Curtis Samuel could be the difference-maker against Michigan
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


With more versatility than anyone on the team, Michigan will be hard pressed to stop Curtis Samuel Saturday.

“The guy is a problem...I found myself saying ‘this is Jabrill Peppers if Jabrill Peppers only played on offense.’”

-Nick Baumgardner, M Live


In some instances in the last decade, Michigan has actually been able to drop points on Ohio State in The Game. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, however, they have not been able to stop the Buckeyes when it counts. Even more unfortunate for Michigan is the fact that they will have to contend with a whole new sort of player in Columbus this season: Curtis Samuel.

Samuel’s flexibility has made him perhaps the most successful H back in college football since Percy Harvin. He has 650 rushing yards to 790 receiving and, as of last week, was the only player in the NCAA to have more than 600 yards in both categories. Whether lining up in the slot, at tailback, wide out as a receiver or as a wildcat quarterback, Samuel’s versatility will certainly be a pain point as the Michigan defense prepares for Saturday’s matchup. Combined with the fact that J.T. Barrett and Mike Weber remain ever-present threats both on the ground and through the air, and Michigan will likely have its hands full with the Ohio State offense.

In terms of their versatility, Samuel is akin in many ways to Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers, who will likely be taking the onus of defending Samuel Saturday. But while Peppers has described himself as the “Energizer bunny” on the field after Michigan’s win over Indiana, perhaps the area of his play that is most lacking is his pass coverage--an area which Barrett and Samuel will no doubt exploit with Samuel lining up as a slot receiver. Though Michigan’s defense has improved in wrapping up tackles and sealing off the edge against rushing attacks, they will need to cut off the ever-elusive Samuel if they have any hope of halting the Ohio State offense.

“Our eyes are forward. Let’s go.”

-Urban Meyer, via Austin Ward and Dan Murphy, ESPN


The time has finally arrived for the Ohio State Buckeyes to look ahead to Rivalry Week and focus on enemy No. 1: Michigan. While everyone knew it was coming, neither Urban Meyer nor Jim Harbaugh would allow their players to actively consider the game prior to the week of. Now, with an ugly win versus Michigan State logged in the books, the Buckeyes are finally ready to turn their attention to The Game Saturday--an iteration which, from a national perspective, is the most relevant of the last decade, with national title contention on the line. Entering this week, the Buckeyes sat at No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings, with Michigan just behind at No. 3.

Michigan has won the big game just three times since the turn of the century, with the last win coming under head Coach Brady Hoke during Luke Fickell’s year as interim in 2011. Jim Tressel was 9-1 during his tenure against a combination of Lloyd Carr and Rich Rodriguez. While Meyer remains 4-0 against Hoke and Harbaugh’s teams.

Practices for both teams change significantly during the week, upping a significant amount in terms of intensity. The scout teams at Ohio State don Michigan uniforms and preparations turn into a 24/7 endeavor. Michigan, meanwhile, expects a “more intense” week than any they have experienced under Harbaugh, much of that owing to the fact that, if Michigan wins, they will represent the East in the Big Ten Championship game, but also the undeniable consideration that no player on the current Michigan roster has ever beaten Ohio State.

Last season, the Buckeyes ran for 369 of their 482 total yards, with Ezekiel Elliott and J.T. Barrett combining for five touchdowns on the ground--an embarrassment for a team which ranked highly in every major defensive category last year.

“Coming around this time in November, wins are hard to come by. We’ll take any win that we can.”

-Ohio State linebacker Chris Worley, via Noah Trister, AP Sports


It could be reasonably expected--even at the start of the football season--that this season’s edition of “The Game” would feature both Ohio State and Michigan playing for a spot in the College Football Playoff. It was thought to likely be a scenario where both teams were highly ranked, and the matchup would essentially determine the Big Ten champion. While the former scenario is true, the fact that both Ohio State and Michigan have unexpectedly stumbled against unexpected conference opponents means that both their shots at a conference championship are very much in question. Nonetheless, the probability that the winner of the game makes the Playoff remains extremely high, and it will likely come down to each team’s defense as the difference in the game.

Though both offenses have been highly explosive at times, defensive play has remained consistently strong throughout the entirety of the season. Ohio State and Michigan are ranked No. 1 and 2 nationally in passing efficiency defense, respectively, and both are in the top-five in total defense. The Buckeye defense is led by the secondary, which has returned a school record six pick-sixes this season. Michigan, meanwhile, boasts linebacker Jabrill Peppers--who can line up from pretty much anywhere on defense and make an impact--alongside cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis and Channing Stribling.

