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or maybe you shouldn't be allowed to drive?

I bought a new truck a couple of weeks back (first time in forever buying a new vehicle). I had just drove it off the lot and was heading down the road on a divided four lane road through town. I am coming up to slowed traffic from a backed up traffic light. All of sudden the girl driving the car a couple ahead in the next lane rear ends the girl in front of her. Had to be texting, no other way you don't see the car 3 feet in front of you stop in that situation. As I watch this, I am sitting there thinking "I bought a new vehicle why?"

She was probably just trying to incapacitate the Pokemon in the car ahead of her through a ramming tactic . . .
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LGHL Ohio State looks repeat its history of strong performances after a loss versus Northwestern

Ohio State looks repeat its history of strong performances after a loss versus Northwestern
Colton Denning
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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Scoring on their opening drive would be a good start.

It’s hard to pick what the worst part of Ohio State’s loss to Penn State last week was. Was it the loss itself, or just how the loss happened? Could it have been afterwards when we all got #mad #online? Or was it the re-realization of how insane this fanbase gets when things go wrong? (It’s always the last one)

Regardless, losing sucks, but Ohio State gets a chance to pick itself up off the mat this week with a home date against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Northwestern’s had a weird season; Beginning with their season opening loss to Western Michigan, and then this in week two:

Fat%20kicker.gif

I know kickers aren’t eligible for the Piesman, but look at that big boy

The Fighting Copy Editors (HT: Matt Brown) have rebounded nicely, winning four of their last five, including road wins at Iowa and Michigan State. While the advanced stats don’t think too highly of them, (57th in S&P+) they should be a good test for an Ohio State team whose flaws have exposed to varying degrees the past three weeks.

So, will the Wildcats continue the Buckeyes’ frustrating run of play, or can Urban Meyer’s group rebound and kick into gear before the stretch run?

Here are five things to watch for tomorrow that may give us the answer:

Response time


One of Meyer’s favorite mantras is ‘E+R=O,’ or ‘Event plus response equals outcome.’ The slogan has found a place in the football program, and applies to Saturday’s game after last week’s loss. The Buckeyes rarely have to deal with a loss, and it will be interesting to see how such a new group responds. The good news is that Meyer’s history indicates it may be a major launching pad for the rest of the season.

If this team is anything like the ones before it, last week’s loss could end up being the catalyst to a strong end-of-season run, much like we saw in 2014, and the two game stretch to close out last year. This roster and coaching staff are more than capable —and yes, the coaches haven’t been the only problem— of rebounding and still achieving all their goals. At the very least, the loss gives them five more regular season games —plus a possible championship game— to prove they’re a worthy playoff team, unlike last years late loss to Michigan State.

While getting outplayed and outcoached by a James Franklin team qualifies as a traumatic event, this weekend’s game gives the Buckeyes an excellent chance to launch into a two-month response, and possibly repeat history.

This script is bad, imo


One of the biggest issues for last season’s offense was slow starts. The Buckeyes scored points on opening drives only three times (all touchdowns) in 13 games, compared to the seven times they either went three-and-out or turned the ball over. You’d figure that with such poor performance, they could only improve this season, right? Well....


Meyer said that OSU's opening possessions are being evaluated. They script 12 plays. OSU has gotten only 1 FG/0 TDs on first drives.

— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) October 26, 2016

NOT GREAT.

On those drives, Ohio State has run 33 plays for 95 yards, good for just under 2.9 yards per play. If that wasn’t bad enough, they’ve also turned the ball over three times, and —thanks to Bowling Green’s interception return for a touchdown— have been outscored on their own opening drives, seven to three. Sadly, even the three points were a letdown, coming courtesy of a Tulsa interception that gave Ohio State the ball at the Golden Hurricane 16. Unfortunately, Northwestern’s defense doesn’t provide much evidence that their fortunes will change.

The Wildcats have yet to allow points on an opening drive this season, and are very good at the start of games in general (15th in 1st quarter Defensive S&P+). This doesn’t bode well for the Buckeyes (51st in 1st quarter Offensive S&P+) and another slow start is likely in the cards.

If Ohio State’s opening possessions are truly being evaluated, though, it will at least be intriguing to see whether the trend continues, or if they’re finally able to have some early success, despite what the numbers say. I wouldn’t count on it, though.

Frontmen


While the coaches took their fair share of criticism this week, the offensive line wasn’t spared either, and rightfully so:


To make matters worse, the offensive line could not pass protect — especially Isaiah Prince. Out of Barrett’s 51 dropbacks, he was pressured a whopping 26 times, hit seven times and sacked six times. Prince himself accounted for 19 pressures, four hits and three sacks. If there is one weak link on the offensive line during a game, wouldn’t it be helpful to keep a tight end in on his side to help — since Penn State constantly brought a linebacker off the edge — or call a screen or a draw to that side? The pressure numbers would be even greater if Barrett didn’t pull multiple Houdini acts to avoid a sack.

Even though Prince clearly struggled the most, it was an ugly performance overall from a group that had (mostly) excelled up to that point, despite the three new starters. Maybe it shouldn’t have been a surprise.

The Buckeyes pass protection was already on the decline, and the aggressive play of Penn State’s front seven deserves as much credit as the Buckeye line deserves scorn. Afterwards, there was a lot of chatter about making changes on the line, specifically at right tackle, to which Meyer squashed with this week’s depth chart.

It’s no secret that the Buckeyes have been at their best when the line has played well, so let’s see if they can get back on track —especially in pass protection— against the Wildcats.

Volume

Samuel.gif


Keep an eye on how many carries Curtis Samuel gets. Hint: It should probably be more than two.

