Ohio State’s has problems, but the red zone defense hasn’t been one
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


They take their jobs seriously.

“Nobody in the Big Ten has been better and only one team in the nation has limited red zone touchdowns at a more successful rate than the Buckeyes”

- Austin Ward, ESPN


For everything that you could point out going wrong with the Ohio State Buckeyes on the gridiron, the red zone defense is one positive. While it’s not ideal to let teams get that close to scoring on you, it’s been fine. Eventually, the guys get it right and that’s all Luke Fickell wants to see. He told Ward, Things weren’t clicking as well [this past Saturday against Northwestern] and we kind of had to patch it together, gut it out, and that’s what I’m most proud of with these guys.”

Fickell added, “They didn’t quit, they didn’t panic, they still kept their confidence and they got it done when they needed to.” That’s promising to see in a young group that has some big games ahead of them, starting with Nebraska this weekend. In a similar fashion to last season, if the Buckeyes can figure out what needs to happen on offense, they’ll be just fine moving forward. The defense has been one constant the past two seasons. Guys like Tyquan Lewis take a lot of pride in what they do on their end, “When you get down there in the red zone, your level of play rises just a little bit more.” He and the rest of the Silver Bullets have shown as much this season.

“The NFL Network has suspended analyst Brian Baldinger for six months without pay for suggesting the Eagles put a ‘bounty’ on Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott”

- Michael McCarthy


The NFL Network understandably didn’t take comments Brian Baldinger made to a Philadelphia radio station before the Cowboys win over the Eagles this past Sunday very well. Baldinger suggested that the Eagles put a bounty on Elliott. The comments, in bad taste with or without it, immediately rang reminders of the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. Baldinger has been suspended six months without pay for his comments.

Bountygate was serious, and resulted in mass suspensions for Gregg Williams, Sean Payton, and Jonathan Vilma. Vilma’s sanctions were overturned by former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. The idea of suggesting a bounty is arguably one of the worst things anybody could suggest in terms of a strategy when it comes to the NFL. That holds extra true today, with players being bigger, faster, and stronger than ever, along with new research on concussions and head trauma as a result of playing football.

“The fourth pick in the 2016 draft is taking the NFL by storm.”

- Sports Illustrated


It’s that time of year. Sports Illustrated has posted their 2016 NFL Midseason All Pro Team. It should come as no surprise that former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott was a unanimous selection at running back. Elliott has helped carry the Cowboys to a 6-1 start, the best in the NFC. He leads the NFL in rushing with 799 yards, and has struck fear in opposing defenses with his bruising runs, delivering crushing blows to defenders who dare step in his way.

Another former Buckeye named to the Midseason All Pro Team was Joey Bosa. Bosa got his season started late thanks to a holdout, but he’s been more than worth the wait for the Chargers. Bosa already has four sacks, and is on pace to finish with 80 total pressures in just 12 games. When you consider all of the impressive defensive lineman that are in the NFL game today, it’s almost insane that Bosa is receiving this type of recognition. But Bosa, like Elliott has been damn impressive in his rookie season. It’s been a reminder just as to why there was so much hype around the Buckeyes last season.

STICK TO SPORTS

• Your MacBook Pro review from the newly designed, The Verge
• Print newspapers are dying faster than you think
• Black Friday 2016: Your one-stop shop for video game deals

Continue reading...

