Ohio State Buckeyes Vs. Oklahoma Sooners: Bold Predictions For Week 3 Of 2016 College Football Season - The Inquisitr
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes Vs. Oklahoma Sooners: Bold Predictions For Week 3 Of 2016 College Football Season
The Inquisitr
There are so many powerhouses in college football that take the easy route by not scheduling other powerhouses for their non-conference games. The Ohio State Buckeyes and Oklahoma Sooners are clearly not part of that conversation in the 2016 college ...


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Is this still a thing? I'm overseas and would LOVE the chance to actually get to see the Bucks!

Terrelle Pryor looks like an NFL starting receiver as Ezekiel Elliott scores 1st career TD
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Several Ohio State rookies made their NFL regular season debuts as well.

The NFL regular season is back in full force, which means few more roster changes and 39 (!) active roster Ohio State players in the league — one Buckeye was signed to a practice squad and one was added to a PUP list. The insurgence of so many rookies was sure to edge out some of the older players, with 11 total Buckeyes ending up waived ahead of the season opener -- including two undrafted free agents from 2016.

Thursday Night Football


The kickoff to the NFL regular season was filled with “THE Ohio State University” intros from both sides of the ball. Opening with a Super Bowl rematch between the Denver Broncos (Bradley Roby, Jeff Heuerman [inactive]) and Carolina Panthers (Corey Brown, Kurt Coleman, Ted Ginn Jr, Andrew Norwell), Roby and Brown even swapped jerseys after the Broncos 1-point victory.


Despite being regular targets for Cam Newton at the end of 2016, the Panthers got their star receiver back, Kelvin Benjamin, meaning both Corey Brown and Ted Ginn Jr. were each only targeted once in the season opener. Kurt Coleman was effective on defense, but only recorded three tackles.

In what would have been his first official NFL game, Jeff Heuerman was inactive for the Broncos’ season opener with a hamstring issue. Secondary star Bradley Roby recorded five tackles against the Panthers despite a few missed grabs of Kelvin Benjamin.

Rookie debuts


Six first-year Buckeyes not only made their NFL regular season debut in Week 1, but they also earned starting roles to begin their careers. It’s not that often rookies get a chance to help their team immediately, but Ohio State produced such high level talent in the 2016 draft class, they proved to be pro-ready.

Eli Apple had the tough task of covering legend Dez Bryant in his first regular season game, and despite struggling with coverage early, he broke up a Bryant reception in the endzone and made a nice open-field tackle on Jason Witten in the fourth quarter.


Taylor Decker showed why he was a first round pick to Lions fans in Week 1, making enough of a difference for the team to finally display a run game. The Buckeye led the line in what allowed a touchdown run by Theo Riddick. He did account for one false start penalty, but all-in-all had a solid rookie debut.

Ezekiel Elliott is the only Buckeye rookie to get a touchdown in his first NFL game, but he did much more than that. Especially with a rookie quarterback, Elliott was expected to take on a lot of the workload for the Cowboys and he didn’t disappoint, finishing the day with 20 rushing attempts for 51 yards and a score.


Darron Lee saw his first regular season action in Week 1 and had a very up and down performance. He started out rough with a few missed tackles, but near the end of the game started getting into a rhythm and had a couple good open field tackles. The linebacker went down hard in the fourth quarter with a right knee injury, but was able to walk off the field under his own power.

Braxton Miller saw a few targets at the start of the second half of Sunday’s game, but had some issues with route running and overthrown passes, and ended with only one 6-yard reception. He didn’t stand out as much as Houston’s other rookie receiver Will Fuller which could eventually impact his snap count.

Michael Thomas made his first NFL start against the Raiders in the regular season opener, and recorded 58 yards on six receptions. Two of his catches set the Saints up for a touchdown on the next play, one late in the game, but the wideout didn’t personally get into the endzone.


Adolphus Washington made his NFL regular season debut against the Ravens, and not only made his first career start, but also had a quarterback pressure nearly taking out Joe Flacco.

