Mike Weber has shown so far he has what it takes to be Ohio State’s next great running back
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Through just four games, the redshirt freshman is drawing comparison to Carlos Hyde and Ezekiel Elliott.

“He’s a banger. He’s a thumper and a plus-yardage guy most of the time. Zeke was too, but he doesn’t have the top end that Zeke has. We’re working on that. And Carlos was a great back. We have been fortunate, and I think Mike falls right in that category.”

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer via Austin Ward, ESPN


How lucky have Ohio State fans been lately when it comes to the running back position? First Carlos Hyde was putting up big numbers in the first few years of Urban Meyer’s reign in Columbus. After Hyde moved on to the NFL, the Buckeyes didn’t miss a beat with Ezekiel Elliott. Now with Elliott also playing at the next level, the next running back that is having a big impact on the ground is redshirt freshman Mike Weber. Meyer has referred to the H-back position as the “Cadillac position” and it’s easy to see why.

Through just four games of his Ohio State career, Mike Weber is currently second in the Big Ten in rushing, amassing nearly 500 yards on the ground. While he is a physical back like Hyde and Elliott, there are still areas of Weber’s game that he knows he has to work on. Elliott had breakaway speed, while Weber isn’t quite as fast, but there is still plenty of time for the running back to improve on that. Meyer sees more of Carlos Hyde in Weber than Ezekiel Elliott due to his feet and power. Either way, it’s quite high praise for a back who is so early into his Buckeye career.

“It’s been pretty fun. I’m starting to get a little momentum. I’m starting to mentally be able to slow the game down. Right now I’m taking it one day at a time, one game at a time, one practice at a time. I’m taking advantage of every opportunity I get.”

Ohio State defensive lineman Robert Landers via David Jablonski, Dayton Daily News


One of the biggest surprises this year for Urban Meyer and Ohio State has been the play of defensive tackle Robert Landers. With a defense full of playmakers, the second-string redshirt freshman is leading Ohio State with five tackles for loss this season. Even though he isn’t starting, Landers is becoming more comfortable when he is on the field, and his play is demanding the coaching staff try and find more ways to get him on the field.

Landers is doing all this while he is a little shorter than the prototypical defensive tackle. Every other defensive lineman on the Ohio State roster is 6-3, while Landers is two inches shorter at 6-1. What makes Landers so effective is that even though he is a little smaller, his lower center of gravity allows him to get better leverage on those trying to block him. Landers says that defensive line coach Larry Johnson has a little fun with the redshirt freshman when it comes to his height, calling him “gravity challenged”. As long as Landers keeps making noise in the defensive backfield, the rest of the Big Ten won’t be laughing nearly as much.

“We’re not going to do any talking. We’re about action. We don’t do any trash-talking.”

Ohio State offensive lineman Isaiah Prince via Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch


Ohio State is third in the nation in scoring, averaging 57.0 points per game, and fourth in the nation in total offense, with 576.3 yards per game. That type of production doesn’t happen if the offensive line isn’t playing at a high level. Even more impressive is the Buckeyes came into the year with three new starters on the line. Pat Elflein and Billy Price have been a big part of the development of the latest edition of “The Slobs”. The latest performance from the Ohio State offensive line saw all five members earn champion status from Urban Meyer and the coaching staff following the 58-0 drubbing of Rutgers.

The scary part about the offensive line this year is they are likely to only get better as the year goes on. Left guard Michael Jordan is a true freshman, and all is becoming more comfortable with his role in the offense with each game. Even though the play from the offensive line has been outstanding before, assistant Greg Studrawa knows there is room for improvement when it comes to run blocking. With the way the Buckeyes are playing right now, any improvement on the high level the offensive line is playing currently could spell trouble for the rest of college football.

“Coaching is teaching. There is a need to educate aspiring coaches on how to teach today’s youth.”

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith via Nick Roll, The Lantern


Nearly everybody watching from afar thinks they can be just like Urban Meyer and Thad Matta, but actually doing so isn’t nearly as easy as it looks. To try and cultivate the next crop of coaches, Ohio State’s College of Human Ecology is preparing to launch a master of sports coaching program. The program is specifically designed for students that are actively coaching a team.

The program will feature faculty who are current and former coaches in the Ohio State athletic department. Many of the assignments will be based on implemented on students’ teams in real time. Also, curriculum will include courses on ethics, sports law and research, as well as race. Athletic director Gene Smith first asked faculty to look into the possibility of a coaching masters program four years ago. For those thinking the program will be easy will need to think again, as the university has made the program rigorous. Who knows, maybe one of Ohio State’s coaches down the road could begin to hone their craft in the program.

STICK TO SPORTS

• After recently being moved to Oregon, Nora the polar bear loves her new home.
• Ever wanted to stay overnight at Taco Bell? Here’s your chance!
• Wendy’s is America’s fastest drive-thru.
• Norm Macdonald is a national treasure.

Continue reading...

OSU Non-Revenue: Women’s Hockey Off To A Strong Start
Charles via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


It’s October and that means college hockey season is getting underway. The Ohio State women’s hockey team opened their season last weekend with a trip to Troy, New York to take on RPI, that is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute not the computerized rating system used in NCAA tournament selections. The Buckeyes got their season off to a hot start, scoring two goals in the first two minutes of Friday’s game as they took a commanding 3-0 lead at the end of the first period on the way to a 4-1 win. RPI outshot OSU 35-22 but redshirt sophomore goalie Kassidy Sauve was a force in net, recording 34 saves.


Kassidy Sauve was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for her excellent performance in goal for the OSU women’s hockey team.
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography 2016


Saturday’s game may not have featured as much offense but it was still all Buckeyes as Ohio State improved to 2-0 on the season with a 2-0 shutout of RPI. OSU was once again outshot 33-23 but Sauve put in another amazing performance, stopping every shot she faced. Sauve’s 67 save weekend led to her being named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week; this is the fourth such honor for Sauve but I suspect it will be far from her last.