Recap: Northwestern vs Ohio State
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



A week after suffering their first loss of the season, the Buckeyes are back in The Horseshoe and they will be taking on the Northwestern Wildcats. This game started off with a defensive stand that resulted in a Northwestern punt on their initial possession. How would the wounded Ohio State Offense as a unit? The Ohio State Offense has yet to score on their first possession of the game would this be the turning point? The Buckeyes responded and they finally have their first score of the season on their first drive of the game. The play calling was creative and sudden, just the way I like to see it. J.T. Barrett looks like a different QB and he was quick on his release and he was decisive when involved in the passing game. He took the ball from the Ohio State 6-yard line and took it 94 yards on 9 plays on the opening drive. Mike Weber is doing work, he has 63 yards on 9 carries for two scores. J.T. Barrett finished the half 14 for 21 and 129 yards. He looks sharp but as the game wore on the playcalling became predictable once again. Checkdown after checkdown, false start penalties, and another sack allowed by the Offensive Line. Consistency isn’t what this Buckeye team is known for, but I believe they will improve as the competition rises. The Silver Bullets and the Scarlet Curtain are doing well. McMillan tipped a pass and Damon Arnette made a heady play and intercepted the ball and it resulted in a Durbin field goal. The Rushmen have another sack added to their repertoire and they look to impose their will during the second half. The Scarlett Curtain nearly had another pick, but it was bobbled by Ward.

The second half came and another batch of questionable and uninspiring playcalling on both the offensive and the defensive side of the ball. The offense is banking on the speed option at a mind-numbing rate and so far it has been stopped dead in its tracks. This year, I think both Offensive Coordinators are looking too far ahead than the task at hand. They are auditioning for Head Coaching gigs elsewhere and it seems like they are just going through the motions this year. The creativity is gone, the lack of a passing game, the constant swing passes and checkdowns overshadow what would’ve and what could’ve been another great year, but we are stuck in this alternate dimension with poor and predictable playcalling. At this point, I am willing to try out Joe Burrow because Barrett seems to be disinterested in making an impact through the air. It is sad to say, but I am about done with this year. The stress that I feel watching these games, close games, that shouldn’t even be close, it hurts my heart and my soul to see my Buckeyes underachieve and lose themselves in mediocrity and terrible playcalling. The defense is the same, Jerome Baker gave up on a pass that resulted in a touchdown pass to one of two Wildcats that the Buckeyes man to man defense can’t seem to contain or stop. The nickel corner keeps getting beat and it is disappointing and a fall from grace from where the Buckeyes were at the beginning of the season. Oh, in the middle of the 4th quarter, Barrett and Samuel finally become less predictable, well kind of, and score a touchdown on run down the middle. They also managed to pass the ball on a deep ball to K.J. Hill for 30+ yards on a pass play. Finally, the Buckeyes score in the second half, finally answering the two scores that the Wildcats have earned in the second half. Label me a pessimist, but it is not looking good. We are too predictable, not as creative and we are as basic as they come on both sides of the ball. I would love to see the Buckeyes prove me wrong, but since that Oklahoma game, what the heck happened? Did we get too cocky? Did we take the foot off the gas pedal? I certainly think so, it pains me to see them struggle, but it shows my love for the sport and the teams they field yearly. I am getting tired of barely surviving and with yet another close win, I still have yet to see the killer instinct that they used to have, the swagger and the sheer intestinal fortitude to take over games. This 24-20 win is not what I like to see and we Ohio State fans have been too spoiled over the years, but the talent did not take a dive. They just need to step up and show out. Hope they fix things on both sides of the ball and open up the playbook. The creativity needs to return for the whole game, just not on the opening drive. We will see what the Buckeyes are made of when Nebraska comes into town and it should be another Top-10 matchup IF they go into Camp Randall Stadium and take care of business. Until next week and hope I have better things to say about our team.




Continue reading...

Ohio State Buckeyes hope for loud crowd Saturday - MyDaytonDailyNews
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes hope for loud crowd Saturday
MyDaytonDailyNews
6 Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1) needed all the help they could get to escape with a 24-20 victory. They will need more of the same for their first prime-time game at home this season against No. 10 Nebraska (7-1, 4-1) at 8 p.m. Saturday. The Buckeyes have ...
The Wake-Up Call: Buckeyes look to stop the QB rush, Ohio State does well in another poll and moreLandof10.com
Ohio State Buckeyes to Face Nebraska Cornhuskers in Columbus: Everything You Need To KnowPatch.com
Ohio State football: A better look at the throwbacks the Buckeyes are wearing vs. Nebraskacleveland.com
Warren Tribune Chronicle -Bleacher Report -Corn Nation
all 172 news articles »

Continue reading...