While Ohio State’s offense had finally seemed to click against Maryland and Nebraska in consecutive wins, things fell apart against Michigan State as J.T. Barrett threw for just 86 yards on a cold and blustery day in East Lansing. However, despite giving up a 61-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter, the defense remained ever-reliable, making the big play when it counted (i.e. during Michigan State’s two-point conversion attempt). Conditions are expected to be cold and clear with very little wind--much more ideal conditions for Barrett and the offense--but against Michigan’s equally stout defense, the game could turn into quite the slugfest.

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What if Michigan wiped away the O's for this Buckeyes clash? Doug Lesmerises - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


What if Michigan wiped away the O's for this Buckeyes clash? Doug Lesmerises
cleveland.com
Greetings in this 113th rivalry week. Here, M's are displaced. In Michigan, the Buckeye letter is still present. Since the Buckeyes are 13-2 in this game in the last 15 years, Michigan giving the Buckeye state first and last letter the blue tape ...

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Buckeye nation should thank Chris Worley for Ohio State’s 17-16 win over Michigan State.
Ian Hartitz via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


With special thanks to Gareon Conley and TyGod Lewis.

It wasn’t pretty, but Ohio State went into East Lancing at 9-1 and left at 10-1. In addition to covering their preseason Vegas win total, the Buckeyes are now just one game away from (potentially) another shot at the National Championship.

Michigan State came into the game hoping to run the ball and they did just that. LJ Scott converted his 19 rushes into 160 yards and a touchdown, as the Buckeyes’ defense was unable to consistently stop him, especially on explosive plays. Even if you want to take away Scott’s 61-yard dash, Sparty still averaged a respectable 4.29 yards per carry on the day.

The Buckeyes’ secondary proved once again why they’re the best unit in America. After a cleverly-designed screen went for 64 yards on the second play from scrimmage, Sparty gained just 3.15 yards per pass attempt the rest of the game. Michigan State’s leading receiver R.J. Shelton had just one catch for five yards as Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore locked down the outside receivers all afternoon.

Big plays were made by all three levels of the Ohio State defense last Saturday, let’s take a look at a few of the best moments from the Buckeyes’ victory over Michigan State.

“He is one of the heart-and-souls of our team who gives everything he’s got...I love who he is.” — Urban Meyer


Chris Worley has been flying around the field all season and has saved his best performances for the biggest games. He’s had seven-plus tackles three times this season, against Oklahoma, Wisconsin and now Michigan State. Despite Worley’s ability to layeth the smacketh down, it was his coverage ability that was on display last Saturday.

Tied at 10-10 with a 2nd and eight looming, the Buckeyes’ defense played their base cover-four scheme to prevent any big passes. Sparty dialed up a roll-out pass that involved both the running back and tight end staying in to block so they could get the edge. Sparty stacked their wide receivers in order to create some confusion in the Ohio State secondary, but the well-designed play was outdone by Worley’s pure athletic ability:


Worley briefly reads run before he’s able to adjust and get back into coverage. He doesn’t make a great cut, but knows his responsibility and works to gain depth and distance to get underneath the No. 1 wide receiver. Ohio State trusts its corners and safeties to prevent any big plays, so it’s up to Worley and the other linebackers to attempt to close the underneath windows as much as possible. Somehow Worley is able to get all the way from the hash to the numbers to intercept the deep-out route that he had no business being anywhere near.

Ohio State was out of position on this play, as both Denzel Ward and Marshon Lattimore took the deep receiver and left the underneath man wide open. Darron Lee’s ability to function as both a linebacker and cornerback has been well documented, but Worley can provide the same ability. This wouldn’t be the only big play he’d make in coverage...

“He has that arrogant confidence that he can do anything. And he does. He’s a winner. He takes all the special team reps and they keep track of the winners and the losers. There is one guy who is always at the top of the winners, and it’s him.” — Co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell on Worley.


Malik Hooker gets a lot of love in this space, but I’m giving the two-point conversion credit to Worley. He claims that he intercepted the Spartans’ two-point conversion pass attempt, although Hooker was right there as well. Regardless, Worley’s ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and put himself in a position to make a play were on full display during one of the biggest moments of the season.


Worley is lined up over the right guard and was responsible for “spying” quarterback Tyler O’Connor to prevent a scramble. Worley floats into the middle of the defense as he reads the quarterback’s eyes, but never stops working towards a receiver. Faced with pressure, O’Connor was forced to deliver a ball into tight coverage and Worley cemented his status as Tyvis Powell 2.0. Hooker was the responsible defender and had great coverage as well, but Worley’s ability to make an impact on the play away from his own responsibility is what ultimately held the Spartans out of the end zone.