Ohio State opens WCHA conference play this weekend with a trip to Wisconsin to take on a Badger team ranked 1st in the country. Sauve will need another excellent weekend as the Badgers were on fire with their shooting, scoring 10 goals in their opening two games.

The Ohio State men’s hockey team will also be in action this weekend as they head out west to Denver, Colorado to take part in the IceBreaker tournament. The Buckeyes will take on the University of Denver on Friday night and then either Boston College or Air Force on Saturday.

Cross Country

The Ohio State men’s cross country team continued their strong start to the season, winning the All-Ohio Championship on Friday; this is OSU’s second straight All-Ohio Championship win and their 13th overall. Junior Evan Stifel just missed out on the individual title, coming in second place. OSU has now won two of their three meets this season and finished third in the other, knocking off 28th ranked Louisville in the process.

Other Sports

The women’s field hockey team broke a four game losing streak by posting a pair of victories last weekend. On Friday the Buckeyes defeated Kent State 3-2 and then blanked Ball State 3-0 on Monday. The wins wrap up the non-conference portions of OSU’s schedule and bring the team to 5-7 on the season. Unfortunately the Buckeyes are 0-3 in Big Ten games so far and will need to really turn things around over their remaining games and the Big Ten tournament.

The Ohio State women’s soccer team got the season off to a hot start but struggled at the start of Big Ten play, going winless in their first three conference games. Things appear to be turning around for the Buckeyes though as after getting their first Big Ten win against Iowa on September 25th, OSU tied Northwestern 0-0 last Saturday. The Wildcats entered the game 10-1-0 on the season so a strong OSU performance in the tie is a positive sign. The draw helped Ohio State improve to 19th in the country with a 7-4-2 record. This weekend features games at Maryland and Purdue; both games should be wins which would allow the Buckeyes to build some nice momentum.

The post OSU Non-Revenue: Women’s Hockey Off To A Strong Start appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

Continue reading...

Is Mike Weber going to be Ohio State’s best freshman RB ever?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Stats and history say he is on pace for a record-breaking season.

Raise your hand if you remember the last time that an Ohio State freshman running back started a season as strongly as Mike Weber has in 2016.

If your hand is currently raised, put it down, because you are lying. No freshman in Ohio State history has ever had a season like the one Weber is on pace for; Ezekiel Elliott didn’t, Carlos Hyde didn’t, Maurice Clarett didn’t, Eddie George didn’t, Robert Smith didn’t, not even Archie Griffin was able to get out of the gate like Weber has.

Obviously, counting eventual records broken just four games into a running back’s freshman campaign is more than a bit foolish. However, in an era of college football in which offensive records are being shattered at an alarming pace, the question does bear consideration, despite the necessary brake-pumping; is the running back from Detroit the best freshman in Ohio State’s illustrious history at the position?

Thus far, Weber has racked up 495 rushing yards in his first four games. That translates to 123.8 per game. If Weber continues on this pace, he will total anywhere from 1,609-1,857 yards, depending on how the Buckeyes’ postseason fortunes shake out. Perhaps needless to say, either total (or anything approaching) would be an Ohio State freshman record. The current mark dates back to Clarett’s historic 2002 season in which he amassed 1,237 yards and a crystal football.

The opposition


There are plenty of caveats that must be thrown into the mix when attempting to forecast Weber’s season; first of all, it’s only been four games, and two of those games were against two of the worst rush defenses in college football; Bowling Green ranks 115th, giving up 227.2 ypg, and Rutgers is at 116th with 227.4, both due in no small part to the bludgeoning delivered at the hands of the Buckeyes.

While Weber went for 136 against BG and a career high 144 against Rutgers, for which he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, he also faired fairly well against Tulsa (ranked 63rd) with 92 yards, and Oklahoma (ranked 39th) with 123, so it is not a foregone conclusion that he will wilt against better defenses.

The Buckeyes’ remaining opponents are allowing 136.6 ypg on average, a total that would rank them 47th in rushing defense as a team. That total is roughly 3/4s of the average Ohio State’s first four opponents have given up. So, if from this point out, Weber averages only 75% of what he has been putting up thus far, that would bring him in around 1,330 yards in a 13 game season and 1,516 in a 15 game season, both breaking Mo C’s record.

It must also be said that while Ohio State’s early-season foes weren’t the most stout, the same could be said for those of the teams remaining on the Buckeyes’ schedule; so their defensive prowess could eventually prove to be over-inflated.

History has its eyes on him

Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

In 1972, the NCAA began allowing freshman to play college football for the first time outside of war years. The timing couldn’t have been better for a running back out of Eastmoor High School named Archie Griffin.

That year, playing for Woody Hayes, the innovator of the “Three Yards in a Cloud of Dust” offense, Griffin totaled 867 yards during his 11-game freshman season.

Eighteen years later, Smith became the first Buckeye freshman RB to break the 1,000-yard mark with 1,126 yards in 1990. OSU fans would have to wait over two more decades before another back accomplished that feat. In 2002, Clarett set the current freshman record, playing in just 11 of Ohio State’s 14 games en route to the national championship.

So while Weber is on pace to crack 1,000 yards early in the November 5th game against Nebraska, the cards, and the demands of college football, are stacked against him. During his legendary freshman campaign, Clarett missed multiple games with injuries, most revolving around a torn medial meniscus in his right knee.

Though Weber has played extended seasons before, including 14 games as a senior at Cass Tech, losing in the State Semi-Finals, high school opposition is not exactly comparable to the beating that a running back takes against grown men, in Big Ten defenses.

One advantage that Weber has over Clarett, Smith, and Griffin is that he is a redshirt freshman, while the first collegiate action for those others came in true freshman seasons; and a year working under Strength Coach Mickey Marotti should not be undervalued.