BM5: Poor execution or poor coaching? Both? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BM5: Poor execution or poor coaching? Both?
247Sports
Give thoughts on Parris Campbell's injury and what impact it might have on the Buckeyes. * Give opinions on Ohio State's game against visiting Nebraska this Saturday. What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to ...
Big Ten moving six games in 2017 season to Friday night lightsColumbus Dispatch

all 36 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State football is coming to Friday Nights, but it shouldn’t
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Big Ten (including OSU) will play games on Friday starting next season. This sucks.

The Big Ten’s new TV deal is going to bring in some big changes. For one, conference schools are going to get a gazillion dollars, so new investments in athletic infrastructure, coaching, and more, should be on the way. Big Ten games will also be coming to FOX and FS1, so be ready to hear some unfamiliar pairs of announcers.

And, according to multiple reports, Big Ten football will also be coming to Friday nights for the first time. At least a little bit, anyway. From the Chicago Tribune:


These exact games, per the Tribune, will be announced this week, maybe even as early as later today.

How much will this impact Ohio State? Probably not that much. According to the Tribune, the league has been hesitant to ask schools with huge stadiums, like Ohio State and Penn State, to host Friday night games. Michigan also straight up refused to participate at home or on the road, which is apparently something you’re allowed to do?

So this appears to be a move to help the Indianas and Northwesterns of the league get a little more television exposure. And that, at least on some level, will include Ohio State.

The Big Ten has been reluctant to play games during the week, and for good reason. High school football is played on Friday nights, and it’s tough to host a big recruiting weekend if your targets are actually playing games of their own. Plus, you’re asking fans to make a decision between the two, which hurts support and attendance for local games.

Weekday games are also logistical challenges for the actual universities, which will need to deal with huge influxes of traffic on days when many more people will be around campus. Some schools, like Tennessee, have straight up canceled class on those days. That message seems at odds with the Big Ten’s, which prides itself at being more academically focused, at least superficially.

Finally, Friday games change the entire travel and preparation schedule of the football team. It leads to compressed practice schedules, more missed classes due to earlier travel, and less rest.

It’s already difficult for athletic administrators to tell reporters or fans that their decisions are made with the best interest of the student athlete, or the institution at heart. How do you sell this?

Other conferences have tipped their toes into the mid-week water. The Pac-12 and the ACC, conferences that do not have the alumni-base, the fan support, or the television infrastructure to compete with the Big Ten. Group of 5 programs and conferences, from the MAC to The American, have made Thursday and Friday competition a staple. This is done out of necessity.

The Big Ten doesn’t need to do that to get eyeballs on their teams. Neither does the SEC. You have your own dang channel. You have massive enrollments and will draw ratings no matter what.

Again, from the Tribune:


The Big Ten should be able to win those battles on their own merits. If, despite having BTN, the league is worried that fans won’t tune in to watch their games, the problem is with the teams. And with all of the money that the Big Ten is getting from this new TV deal, one that trades rating access for cash, conference programs have no excuse to not put a compelling product on the field.

Putting Big Ten teams, even a small number, on Friday, cheapens the value of the Saturday product. It stoops Big Ten football down to the level of the AAC. It inconveniences fans, recruits, coaches, and actual universities.

And for what, so Maryland can get slightly more TV eyeballs because there’s no other football on? Why should anybody give a crap about that? Has playing Thursday games somehow elevated the product in the Pac-12? Or the ACC?

Though the league was hesitant to have them host Friday games, Ohio State has already said they’d participate, hosting a Friday night game every third season — although they did indicate they will only do it when the school is on Fall Break.

From the Columbus Dispatch:


That’s hardly a compelling reason, since Ohio State doesn’t exactly need the extra money.