Keeping perspective


Through seven games, Ohio State has already played primetime matchups at Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Penn State, with the latter two in successive weeks. For a team that was returning the second least amount of production in FBS heading into the season, going 2-1 in that trio of games is no small feat. With three of their last five games at home, the Buckeyes are not only going to get a chance to (re)prove themselves, but do so on their turf.

Meyer’s teams have a history of refocusing and playing well after a loss, and we’re probably going to see that again tomorrow. Northwestern is a perfectly fine team, but might find itself in a ‘wrong place, wrong time’ situation. If that indeed happens, the Buckeyes are set up for to control their own destiny in Columbus, with potential top-ten matchups with Nebraska and Michigan left.

Everything that was on the table for Ohio State before the season is still there as they enter week nine. There are still opportunities to amass quality wins, get into the Big Ten Championship, and impress the playoff committee. They’ve already taken care of business on the road as much as a team this young would be expected to, and now get the chance to close it out with their biggest games at home. Starting with Northwestern, the Buckeyes’ road to Indianapolis and subsequently, the playoff, goes through Columbus.

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Google Just the facts: Fact-checking Ohio State's real or perceived problems - ESPN (blog)

Just the facts: Fact-checking Ohio State's real or perceived problems - ESPN (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Just the facts: Fact-checking Ohio State's real or perceived problems
ESPN (blog)
The Buckeyes are certainly alive in the chase for a conference title and a berth in the playoff, but the real question is what has been plaguing them and whether the recent problems that popped up are fixable -- which called for a fact check of Ohio ...
Penn State Nittany Lions savoring signature win over Ohio State BuckeyesUPI.com
Lack of Offensive Execution a Point of Focus for Ohio State Coaches Ahead of Game Against NorthwesternEleven Warriors
Can one-loss Ohio State repeat the magic of its 2014 championship run?Landof10.com
Tribune-Review -247Sports
all 264 news articles »


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Google Former No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden back with Buckeyes as student coach - ESPN

Former No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden back with Buckeyes as student coach - ESPN
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Former No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden back with Buckeyes as student coach
ESPN
Greg Oden, the 7-footer selected No. 1 overall in the 2007 NBA draft, has come full circle. He's back with the Ohio State Buckeyes, helping Thad Motta. This time, however, Oden is a student coach instead of the unstoppable force on the floor that ...

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Google BM5: 'He single-handedly, self-destructed the offense' - 247Sports

BM5: 'He single-handedly, self-destructed the offense' - 247Sports
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BM5: 'He single-handedly, self-destructed the offense'
247Sports
Ohio State has a lot of problems that need to be corrected in a short amount of time. Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle to discuss the following: * Can the Buckeyes' passing offense be fixed this season? * Will the play of Isaiah Prince improve, or might ...

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LGHL Ohio State vs. Northwestern 2016: Game preview, prediction and 6 things to know

Ohio State vs. Northwestern 2016: Game preview, prediction and 6 things to know
Brett Ludwiczak
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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After two away games, Ohio State returns to Ohio Stadium to host Northwestern on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday night’s loss to Penn State doesn’t erase any shot Ohio State has of making the College Football Playoff, but the Buckeyes have no room for error. Ohio State will look to rebound on Saturday, when they return to Ohio Stadium to host Northwestern after hitting the road for their last two games. The Wildcats make their first appearance in Columbus since 2007, which saw Ohio State have little trouble in the 58-7 victory.

The 24-21 loss in Happy Valley snapped a 20-game winning streak in “true road games” and was the first loss on the road for the Buckeyes under Urban Meyer. The Buckeyes had a great shot to extend the winning streak to 21 games, as they had a 21-7 lead entering the fourth quarter. Grant Haley’s 60-yard return of a blocked field goal for a touchdown with under five minutes left in the game ended up being the game-winner for the Nittany Lions.

The good news for Ohio State is as rare as a loss under Urban Meyer is, even less common is back-to-back losses. In 15 seasons as a head coach, Meyer has only lost back-to-back games four times. The most recent occurrence came during the 2013 season when the Buckeyes dropped the Big Ten Championship Game to Michigan State, followed by losing the Orange Bowl to Clemson. Another reason for optimism going forward for Buckeye fans is that all three of Meyer’s national championship teams had one loss during the regular season.

Ohio State is not only riding a five-game win streak against Northwestern, but the Buckeyes have also won 29 of the last 30 against the Wildcats. The last meeting between the two schools came in 2013, where the Buckeyes rallied from trailing by 10 points early in the third quarter, eventually winning 40-30 in Evanston. Meetings between the schools have become a little more infrequent due to Big Ten expansion and the introduction of the East and West divisions.

After starting the season 1-3, Northwestern is playing their best football of the season, having won their last three games. After embarrassing Michigan State 54-40 in East Lansing two weeks ago, Northwestern returned last week to upend Indiana 24-14. The win on the road against the Spartans gave Northwestern five straight Big Ten wins on the road, dating back to last season.

After two years of failing to qualify for a bowl game with a 5-7 record, last year Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats had a bit of a resurgence, posting a 10-2 record before losing in the Outback Bowl to Tennessee. A good portion of the offensive core of the Wildcats returns, which has been a reason why the Wildcats are just a couple wins away from becoming bowl eligible.

Northwestern might have a couple more wins under their belt this year if it hadn’t been for their poor start to the year. The Wildcats fell in their season opener 22-21 to a very talented Western Michigan team. Northwestern followed that loss up with an inexplicable 9-7 loss to Eastern Illinois the next week. Fitzgerald and company quickly righted the ship, and since then have only lost to Nebraska.