The rigors of being a college running back have been difficult for many talented Buckeyes, including two of OSU’s most recent stars. Hyde totaled only 141 yards as a freshman in 2010, and Elliott put up only 262 in 2013, and their careers turned out just fine. Both now NFL backs, their career rushing totals rank eighth and second respectively in Ohio State history.

Coincidently, quarterback J.T. Barrett bested even Archie in 2014, when he ran for 938 yards as a true freshman.

The other major historical change that has trended towards Weber having a statistically unparalleled season is the type of offenses and defenses being run in today’s college football. While running games are still as important to most college football teams’ success as they have ever been, how they are used is different.

Instead of hard-nosed, up-the-middle slobberknocking, for teams that run more spread-based offenses, holes tend to be much larger, and defenders spread across the field, allowing for less contact and more yards gained.

And, despite the increased tempo of hurry-up offenses, the number of rushing attempts for the Buckeyes has not dramatically changed over the decades. In Griffin’s freshman year, OSU ran the ball 660 times. In Smith’s first season, the total was 506. Two years later when George was a freshman, it was just 541. Under Jim Tressel it was 629 during Clarett’s only season in Columbus, and last season it was just 554.

However, if things continue as they are, Ohio State could total anywhere from 663 to 765 rushing attempts, depending on if they make the College Football Playoff or not.

Compared to the greats

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Weber’s impressive start has already begun to draw comparisons to the other running backs to play at Ohio State under Urban Meyer’s spread system.

During his weekly press conference, Meyer was asked which back, Hyde or Elliott, Weber reminds him of most. Urban immediately said Hyde, noting their shared affinity for contact, and that Weber doesn’t have the speed of Elliott, at least not yet.

“He's a banger,” Meyer said. “(Weber’s) a thumper and a plus yardage guy most of the time. Zeke was too. (Weber) doesn't have the top end that Zeke has. We're working on that… I think Mike falls right in that category.”

One similarity that Meyer noted between Weber and Elliott is their willingness to sell out in pass blocking.

“His protection is outstanding. His effort is -- really pleased what he's turned into,” Meyer said.

For his part, Weber has downplayed the comparisons between him and Ohio State’s two most recent big name runners.

“I just go out there and play my hardest,” he said at a recent media availability. “I want to be myself at the end of the day. Those two are great running backs, so I have a lot of work to do.”

So far in 2016, Weber has been just fine being himself. His 123.8 yards per game on the ground leads the Big Ten; coincidentally (or not), Elliott leads the NFL with 103 ypg.

Continue reading...

Buckeyes set to host Midwest's No. 1 WR Peoples-Jones - Scout
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes set to host Midwest's No. 1 WR Peoples-Jones
Scout
The Buckeyes have had good success at Cass Tech over the years. They signed eventual 1st Round pick Vernon Gholston out of Cass in the 2004 class. In more recent years, they signed running back Mike Weber, defensive back Damon Webb, both starters ...
BH: Nick of time | Off and running?247Sports

all 4 news articles »

Continue reading...

NFL | Ohio State football: Ezekiel Elliott hitting his stride - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


NFL | Ohio State football: Ezekiel Elliott hitting his stride
Columbus Dispatch
Already a college legend for his exploits at Ohio State, former Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott has quickly earned a stellar reputation down in Texas, where tall tales are part of the landscape. Four games into his career, Elliott leads the NFL ...
Ohio State Football: Former Buckeyes Ezekiel Elliott and Carlos Hyde swap pro jerseys in rivalryUPI.com
Former Buckeye Running Backs Carlos Hyde & Ezekiel Elliott Trade ...Eleven Warriors

all 36 news articles »

Continue reading...

Can the Ohio State defense stop the explosive Indiana passing attack?
Chad Peltier via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The numbers suggest that the matchup with the Hoosiers could be tougher than many think.

Indiana has been relatively tough for Ohio State in recent years. They Hoosiers have been explosive enough to keep it interesting, losing by just a touchdown last season for a 34-27 final.

Avg team talent Turnover margin Net explosiveness (10+) Net explosiveness (20+) IsoPPP
Ohio State 91.43 +8 (3rd) +35 +14 1.24 (85th)
Indiana 82.73 0 (58th) +15 +8 1.46 (14th)


Talent-wise the Hoosiers are far below Ohio State, and actually less talented than Rutgers, too. But they are out-performing their talent and are actually the second-best opponent the Buckeyes will have faced this season outside of Oklahoma. Where Rutgers had negative net explosiveness scores, the Hoosiers have been explosive on offense all year and not too bad on defense either.

This Hoosiers team lost to Wake Forest, but it would be a mistake to treat this matchup like those against Rutgers or Bowling Green -- Urban Meyer wasn't kidding when he said that "They're really good." It wasn't really a fluke that Indiana was able to upset Michigan State either.

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 10 3 1 79 40 25 43 11 1
Indiana 37 22 17 81 80 28 85 12 49


We tend to treat Indiana like they're the Big Ten version of Texas Tech: all passing offense and no defense. But that would be a mistake this year, particularly with how well they stop the run.