This sucks for everybody except television executives. If Michigan is somehow allowed to say no, Ohio State should as well. Failing that, here’s hoping they are involved as little as possible.

Continue reading...

Buckeyeskickbuttocks said:

@scooter1369

Click to expand...

Jaxbuck said:

They have changed all the parking this year so see what scooter has to say on that.

Click to expand...

Just sayin': Scooter might have retired from working the parking lots:

scooter1369 said:

Just to let everyone know, I have officially stopped working for CampusParc and will no longer be working the RV lot.

This company and the university working together has become a true conglomerate of derp that is hell bent on destroying the tailgate atmosphere on campus for the sole purpose of making more money. I just can't take it anymore. In 17 years, I have seen the atmosphere in my lot dwindle from Mardi Gras levels to what I assume resembles Anne Frank's last birthday party.

A buddy of mine and I intend to tailgate at the AG building frequently this up coming year and likely every year until he retires and heads to warmer climates. As we get closer to the season I'll reveal more details if anyone wants to join us.

Peace

Click to expand...

Friday night football is coming to the Big Ten, starting in 2017
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

Friday night football is coming to the Big Ten. Beginning in 2017, the Big Ten will play six prime-time games on Fridays, likely to be televised by an ESPN channel, FOX, or FS1.

Continue reading...

Gareon Conley and the Ohio State secondary will need to step up against Nebraska
Chuck McKeever via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


After a few tough weeks, the Buckeye pass D looks to get back on track against the Huskers.

Ohio State’s season has gotten a lot less fun in a hurry.

On the heels of a last-minute upset loss to Penn State, the Buckeyes eked out a disappointing 24-20 win over the Northwestern Wildcats, a team not traditionally known for its football prowess. It was an ignominious finish, even in victory, and the cracks that started to show a few weeks ago are now readily apparent for this young team. Whether it’s in-game coaching adjustments, Curtis Samuel’s face appearing on milk cartons around Columbus, or a passing game that’s been uninspiring at best, there seems to be no shortage of things that need to be fixed if the Buckeyes hope to contend with Michigan for the Big Ten crown.

And yet. Ohio State is still 7-1, with wins over very good Oklahoma and Wisconsin teams, and they’re hanging in at No. 6 in the new College Football Playoff rankings. Those rankings are purely academic, as far as the Buckeyes are concerned. Their playoff picture is pretty clear: win all the way out, and you’re likely in. That entails beating a Michigan team that has looked pretty much invincible in 2016, as well as (probably) beating either Nebraska or Wisconsin a second time (assuming they beat the Huskers on Saturday) when the Big Ten title game rolls around.

Otherwise? The dream of cracking the final four is dead, barring some bizarre confluence of circumstances, possibly involving Nick Saban’s email server or the NCAA’s tax returns revealing that it’s not paying players anything.

Before any of that happens, though, they’ll need to beat a Nebraska team that’s looked awfully good in 2016. And that might start and end with the play of Ohio State’s No. 1 cornerback.

The stats


Name: Gareon Conley

Number: 8

Position: CB

Year: Junior

Height: 6’0

Weight: 195 lbs.

Line: 14.5 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 passes broken up

After looking unbeatable in the season’s first few weeks, the Ohio State pass defense has looked slightly more human of late. Northwestern’s Austin Carr, by most measures the best receiver in the Big Ten this year, shredded the Buckeye secondary for 158 yards on just eight catches; the Wildcats finished with 258 yards and a touchdown through the air in that game.

Nebraska’s Tommy Armstrong looks like he’s having the best season of his career, and he has the one-loss Huskers in the Big Ten West’s top spot. Conley, who’s having a very solid year, will have a chance to shake that all up.

Opposition research


Nebraska currently sits at No. 24 in passing S&P+, which is at least a little bit surprising, given than Armstrong’s numbers—11 TDs to 7 INTs, 53% completion rate—are decidedly average. But there are two things working in the Huskers’ favor when it comes to the passing game.