“You just go to work, no distractions, just come in and go to work... That’s all I do. That’s all I know. Work hard. No slacking. Just got to work and that’s all I can tell you.” — Tyquan Lewis


Gareon Conley’s game-sealing interception was great, but resulted from a brutal blooper of a pass that never had a chance of being completed. The reason for the desperation was caused by Lewis’ strip-sack on the prior play.


With their season on the line, Ohio State turned to their base defense to get the job done. Instead of dialing up a blitz, the Buckeyes turned to their rushmen package to get pressure on the quarterback. Lewis easily rips past the Spartans’ overmatched right tackle and he was able to get to O’Connor before he could even throw to his first read.

Lewis has dominated offensive tackles for the better part of two seasons now. He gets to the quarterback with strength, technique and speed. Lewis may not be the flashiest defensive end in the world, but he goes to work and does a helluva job working hard. The Ohio State secondary may have more swag than any unit in America, but don’t forget that they’re so effective because of guys like TyGod Lewis making life hell for opposing quarterbacks.

The final: 17-16 Ohio State.

Defensive player of the game: Chris Worley.

Defensive play of the game: Chris Worley and Malik Hooker deny MSU’s two-point conversion attempt.

Next victim: That team up north. See you all next week.

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What if Michigan wiped away the O's for this Buckeyes clash? Doug Lesmerises - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


What if Michigan wiped away the O's for this Buckeyes clash? Doug Lesmerises
cleveland.com
The letter's frequent presence in the language in general is perhaps why eliminating it by Michigan's campus isn't a yearly activity, while in the Buckeye state, even the head guy gets in the act, J.R. Kasich issuing this edict in years past. Take away ...


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Buy or Sell: Bowl hopes for Big Ten’s 5-6 teams?
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

Before we enter rivalry week, also the final week of the regular season, BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart shares what he is buying and selling the Big Ten.

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Ohio State gives scout team helmets a ‘Michigan’ makeover
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

In preparation for its annual season final vs. hated rival Michigan - this year pitting No. 3 at No. 2 and featuring plenty of Big Ten and playoff implications - Ohio State's scout team helmets will look like the Wolverines' iconic lids.

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What happens when you turn Ohio State helmets into Michigan ones? These monstrosities
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


What. No. Why?

The Ohio State football team is doing everything it can to get ready for one of college football’s most anticipated games of 2016.

With a potential College Football Playoff berth on the line, the Buckeyes are pulling out all the stops to make sure nothing is left to chance and they try to prevent Jim Harbaugh from pulling even against OSU in his two year run as Michigan head man.

While the Buckeyes don’t have the benefit of washed out NFL players on their scout team the way Alabama does — Urban Meyer jokingly ran out of his press conference last week when asked about the practice — the Bucks can at least try to get their team visualizing what it’s going to be like going against their most hated rivals:


Still less offensive than this, at least:



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The Ohio State Medical Center revives the cutest Michigan Week tradition
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 Game won’t be decided until Saturday, but OSU has the early lead in adorable.

While everyone in Columbus and Ann Arbor has their own unique superstitions and traditions that help them prepare for The Game, one of the most respected institutions in the Ohio State community takes the prize for the most adorable “Beat Michigan Week” tradition. Every year the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center celebrates the babies born around this all-important football rivalry with a special keepsake.


This year, every baby born during the lead up to the de facto playoff elimination game will be swaddled in a scarlet blanket emblazoned with the words “BEAT MICHIGAN 11-26-2016.” If you search #BuckeyeBabies on any social media platform, parents are sharing pictures of their babies born during Rivalry Week 2016, and previous years as well.



The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines at 12 pm ET at Ohio Stadium this Saturday. The Game will be broadcast on ABC. Michigan controls its own postseason destiny, as a win will guarantee them a division title and a spot in the following week’s Big Ten Championship game.

If the Buckeyes win, as they have in 13 of the past 15 years, they are likely assured of their second College Football Playoff berth in three years. They will then have to wait to learn their conference title game fate until after No. 8 Penn State hosts Michigan State later on Saturday afternoon.

While anything can happen when the two biggest rivals in college football take the field, as these pictures prove, OSU has the early lead when it comes to adorable kids.