• Ohio State's offense doesn't match up extraordinarily well with the Hoosiers defense. The Hoosiers have been solid in run defense this year, ranking 22nd in rushing S&P+ (we now have opponent-adjusted rushing and passing ratings after five weeks of data). They held Michigan State to 4.27 yards per carry and are very effective in limiting opposing run game efficiency. They're really break-don't-bend: they rank 17th in rushing success rate and 15th in rushing opportunity rate -- their opponents have gained five yards on only 31.2% of their carries -- but they're also 81st in rushing IsoPPP. That means that when opposing running backs do find some running room, it's often for a big gain. As we've said every week, the Ohio State rushing attack has specialized in 11-19 yard runs that don't really register much in the rushing IsoPPP metric (which measures how explosive a successful play is).
• Ohio State was finally able to break a few runs against Rutgers (who ranked 105th in rushing IsoPPP) with Mike Weber and Demario McCall recording multiple 30+ yard runs. Indiana's run defense numbers suggest that they should be able to do something similar, but with lower overall efficiency. There's no question that Ohio State will have the best rushing offense the Hoosiers will have seen so far, but the Buckeyes might have lower standard down efficiency than we've been used to.
• Then again, the Buckeyes had similar rushing efficiency against Oklahoma as they did Rutgers (66% rushing success rate against both). Oklahoma is 8th overall in defensive rushing S&P+, Rutgers is 39th. Indiana is 22nd. If Ohio State has similar rushing success as they did against those two opponents, then all of this is a non-issue.
• The Buckeye offense has two options: to lean more heavily on the passing game, given the Indiana defense's relative weakness, or stick to a balanced attack that is slightly more run-heavy than not. The offense has run on 61.2% of standard downs (54th) and 46.5% of passing downs (15th), meaning that they're generally balanced between rushing and passing on first and second down, but generally are so efficient on those two downs that they can run the ball more often than other teams on third and fourth down. This offense is built heavily around standard downs efficiency -- they rank first in standard downs success rate, S&P+, and line yards per carry.
• One thing that might favor the Buckeyes is the battle between the lines. Ohio State's offensive line is 1st in adjusted line yards, 3rd in power success rate, and 1st in stuff rate -- they win short-yardage situations, very rarely allow negative plays, and often generate holes for successful plays. Indiana's defensive line is 67th, 84th, and 100th in those metrics despite their overall rushing success.
• Finally, Indiana's defense, as you'd expect, has trouble allowing explosive passing plays. They rank 85th in passing IsoPPP. Ohio State has averaged only a few explosive passing plays (20+ yard) per game, but this could be a game where the Buckeyes find more a few very long gains through the air.

When Indiana has the ball

S&P+ Rush S&P+ Rush SR Rush IsoPPP Pass S&P+ Pass SR Pass IsoPPP Avg FP Drives
Ohio State 6 7 28 19 6 15 27 1 6
Indiana 48 51 74 74 8 17 10 61 116


Indiana is the second-best offense the Buckeyes will have seen up to this point, behind just Oklahoma. Their overall offensive S&P+ numbers aren't too impressive, but that's mostly due to an underwhelming run game -- the Indiana passing offense is predictably great. Get ready for some bend-don't-break defense.

• The Indiana run game is fairly mediocre at 51st in rushing S&P+ and 74th in both success rate and IsoPPP. Lead running back Devine Redding is efficient but not incredibly explosive, averaging five yards on 41.7% of his carries but just 3.7 highlight yards per opportunity. Overall there's not much to suggest that the run game should be much of a concern.
• The Hoosiers are much more effective through the air, ranking in the top twenty in passing S&P+, success rate, and IsoPPP. Interestingly, the offense is fairly balanced between running and passing on standard downs, actually running slightly more than the national average, despite being far more effective through the air. The main threats are extremely explosive -- Nick Westbrook and Ricky Jones both average over 20 yards per catch, and Jones even has a 76.2% catch rate as well. These two will be tough assignments for Conley and Lattimore.
• The Hoosiers are solid on passing downs (44th in passing downs S&P+), but are actually relatively more explosive on standard downs (18th in standard downs IsoPPP to 34th in passing downs IsoPPP), which suggests that their big passing plays are mostly on first and second down.
• Besides how well the pass defense can limit big plays, the biggest thing to watch will be how the defense performs in the red zone and when Indiana has a scoring opportunity. I expect the Hoosiers to be able to move the ball fairly effectively through the middle of the field, but the defense should be able to force a high percentage of field goals when the Hoosiers do get in the red zone. They rank 116th in points per trip inside the 40, while Ohio State is sixth in the country at defending scoring opportunities. Further, the Buckeye defense (and special teams coverage) has incredible starting field position, ranking tops in the country. That will be important for forcing the Hoosiers to drive the full length of the field and ensuring that the Hoosiers have a low average for points per scoring opportunity even if they do hit explosive plays. That is, the keys will be preventing explosive plays from being scoring plays, and then locking down the red zone.

The 4 most important stats

• Standard downs rushing success rate/average third down distance. Given Indiana's relative success against opposing run games, can the Buckeyes still move the ball efficiently on the ground or is standard downs success lower, leading to more third-and-long situations?
• Passing success rate. Will the Buckeyes throw the ball more against the Hoosiers, given their relative defensive weaknesses?
• Standard downs IsoPPP. Can the Buckeye defense limit the Nick Westbrook and Ricky Jones' explosiveness, particularly on standard downs?
• Points per trip inside the 40 allowed. Can the Buckeyes finish drives on defense, keeping explosive plays from becoming scoring plays?

Picks


S&P+: Ohio State 45, Indiana 19. 93.1% win expectancy

F/+: Ohio State by 26

My pick: Ohio State 45, Indiana 20

Continue reading...

What FPI reveals about the season so far - ESPN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


What FPI reveals about the season so far
ESPN
After months of anticipation, the first five weeks of the 2016 college football season did not disappoint. There we wild endings (ahem, Tennessee), spectacular individual performances (looking at you, Lamar Jackson) and a record 17 matchups between ...


Continue reading...

Know Your Opponent: Indiana (Quiz)
Ben van Ooyen via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here




The post Know Your Opponent: Indiana (Quiz) appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

Continue reading...

Indiana QB Richard Lagow will test Ohio State’s secondary
Christopher Jason via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The JUCO transfer has made a home for himself at Indiana.

This is not the same Indiana offense that battled Ohio State to the very end last season, in a 34-27 loss to the Buckeyes... It’s better.

In 2015, when Ohio State visited the Hoosiers, Jordan Howard was the nation’s leading rusher at the time. This season, their highly touted junior college transfer at quarterback, Richard Lagow, is currently 16th in the country in passing yards per game, at 319.5 yds/game.