1.) A clean jersey. Tommy Armstrong has been sacked just six times this season, and that’s insane. (By comparison, NW’s Clayton Thorson had been sacked 19 times heading into last week’s game, and J.T. Barrett’s gone down 12 times.) The Husker O-line has done an incredible job keeping their QB upright, and it’s paid dividends. Given that the Buckeyes were only able to sack Thorson once, they’re going to find it tough sledding to get to Armstrong at all.

2.) Extracting value from limited success. The Nebraska passing game isn’t lighting the world on fire, but their No. 13 passing IsoPPP rating tells us that when they do execute a successful play, they derive a ton of value from it. For an extreme oversimplification of this complicated statistical measure, imagine a baseball player who strikes out on 7/8ths of his at-bats and then hits grand slams the other 1/8th of the time. Armstrong isn’t completing a huge percentage of his passes, but he’s connected for TDs of 72 and 63 yards, and has completed passes of 35 yards or more to seven different receivers. The Huskers might only get a few big plays per game, but they regularly leverage them into points or great field position.

What to watch for


Given how difficult it’s going to be for the Buckeyes to threaten Armstrong with sacks, Urban Meyer will need to lean heavily on his secondary to keep the Huskers off the board. That starts with Gareon Conley. Nebraska’s best wide receivers, target machine Stanley Morgan, Jr. and home run threat Alonzo Moore, could give Ohio State a handful, especially given the weaknesses that Northwestern was able to exploit. It’ll be on Conley to work against Morgan and Moore downfield.

Of course, that option might be taken away from him by the coaches. The Buckeyes repeatedly went into a soft zone look against Northwestern that resulted in the Big Ten’s top receiver, Austin Carr, getting friendly looks in the open field against Ohio State’s third corner, Damon Arnette. Arnette, who made a beautiful interception in the first quarter on a tipped ball, otherwise struggled in coverage for much of the game. That’s unsurprising, given that he was repeatedly matched up against an NFL-caliber wideout; the blame here is really on the coaching staff, who seemed unwilling to adjust and have Conley or Marshon Lattimore permanently tracking Carr. It’s not like Conley doesn’t have the chops to take on that responsibility, either:


Carr’s a slot receiver, meaning that he’s not your traditional downfield threat, but the Wildcats hit him all over the place, and he found the gaps in the zone with so much ease that the lack of changes in the play-calling felt kind of staggering.

Will the defensive staff learn from its mistakes against Northwestern when the Buckeyes play the Huskers? It’s hard to say. The kicking-and-screaming reticence to give Curtis Samuel more touches and the total lack of in-game adjustments all season point to a philosophy that’s so firmly entrenched as to be unchangeable. But Urban Meyer is still a hell of a coach, and there’s no mystery as to why his assistants get tabbed for top positions year after year. With that much football IQ in one room, you have to think that something is going to markedly improve sooner or later.

Right?

Continue reading...

141 U: NCAA Champs Stieber, Jaggers Fuel Buckeyes' Legacy - FloWrestling
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


141 U: NCAA Champs Stieber, Jaggers Fuel Buckeyes' Legacy
FloWrestling
Logan Stieber is one of the greatest college wrestlers of all time, and he lifts Ohio State to the title of 141 U. FloWrestling's series to find the best schools at each of the 10 weight classes continues today with the last lightweight or first ...


Continue reading...

Dienhart: Here are nine games to Remember in November
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

They always say that you play the games to remember in November. Well, November is here. And here is a look at the nine biggest games left on the Big Ten schedule.

Continue reading...