There were a few Buckeyes who were active for Week 1 but didn’t see much, if any, playing time, including Vonn Bell, Joshua Perry and Tyvis Powell.


Not all rookies got playing time in Week 1, as Joey Bosa (hamstring) and Nick Vannett (ankle) missed the season opener, along with Cardale Jones who was listed as inactive.

Plays of the week


Terrelle Pryor

The former quarterback opened the 2016 regular season as the starting wide receiver for the Browns. With a bit of a resurgence thanks to his relationship with new head coach Hue Jackson, Pryor had a good opening, that included this crazy reception. Pryor was frequently covered by former Ohio State player and teammate Malcolm Jenkins.


Jalin Marshall

The rookie proved why he was starting on special teams in Week 1, when he returned a kickoff for 65-yards — the kick was off the foot of Buckeye Mike Nugent, who also was in on the tackle of Marshall leaving the veteran slow to get up.

Other notes:


Despite being signed to the Buccaneers practice squad early last week, Evan Spencer was placed on the reserve/retired list on Friday.

Former Steelers rookie cornerback Doran Grant has signed on to the Buffalo Bills practice squad, leaving the former Ohio State pipeline to Pittsburgh with only two Buckeyes left on roster (Cameron Heyward and Ryan Shazier).

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No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes reloaded from Urban Meyer's recruiting - UPI.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes reloaded from Urban Meyer's recruiting
UPI.com
But let's live in the moment, and in this moment, the No. 3 Buckeyes are benefitting from Meyer's previous recruiting bounties, as reloaded Ohio State prepares to play Saturday at No. 14 Oklahoma in what is one of the most anticipated games of the season.
Defense owns day for BuckeyesToledo Blade
Ohio State football: Buckeyes defense scores twice in 48-3 win over Tulsa Golden Hurricanecleveland.com
Ohio State 48, Tulsa 3 | Scarlet & Gray MatterColumbus Dispatch
Lima Ohio -247Sports -MyDaytonDailyNews
all 173 news articles »

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Deflating: Buckeyes take air out of opposing attacks - Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Deflating: Buckeyes take air out of opposing attacks
Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
Fickell, in his 12th year as a coordinator of an OSU defense that has yet to allow a touchdown this season, was a senior on the Buckeyes' 1996 team that won the Rose Bowl. The starting secondary that year had Shawn Springs and Ty Howard at cornerback, ...

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George Thomas: Unbeaten Buckeyes can't afford to be sluggish again next week at Oklahoma - Akron Beacon Journal
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


George Thomas: Unbeaten Buckeyes can't afford to be sluggish again next week at Oklahoma
Akron Beacon Journal
After plucking the Bowling Green Falcons 77-10 last week, the Buckeyes walked face-first into some strong Golden Hurricane wind. An Oklahoma team was supposed to be the toughest test on the schedule, but everyone assumed it would be the Sooners, ...


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Deflating: Buckeyes take air out of opposing attacks - Mansfield News Journal
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Deflating: Buckeyes take air out of opposing attacks
Mansfield News Journal
Fickell, in his 12th year as a coordinator of an OSU defense that has yet to allow a touchdown this season, was a senior on the Buckeyes' 1996 team that won the Rose Bowl. The starting secondary that year had Shawn Springs and Ty Howard at cornerback, ...


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Oklahoma opens as 1-point favorites vs. Ohio State, some lines swing quickly to OSU
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Despite OSU’s higher ranking, the home team get the initial Vegas nod.

Ohio State’s been one of the most impressive teams in the country against lesser opposition during the first two weeks of the season.

Though their performances have not been without fault, the Buckeyes have still yet to allow a defensive touchdown through two dominant weekends.

Despite former Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman and the University of Houston stunning the Oklahoma Sooners during their season opener at the Houston Texans’ NRG Stadium, the 1-1 Sooners, not the Buckeyes, are Vegas’ early choice to come away victorious when OU plays host to Urban Meyer’s Bucks this coming Saturday evening.