Ohio State’s biggest advantages.


A tough nut to crack. Even with the subpar play on offense the last two games, a big reason why Ohio State almost won both of those tough road tests was because of their defense. The Buckeye defense has allowed only eight touchdowns this year, with just two of those coming on the ground. The defense has also held their own in putting up points, score four touchdowns this year, which is tied for second among FBS teams.

The Buckeyes have been especially stingy inside the red zone. Ohio State is second amongst FBS teams in only allowing opponents to score points on 65% of their red zone trips. The Buckeyes are allowing just 14.4 points per game and yielding only 279.7 yards per game to opponents. The 24 points Ohio State allowed to Penn State tied a season-high, as the Buckeyes also allowed 24 points to Oklahoma earlier in the season.

Malik Hooker has been the standout of Ohio State’s defense so far this season, and on Monday was announced as one of 16 semi-finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is awarded annually to the nation’s best defensive back. The sophomore has not only registered four interceptions, which is tied for sixth nationally but is also third amongst Ohio State players with 36 tackles so far this year.

While Hooker and the rest of the defensive backs are patrolling the secondary, the defensive line has been putting plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Rushmen package has been a difference maker on obvious passing downs. Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes, Nick Bosa, and Sam Hubbard make up the defensive line, and even if they don’t end up getting to the quarterback, they ratchet up enough pressure to allow the rest of the defense to make a play.

Sam I am. Ohio State has to find a way to get the football into Curtis Samuel’s hands more, since there is no question the junior is Ohio State’s biggest playmaker. Against Penn State, the Buckeyes went up 19-7 early in the third quarter on Samuel’s 74-yard rushing touchdown. The carry was Samuel’s first of the night, and he only saw one more carry, along with eight receptions for 68 yards.

One the year Samuel is just two yards shy of hitting 1,000 all-purpose yards, and his 142.6 all-purpose yards per game ranks second in the Big Ten. Samuel saw 22 touches in the season opener of Bowling Green, where he accounted for 261 yards. Since then the most touches Samuel has seen in a game came two weeks ago when he got 18 touches against Wisconsin.

With the wide receivers failing to step up for the most part this year, Samuel’s use in the passing game has taken a lot of the pressure of Ohio State’s offense. Samuel leads the Buckeyes with 37 catches, while Noah Brown is second with just 19 catches. If Barrett is able to get the ball to Samuel early in space and give him a chance to make a few moves, it could allow Ohio State to create some distance on Northwestern early.

Quick adjustments. One thing about Urban Meyer teams is when they lose, it usually doesn’t take them long to get up off the mat. Last year it showed after the loss to Michigan State. Just a week later Ohio State went up to Michigan for Meyer’s first meeting with Jim Harbaugh and the Buckeyes had little trouble dispatching the Wolverines. The only other regular season occurrence of Ohio State having to respond to a loss was in 2014, when the Buckeyes had little trouble after losing to Virginia Tech, as they beat Kent State 66-0 the next week.

At Florida there was only two times when the Gators didn’t respond to a loss with a victory. In 2010 the Gators lost to a top-ranked Alabama team, followed by a 12th ranked LSU team the following week. In 2007 Florida lost at home to Auburn and then the following week to top-ranked LSU. Not only does Ohio State have the talent which makes it easier for them to respond quickly, but Meyer has also assembled a talented coaching staff which allows them to identify issues and correct them quickly.

Meyer knows that he can also tell his team that all three of his previous national championship teams had one loss to end the season. If Ohio State doesn’t suffer another setback, takes down Michigan, and wins the Big Ten Championship game it’ll be awfully hard for the committee to leave them out of the playoff. It’ll all have to start with a win on Saturday against Northwestern.

Northwestern’s biggest advantages


A veteran sophomore. Even though he is just a sophomore, quarterback Clayton Thorson already has put together a strong road record, going 6-1 in his seven road starts. Whether it be at home or on the road, Thorson has really improved in his second season taking the snaps for the Wildcats. Thorson has done some of his best work during Northwestern’s three-game winning streak, throwing three touchdowns in each of the wins, becoming the first Wildcat quarterback to accomplish that feat in 20 years. The sophomore is tied for second in the Big Ten with 14 touchdown passes, and ranks third in conference with 1,686 passing yards.

The main receipient of Thorson’s passes this year has been senior Austin Carr, who is leading the Big Ten with 50 receptions, 720 yards receiving, and nine receiving touchdowns. The former walk-on has caught a touchdown pass in six straight games, becoming the first Northwestern receiver to have a streak stretch that long. Carr came into this season with just 23 career receptions in two prior seasons with Northwestern. Last week Carr caught seven passes for 125 yards in the victory over Indiana, marking the fourth time in the last five games in which he has broken the 100-yard receiving barrier.

Action Jackson. Ohio State for the most part has been strong against the run this year, but opponents have been finding some holes over the past two weeks. Corey Clement rushed 25 times for 164 yards against Ohio State two weeks ago in Madison, while last week Penn State’s Saquon Barkley ran for 99 yards on just 12 carries. Quarterback Trace McSorley even found a little success on the ground for the Nittany Lions, rushing for 63 yards.

The Buckeyes will have their hands full trying to slow down Northwestern running back Justin Jackson on Saturday afternoon. The junior has had a great start to his career, rushing for 1,187 yards and 10 touchdowns in his freshman year, and he followed that up with 1,418 yards rushing. Jackson is well on his way to another 1,000 yard season, as he already has rushed for 792 yards. So far this year Jackson has already cracked 100 yards rushing in three games. The best game of Jackson’s season came against Michigan State a couple weeks ago, where Jackson rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns.