Lagow was ranked the third-best pro-style quarterback in junior college last season, out of Cisco College (Plano, TX) and has the size and arm of a NFL-ready quarterback. He stands at 6’6”, 240 lbs, has excellent arm strength and fits Indiana’s up-tempo style. He was also able to join the Hoosiers and beat out Zander Diamont — who spent two years in Indiana’s offensive system and performed pretty well on the ground against the Buckeyes last season. Lagow has the tools, the scheme fit and the supporting cast to be great at Indiana, but he also can be shaky at times.

The perfect example of his shakiness was the Hoosier’s only loss of the season, coming against Wake Forest. Lagow threw for an incredible 496 yards on only 28 completions, yet he threw five interceptions. But if there is one silver lining in that 33-28 loss to the Deacons, it was that his coach, Kevin Wilson, continued to have the utmost confidence in his signal-caller, and never thought to bench him.

“Nah,” Wilson said, when asked if he wanted to bench Lagow during an interception-riddled afternoon. “He was making plays.”

Making plays


Here’s a big-time throw that Lagow made against Ball State:


Lagow read the inside blitz, showed poise in the pocket to trust his blockers and put just enough air underneath the throw to hit Nick Westbrook for a 43-yard pitch-and-catch. That was an excellent deep-ball throw from the JUCO transfer.

In that five interception game against Wake Forest, Lagow continued to sling the rock:


The Wake Forest defense bit on play-action, and the quarterback loaded up and attacked single coverage on the outside. Once again, he showed his touch on the deep-ball, when he placed the ball perfectly on his receiver’s fingertips for a big gain.

Lagow showed how clutch he was, in their upset victory over Michigan State:


Once again, Lagow faced an interior rush, as Michigan State sent the house on a blitz. He stayed poised in the pocket, took a huge shot from a Spartan linebacker and lofted the pass over an outstretched defender’s finger tips for 6. That’s a big-time throw against a big-time opponent, in a huge spot.

Making him pay


This aerial attack is legitimate and this will be a huge test for the Ohio State secondary. Lagow will throw into double-coverage — since he has extreme confidence in his arm strength — which could give Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley, Malik Hooker and the rest of the secondary a chance to make plays on the football


He looks like the typical big-armed quarterback — such as Cardale Jones -- who makes a ton of plays vertically, but sometimes puts too much velocity on the ball in the short-to-intermediate part of the field. Hooker, who has Ed Reed-esque range, will be put to the test, since Lagow throws such a perfect deep-ball.

Even if Lagow makes a mistake or two, expect his coach to tell him to keep slingin’, even against one of the best secondary’s in the country.

Continue reading...

Washington looks to end a long losing streak against Oregon in Week 6’s college football bets, odds
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Huskies have lost 12 in a row against Oregon, but this year has a different feel for Chris Petersen’s squad

Last week was a step in the right direction, but the national games are still proving to be a problem. At least this week there are five good games on tap to try and improve on the spotty record.

Last week ATS: 7-4-1 (2-3 National, 5-1-1 B1G)

Season ATS: 34-38-2 (13-17 National, 21-21-2 B1G)

National games:


Texas v. No. 20 Oklahoma (-10) - 12:00 PM EST - Fox Sports 1

Here we go again. Texas is floundering and Charlie Strong is on the hot seat heading into the Red River Rivalry. Last year, the Texas win over the Sooners pretty much saved Strong’s job. A win this year might not be enough to give Strong another year in Austin, but it would be a step in the right direction.

Last week Texas was awful in a 49-31 loss to Oklahoma State, where the Cowboys rolled up 555 yards on offense. The performance led to the demotion of defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, and now Charlie Strong will be making the defensive calls for the Longhorns.

The Texas defense could have their hands full with a Oklahoma offense that started to find their way last week against TCU. After falling behind the Horned Frogs 21-7 in the first quarter, Oklahoma went on a 49-3 run, on their way to upending TCU 52-46 in Fort Worth. All wasn’t perfect in the win, as Oklahoma’s defense still showed some holes, but they got back on track after a rocky start to the year.

Neither team is on solid ground right now, but I have more faith in Oklahoma when it comes down to it. Mayfield hasn’t been the same since Sterling Shepard went to the NFL, but he still has Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon to lean on. The Sooners get some revenge for their loss to Texas last year.

Oklahoma 48, Texas 34

No. 8 Tennessee v. No. 9 Texas A&M (-7) - 3:30 PM EST - CBS

Tennessee’s luck has to run out at some point, right? The Vols must think they are Auburn from a few years ago with all these close wins they have had so far this year. Not only did the Vols need overtime to take down Appalachian State and a second half comeback against Florida, but last week they got a Hail Mary on the final play against Georgia to stay undefeated.

Texas A&M is also undefeated, and aside from a season-opening win in overtime against UCLA, they haven’t needed quite the theatrics to get to their five wins. Oh, the Aggies are 5-0 you say? If the last two seasons are any indication, it is time for Texas A&M to completely fall apart.

I’m still not sold on Tennessee at this point. While they are undefeated, I’m not all that impressed with who they are doing it against. Sure, the same thing can be said about Texas A&M’s schedule, but I think they are a little more of a complete team than the Vols at this point. Add in the Aggies having home field, while Tennessee is playing their second road game in a row, and I’ll take Texas A&M by 10 points.

Texas A&M 38, Tennessee 28

No. 1 Alabama (-14) v. No. 16 Arkansas - 7:00 PM EST - ESPN

In looking at what Alabama has left on their schedule, and this might actually be the toughest game they have left. The last time the Crimson Tide traveled to Arkansas, the Razorbacks nearly upset them. So far this year Alabama has handled every test that has been thrown their way with little problem, but don’t sleep on Arkansas.