You can expect some potential movement back and forth to this line similar to what we saw when Michigan was pegged as ever so slight favorites against the Buckeyes before the final line closed with OSU as minute favorites. Some smaller Vegas books in fact saw the opening line of -1 swing to OSU -1.5 within five minutes of the availability to bet on the game.

If you’re not a gambling aficionado, that roughly means a slew of action in favor of Ohio State forced the book to compensate in order to best position themselves to get closer to equal action on both teams and maximize their chances of coming out ahead.

Though the Buckeyes are ranked considerably higher than the Sooners in the Week 3 AP and Coaches Poll Top 25s, picking a winner in this contest is easier said than done. If Vegas is right, it could come down to Oklahoma’s home field advantage.

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Galvin’ized Takeaways: Buckeyes Rocked them like a Golden Hurricane
Ken Galvin via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


This game was definitely the tale of two halves for the Buckeyes on offense. The first half against the Golden Hurricanes showed the inexperience and youth of the Buckeyes. While the second half showed the talent, resilience, and heart of the young team.


COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 10: Dontre Wilson #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is caught from behind by Hayden Carman #95 of the Tulsa Hurricane after an 18-yard pass reception in the third quarter at Ohio Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Tulsa 48-3. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)


The first half for the Buckeyes offense was a struggle from the beginning. The main struggle was the play of the offensive line. Through most of the first half, the Golden Hurricanes were in the Buckeyes’ backfield as soon as the ball was snapped. The Buckeyes only had 158 total yards of offense in the first half (89 yards rushing, and 69 yards passing).

After a one hour and nine minute weather delay, the Buckeyes came out in the second half looking like a completely different team. On the first drive of the second half, J.T. Barrett drove the offense down the field and ran the ball in himself for an 11-yard touchdown run. After that it was clear skies from here on out for the Buckeyes. (HA!) The Buckeyes came away with 259 total yards of offense in the second half (179 rushing yards, and 80 passing yards).

There were a few aspects of the offense that are going to need some tweaking before next weeks match up with Oklahoma. The main focus for the Buckeyes this week needs to be on the offensive line. They need to play like they did against Bowling Green last week. Oklahoma is a lot more athletic than Tulsa and if Tulsa had no problem against our line then the Sooners definitely won’t either. The Buckeyes also need to work on their 3rd down conversions. They went 5-14 (36%) on third down. The last thing they need to improve for next week is the vertical passing game. Whether it was by design or not, J.T. Barrett didn’t take any shots down the field yesterday and they are going to need the deep ball to spread out the Sooner defense next week. Without it, Oklahoma will just crowd the box and shut down any running lanes and dare J.T. to throw it on them.

Unlike last week, we got to see plenty of the Buckeyes’ defense this week and I am so excited to see more of the Silver Bullets flying around the field this season. The defensive front seven was an impenetrable wall only allowing 61 total rushing yards. The secondary pulled down four interceptions with two of them being ran back for pick sixes.

Buckeye Leaves

Offense: Curtis Samuel / Dontre Wilson

The two headed monster that is Samuel and Wilson proved how dangerous they can be today. They combined for nearly half of the Buckeyes total offense with 208 out of 417 total yards. Wilson scored the only touch down between the two of them in the fourth quarter.

Defense: The entire secondary

I’m not able to choose just one player from the secondary to highlight so I’m just going to praise all of them. Marshon Lattimore (twice), Malik Hooker, and Gareon Conley all collected interceptions for a team total of four interceptions for the game. Hooker and Lattimore each ran back an interception for a touchdown. With three total pick sixes in the first two games, the Buckeyes have tied their season total from last year.