If Jackson is able to find holes in Ohio State’s defense it could open up the passing game for Clayton Thorson and Austin Carr. The mixture of run and pass that Northwestern has working right is a big reason why they have been so successful over the last three games. Even if Jackson isn’t able to find his way rushing the ball, Ohio State has to be wary of Thorson ability to scramble and pick up yards if the play breaks down.

Fitz and the tantrums. Even though the numbers are a little higher than head coach Pat Fitzgerald and defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz probably want them to be, Northwestern’s defense is playing well right now. The Wildcats are giving up 414 yards per game on the season, but some of those numbers are skewed by giving up 40 points to Michigan State and 31 points to Iowa in victories. In the last three games the Wildcats are giving up just 71.1 yards per game rushing.

Right now Northwestern is getting strong play from players at all three levels of their defense. Defensive lineman Ifeadi Odenigbo is leading the Big Ten this year with eight sacks. Odenigbo’s breakout performance this year came against Iowa, where he registered four sacks in the 38-31 victory over the Hawekeyes. With the issues Ohio State’s offensive line had against Penn State, it’ll be interesting to see if the Buckeyes are able to slow up the senior.

The back-seven of Northwestern’s defense has three players who are having very productive seasons. Coming into the season, Anthony Walker Jr. was being mentioned as one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten, and so far he has lived up to the hype. On the season Walker Jr. has registered 51 tackles, with 5.5 of those tackles being for loss. Joining Walker Jr. in the linebacking corps is Jaylen Prater, who has 58 tackles on the year. Safety Godwin Igwebuike is leading the Wildcats this year with 61 tackles, four of those being for loss.

Summary


F/+ Projection: Ohio State 39, Northwestern 14

Win Probability: Ohio State 92.6%

The numbers say not only should Ohio State bounce back on offense, but they should also return to their normal dominance on defense. Urban Meyer teams typically perform well after a loss, as evidence by his teams only losing back-to-back games four times. Prior to the last two weeks, Ohio State had scored at least 38 points in all five games, and they should be able to crack the 38-point barrier again.

Even though Northwestern does have the talent on offense to make some plays with Thorson, Jackson, and Carr, the Buckeyes certainly have more talent on defense than pretty much every team the Wildcats have played this year. The pass rush that Ohio State is capable of releasing on opposing quarterbacks should be enough to keep Thorson and the Wildcats from creating much momentum on offense.

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Google Get on the field at Ohio Stadium before a Buckeyes football game (for $100) - cleveland.com

Get on the field at Ohio Stadium before a Buckeyes football game (for $100) - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Get on the field at Ohio Stadium before a Buckeyes football game (for $100)
cleveland.com
Get on the field at Ohio Stadium before a Buckeyes football game (for $100). Ohio Stadium. Ohio State fans have new opportunities to purchase in-game "experiences" at Buckeyes football games starting this week. (Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer). Print Email.
Penn State Nittany Lions savoring signature win over Ohio State BuckeyesUPI.com
Lack of Offensive Execution a Point of Focus for Ohio State Coaches Ahead of Game Against NorthwesternEleven Warriors
Can one-loss Ohio State repeat the magic of its 2014 championship run?Landof10.com
Tribune-Review -247Sports -DKPittsburghSports.com (subscription) (blog)
all 276 news articles »


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Google Buckeyes host Bulldogs with TVC-Ohio title on the line | Local Sports ... - Athens...

Buckeyes host Bulldogs with TVC-Ohio title on the line | Local Sports ... - Athens Messenger (registration)
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Buckeyes host Bulldogs with TVC-Ohio title on the line | Local Sports ...
Athens Messenger (registration)
Nelsonville-York's Alex Mount looks for running room against Alexander. Mount has rushed for 1,569 on the season, as the Buckeyes play for a league title on ...

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Google 5 reasons Northwestern football will beat Ohio State: Buckeyes respond to a loss the wrong...

5 reasons Northwestern football will beat Ohio State: Buckeyes respond to a loss the wrong way - cleveland.com
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5 reasons Northwestern football will beat Ohio State: Buckeyes respond to a loss the wrong way
cleveland.com
6 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1, 3-1) on Saturday in Ohio Stadium. 1. How will Ohio State respond to a loss? Whoever makes the copies inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center has been busy this week. There are "Beat Northwestern" signs plastered all over the ...
Ohio State football | Defense looks to improve after defeatColumbus Dispatch
Ohio State Buckeyes refuse to play blame gameMyDaytonDailyNews
Buckeyes' loss a byproduct of a better Big TenMansfield News Journal
OregonLive.com -ESPN (blog) -247Sports
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Google Ohio State football vs. Northwestern game picks: Will the Buckeyes passing game bounce...

Ohio State football vs. Northwestern game picks: Will the Buckeyes passing game bounce back? - cleveland.com
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Ohio State football vs. Northwestern game picks: Will the Buckeyes passing game bounce back?
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State is coming off a loss at Penn State, a game in which the Buckeyes were favored by 19 points. You can say the mood in Columbus hasn't been chipper in the week since. What way will the Buckeyes go from here? Will they ...

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LGHL Ohio State commit, target heading to Columbus

Ohio State commit, target heading to Columbus
Caleb Houser
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


3798200.0.0.jpg

The Buckeye-Bishop Gorman (NV) connection continues.

Ohio State returns home this weekend as they look to get back on track and back to their winning ways when Northwestern heads to town. While last week was certainly tough and a major bump in the road, the positives to note are that the Buckeyes truly do still control their own destiny and this weekend’s contest versus the Wildcats is a step back on the path to Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship.

