking the first time that Indiana has been ranked in the preseason poll since 1969. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is returning from a knee injury suffered during the 2020 season. Joining Penix on offense will be wide receiver Ty Fryfogle and tight end Peyton Hendershot, while linebacker Micah McFadden and cornerback Tiawan Mullen will lead the way on defense.

We are going to find out real quick if Iowa is for real this season. Not only do the Hawkeyes host Indiana in their season opener, the next week they head to Ames to take on the Iowa State Cyclones, with their hated rival ranked inside the top-10. If the Hawkeyes can get through their first two games without losing one of those games, Kirk Ferentz’s squad has a real chance at winning the Big Ten West, as well as putting themselves in position for a spot in the College Football Playoff, since Iowa’s toughest remaining game will be traveling to Madison to take on Wisconsin.

Much like Indiana, Iowa also does have their quarterback from last season returning. Even though Spencer Petras didn’t put up big numbers last year, he should be more comfortable behind center in his second season as starter. The star on the Iowa offense this year will be running back Tyler Goodson, who ran for 762 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020.

This feels like it’s going to be a game that comes down to the wire, much like Penn State/Indiana did to open up last season. There is so much on the line in this game, so expect both teams to go all out. While I think Iowa squeaks out a close win at home, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Indiana win.

Meredith’s pick: #5 Georgia at #3 Clemson


There are a ton of week one matchups to look forward to (even outside of Ohio State’s opener at Minnesota). While the stakes get higher (because dropping a conference game in week one can doom a season), it’s exciting to kick off the season with a conference matchup, which most of the Big Ten is doing this year.

However, the matchup to watch in the early days of the 2021 season is not in the Big Ten at all, and is certainly No. 5 Georgia at No. 3 Clemson. The game is being played in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium Sept. 4.

There are lots of storylines here, the most drama-fueled one being that this game will be the first major non-conference matchup since the SEC announced its expansion with Oklahoma and Texas. All eyes will be on how the reigning ACC champ fares against one of the top teams in the SEC. I’d also have to imagine that Clemson will have some unlikely bandwagon fans for the outing, perhaps including fellow alliance members in the Big Ten and Pac-12.

Then there’s the fact this is basically a bowl game in September — a once-in-a-season top-five matchup right out of the gate. While Clemson is technically the host, the game is being held at a neutral site which is also pretty fun.

Further, we’re entering a new era of Clemson football. On the field, for the first time in what feels like forever, we’ll have a new starting quarterback for Clemson in DJ Uiagalelei (although technically Uiagalelei did start in place of Trevor Lawrence against Boston College and Notre Dame in 2020 after Lawrence tested positive for COVID-19).

The sophomore quarterback is looking to build on his success from those two games where the then-freshman excelled. In a two-OT thriller against the Irish, Uiagalelei completed 29-of-44 passes for 439 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing score — though the Tigers couldn’t quite eke out a W over Notre Dame. He followed up that performance with a win over Boston College, connecting on 73% of his passes for two more passing and one more rushing touchdown.

The Tigers will also be looking to replace Travis Etienne, who joined Lawrence in Jacksonville. Etienne rushed for 914 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior in 2020, making him the leading rusher by more than 700 yards. Etienne also happened to be the Tigers’ third-leading receiver.

Georgia, meanwhile, returns USC transfer quarterback JT Daniels, who played just four games for the Bulldogs last year but threw for 1,231 yards, 10 touchdowns and two picks over that span. Oh, and he also led Georgia to a 4-0 record in the process (including a bowl win over No. 8 Cincinnati).

Georgia’s had its share of injuries during fall camp, but head coach Kirby Smart expects that his starting lineup will be back and ready to go for the opener.

Clemson opened as three-point favorites over Georgia, and the Tigers will certainly be looking to right the record after falling 45-21 to the Bulldogs the last time out in 2014. Overall, Georgia holds a 42-18-4 advantage over its ACC counterpart.

Coming at it from an Ohio State lens, it’ll certainly be a lot more palatable to cheer for Clemson since we just watched the Buckeyes fully throttle the Tigers in the Sugar Bowl in January.

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Tyler Smith, No. 8 basketball prospect in 2023 class, signs with Overtime Elite

Tyler Smith, the No. 8 basketball prospect in ESPN's Class of 2023, has signed with Overtime Elite, he told ESPN on Sunday.