The post Galvin’ized Takeaways: Buckeyes Rocked them like a Golden Hurricane appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio State football | Buckeyes move up to No. 3 in AP poll - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football | Buckeyes move up to No. 3 in AP poll
Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State moved up one spot to No. 3 in Sunday's latest Associated Press media poll while staying No. 4 in the Amway coaches poll following a second straight blowout win, this time 48-3 over Tulsa. The big dropper this week was slow-starting Clemson, ...
Buckeyes, Wolverines climb in AP top 25 pollToledo Blade
Buckeyes stay at No. 4 in coaches poll247Sports
Ohio State jumps to No. 3 in latest AP Poll, 4 in CoachesLand-Grant Holy Land
cleveland.com -OSU - The Lantern
all 327 news articles »

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Future Buckeyes in action: Many Ohio State commits shine - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Future Buckeyes in action: Many Ohio State commits shine
247Sports
Every Sunday or Monday during football season I wrap up the weekend that was in high school football in Ohio and elsewhere, focusing on those who will continue their careers playing for the Buckeyes. Over the weekend a number of future played in big ...

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Not sure where to put this but I haven't been able to post replies or like posts when viewing the site on my laptop and pages don't even load completely initially. I use Firefox, fwiw. Is there a setting adjustment I need to make? Thanks

Mississippi State commit. I guess he can be moved off the big board.
4-star PG Nick Weatherspoon commits to Mississippi State over Buckeyes: Ohio State basketball recruiting

5 total TDs or 4 from a QB? Who is your Ohio State commit of the week?
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Who gets your vote this week?

For the second week in a row, Holy Landers and Buckeye Nation made sure their voice was definitely heard. In what started as a back-and-forth battle for the Land-Grant Holy Land MVP of the Week award, the contest ultimately ended with a 2018 quarterback running away with your votes.

Locking up 53% of the votes last week, junior signal caller Emory Jones was named the Player of the Week over his soon-to-be Buckeye teammates Tate Martell (30%), Josh Myers (8%), Brendon White (5%), and Wyatt Davis (5%).

Most of the Ohio State commits were back in action over the weekend. After shining under the lights, which Buckeye pledge did enough to secure your MVP vote this time around?

The poll is now open. Here are your five Week 3 nominees:

Tate Martell


The Bishop Gorman (NV) class of 2017 quarterback once again didn’t just show off his arm, but also his legs in Fridays match-up against fellow OSU commit Wyatt Davis and St. John Bosco (CA).

In the hard fought battle between highly ranked programs, Martell led Bishop Gorman back from a halftime deficit to defeat his future teammate Davis and St. John Bosco by a final score of 35-20.

Stat wise, Martell stacked the sheet. Through the air the four-star talent completed 7 of his 15 passing attempts for 138 yards and three touchdowns, while also carrying the ball 17 times for 113 yards and another score to help pace Bishop Gorman to the win.

Brendon White


After a less than stellar performance through the air last week, White bounced back on Friday against St. Thomas More (ON).

Going 9 of 18 for 235 yards and four touchdowns -- three to his favorite receiving target Johnny Wiseman -- White’s stranglehold on the St. Thomas More defense wasn’t done there.

Helping the Patriots roll past the Knights, 55-10, White, who could end up on the defensive side of the ball at the college level, rushed for 84 yards and another Olentangy Liberty touchdown on just four carries.

Jerron Cage


Things might not have went as planned for Cage and his Winton Woods squad on Friday, but the four-star defensive tackle was still a force up front against Springboro for the majority of the game.

Taking one on the chin, 36-28, Cage ended the game with five total tackles and a quarterback sack.

Shaun Wade


Seeing time on both sides of the ball for Trinity Christian (FL), Wade came up huge in key moments to get the Conquerors past University Christian, 31-23.

Playing wide receiver, Wade’s play of the evening came in the second quarter when the longtime OSU pledge bobbled a pass, picked up the fumble, and raced nearly 70 yards for a touchdown.


That wasn’t the only play that got fans on their feet. Locking down receivers as a cornerback, Wade also came up with a nice interception snag.