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Inside the play: How Ohio State stopped a two-point try to save its playoff hopes - ESPN (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Inside the play: How Ohio State stopped a two-point try to save its playoff hopes
ESPN (blog)
Both the junior linebacker and star sophomore safety were able to get their hands on the Michigan State throw into the end zone that could have ended the recent surge that had the Buckeyes at No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings. But Worley ...
Rivalry time: Buckeyes escape MSU with slim winToledo Blade
Buckeyes stay at No. 2 in Coaches PollCBS sports.com (blog)

all 550 news articles »

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College football's 10 best wins of the year so far - ESPN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


College football's 10 best wins of the year so far
ESPN
Rivalry games with major postseason implications are on the schedule this week, and conference championships will be claimed on the first weekend in December. Over the last few seasons, some of the significant victories of the year have been recorded ...
2017 College Football Championship Odds Updated: Buckeyes on the moveWagerTalk Sports News (press release) (blog)
Louisville goes down, but schedule doesn't make for more College Football Playoff chaos: Buckeye Breakfastcleveland.com

all 265 news articles »

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Urban Meyer says Ohio State’s going to need all 3 weapons again an elite defense like Michigan’s
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Meyer also spoke glowingly about his seniors.

Heading into the final game of the season is stressful enough, but when that game is a historical rivalry that’s been recently reignited with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh, there’s an added level of preparedness needed to come away with a win. Urban Meyer took to the podium just days after a close road win over Michigan State to talk about how his team intends on finishing the regular season and their focus on the College Football Playoff.

• Meyer was very succinct early in his presser, saying he can save a lot of time by answering any questions about concerns with a “yes”. Is there a concern with pass protection, with special teams ... the answer is yes.
• The head coach was asked if he still thinks his team is peaking — especially after a few 62-3 games — noting that the team is “getting ready for a good game” and that they played okay against Michigan State, had rushing success but had trouble throwing the ball.
• Meyer is pleased with the running game, and notes that it is similar to where they were when they had Ezekiel Elliott. He isn’t willing to say that he’s satisfied with it until February when they evaluate the season.
• On the senior class, Meyer said it’s a much smaller class than it should’ve been with “all those cats who left last year” but player-by-player has nothing but love for these kids. This is one of the smallest senior class — at least with contributors -- that Meyer’s had.
• The tight ends have been getting more involved and statistically the offense is pretty good, but the Buckeyes have to beat man coverage against the Wolverines, with Meyer stating, “there’s no secret that’s what they play, they’re good players”.
• On whether Michigan’s defense having five injured quarterbacks this season and whether that affects the preparation and playcalling, Meyer said he didn’t know that but it doesn’t matter.
• Meyer called Michigan’s defense “elite” adding that against a D like that, “you need everything you’ve got”.
• Meyer was asked if he feels like the gap has closed between Ohio State and Michigan, to which he replied that he has never seen a gap — and if it’s there, it doesn’t matter. He noted each of the games against UM he’s coached in since at Ohio State have been close with big implications.
• The head coach was asked what his first memory of this historic rivalry and he had it ready. It was in the 70’s when Bo and Woody were coaching -- and while he doesn’t remember whether or not he used the word “Michigan” back then — he does remember his mom grabbing him to run some errands. He remembers stopping at all of the speakers at the mall to hear updates.
• Meyer was asked if there was ever a question as to who he’d side with in this rivalry, to which he very quickly snapped, “none”.

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I sat in 29D 10 years ago. Anybody who is scared of that D, shouldn't be. Especially row 6. I'm not going to say with 100% certainty that you won't have an obstruction, but that sounds decent.

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Ohio State bowl projections: Three likely destinations stand out for Buckeyes - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State bowl projections: Three likely destinations stand out for Buckeyes
Landof10.com
If the College Football Playoff selection committee does leave Ohio State out of its final four, it will likely be because the Buckeyes lost to Michigan. If the Wolverines then go on to win the conference title game, the Rose Bowl would get the next ...
Ohio State survived: Inside the play that saved the Buckeyes seasoncleveland.com
Big Ten Week 12 Power Rankings: Buckeyes remain on top despite scareESPN (blog)
Ohio State football | Momentum building for momentous Michigan gameColumbus Dispatch
Detroit Free Press -WKYC-TV
all 703 news articles »

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Big Ten rolls out Week 12 football honors
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

The Big Ten office released its Week 12 Big Ten players of the week Monday morning. Two players split the offensive honors while two others split the special teams honors. See all of the winners.

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“The Game: 2006 … Remembered” tracks Ohio State-Michigan game for the ages
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

"The Game: 2006 ... Remembered" debuts tonight at 9 p.m. ET on BTN. BTN.com's Tom Dienhart looks back at that epic Michigan-Ohio State game.