"This is different and new," Smith said. "I wanted to be a pro already, working on stuff that NBA players work on. In high school, you can't work out as much as they do at OTE."

Smith is the seventh five-star recruit to sign with the upstart league. He is considered one of the best long-term prospects in the class, spurning scholarship offers from schools such as Kansas, Baylor, Texas, Florida State, Oklahoma, Memphis, LSU and others..
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Smith, who will turn 17 in November, is not eligible for the NBA draft until 2024 under current rules, unless he is able to graduate high school a year early and enter the 2023 draft, which he would be eligible for due to his age. He said he signed a two-year, "seven figure" contract with OTE and "will see from there." Smith said he'll be represented by agent Chris Gaston of Family First Sports.

Entire article: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...-8-basketball-prospect-2023-class-signs-elite

From CBS Sports.

With Ossai on the mend, the Bengals are signing edge rusher Noah Spence, according to Pelissero. A 2016 second-round pick, Spence spent his first three seasons in Tampa before spending the 2019 season in Washington. Spence had signed with the Saints before missing the entire 2020 season with a torn ACL. The Saints released him last week.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...ssible-season-ending-knee-surgery-per-report/

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4. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES


Just outside of Ohio Stadium sits countless Ohio State tents and flags among a sea of Buckeye red. Ohio State fans don’t hold back either, painting their faces, throwing on iconic Buckeye gear and, of course, celebrating their Buckeyes. This is one of the biggest crowds in the sport and it shows on gameday. Things will be full and rowdy again in 2021.

You lack the testicular fortitude to take your beating, you get two straight in Columbus.

fucking cowards.

#hang100

RIP. Childhood hero to many kids in the 1960s.

That sucks. Plays football his whole life, and work is what requires shoulder surgery.

I have 1 ticket left. sold a pair. Have one left. and willing to sell for $40. ($70 Face value).

DM if interested

The other guy is Methusaleh.



I moved this confusion out of the regular thread, it’s more appropriate to be by itself.

Meh

Snappy_Jay said:

XBox Live AND PS - Snappyj30

play Destiny 2 mainly if anyone ever want to play. Cant wait for new college football!!

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I just started Destiny 2 a few weeks ago since Warzone has gone to shit. Won't be on until Septembee due to work but GT is Riley1048.

Good choice!

Good luck Ryan!

I had a sideline pass that day. I'll have to look up the negatives and see what I can post.

pnuts34 said:

This is my lineup as well. I just don't think Miller leaves early, regardless of how he does. He seems to enjoy the college experience, and seems like a kid who's keen on graduating. Plus with NIL, he's still making an income(not NFL money, but still).

In the chance that I'm wrong and he does leave:
PJJ-Jackson-Wylper-Jones-Jones

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It's not like Harry did extremely well last year too so even if he does well this up coming year that's still only 1 solid year at center.

Wiltfong CB for TAMU…

He accomplished something I never thought a coach could do; he got me to root for Notre Dame.

Committed to Oklahoma

Committed to UConn

RIP, June.

She holds two impressive records - the career FG% mark of 62.1% and the 12 blocks in a single game.

Fred Sanford said:

Does anybody have the capacity to seed old seasons of Buckeye football?

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I did but the fucking CDC is now telling me I’m back to 50% capacity.
Sorry

exhawg said:

I've never wanted a scUMer have a better NFL career than DPJ. Everything good he does in the NFL just makes scUM look that much worse.

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To us. Those fans still think TTUN made Tom Brady what he is in the NFL.

Tarris is going to ruin his birthday today and verbal to tSun this evening.

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The Panthers become the fifth NFL team Smith has played for in his seven-year career. Going undrafted out of college, Smith played for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks during his rookie season, but didn't find a consistent role on a team until his third season in the league with the Cowboys.

Between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Smith had 99 carries for 359 yards and six touchdowns while also catching 28 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown.

Smith most recently played with the Las Vegas Raiders before he was cut ahead of the 2020 season, where he played only on special teams. He has not carried the ball in a regular-season NFL game since he was with the Dallas Cowboys in 2018.

Just sayin': So far he's been in the NFL for 5 seasons and made $2,530,346: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-giants/rod-smith-17305/cash-earnings/

Not bad for a guy that didn't even start at Ohio State (i.e. only had 107 carries and 8 receptions over 4 years*) and considering the average NFL career for a RB is less than 3 years.

* https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/rod-smith-5.html