Marcus Williamson


For the second week in a row, Williamson caused a turnover for the IMG Academy (FL) defense.

In Saturday’s 49-7 win over Booker T. Washington (OK), the Westerville native scooped up a fumble and raced 60 yards to the endzone for a touchdown.















Poll
Who is your Ohio State commit of the Week?

• Tate Martell
• Brendon White
• Jerron Cage
• Shaun Wade
• Marcus Williamson

0 votes | Results

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Buckeyes, Wolverines climb in AP top 25 poll - Toledo Blade
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes, Wolverines climb in AP top 25 poll
Toledo Blade
ANN ARBOR — Ohio State and Michigan are inching closer to the top of the Associated Press top 25 poll. The Buckeyes and Wolverines each climbed one spot in this week's poll, which was released today. Ohio State is third and Michigan is fourth. UM also ...
Buckeyes stay at No. 4 in coaches poll247Sports
Ohio State football | Buckeyes move up to No. 3 in AP pollColumbus Dispatch
Urban Meyer's Buckeyes are up to No. 3 in the AP PollBuckeyeGrove.com (subscription)
Comcast SportsNet Chicago -Land-Grant Holy Land -cleveland.com
all 303 news articles »

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Buckeyes stay at No. 4 in coaches poll - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes stay at No. 4 in coaches poll
247Sports
Ohio State stayed at No. 4 in the Amway/USA Today coaches poll released moments ago. The Buckeyes improved to 2-0 after their 48-3 win over Tulsa on Saturday. Alabama remained at No. 1 in the new poll. But ACC rivals Florida State and Clemson ...
Ohio State jumps to No. 3 in latest AP Poll, 4 in CoachesLand-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State football moves up to No. 3 in Associated Press poll, Michigan No. 4 as Clemson dropscleveland.com

all 27 news articles »

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Five Big Ten teams ranked in top 12 of latest Coaches Poll
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

The Big Ten is off to a fantastic start. One look at the latest college football polls, released Sunday, proves this. Five Big Ten teams are ranked in the top 12 of the latest Coaches Poll, headlined by No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Michigan. Michigan State comes in at No. 8, while No. 11 Iowa and No. 12 Wisconsin are just outside the top 10. View the full Coaches Poll below. Coaches’ Rankings Rankings as of 9/11/2016 Rank School Votes Prev 1 Alabama (2-0) 1598 (62) 1 2 Florida State (2-0) 1490 (1) 3 3 Clemson (2-0) 1447

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Kyle Whittingham is impressed by Shannon Spake's hot pants.

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Osu Women’s Volleyball Spilt Weekend
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The 12th ranked Buckeyes women’s volleyball team made a statement this past weekend in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational in Springfield Missouri.

In their initial meet against IUPUI (3-6) The Ohio State University Women’s Volleyball Team in a 64-minute introduction outscored the Jaguars by almost 14 points per set. The Buckeyes built up a powerful recognition , statistically in kills (56 to 14) while hitting a hitting percentage of .361 to .011.

Taylor Sandbothe and Madison Smeathers were a force in the middle. Combination-wise they accounted for 24 kills at a .600 attacking rate. Sandbothe would stand notice for a team high 17.5 points while Smeathers ended off with seven kills and nine attempts in her 2nd career start.

Sophomore Audra Appold and Taylor Hughes each recorded double-doubles with 18 digs and 13 kills for Appold and Hughes 41 assists and 10 digs. Match number one was a lopsided, 64-minute affair versus IUPUI as Ohio State outscored the Jaguars by nearly 14 points per set. The Buckeyes also built massive statistical advantages in kills (56 to 14), hitting percentage (.361 to .011), Digs (65 to 32) and service aces (4 to 0). Sophomore teammates Audra Appold and Taylor Hughes each recorded double-doubles with 18 digs and 13 kills for Appold and Hughes’ 41 assists and 10 digs.