Garrett makes his way home


Of the three current commitments from Las Vegas high school Bishop Gorman, the first of the trio to give his pledge to the Buckeyes was none other than Haskell Garrett. Committing to Urban Meyer and Ohio State back in February, the Buckeyes knew exactly what their 2017 class was getting in Garrett. The nation’s fourth best defensive tackle and Nevada’s third best prospect at any position in the 2017 class, Garrett is clearly deserving of his four-star composite ranking.

Yesterday, Garrett took to Twitter to let Buckeye Nation know that he was heading to his future home for this weekend’s game in The Shoe. Accompanying Garrett on the trip to Ohio State is not just any visitor, but a huge 2018 target for the Bucks.

Teammate and cousin to Haskell Garrett, Palaie Gaoteote will be visiting the Buckeyes and checking out game day in Columbus this weekend. A major 2018 prospect, Palaie is currently ranked as the nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker and prospect at any position in the state of Nevada for his class. The Buckeyes certainly are off to a great start in this relationship as they own every early 247sports crystal ball prediction and are thought to be the clear-cut leaders in this recruitment.

There’s more than enough time to tell where Palaie will end up playing his college football, but Urban Meyer and his staff have made their presence clear in Nevada’s top prep program and it looks to continue well beyond just the 2017 class.


Me and Ie fly out to ️HI⭕️tomorrow can't wait #BeatNorthWestern

— Haskell Garrett (@HaskellGarrett) October 27, 2016
Diving into Carman’s recruitment


A hot topic as of late, Jackson Carman certainly isn’t a new name to Ohio State recruiting followers. The state’s top prospect in the 2018 class and the third best offensive tackle in the country is coveted by basically every college program in the country, but Meyer seems to be handling this recruitment personally.

In an interview article with Cleveland.com, Carman’s high school coach at Fairfield helps shed light on his star’s recruitment and just who may have the lead and inside track to landing the five-star. The good news, fortunately for Ohio State, Carman’s head coach made it clear in the article that the Buckeyes are No. 1 on the list.

In the Carman sweepstakes, it seems that it is as important as ever to solidify the border around Ohio and keep the best talent at home and in Columbus suiting up in the Scarlet and Gray. When it comes to recruiting, you’d be wise not to bet against Urban Meyer. In terms of the Carman recruitment, I’d put my trust once again in the “closer”.


In-N-Out, the guitar and graphic design: Inside five-star OT @Jackson_Carman's recruitment https://t.co/6i043Aroa8

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) October 27, 2016
OSU graphics team strikes again


If it isn’t said enough, let us say it again: Ohio State has hands down the best graphic design team in college football. The effort, design, and technology the team puts together is second to none and they’re back at again with the latest fire tweets.

Make no mistake about it, Ohio State and Urban Meyer love using their relationship with LeBron James as a recruiting selling point and to their advantage. Yesterday, Lebron and the Buckeyes were connected again as several commits and recruit targets showed off the latest graphic design love between the Buckeyes, LeBron and the recruit himself.

Making the list, current OSU 2017 commit Brendon White. The Olentangy Liberty ATH checks in as the third best prospect at the “athlete” position in the class.


pic.twitter.com/mU7XAsgBki

— Brendon White (@therealestbw0) October 28, 2016

Next, Al Blades Jr., a 2018 defensive back from the Buckeye pipeline, St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Blades Jr. is currently ranked No.6 as the best cornerback in the class and a top 10 product at any position in the state of Florida.


️hio pic.twitter.com/yDHZQKV1RJ

— ⚜Al Blades⚜ (@AlBlades_Jr) October 28, 2016

Lastly, the top ATH in the country for 2018, Ohio’s own L’Christian “Blue” Smith from Dayton, Ohio’s Huber Heights Wayne. Blue is easily one of the top prospects Ohio State is after in 2018 and will be in it until the end. As things stand now, Ohio State is in great position for the two-sport phenom.

image1.PNG.jpeg


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Google A different offense for Ohio State basketball? Notes from Buckeyes preseason practice -...

A different offense for Ohio State basketball? Notes from Buckeyes preseason practice - cleveland.com
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A different offense for Ohio State basketball? Notes from Buckeyes preseason practice
cleveland.com
Jent, the former Buckeye player and assistant who made a return to Columbus in the spring for his second stint as a coach, is tasked with revamping a team that was 10th in the Big Ten in scoring and 138th in the country in Ken Pomeroy's adjusted ...


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Google Ohio State notebook | WBNS shuts out callers on Meyer's radio show - Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State notebook | WBNS shuts out callers on Meyer's radio show - Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State notebook | WBNS shuts out callers on Meyer's radio show
Columbus Dispatch
Meyer said last week that Booker, out since the season opener because of a sprained knee, would be available against Penn State, but he didn't play. Jerome Baker has been a force since taking over for Booker. He leads the Buckeyes in tackles with 43, ...
Urban Meyer Coach's Show Recap: Moving Past Penn State ...Eleven Warriors

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Google Ohio State women's basketball | Buckeyes sixth in preseason coaches poll - Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State women's basketball | Buckeyes sixth in preseason coaches poll - Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State women's basketball | Buckeyes sixth in preseason coaches poll
Columbus Dispatch
Connecticut took the top spot and 18 first-place votes. Notre Dame is second, South Carolina third, Baylor fourth and Maryland fifth. The Buckeyes will play three of the teams ranked ahead of them: South Carolina on Nov. 14, UConn on Dec. 19 and ...