The Wake-Up Call: Buckeyes look to stop the QB rush, Ohio State does well in another poll and more - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


The Wake-Up Call: Buckeyes look to stop the QB rush, Ohio State does well in another poll and more
Landof10.com
We hope you'll start your day with us here at Landof10.com as we work to prepare you for everything that you need to know — Monday through Friday — around the world of Ohio State sports. Whether it's football, basketball, wrestling, hockey, baseball ...
Ohio State football: A better look at the throwbacks the Buckeyes are wearing vs. Nebraskacleveland.com
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Odds, College Football PickBleacher Report
Buckeyes' struggling passing game without speedster CampbellWarren Tribune Chronicle
Columbus Dispatch -Lincoln Journal Star -Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
all 193 news articles »

Continue reading...

2018 wide receiver has great visit with Ohio State
Austin Kemp via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes impressed a recruit in addition to beating Northwestern.

2018 wide receiver Paul Woods (Buffalo, NY / Canisius) was in Columbus last weekend and reportedly had a “great” time on his visit. It was the first game Woods has seen in Columbus – and his second overall visit as he attended Friday Night Lights over the summer.

Woods holds one offer as it stands right now from Boston College. Don’t let that fool you, though. Woods checks in at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds and has a skill set that will make him one of the top WRs in his class by the time his senior year rolls around. Woods holds the Buckeyes in high regard and an offer from Ohio State would certainly be a big accomplishment. The Buckeyes are on him early and it’s only a matter of time until they are joined by a host of other top programs in the country.

Dobbins injury update


According to local Texas writer Rick Cantu, Ohio State running back commit J.K. Dobbins (La Grange, TX / La Grange) could be cleared to play in the U.S. Arm All-American game that takes place in January. Dobbins was injured back in August with an ankle injury and was deemed ‘out’ for his entire senior season. Though there’s a chance Dobbins can play in the bowl game in January, there should be caution because he has not done any football activity since the summer time. Dobbins remains solid to Ohio State and is ranked No. 40 as the best player in the class of 2017.

Grimes vistis OSU in primetime


There’s been a change of plans for Trevon Grimes as he made it apparent that he will be taking his official visit this weekend from the game against Nebraska. He was originally slated to visit later in the year. Grimes had successful surgery to repair his torn ACL a couple weeks ago and is primed for a return over the summer. If healthy, Grimes has a legitimate chance to grab playing time for the Buckeyes next season.


Continue reading...

Ohio State football | Notebook: 6-4 freshman receiver Binjimen Victor may get big chance - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football | Notebook: 6-4 freshman receiver Binjimen Victor may get big chance
Columbus Dispatch
Meyer said that Victor must improve his consistency and live up to the Buckeyes' four-to-six-seconds-of-maximum-effort credo. “It's more than going out and catching a post route,” he said. “It's blocking and doing (other) things right.” With Parris ...
BH: Husker(s) do? | New hands on deck247Sports

all 3 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State Buckeyes No. 6 in first playoff ranking - WHIO - WHIO
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes No. 6 in first playoff ranking - WHIO
WHIO
The first College Football Playoff ranking was released Tuesday.

and more »

Continue reading...

Huskers Ready to Pick Up Speed to Face Buckeyes - 1011now
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Huskers Ready to Pick Up Speed to Face Buckeyes
1011now
LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska football team practiced for just over two hours in half pads and helmets Tuesday afternoon. Both the defense and offense started with stretching and individual drills in the Hawks Championship Center. The offense moved to ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State football | Buckeyes are No. 6 in playoff rankings - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football | Buckeyes are No. 6 in playoff rankings
Columbus Dispatch
The Buckeyes might need a finish similar to 2014 to make the final four again this year as they work to recover from an overtime loss at Penn State two weeks ago. But as quarterback J.T. Barrett pointed out, it's too early to get worked up about the ...
College football playoff contenders; sizing up schedules, resumes for Ohio State Buckeyes, otherscleveland.com
Ohio State Buckeyes No. 6 in playoff rankingDayton Daily News
Football: First College Football Playoff poll leaves Buckeyes out, Michigan at No. 3OSU - The Lantern
Landof10.com -10TV -Akron Beacon Journal
all 471 news articles »

Continue reading...