One of the keys for Alabama if they want to dominate this game in their usual fashion is to get pressure on Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen. Texas A&M was able to punish Allen in the second half a few weeks ago and ran away from the Razorbacks 45-24. The Crimson Tide certainly have the talent to do the same to Allen.

If Arkansas is somehow able to get their running game going against the stout Alabama defense they’ll have a chance to stay inside the number. Austin Allen also has been really accurate with his throws this year, so if he is able to get time to throw, there is a chance that he can keep the offense moving through the air, and the football out of Alabama’s hands. The Razorbacks don’t quite give Alabama the scare that they did two years ago, but they at least keep it within two scores.

Alabama 31, Arkansas 21

No. 5 Washington (-9) v. Oregon - 7:30 PM EST - FOX

The world has changed a lot since the last time Washington beat Oregon. The Huskies have lost their last 12 meetings with the Ducks, and only one of those, last year’s 26-20 Oregon win, was decided by less than 17 points. This year will likely be a lot different though.

Last week Washington put the rest of the country on notice with their 44-6 demolition of Stanford, and I could see them having little problem with Oregon this week. Last week the Ducks gave up 280 yards rushing to Washington State, which most years for Wazzu is around their yearly total. Freshman quarterback Justin Herbert will likely start for Oregon in this one, which is a tough task considering just how good Washington’s defense looked against Stanford last week, when they racked up eight sacks.

Of course Washington has to be on alert for a letdown after their biggest win in quite a while, but I think Chris Petersen will have his team ready to go on Saturday night. Even if they aren’t fully focused, it isn’t like Brady Hoke’s swiss cheese defense is all that complicated to figure out. The Huskies finally end their losing streak against Oregon, and add even more doubt into whether Mark Helfrich will return next year as head coach in Eugene.

Washington 44, Oregon 28

No. 23 Florida State v. No. 10 Miami (-3) - 8:00 PM EST - ABC

Miami has lost six in a row to Florida State, so what makes them think they can end that streak? Just because they have a new coach? Because Florida State is very bad on the defensive side of the football right now? I mean it makes sense as to why people would think now might be the time for the Hurricanes, but I’m not convinced.

Florida State nearly came into this game at 4-1 but North Carolina hit an insane field goal to upend the Seminoles in Tallahassee. Dalvin Cook is still gonna be out there on Saturday night, and DeAndre Francois has been great so far as Florida State’s quarterback, it is just the defense that has been a special brand of awful so far.

Miami certainly has the personnel with Brad Kaaya at quarterback to exploit the Florida State defense, but I’m not totally convinced that is going to happen. Miami’s schedule has been cupcake soft so far, and even though they’ll get this game at home, take Miami just seems too easy. With the talent Florida State has on defense, they can put it together at any time and I feel like this is they week they tighten up a bit.

Florida State 30, Miami 27

Continue reading...

Buckeyes on Buckeyes: Best shooter, passer and dunker - Columbus Dispatch (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes on Buckeyes: Best shooter, passer and dunker
Columbus Dispatch (blog)
This evening, Ohio State will take to the outdoor courts near Ohio Stadium to put on a show for the student population. The second-annual Buckeyes on the Blacktop event is scheduled to tip at 7 p.m. and will feature a shooting competition, basketball ...

and more »

Continue reading...

tBBC Fans Interact: Rutgers; OSUSteelersJen, Buckeyetxgirl, bhammer1965, JTows
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


I really enjoy doing the weekly fans interact! Most times I get to bring in twitter folks who I am interacting with and they appear to have some great insight’s with their tweets. This week is no different with the four I have. Give them a follow and compliment them on their work!











What would you say was the turning point after the slow start for the offense and why was it working?


@osusteelersjen/Jen – Getting the running game established. Mike Weber reminds me of a little more of El Guapo than Zeke. Also, the true freshman have adapted on WR, TE and RB and are able to play and score (and score and score) . The Oline has come together and is playing well as a unit.

@buckeyetxgirl/Jessica – I’ve almost gotten used to slow offensive starts by the Buckeyes but they still make me uncomfortable! After that tipped ball and interception I reminded myself JT doesn’t seem to ever get rattled, and everything would be ok. So during the second or third drive, the Buckeyes got into a rhythm. I feel like this happens almost every game. It’s like Meyer and staff can read and adapt so quickly to the defense, and once they get it, there’s no turning back.

@bhammer1965/Brad – I’m going to respectfully disagree with premise of the question the offense did move the ball & set the tone on the first drive remember they started at their own 9 yard line. JT had a little too much on the pass to Clark that deflected off him to a Rutgers db had that not happened the offense more than likely cashes in on a 91 yard drive. Defensively yes Rutgers moved the ball on their 1st 2 series but both times Defense made plays to blow it up. Was anyone really worried that The Scarlet knights were in any danger of scoring.

@JTows/Jon – They established the run game! The defense was soft on the early drives (no points of course), but once the offense got the running game established and kept the D off the field, the route was on! I hate bye-weeks. Once they “knocked the rust off” and “woke up” the team got into a groove. I can’t point to any specific play, but it was perhaps on the third or fourth drive once the O really got into gear… The O-line was opening holes and the running backs got into a rhythm!

The Silver Bullets are setting a ridiculous standard for themselves as a scoring defense and being scored against. What is the difference between this year’s version and last years NFL player laden team?


@osusteelersjen – Last years defense, 3 first round NFL draft picks, had pressure on them and it seemed like nothing was ever good enough. This year, the Silver Bullets are very aggressive and again, that talent was sitting there on the bench They just didn’t get much of a chance to play.

@buckeyetxgirl – Without knowing the official times on these players, I’m guessing they are slightly faster than last year’s version. The are better at getting no separation.

@bhammer1965 – As a group they seem to want it more & I think they got better at several positions. Baker is a far better LB than Josh Perry. Conley, Hooker & Lattimore will all 3 likely be 1st round NFL Picks to the dismay of Buckeye Fans. Should this Team do what we think they are capable of this season.