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Google Kurelic: Country's No. 1 LB wants to see OSU again; next commit - 247Sports

Kurelic: Country's No. 1 LB wants to see OSU again; next commit - 247Sports
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Kurelic: Country's No. 1 LB wants to see OSU again; next commit
247Sports
Foxr2001: We've all been armchair quarterbacks this season, criticizing this or that about the Buckeyes, but its been even more of an issue since the loss last weekend. So if you were Meyer, what specifically would you have done this week to address ...

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Google Ohio State football | Defense looks to improve after defeat - Columbus Dispatch

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Ohio State football | Defense looks to improve after defeat
Columbus Dispatch
That's probably a good call. Northwestern, the opponent Saturday at Ohio Stadium, will challenge the Buckeyes with an offensive array that includes the Big Ten's leading rusher, Justin Jackson, as well as quarterback Clayton Thorson and receiver Austin ...
Penn State Nittany Lions savoring signature win over Ohio State BuckeyesUPI.com
Young Buckeyes Ready to Rebound and Get Back in the Big Ten RaceScarlet and Game
Big-play capability helps Penn State overcome Ohio State's statistical edgeTribune-Review
cleveland.com -isportsweb.com (blog) -Philly Soccer News
all 258 news articles »


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Google Get closer than ever to the Buckeyes… For a price - NBC4i.com

Get closer than ever to the Buckeyes… For a price - NBC4i.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Get closer than ever to the Buckeyes… For a price
NBC4i.com
$500 – Buckeye Walk Experience – Walk with the team from the Blackwell Hotel to Ohio Stadium, surrounded by players, cheerleaders and other Buckeye fans. $500 – On-Field for Carmen Ohio – Be on the field as the band plays Carmen Ohio after the game.

and more »


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Google Bob Hunter commentary | Rumblings: What's leaving Vegas might be coming to Ohio State -...

Bob Hunter commentary | Rumblings: What's leaving Vegas might be coming to Ohio State - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Bob Hunter commentary | Rumblings: What's leaving Vegas might be coming to Ohio State
Columbus Dispatch
The Buckeyes have commitments for 2017 from Gorman quarterback Tate Martell and four-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey. They are slated to make official visits next week for the Nebraska game and are expected to be joined by uncommitted safety Bubba Bolden ...


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LGHL Just 7 games into his rookie season, former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is...

Just 7 games into his rookie season, former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is already one of the NFL’s best
Brett Ludwiczak
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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Not only is the running back leading the NFL in rushing, but he has a shot at breaking Eric Dickerson’s rookie rushing record.

“As a competitor we want to be the best at what we do. That’s what I think I’ve done a good job with kind of becoming a well-rounded player and kind of working on everything, not just focused on running the ball, catching it, or being a third-down guy out of the backfield. Just being a guy you don’t have to take out, who can do a little bit of everything.”

Former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott via Jonathan Jones, Sports Illustrated


It’s not like the rest of the football world didn’t know who Ezekiel Elliott was a year and a half ago, but the play of Elliott really caught the eye of former Dallas Cowboys star running back Emmitt Smith. So much that Smith told Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett that he should keep an eye on Elliott. 15 months later the Cowboys took Elliott with the fourth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and through seven games Elliott is more than living up to the hype.

As a rookie Elliott is leading the NFL in rushing and it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities that Elliott could break Eric Dickerson’s rookie record of 1,808 rushing yards that was set in 1983. It isn’t just running that Elliott can do, as he is also able to catch the football out of the backfield, and he is already a tremendous blocker in pass coverage. It also doesn’t hurt that Elliott is running behind what many think is the best offensive line in the NFL. Elliott has rushed for at least 134 yards in each of his last four games, and if he continues to excel many will be placing him right next to Smith on the list of greatest running backs in Cowboys history.

“We have to play better. I have to do a better job. We have to do a better job coaching. Play better. Execute better. That all starts with the coaching staff and the preparation, and giving our kids a chance.”

Ohio State offensive coordinator Ed Warinner via Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch


Earlier in the season Ohio State’s offensive was rolling along, scoring at least 38 points in each of their first five games of the season. The last two have seen that number drop to 30 points against Wisconsin in overtime, followed up by just 21 points against Penn State. While some of it can be attributed to Ohio State playing on the road in those two contests, as well as facing off against some better defenses, that doesn’t explain all of the issues. There are a number of areas that players and coaches have targeted as to why the Buckeyes have struggled on offense the last two games.

A common reason as to why Ohio State hasn’t seen as much offensive success lately is because of the execution. Both Warinner and Urban Meyer acknowledged that this football team isn’t executing as well as they are possibly of doing. Also, Ohio State had so many problems against Penn State because they were struggling on first down, averaging just 2.8 yards on first down, with 18 first down plays going for a yard or fewer. The Buckeyes also need a few more wide receivers to step up to compliment Noah Brown. While the loss to Penn State hit the team hard, now both the players and coaches know all they can do is to learn from their mistakes and move on to Northwestern.

“At some point, (Prince) has to improve as a player and he has. He didn’t have a good day. We’re not giving up on anybody. It’s his first year starting, and he’s going to get better.”

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer via David Jablonski, Dayton Daily News


It’s easy after a loss to start pointing fingers and blaming others for what went wrong. Ohio State isn’t doing that after losing to Penn State on Saturday night. The easiest person to blame would be Isaiah Prince, who had a rough go of it in Happy Valley. Meyer and the rest of the Ohio State coaching staff wouldn’t take the bait though, saying that while Prince had his issues against the Nittany Lions he still has improved a lot in his first year as a starter.