Against Missouri State the Buckeyes would drop a strong struggle 3-2

In the final against Wisconsin – Green Bay the # 12 Buckeyes travelled the distance for a 2nd match in a row, coming out on the winning end of a five-round bout with Green Bay (7-2) Saturday night. The Buckeyes (7-2) posted final tallies of 21-25, 26-24, 25-15, 14-25, 15-11 to pick up their second win of the weekend and seventh on the year.

The Buckeyes are now 7-2 and move on to Muncie, against Valparaiso.

Let’s root for our Buckeyes and keep an eye on them.

The post Osu Women’s Volleyball Spilt Weekend appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio State remains No. 4 in latest Coaches Poll
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


Nothing new here.

The Ohio State Buckeyes moved to 2-0 on the young college football season Saturday afternoon, after a 48-3 win over Tulsa that was delayed at halftime due to inclement weather. The win, combined with wins by the top three teams in the Coaches Poll had the Buckeyes keeping their spot at No. 4.

The Buckeyes started off the game slow, but the defense had a very strong second quarter, scoring two touchdowns in two and a half minutes to give them the breathing room heading into halftime. After the delay, the offense found life, and the Buckeyes won more than comfortably.

The Buckeyes will be facing the Oklahoma Sooners this upcoming week in their biggest non-conference game of the season. Hopefully the first two games have served as a good warmup until their trek to Norman.

Your complete Amway Coaches Poll:

RANK TEAM
1 Alabama
2 Florida State
3 Clemson
4 Ohio State
5 Michigan
6 Stanford
7 Houston
8 Michigan State
9 Washington
10 Louisville
11 Iowa
12 Wisconsin
13 Georgia
14 Oklahoma
15 Tennessee
16 Texas
17 Mississippi
18 Notre Dame
19 Baylor
20 Texas A&M
21 Oregon
22 Louisiana State
23 Florida
24 Arkansas
25 Miami

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4-star PG Nick Weatherspoon commits to Mississippi State over Buckeyes: Ohio State basketball recruiting - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


4-star PG Nick Weatherspoon commits to Mississippi State over Buckeyes: Ohio State basketball recruiting
cleveland.com
The Buckeyes have one commitment for 2017, but would like to add a guard and a wing player to join four-star center Kaleb Wesson. Ohio State missed out on in-state small forward Kyle Young, who recently committed to Butler. Three players who are still ...

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How did we do? Week 2 Big Ten predictions revisited
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

Before we turn our attention to Week 3, it’s time to revisit how the BTN.com team and Big Ten fans did with their Week 2 Big Ten game predictions. Like Big Ten teams, Tom Dienhart, Sean Merriman and Big Ten fans all went 12-2, missing the same two games: Western Michigan at Northwestern and Wisconsin vs. LSU. See all of our Week 2 predictions below. Sean Merriman (@BTNSean) 2016 record: 24-3 Week 2 record: 12-1 Week 2 picks: Maryland 27, FIU 10; Cincinnati 31, Purdue 20; Rutgers 28, Howard 10; Michigan 31, UCF 7; Minnesota 27, Indiana State 14; Nebraska

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Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State remains on top after Week 2
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

Save for one stunning upset—I’m looking at you, Northwestern—it was business as usual in the Big Ten in Week 2. As a result, there isn't much change in my latest Big Ten Power Rankings, presented by ArcelorMittal.

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Senior Spotlight – Dontre Wilson
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


Although injuries have plagued much of Donte Wilson’s Ohio State career he still entered his senior season as the most experienced player on the 2016 Buckeye roster. Wilson has played in 33 games in his career at Ohio State and is one of only six seniors on scholarship on this Buckeye team. Dontre was at one time committed to the Oregon Ducks, but a late push by Ohio State and Urban Meyer was enough to get him to flip his commitment two days before national signing day. Let’s take a look at the career of Dontre Wilson in this week’s senior spotlight.