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Ohio State’s Mike Weber named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


He just surpassed 1,000 yards on the season and helped beat Sparty in the process.

Ohio State’s 17-16 win over Michigan State wasn’t pretty. It won’t go down in history as one of the most treasured victories for the Buckeyes. But it was a win, setting up a mammoth struggle against Michigan this weekend that could potentially decide a playoff birth.

And they couldn’t have done it without Mike Weber. And today, he’s getting recognized for it.

The Big Ten named Mike Weber their Freshman of the week, after rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown against the Spartans. Weber’s four yard touchdown plunge in the third quarter set up the deciding score.

Perhaps overshadowed a bit by Curtis Samuel and other Ohio State playmakers, Weber has quietly had not just an excellent season, but one of the best seasons by an Ohio State freshman running back. He is only the third Buckeye back to rush for 1,000 yards, joining Maurice Clarett and Robert Smith. Weber needs only 81 yards rushing to pass Smith for the second most prolific season by a Buckeye freshman ever.

That’s pretty good company.

Congrats to Weber, on an excellent game, and season, so far.

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Rivalry time: Buckeyes escape MSU with slim win - Toledo Blade
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Rivalry time: Buckeyes escape MSU with slim win
Toledo Blade
Given the poor weather, an outstanding opposing running back, a Michigan State team full of tricks and a nerve-testing fourth quarter on the road, the Buckeyes were content with a win — any win — no matter how it happened. It was not the stuff of ...
Grading the Buckeyes: OSU takes a step back after two big winsLima Ohio

all 570 news articles »

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Michigan Wolverines Vs. Ohio State Buckeyes: Bold Predictions For Week 13 Of 2016 College Football Season - The Inquisitr
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Michigan Wolverines Vs. Ohio State Buckeyes: Bold Predictions For Week 13 Of 2016 College Football Season
The Inquisitr
If you are looking for a bigger game than the Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes contest, then good luck. This was one of the most intriguing matchups on paper entering the 2016 college football season, and that is still very much the case.
Rivalry time: Buckeyes escape MSU with slim winToledo Blade
Grading the Buckeyes: OSU takes a step back after two big winsLima Ohio

all 570 news articles »

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How to watch Ohio State vs. Western Carolina: Preview, game time, live streaming online
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State will look to build on their first 3-0 start since 2014 when they host Western Carolina tonight.

Ohio State looked decidedly better on Thursday night when they took down Providence 72-67 on Thursday night in the Gavitt Tipoff Games. The Buckeyes jumped out to a 38-28 lead at halftime, running their record to 283-17 under Thad Matta when building a lead of at least 10 points. Ohio State survived a second half push by the Friars to earn their third win of the season.

Ohio State didn’t spend much time trailing against the Friars on Thursday night. Providence took a 17-16 lead midway through the first half on a Rodney Bullock three-pointer before a Trevor Thompson jumper gave Ohio State the lead for good. The Friars creeped to within one point at 50-49 with 10 minutes left in the second half, but Ohio State was able to extend the lead and earn the hard-fought victory.

JaQuan Lyle paced Ohio State with 21 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, giving the sophomore his first double-digit scoring effort of the 2016-17 season. Trevor Thompson came off the bench to nearly notch a double-double, scoring 12 points and adding nine rebounds off the bench. Jae’Sean Tate added 14 points for Ohio State in the victory.

Tonight’s game against Western Carolina marks the second game Ohio State will play in the Global Sports Invitational. The Buckeyes already took down North Carolina Central last Monday in their first game in the non-bracketed event. Following tonight’s game, Ohio State will close out their participation in the event with games at home against Jackson State on Wednesday and Marshall on Friday night.

Before he became a head coach, Thad Matta spent the 1995-96 season as an assistant coach at Western Carolina. That year, the Catamounts earned the automatic bid by winning the Southern Conference Tournament, and as a 16th seed, Western Carolina nearly upset Purdue in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, losing by a slim 73-71 margin to the Boilermakers. The 1995-96 season remains the only time in which the Catamounts have participated in the NCAA Tournament.

Western Carolina head coach Larry Hunter is quite familiar with Ohio, as he spent the first 25 years of his head coaching career in the Buckeye state. Hunter was the head coach at Wittenberg University in Springfield from 1976-89, leading the Tigers to the Division III National Championship in 1977. Hunter returned to his alma mater in 1989 to coach the Ohio Bobcats for 12 seasons, registering just one NCAA Tournament appearance during that span. This marks Hunter’s 12th year as the head coach of Western Carolina, where he has posted a 171-191 record.