The coaching staff has gone over the areas where Prince struggled and where he needs to improve going forward, but a lot of what went wrong is just being chalked up to a bad game. Some of the issues on Saturday night can also be attributed to the coaching staff and the game plan. A lot of times a loss can make a team come out stronger, and with the history of Urban Meyer’s teams after a loss, it likely won’t take too long for the Buckeyes to get back to their winning ways.


The first coaches poll of the season is out and the Buckeyes are ranked sixth.

POLL: https://t.co/IFVXLCvcr5#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/pWP1XvI4RJ

— OSU W Basketball (@OhioState_WBB) October 27, 2016

The USA Today women’s college basketball coaches poll was released earlier today and Ohio State will start out the season tied with Texas, ranked sixth in the country. Last season Ohio State finished 26-8, making it to the Sweet Sixteen before losing 78-62 to Tennessee. The Buckeyes will have to try and replace seniors Ameryst Alston and Cait Craft, but should still be strong this year with star Kelsey Mitchell, as well as Shayla Cooper and Alexa Hart returning. Ohio State will tested early in the season, when they hosted third-ranked South Carolina on November 14th in Columbus.

With Mitchell returning there are high expectations for the Buckeyes, since the junior is the type of player who could lead a team deep into the tournament. Last year Mitchell averaged 26.1 points per game, and on four separate occasions scored at least 40 points in a game. The play from Mitchell last year, as well as what many expect her to do this year, earned her the Big Ten’s Preseason Player of the Year award. The Buckeyes will need Mitchell to have a huge game on December 19th when Ohio State travels to Hartford to take on defending national champion UConn. The only other Big Ten teams included in the top 25 poll were Maryland, who was ranked fifth, along with Michigan State, who was ranked 22nd.

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LGHL Northwestern will be a good test for Ohio State offensive improvements

Northwestern will be a good test for Ohio State offensive improvements
Chad Peltier
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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Northwestern isn't Penn State or Wisconsin, but they're still good enough to challenge the Buckeyes.

Northwestern vs. Ohio State may not move the needle much nationally, but it is interesting for two reasons: 1. How does Ohio State respond to losing last week but not being out of the playoff picture? 2. Can the offense fix its obvious problems during their three-game slide?

The issues last week were mostly obvious, including special teams errors and passing/offensive line struggles, but other problems were more subtle, like the gradually less efficient run game. Northwestern is a large step down in difficulty from the last three weeks, but should still challenge the Buckeyes' offense.

Avg team talent Turnover margin Net explosiveness (10+) Net explosiveness (20+) IsoPPP
Ohio State 91.43 +9 +44 +12 1.22(84th)
Northwestern 84.21 +4 -16 -9 1.19(100th)


Northwestern is significantly less talented than Ohio State, doesn't turn the ball over all that often, and isn't very explosive on offense.

S&P+ margin Volatility Floor Ceiling
Ohio State 24.9 25.2 -.3 50.2
Northwestern 2.4 13.8 -11.4 16.2

Going off of the volatility ceiling and floor (which have successfully captured the last two games for Ohio State), all the Buckeyes need to do is give an average performance to get a win. But due to S&P+ performances of 50% and 49% over the last two weeks, the Buckeyes are one of the most volatile teams in the country. Northwestern is only slightly better than the national S&P+ average, but an upset is still possible.

When Ohio State has the ball

S&P+ Rush S&P+ Rush SR Rush IsoPPP Pass S&P+ Pass SR Pass IsoPPP Avg FP Drives
Ohio State 14 2 56.7%(2) 75 56 37.6%(96) 31 33.6(12) 5.98(4)
Northwestern 37 37 42%(67) 6 17 42.4%(83) 34 27.4(30) 3.73(19)


Just a few notes about the data in the chart here -- all numbers are rankings except for the success rate percentages, the average field position (which is just the actual average starting field position), and the drives number not in parentheses, which is the average points scored per trip inside an opponents' 40 yard line.


  • Ohio State really struggled to run the ball against Penn State, but their season-long rushing averages still have them as the second-best rushing team in the country. But it's possible that the trend in declining rushing efficiency continues. Nothing about the Northwestern front seven suggests that it will -- they're ranked in the middle of the pack in defensive rushing success rate, adjusted line yards (41st), and opportunity rate (51st). So I'd expect Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel to run more efficiently against the Wildcats than they have the last few weeks -- and for J.T. to get far fewer carries unless the game is tight in the fourth quarter.
  • Expect to see J.T. throw the ball much more often on standard downs. Northwestern has a great passing downs defense (10th), and their success rate on passing downs (24.1%) is far better than their overall passing success rate (42.4%). That suggests that opponents haven't been effective throwing on obvious passing downs, but have seen some success otherwise. Given the passing game' struggles as well as Northwestern's strength on passing downs, I'd expect plenty of passing on early downs. Just don't expect these passes to go for explosive plays, because Northwestern is much better at keeping successful plays from becoming explosive ones than just preventing efficient passes in the first place. Given Ohio State's struggles completing deep passes anyway, this likely isn't the game where they figure things out, either.
  • One big reason for Northwestern's passing downs success relative to their standard downs pass defense is how much more effective their pass rush is: the Wildcats jump from 112th to 32nd in adjusted sack rate. Their only pass rusher to watch is former Ohio State recruit Ifeadi Odenigbo, who has 8 sacks and 9 tackles for loss this year. Shut him down on passing downs (and avoid third-and-long in the first place) and J.T. shouldn't have to run for his life like he did last week. It's also worth watching how the offensive coaching staff changes schematically to support Isaiah Prince in pass protection.
  • First down may win Ohio State the game: Northwestern's defense is 11th and 22nd in second- and third-down S&P+, but 90th on first down. Ohio State's offense is just about the opposite: 5th on first down, 54th on second, and 25th on third down.
  • Northwestern plays with good field position (30th) and only allows 3.73 points per scoring opportunity (19th). That's a frustrating combination for a lot of offenses, because it means that the Buckeyes might have to string longer drives together, then there's potential to come up short in the red zone. Ohio State had to settle for field goal attempts against Penn State, but they're typically excellent at getting touchdowns from their scoring opportunities.
When Northwestern has the ball