@JTows – The secondary is much more aggressive! Strong run support and excellent open field tackling, not to mention very tight coverage. Somewhere in the second quarter, it felt like the D was getting better penetration and getting more stops at or behind the line of scrimmage.

Why will this offense be able to continue to spread the wealth to so many play-makers. Explain why not if you don’t think they can.


@osusteelersjen – They’ll keep spreading the wealth, keep everyone smiling. Remember, a lot of these guys are freshmen or red-shirt freshmen, so we’ll be lucky to see their faces for the next two or three years. And to think, next years class has how many five stars????

@buckeyetxgirl – This team is so young and so hungry. Only a hand full of these guys were part of the NCG team. As a result, I think they are so grateful each and every time they touch the ball. There are so many stars yet they all support one another. They are united.

@bhammer1965 – The offense has picked up where the 2014 offense left off before JT’s injury. However how many of us would’ve love to have seen Noah Brown paired with Mike Williams last season giving Cardale a true deep threat. I really think they are going to be a juggernaut as the season goes on though. Believe it or not they actually have more weapons than last season.

@JTows – The talent on this team is amazing! They graduated so many talented players and only got stronger with younger players. These young players are play makers!

(BONUS) Is this team surprising you and what is your prediction for the rest of the season?


@osusteelersjen – I’m not surprised at this team. NFL scouts said on pro day that with what talent was leaving, the talent on the bench could still make an NFL roster. This team seems to mesh together better. I think Indiana and Wisconsin might make it close in the first half of their game, but the Buckeyes will prevail. This team will be playing in mid January.

@buckeyetxgirl – If JT stays healthy, I think they win it all.

@bhammer1965 – No anyone who has the misfortune of following me on Twitter knows I’ve said along this could be a repeat of 2014. We are at the point now where Buckeye fans will be asking who’s going to be Urban’s next Curtis Samuel , it’s safe to say he has ended the Percy Harvin question. So I will go out a limb & say anything short of a National Title will be a disappointment.

@JTows – This team is further ahead at this point than I thought they would be. I think back to the offensive line on the 2014 Buckeyes and how much they developed and progressed over the course of the season. This team is much further ahead at this point in the season. I can’t wait to see how well they perform heading into the playoffs! Of course they have a stronger schedule this year, but I believe that this will prepare them better for what lies ahead!

The post tBBC Fans Interact: Rutgers; OSUSteelersJen, Buckeyetxgirl, bhammer1965, JTows appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

Continue reading...

Buckeyes take winning streak to Wellston | Local Sports ... - Athens Messenger (registration)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes take winning streak to Wellston | Local Sports ...
Athens Messenger (registration)
NELSONVILLE — The Nelsonville-York Buckeyes are currently enjoying a turnaround season on the gridiron, and one of the reasons has been a strong ...

and more »

Continue reading...

This year's Buckeyes remind Schlegel of 2006 Ohio State team - Lima Ohio
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


This year's Buckeyes remind Schlegel of 2006 Ohio State team
Lima Ohio
ST. MARYS — Anthony Schlegel sees a lot of similarities between the 2006 Ohio State football team and this year's Buckeyes. He just hopes the comparisons stop at some point. “It's very similar to 2006 but you don't want the outcome of 2006 (losing to ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Will Ohio State have room for 4-star WR Jaylen Harris?
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The home state star holds the Buckeyes high on his list.

Spot available for Harris?


As of today, Ohio State’s top ranked 2017 recruiting class features 17 prospects across the country. Of those 17, two come at the wide receiver position — Trevon Grimes from St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) and Tyjon Lindsey from Bishop Gorman (NV).

As we all know, spots quickly filled up in the class and very few remain for Head Coach Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes. However, ‘17 WR Jaylen Harris of Cleveland Heights (OH) believes that he has nothing to worry about, if he wants in.

In a video interview with Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com, the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder stated that Ohio State would take him, if he wanted to commit right now. “The coaches told me they would make a way,” Harris said.

For now, despite Harris confirming that Ohio State was his dream school and that he loves the program, the Buckeyes are no sure bet for the four-star pass-catcher from the 216. Rounding out the Top 5 for Harris, which he revealed in early August, is Alabama, Michigan State, Penn State and Tennessee. It is also worth mentioning that Harris will be roaming the sidelines at Ohio Stadium this weekend, according to Bill Kurelic of 247Sports, to check out the Ohio State-Indiana contest.

In the end, we will wait and see if Harris selects the Buckeyes, and becomes a member of the already highly touted class of 2017. If that is ultimately the case, it’s a safe bet to say the Scarlet and Gray would be bringing in one dangerous and dynamic trio to Columbus. Harris is the 171st overall player in the class, the 27th best player at the WR spot and the 5th highest ranked player from the state of Ohio.

Will the Buckeyes have room or will an in-state standout prospect choose a different path as a student-athlete? Stay tuned.

Scott to see OSU


As mentioned above, Jaylen Harris will be in Ohio Stadium on Saturday to take in the Buckeyes battle with the Hoosiers at 3:30 p.m. EST. However, he won’t be the only in-state prospect inside of The ‘Shoe this weekend.

According to Bill Kurelic, 2018 offensive guard Blaine Scott (Portsmouth, OH / Sciotoville High School) will make the trip to Columbus to take in the weekend contest. Scott is currently graded as the 15th best player in the state for next year’s recruiting cycle.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder has yet to receive an offer from the Buckeyes, but as you can see, Ohio State is keeping close tabs on the three-star offensive lineman. As for who has offered Scott thus far, 26 programs have been tallied, which include the likes of Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisville, Penn State, Miami (FL), Michigan State and North Carolina

Perhaps a good visit on Saturday for both parties could result in Scott picking up that offer from the home school. If it were to happen, make no mistake that the Buckeyes would be on commitment watch.