The Catamounts have struggled mightily to start the season, losing three of their first four games. Western Carolina opened the season with a loss to the Miami Hurricanes before getting their only win of the year against Hiwassee College. The Catamounts have dropped their last two games, falling to North Carolina Central and Marshall, with both games being a part of the Global Sports Invitational.

Numbers to know

124


With Thursday night’s win over Providence, Ohio State has registered 124 wins at home since the start of the 2009-10 season, which is most in the country. Sitting just behind the Buckeyes on that list is Kentucky, who has 121 wins over that same span. Since Thad Matta became Ohio State’s head coach in 2005, the Buckeyes have 205 home wins, which is tied for Memphis for most during that span.

14


Ohio State is 14-1 against current Southern Conference teams, with the only loss coming in 1995 when they fell 83-70 to Chattanooga. Tonight’s game will be the second time the Buckeyes have squared off against Western Carolina, as the Buckeyes defeated the Catamounts 85-60 in 2010, in a game that was played at St. John’s Arena. The last time Ohio State played a Southern Conference team was in 2015, when they beat Mercer 64-44.

6


After forcing North Carolina Central into committing 20 turnovers last Monday, the Buckeyes were only able to force three turnovers against Providence. Surprisingly, Ohio State has been very effective in the few instances under Thad Matta when they force six turnovers or less, putting together a 12-3 record.

Cast of characters

Ohio State

JaQuan Lyle


After struggling in the first two games of the season, JaQuan Lyle rebounded with a team-high 21 points on Thursday night. Not only were the 35 minutes Lyle played a season-high, but the sophomore was sniffing around his second career triple-double, adding eight rebounds and seven assists. The 21 points were the most Lyle has scored since he put home 22 points in the 79-75 win over Penn State last year in the Big Ten Tournament.

Marc Loving


The senior forward put together a solid all-around effort against the Friars, nearly registering a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds. Loving also added three assists and two blocks in 37 minutes on the floor. The Toledo native is now just two field goals away from 300 makes during his Ohio State career, along with being just 31 points away from hitting 1,000 points as a Buckeye.

Western Carolina

Devin Peterson


After averaging just five points per game last season, the junior guard is pacing Western Carolina with 12 points per game through four games this year. Peterson scored a career-high 19 points in Western Carolina’s lone win of the season against Hiwassee College last week.

Haboubacar Mutombo


Even though he is just 6-5, the redshirt junior is active on the glass, pulling down a team-high 10 rebounds per game this year. Last time out, Mutombo set a career-high by grabbing 13 rebounds in the loss to Marshall. The effort marked the second time this year in which Mutombo has registered double-digit rebounds, as he was credited with 11 boards against Hiwassee College.

How to watch


Game time: 7 p.m. ET

Radio: 97.1 WBNS-FM

TV: Big Ten Network

Streaming: BTN2Go

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Ohio State survived: Inside the play that saved the Buckeyes season - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State survived: Inside the play that saved the Buckeyes season
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It's the play that saved Ohio State's season and Michigan State knew it was coming Saturday before the Buckeyes did. Ohio State realized Michigan State was going for two as soon as the Spartans scored a touchdown with 4:41 to play.
Big Ten Week 12 Power Rankings: Buckeyes remain on top despite scareESPN (blog)
Ohio State football | Momentum building for momentous Michigan gameColumbus Dispatch
Ohio State CB Gareon Conley, once a Wolverines commit, among host of Buckeyes with Michigan connectionsLandof10.com
BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription) -Bleacher Report
all 618 news articles »

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5-star Ohio State target names leaders, sets commitment date
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


6 schools are in the running for the No. 2 LB for 2017.

After recently visiting Ohio State, a class of 2017 linebacker will announce his commitment soon. Taking to Twitter to state his plans, four-star standout Anthony Hines (Plano, TX / Plano East) will officially be off the board on Dec. 2.

Down to six programs, Ohio State, Florida, Penn State, TCU, Texas A&M and UCLA, Hines, who made the trek from Plano, Texas to Columbus, Ohio for the Buckeyes matchup with Nebraska earlier this month, received around 90 full ride scholarship offers from colleges around the country throughout the recruiting process.

One of the most sought after prospects on the high school level, the Under Armour All-American racked up well over 600 total tackles during his time with the Plano East Panthers.

Although Ohio State is always looking to add talent to the team, all signs point towards Hines suiting up on the college level elsewhere. At the moment many around the recruiting scene are pegging the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder to end up with the Texas A&M Aggies.