Wilson was a highly rated recruit coming out of DeSoto, Texas in 2012. He was ranked as the #6 all-purpose back in the country and the 9th ranked player in the vastly talent rich recruiting state of Texas. Wilson originally had a top two of Texas and Oregon, and visited both before committing to the Ducks on May 25th of 2012. Chip Kelly then decided to try his hand at the NFL and left for the head coaching job of the Philadelphia Eagles in January causing Wilson to give his commitment pause. Urban Meyer and Tom Herman then flew to Texas and put the full court press on Wilson to try and get him to flip to the Buckeyes. Wilson then went on a mini campus tour, visiting Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Texas before making his final decision. On February 4th, Wilson publicly decommitted from Oregon and pledged his verbal to Ohio State. Wilson was poised for big things and immediate playing time as a true freshman.

Wilson is one of a very few players under Urban Meyer so far to not have redshirted at all during his career at Ohio State. He got on the field immediately and played in all 14 games for Ohio State in his freshman year. He carried the ball 31 times for 250 yards and a touchdown and had 22 receptions for 210 more yards and two touchdowns. He was a little buried on the depth chart with Carlos Hyde, Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith and others but still managed to have a decent freshman campaign.

His sophomore season was plagued by a nagging foot injury that sidelined him for six games during the regular season. He broke his foot at Michigan State, and has been hampered by it ever since. He continued to be the primary kick returner for the Buckeyes on kickoffs during the games he played. He racked up 100 yards rushing and 300 receiving yards and three touchdowns for the abbreviated season. He had his career high in receptions and yards with 6 catches and 71 yards in the win over Cincinnati along with two touchdowns. His touchdown at Michigan State happened after he broke his foot, and put the Buckeyes up 41-24 early in the 4th quarter. He did get to play three plays in the National Championship game, although he didn’t touch the ball.

His junior season was much the same as his sophomore season in that his foot injury kept him out of any extended action for the season. He managed to play nine games on the season, but only had seven catches all season and no rushing attempts. The Buckeyes were led by Ezekiel Elliott and Curtis Samuel during the season, so the loss of Wilson was not felt, but his big play capability was certainly missed on special teams and on offense. Maybe he could have been the difference against Michigan State?

He entered his senior season with high expectations, and a finally healthy foot. He remains on the kickoff team and is the primary punt returner this season. He is on the Paul Hornung Award watch list, which is awarded annually to the player who plays a significant role on special teams, multiple positions on offense, and has an impact in big games. Wilson is majoring in Criminology, and is a 3 year varsity letter winner for Ohio State.


Photo via Bleacher Report


While the career of Dontre Wilson has not been what most expected when he decided to attend Ohio State back in 2013, he still has a chance to go out with a bang. If his foot can stay healthy, he along with Curtis Samuel and Mike Weber will likely split a lot of carries out of the backfield. Wilson will also line up in the wildcat and take direct snaps as well due to his burst and vision. #2 will probably have a chance at the next level due to his speed and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, so I expect him to be drafted next May to an NFL roster. Here’s hoping to a huge senior season for Dontre, and to a great career at the next level.

The post Senior Spotlight – Dontre Wilson appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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It was raining interceptions and chunks of yards from Curtis Samuel as Ohio State thumped Tulsa
Grant Freking via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Baby Bucks surged in the second half in their final tune-up before their steel cage match with Oklahoma.

A week after thrashing Bowling Green 77-10, Ohio State powned Tulsa 48-3 on Saturday, switching on the afterburners following an extended halftime and outscoring the Golden Hurricane 28-0 in the final two quarters.

For whatever reason—looking ahead to next week’s showdown in Oklahoma, understandable regression following a record-setting performance vs. Bowling Green, or general bewilderment as to why the new iPhone fails to sport a headphone jack—the Buckeye offense was stuck in the mud for most of the first half, registering a pair of 3-and-outs and a lost fumble on three of its first four drives. But, order was restored in the second half and Ohio State cruised without hindrance in spite of a steady precipitation emanating from the heavens. Heading into its gargantuan matchup with Oklahoma, the Buckeyes have yet to surrender a touchdown on defense and are plus-7 in the turnover department. The kids are alright, I suppose?