College football playoff contenders; sizing up schedules, resumes for Ohio State Buckeyes, others - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


College football playoff contenders; sizing up schedules, resumes for Ohio State Buckeyes, others
cleveland.com
That could be a big deal if the Buckeyes are one of a multiple of one-loss teams under consideration by the committee. The four playoff teams will be announced Sunday, Dec. 4. From now until then, the committee will release rankings each Tuesday. Below ...
Football: First College Football Playoff poll leaves Buckeyes out, Michigan at No. 3OSU - The Lantern
Ohio State Buckeyes No. 6 in playoff rankingDayton Daily News
College Football Playoff Rankings: Buckeyes at No. 6 in first poll10TV
Columbus Dispatch -Eleven Warriors -Landof10.com
all 425 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State is ranked No. 6 in the first College Football Playoff Top 25 of 2016
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


A good starting point for the Bucks.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are just two weeks removed from their first loss of the season against Penn State. Despite the loss, the polls are still not counting the Buckeyes out, as Ohio State debuted at No. 6 in the first College Football Playoff Top 25 this season.

The Buckeyes were the second-highest ranked Big Ten team behind undefeated Michigan. Even with their loss against Penn State, the Buckeyes are in good position for a playoff push.

Winning out in the regular season, along with a Big Ten Championship game victory would assuredly be enough to get the Buckeyes into one of the four spots. You know we’re getting close with the first ranking out this evening.

Here’s the first 2016 College Football Playoff Top 25:








Continue reading...

Buckeyes No. 6 in first CFP rankings - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes No. 6 in first CFP rankings
247Sports
The first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2016 season were unveiled on Tuesday, and Ohio State checked in at the No. 6 spot. The teams in front of the Buckeyes are: No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson, No. 3 Michigan, No. 4 Texas A&M and No.
Football: First College Football Playoff poll leaves Buckeyes out, Michigan at No. 3OSU - The Lantern
Ohio State Buckeyes No. 6 in playoff rankingDayton Daily News
Ohio State football | Buckeyes are No. 6 in playoff rankingsColumbus Dispatch
10TV -Eleven Warriors -Nebraska Radio Network
all 370 news articles »

Continue reading...

Dotting the 'Eyes: TE Josh Falo planning trip to Ohio State, advice for an official visit weekend and more - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Dotting the 'Eyes: TE Josh Falo planning trip to Ohio State, advice for an official visit weekend and more
Landof10.com
There are only two home games remaining for the Buckeyes – and one of them is four days from now. So if Falo makes an official visit, it's likely to be the weekend of Nov. 26 for Ohio State's game versus Michigan. Redshirt junior tight end Marcus Baugh ...


Continue reading...

Michigan paces Big Ten in first College Football Playoff Top 25
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

The first installment of the College Football Playoff Rankings was released Tuesday night, and five Big Ten teams landed in the top 12.

Continue reading...

Ohio State dealing with growing pains just like in 2014
Ian Cuevas via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes are still growing together as a team, and plenty of time to hit their stride.

“Growing pains [are] part of the way it is. Every school in the country is dealing with it. I would say this, too, that it's very fragile. You just go home at night, sink into that chair and go, ‘Ooh, that team lost, that team lost.’ It happens. You've just got to keep swinging, one game at a time, one quarter at a time. Do I wish that we were [winning by] 56 points and all those kind of things? Sure, but we're a work in progress.”

- Urban Meyer via Austin Ward, ESPN


It’s been said over and over again that Urban Meyer’s national championship teams have all had one loss and that Ohio State isn’t out of the College Football Playoff picture just yet. And that’s true, especially when you stop to consider that the 2014 version of Ohio State struggled during games and drew similar criticism from fans and media outlets alike that it didn’t have the look of a championship team. Those Buckeyes also had to fight through a Penn State team that took them to overtime and sluggishly handled Indiana at home before finally going on their way to a win over Michigan and then tearing through the postseason.