Stay with Land-Grant Holy Land for the latest:

OSU pledge wins championship


Urban Meyer and Ohio State might be in the NCAA championship picture, but one of his soon to be Buckeyes beat them to the punch by winning a title over the weekend.

Ohio State class of 2017 pledge Chase Young and his DeMatha Catholic teammates locked up their fourth consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title by defeating Washington, DC’s St. John’s, 34-29, on Saturday.

Coming from behind down 15 points, the Stags rallied to the win over the Cadets in the final eight minutes of regulation to once again bring home the championship trophy to their Hyattsville, Md. campus.

Fighting off double teams all evening long, Young, who is currently considered the second weak-side defensive end, and the 30th overall prospect in the class of 2017, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, came up with a huge sack that helped switch the momentum of the game in favor of the Stags for good.

After a being a massive part of leading his DeMatha Catholic squad to an undefeated 12-0 record, the future Buckeye took to his Twitter page to share his excitement with the world:

Quick Hits

• A key 2017 Ohio State target announced his current leaders, and the Buckeyes offered a top 2018 prospect on Friday. Want to know more? Land-Grant Holy Land has your back.
• Tate Martell, Brendon White and numerous other future Buckeyes shined during playoff action over the weekend. Which Ohio State commit will be named MVP? The Poll is now open. Let your voice be heard and vote.
• Ohio State basketball signee Braxton Beverly will soon lead the Buckeyes down the court. See what the point guard will add to the OSU roster with these recently shot highlights by the crew at CourtSideFilms.com.

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Big Ten has three in AP Top 5 for first time in 56 years - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Big Ten has three in AP Top 5 for first time in 56 years
Columbus Dispatch
The Buckeyes were No. 2 and Wolverines No. 3. They meet in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday in a game with Big Ten and national championship implications. Clemson is No. 4, and No. 5 Wisconsin gives the Big Ten three of the first five for the first time ...

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Buckeyes kick-off rivalry week, prepare to take on TTUN - NBC4i.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes kick-off rivalry week, prepare to take on TTUN
NBC4i.com
joked Matt Fiore, a second-year Buckeye. That remains a well-kept secret, but it's been well publicized that this will be the first Michigan Week in decades that the Mirror Lake Jump, which involves students jumping into a frigid campus lake the ...


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Urban Meyer: 'We'll lose next week if play like that' - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Urban Meyer: 'We'll lose next week if play like that'
247Sports
Recently, fans have seen the Buckeyes look like the most dominant program in the nation. Just three weeks back, Ohio State put up 62 points and racked up 590 total yards against Nebraska, a consensus top-25 team. But in the adverse weather conditions ...

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Ohio State takes over ‘Thursday Night Football’, Ezekiel Elliott keeps breaking NFL records
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The NFL is far more enjoyable with so many Buckeyes making big plays.

With just a few weeks left in the 2016 NFL regular season, former Ohio State players are still in the spotlight. Week 11’s Thursday matchup included six Buckeyes and several big plays, followed by another incredible game for Ezekiel Elliott. The rookie class out of Ohio State continues to prove their draft value was not oversold.

‘Thursday Night Football’


Color rush games have typically been overlooked this season due to uniforms that burn your retina or matchups that make sleep a better option. Week 10’s TNF game however, saw the Carolina Panthers (Corey “Philly” Brown, Kurt Coleman, Ted Ginn Jr., Andrew Norwell) host the New Orleans Saints (Vonn Bell, Michael Thomas).

The first Buckeye to come up big on Thursday was Panthers’ safety Kurt Coleman who snagged his first interception since Week 4, and only his second of the season. Teammate Corey “Philly” Brown had his first game of the year without a single reception, but fellow Buckeye Ted Ginn Jr. had a hell of a night with 46 yards on three receptions and a touchdown — almost two.


Heading into the matchup, Saints’ wideout Michael Thomas led all rookies in receptions (51), receiving yards (613) & touchdown catches (five), and he only expanded that lead in Week 11. The receiver added five receptions for 68 yards on Thursday, including an incredible diving catch for the first down late in the game. Teammate Vonn Bell recorded seven combined tackles against the Panthers, totaling 51 so far his rookie season.


It was a good game for Buckeyes on both sides of the ball. And although they might faceoff as opponents for 60 minutes, they still root for the same team on Saturdays.

Ezekiel. Elliott.