S&P+ Rush S&P+ Rush SR Rush IsoPPP Pass S&P+ Pass SR Pass IsoPPP Avg FP Drives
Ohio State 7 23 35.4%(16) 62 5 32.9%(7) 96 25.7(7) 3.61(18)
Northwestern 75 106 35.7%(120) 48 66 44.2%(35) 120 29.3(78) 4.41(93)



  • There's not too much to fear from the Northwestern offense. It's not very efficient on the ground (120th in success rate, 106th in overall S&P+), they struggle to create explosive passes through the air, and the struggle getting touchdowns from their scoring opportunities. The Buckeye defense should have a good game.
  • Northwestern has a decently effective short passing game -- quarterback Clayton Thorson has a 44.2% success rate but averages only six yards per attempt. They rank 120th in passing explosiveness, meaning that despite their decently high passing success rate, they struggle to create anything explosive. Penn State was able to exploit a few Buckeye defensive backs in man coverage (even the typically elite Lattimore and Conley), but there's nothing here to suggest Northwestern can do the same. Their clear top receiver is Austin Carr -- he gets a third of the targets in the passing game -- and he is fairly reliable with a 67% success rate.
  • The biggest thing to watch may be in how much time the front seven spends in the Northwestern backfield: they rank 86th in adjusted sack rate and 103rd in rushing stuff rate, meaning Ohio State (9th in overall havoc rate, first in stuff rate) should at least stop the run, and likely pressure Thorson in the passing game as well.
The 3 most important stats



  • Rushing success rate for Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel: Will the declining rushing efficiency continue even against a mediocre run defense?
  • Passing success rate (on standard downs): After last week's abysmal passing performance, the Buckeyes will have to show some improvement to stay in the playoff hunt. Adjusted sack rate would be the key metric here, but Northwestern only has one proven pass rusher.
  • First down S&P+: The Ohio State offense is elite on first downs (except for last week), and Northwestern's defense is terrible on first down but elite on second and third. Ohio State will need second- and third-and-short.
Picks


S&P+: Ohio State 39, Northwestern 14, 92.6% win probability

F/+: Ohio State by 19.5

My Pick: Ohio State 38, Northwestern 14

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Google Get closer than ever to the Buckeyes… For a price - WDTN

Get closer than ever to the Buckeyes… For a price - WDTN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Get closer than ever to the Buckeyes… For a price
WDTN
$500 – Buckeye Walk Experience – Walk with the team from the Blackwell Hotel to Ohio Stadium, surrounded by players, cheerleaders and other Buckeye fans. $500 – On-Field for Carmen Ohio – Be on the field as the band plays Carmen Ohio after the game.


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LGHL Ohio State’s trailer for the Northwestern game is just what we all needed

Ohio State’s trailer for the Northwestern game is just what we all needed
Harry Lyles Jr.
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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After a loss, it’s time to get back to winning ways.


Ohio State is coming off of a rare loss. The Buckeyes just didn’t have it last Saturday against Penn State on the road in a tough environment. It happens.

But the loss doesn’t entirely damage their national championship aspirations. The Buckeyes will have a nice little recovery game against the Northwestern Wildcats this Saturday, before facing the Nebraska Cornhuskers in yet another test on the season.

Winning out would likely mean the Buckeyes are yet again in the College Football Playoff. Urban Meyer and his staff are undoubtedly making changes to help their young squad recover from their loss, which has been a rare occurrence, but typically a successful one.

Go Bucks.

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Google A different offense for Ohio State basketball? Notes from Buckeyes preseason practice -...

A different offense for Ohio State basketball? Notes from Buckeyes preseason practice - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


A different offense for Ohio State basketball? Notes from Buckeyes preseason practice
cleveland.com
Jent, the former Buckeye player and assistant who made a return to Columbus in the spring for his second stint as a coach, is tasked with revamping a team that was 10th in the Big Ten in scoring and 138th in the country in Ken Pomeroy's adjusted ...


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Google Buckeyes in the NBA: Conley Scores 24 on Opening Night Win for Grizzlies - Eleven Warriors

Buckeyes in the NBA: Conley Scores 24 on Opening Night Win for Grizzlies - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes in the NBA: Conley Scores 24 on Opening Night Win for Grizzlies
Eleven Warriors
The NBA season is upon us. Two days into the action, Ohio State's members of the Association have fared decently well out of the gate. Let's take a look at how Buckeyes in the NBA have performed.


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Google Ohio State Buckeyes refuse to play blame game - MyDaytonDailyNews

Ohio State Buckeyes refuse to play blame game - MyDaytonDailyNews
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes refuse to play blame game
MyDaytonDailyNews
If the Buckeyes were going to shake things up, they would have done so on the offensive line. Ohio State allowed six sacks, and right tackle Isaiah Prince struggled more than anyone. According to the College Football Film Room, a website devoted to ...
Ohio State notebook | Meyer: Buckeyes need to keep pushing, grindingColumbus Dispatch
Buckeyes' loss a byproduct of a better Big TenMansfield News Journal
How Penn State took full advantage of Ohio State's problems on offenseSB Nation
247Sports -cleveland.com -Scarlet and Game
all 63 news articles »


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