Continue reading...

Robert Landers thriving with Ohio State Buckeyes | www ... - Dayton Daily News
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Robert Landers thriving with Ohio State Buckeyes | www ...
Dayton Daily News
Robert Landers doesn't like being the center of attention, but he was Wednesday night at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, meeting with the media for the first ...
Robert Landers thriving with Ohio State Buckeyes - WHIOWHIO
Buckeyes freshman Mike Weber leads Big Ten in rushing per game ...MyDaytonDailyNews

all 4 news articles »

Continue reading...

Women's volleyball: Two top-25 teams await No. 14 Buckeyes in Michigan - OSU - The Lantern
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Women's volleyball: Two top-25 teams await No. 14 Buckeyes in Michigan
OSU - The Lantern
14 Buckeyes will play two more teams ranked in the Top 25 this weekend – No. 21 Michigan State on Friday and OSU rival No. 23 Michigan, on Sunday. On Saturday, OSU stunned fans as it took down undefeated, No. 1 Nebraska in four sets. This was the first ...
Game Data: Buckeyes set to host hot Hoosiers247Sports
Ohio State vs. Indiana | Kevin Wilson has Hoosiers believing in themselvesColumbus Dispatch
Is Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett special? Buckeye Talk Podcastcleveland.com
The SkyBoat (blog) -Comcast SportsNet Chicago -Eleven Warriors
all 117 news articles »

Continue reading...

TFF: Buckeyes offensive line is rock solid heading into Indiana game - ABC6OnYourSide.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


TFF: Buckeyes offensive line is rock solid heading into Indiana game
ABC6OnYourSide.com
COLUMBUS-- The Buckeyes offensive line have only allowed 2 sacks on the season, while the defense has racked up 10. While they don't get as much praise as the ball carriers, the offensive line has been at the core of the offensive plays we've seen this ...
Ohio State football | Offensive line quickly molds into solid unitColumbus Dispatch
Ohio State Football Recruiting: 5-Star LB Intrigued By Buckeyes, Top 2019 Prospect Sets Decision DateChat Sports
Elite 2019 prospect set for Ohio State visit247Sports
Eleven Warriors
all 10 news articles »

Continue reading...

Game Data: Buckeyes set to host hot Hoosiers - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Game Data: Buckeyes set to host hot Hoosiers
247Sports
The Buckeyes 42-14 in 2013 and 42-27 in 2014. Last year, Ohio State escaped Indiana with a 34-27 win. OSU trailed 10-6 at halftime before RB Ezekiel Elliott broke off second-half touchdown runs of 55, 65 and 75 yards. Elliott ended up with 274 yards on ...
Ohio State vs. Indiana | Kevin Wilson has Hoosiers believing in themselvesColumbus Dispatch
Is Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett special? Buckeye Talk Podcastcleveland.com
Big Ten Power Rankings: Buckeyes, Michigan separate themselvesComcast SportsNet Chicago
Eleven Warriors -Toledo Blade -Dayton Daily News
all 113 news articles »

Continue reading...

Flashback: Buckeyes blasted Penn State 38-7 20 years ago today - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Flashback: Buckeyes blasted Penn State 38-7 20 years ago today
247Sports
EDITOR'S NOTE – This season, we will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Ohio State's 1996 Rose Bowl championship season. That was a landmark year for the Buckeyes with their first Rose Bowl win and highest AP poll finish (No. 2) in 23 seasons.

and more »

Continue reading...

Buckeyes bounce back against Tomcats - Athens Messenger (registration)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes bounce back against Tomcats
Athens Messenger (registration)
The Buckeyes quickly turned the tables however. The second set was tied, 9-9, but a Trimble error and a Jessie Addis ace gave N-Y an 11-9 lead. The Bucks eventually stretched that lead out to 20-12 after Jordan Fick's ace, seizing the upper hand.


Continue reading...

Ohio State football | Buckeyes 'could be the most dominant offense in college football,' Parris Campbell says - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football | Buckeyes 'could be the most dominant offense in college football,' Parris Campbell says
Columbus Dispatch
Enlarge Image Request to buy this photo Courtney Hergesheimer | Dispatch Receiver Parris Campbell, pictured during the 2015 spring game, says “I think it can only go uphill from this. I think we've got a lot left in the tank.” ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Robert Landers thriving with Ohio State Buckeyes - WHIO
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Robert Landers thriving with Ohio State Buckeyes
WHIO
Robert Landers doesn't like being the center of attention, but he was Wednesday night at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, meeting with the media for the first time since he made his Ohio State Buckeyes debut Sept. 3 against Bowling Green. In a season ...
Mike Weber putting up big numbers for Ohio State BuckeyesMyDaytonDailyNews

all 5 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State Women’s Basketball: Day One
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Ohio State women’s basketball under fourth year head coach Kevin McGuff, is probably in the best position to make a final four run since arriving. He has arguably the best player in the country in Kelsey Mitchell and one of the best classes just arriving.

They kicked off their practices today in style and we picked up the video from their official twitter account.









The post Ohio State Women’s Basketball: Day One appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

Continue reading...

Updates on Ohio State LB Dante Booker, Buckeyes offensive line: 5 things to know from Urban Meyer - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Updates on Ohio State LB Dante Booker, Buckeyes offensive line: 5 things to know from Urban Meyer
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Another week of Ohio State football practice, another chance to check on the status of Buckeyes linebacker Dante Booker. Urban Meyer said after Wednesday's practice that Booker is "probable" for Saturday's game against Indiana.
TFF: #2 Buckeyes to take on upstart IndianaABC6OnYourSide.com
Pair of Ohio teammates visiting Buckeyes this weekend247Sports
Ohio State football | Noon start for Michigan gameColumbus Dispatch
Comcast SportsNet Chicago -Chat Sports -Land-Grant Holy Land
all 147 news articles »

Continue reading...