This version of Ohio State might not be as good as the one in 2014, but they don’t have to be. It’s a different season with different teams, and winning is the only thing that matters. As Meyer said above, sure, it’d be great to have this team blowing the competition out of the water, but with such a young team, perhaps that isn’t realistic. Regardless, the Buckeyes have a chance to make a statement on Saturday against Nebraska as they host the Cornhuskers in a prime time game.

“[Big Ten Awards] J.T. Barrett, Malik Hooker”

- Josh Moyer, ESPN


ESPN continues its weekly breakdown of the predicted finishes for the Big Ten awards race. As has been the case in the previous weeks, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett continues to dominate the votes for the Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year with all five voters slotting Barrett in. Even though he didn’t have a touchdown against Northwestern, Barrett still leads the Big Ten in passing touchdowns with 17 and is second in completion percentage at 63.9 percent. Curtis Samuel is also on the list, ranked fourth.

Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker, meanwhile is in a tight race for first place for the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year with Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers. It’s almost hard to believe that Peppers won’t walk away with the award in hand by the end of the season, but that alone just speaks to how well Hooker has played this season. He’s tied for the Big Ten lead in interceptions as well, with four of his own. Hooker also led the way in tackles against Northwestern for the Ohio State defense and has been excellent for the Buckeyes all season.

“Last year, we were winning games, but we’d come in and talk to y’all and it was almost like we lost. Remember that? We don’t want to go back to that place. It’s hard to win games. All the work we put in during the offseason, to not enjoy a win is crazy. I’m not doing that, myself. I’m trying to express that to the team, as well.”

- J.T. Barrett via Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch


Ohio State fans aren’t the only ones that remembered how a lot of the games in 2015 didn’t seem to be all that fun, despite winning all of them (other than the Michigan State game). Barrett recalls it well, as you can see in the quote above. He feels just like everyone else does, he wants games to be fun when the Buckeyes win and not filled with question marks after Ohio State might sleepwalk or get in a dogfight with an opponent not expected to put up much of a fight. But the truth is, whenever the Buckeyes take the field, they’re going to get a team’s best shot.

And though Ohio State has dropped a game this season, the Buckeyes are still searching for that identity that can help take them to new heights. With Nebraska at hand, and Michigan State and Michigan looming in the distance, there’s still plenty of time for Ohio State to find itself and make that push towards the College Football Playoff.

STICK TO SPORTS:

• Finally, there’s an emoji for ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
• This sci-fi horror game, Routine, is finally launching in March.
• Hulu will have ABC, Disney, ESPN, and FOX on its live TV service.

Continue reading...

Nebraska's Riley compares Buckeyes to Pete Caroll's USC teams - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Nebraska's Riley compares Buckeyes to Pete Caroll's USC teams
247Sports
Nebraska will make the trip to Columbus this weekend as the Cornhuskers and Buckeyes square off in a prime time match-up that will be broadcasted nationally. Both teams come into the contest with 7-1 records, and a lot of question marks, as OSU hasn't ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Buckeyes to don throwback uniforms honoring 1916 team vs. Huskers - Comcast SportsNet Chicago
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes to don throwback uniforms honoring 1916 team vs. Huskers
Comcast SportsNet Chicago
ESPN's Darren Rovell tweeted a few pictures of a throwback uniform the Buckeyes will wear Saturday, old-school deals meant to honor the 1916 team that went a perfect 7-0. Take a look at what the Buckeyes will look like for the big top-10 showdown in ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Ohio State men's basketball | Scrimmage against Ohio U. was beneficial, Buckeyes say - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State men's basketball | Scrimmage against Ohio U. was beneficial, Buckeyes say
Columbus Dispatch
There will be an exhibition game this weekend at Value City Arena, and an open practice too, as the Buckeyes get ready to open the 2016-17 season. It'll be the first real unveilings of this year's team for the public. But it won't be the first time the ...


Continue reading...