The former Ohio State running back wasted no time in making a name for himself in the NFL. Not only was he the highest drafted running back in several years, but he also proved that taking a rusher in the first round can be fruitful. Hall-of-fame inductee Tony Dorsett was on hand Sunday as Elliott surpassed his formerly held rookie rushing record for the Dallas Cowboys set in 1977.

It would be 39 years before anyone would touch that record, and Elliott is about to scorch it. In just 11 weeks, the Buckeye has surpassed Dorsett’s rookie season record of 1,007 rushing yards, with five weeks left and a really good chance at the postseason -- with the Cowboys leading the NFL 9-1.


This wasn’t the first week Elliott revised the record books. Ahead of Week 11, Elliott had already matched or surpassed multiple NFL records.

In Week 10 against the Steelers, Elliott scored two touchdowns in the final minutes of the game — totaling three on the day — making him the first player to score two go-ahead touchdowns in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter of the same game since Ahmad Rashad in 1974.

His non-fourth quarter score against the Steelers was an 83-yard touchdown reception, marking the longest touchdown pass from a rookie passer to a rookie teammate since 1986 — Colts quarterback Jack Trudeau to Bill Brooks for an 84-yard touchdown.

Elliott along with rookie quarterback Dak Prescott are friends on and off the field, even living together since the draft to establish a rapport. This may have been one of the best decisions they could’ve made, with Prescott to Elliott becoming the second pair with at least 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a season — and becoming the first pair in NFL history to do so in the team’s first nine games.

The Buckeye is also the third player in NFL history with 1,000 rushing yards in his first nine games.

Heading across the border


This week’s “Monday Night Football” matchup is between the Houston Texans (Braxton Miller, John Simon) and Oakland Raiders down in Mexico — the first NFL game to be played south of the border since 2005. The teams will faceoff at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, marking the final international game of the 2016 season.

Miller has made an appearance in seven of the Texans’ games this season, but has yet to have a breakout performance. His rookie year so far consists of nine receptions for 62 total yards and no scores. Simon, on the other hand, is having a career season and could have a big game against Derek Carr and the Raiders.

Veterans take a seat


Some of the most formidable Buckeyes in the NFL over the past five-plus seasons are seeing their 2016 season end early. Cam Heyward (Steelers) announced this week that he will be sidelined the remainder of the year with a torn pectoral. As a leader of the Pittsburgh defense, Heyward’s absence will be noticeable, but he vowed to be even more involved on the sideline.

Weeks after being benched for the first time in his career, James Laurinaitis (Saints) missed several games with an injury before being designated to IR. After spending seven seasons with the Rams in St. Louis -- and never once missing a game — the linebacker has only seen action in five games with his new team. A report earlier this week said Laurinaitis, if healthy, would be released to sign elsewhere before the end of the year; if he’s not medically cleared, he’ll finish the season on IR.

Plays of the week


Ted Ginn Jr.

The receiver had to wait an extra quarter before claiming his first touchdown of the 2016 season -- as an early game score was called out of bounds. Just before half, thanks to a penalty, the Panthers were just out of field goal range and decided to go for the endzone. The Buckeye was able to drag both feet inbounds in a play so close the field judge called him out.


Terrelle Pryor

Another week, another loss for the Cleveland Browns, but one thing that doesn’t suck is the Buckeye’s ability at wideout. Pryor has slowly accumulated 627 receiving yards so far this season and is one of the only offensive weapons the team seems to have. At least fans get to watch an exciting, big-play receiver as their team inches toward 0-16.


He may have finished the day with only 97 yards, but considering those were on just five receptions, he averaged 19.4 yards per reception on the day -- and is now averaging 12.3 yards per reception on the season.

Other notes

• Lots of Buckeyes on bye this week, including those on San Diego Chargers (Joey Bosa, Joshua Perry), New York Jets (Darron Lee, Nick Mangold, Devin Smith), Atlanta Falcons (A.J. Hawk) and Denver Broncos (Jeff Heuerman, Bradley Roby). Bosa and Perry were amongst those that swung by OSU practice this past week.
• After spending most of his rookie season sidelined, Devin Smith (Jets) was finally activated to the active roster in Week 10, and could see playing time following the bye.
• Cardale Jones was inactive Sunday for the Bills after missing practice earlier in the week due to illness. Former and current teammates Tyvis Powell and Nick Vannett (Seahawks) were also listed as inactive in Week 11.
• Mike Adams (Bears) had a tough day Sunday, despite getting the start at right tackle against the Giants, he was lined up against Jason Pierre-Paul and was lit up all day.
• Never one to mince words, former Ohio State player Alex Boone (Vikings) had a short explanation for his new haircut.

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