It’s Week 2 of the Ohio State football power rankings. Leggo!

1. Hell yeah, it’s Oklahoma week


Ohio State. Oklahoma. In Norman. (Yours truly and a cadre of schlubs are taking possession of recreational vehicle and driving to Norman. No truth to the rumor that ‘The Boz’ will be at our tailgate on Saturday morning.)

These two storied programs have met twice before, with the last collision coming in 1983 when No. 6 (Associated Press) Ohio State beat No. 2 Oklahoma 24-14 in Norman. The New York Times’ recap of the game indicates that the temperature on the field on that September day reached was 135 degrees. The typewriter-based takes from the press box at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium must have been especially scorching.


One can only hope that Barry Layne Switzer will be in attendance on Saturday night.

In 1977, No. 3 Oklahoma and Barry Switzer edged No. 4 Ohio State and Woody Hayes in Columbus, 29-28.

2. You get an interception! And you get an interception! And you get an interception!


The Silver Bullets tallied four interceptions on Saturday, raising their season total to seven. The first-half pick-sixes by Ed Reed Malik Hooker (who has three picks to his name) and Marshon Lattimore were very timely, as the defense more than picked up the slack for a laggard Ohio State offense in the first half. For the game, the Buckeyes forced six Golden Hurricane turnovers. Better check yourself, Baker Mayfield.

3. Curtis Samuel


After averaging nearly 12 yards per touch on 22 carries/receptions in Week 1, Samuel was magnificent again in Week 2, accumulating almost 12 yards per touch on 13 carries/receptions opposite Tulsa. The Buckeyes went away from Samuel in the first half, but the junior notched four touches on Ohio State’s initial second half drive and caught a pair of passes for 48 yards when the Buckeyes scored two drives later.


Gonna go out on a limb and proclaim that Mr. Samuel will feature heavily vs. the Sooners.

4. Tyler Durbin and Cameron Johnston


So much shade coming Durbin’s ways these days. First, Meyer admitted publicly that he basically didn’t have a clue that Durbin even existed. Then, the operations staff at Ohio Stadium referred to him as ‘Drew Durbin’ on Saturday. What’s a guy with a “Fight Club”-sounding name have to do to get some love? Acing Ohio State’s preferred coffin-corner kickoff and booting the pigskin consistently through the uproots (Durbin is 2-for-2 on field goals and 11-for-11 on PATs) is a massive step toward name recognition.

As for Johnston, he averaged 51 yards on his five punts, and he pinned Tulsa on the 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter despite having a defender crash into him. On that particular play, Johnston stood his ground and found the time to chirp at the dude who ran into him. You do you, Thunder from Down Under.

5. John Cooper


As Geoff Hammersley outlined earlier this week, former Ohio State head honcho John Cooper cut his teeth at Tulsa (and Arizona State) before landing in Columbus. (Francis Schmidt, another ex-head coach of the Buckeyes, coached at Tulsa nearly 100 years ago.)


John Cooper was Ohio State’s coach from 1988-2000.

Cooper won over 71 percent of his games in Columbus and turned Ohio State into an NFL talent factory, but of course, no mention of the former 13-year Buckeye coach (and college football Hall of Famer) is complete without mention of his 2-10-1 record against Michigan.

6. Mother Nature


A line of storms that stretched from southwestern Tennessee to southern Canada on Saturday afternoon left this writer without cable or internet for most of the second quarter and caused a delay of just over an hour at Ohio Stadium because of lightning in the area at halftime.

Another reminder of nature’s power, to be sure. It’s too bad it didn’t rain more at The Shoe, though—would’ve been awesome to see the Buckeyes arrive for the second half in fan boats, a la “The Waterboy.”

7. College GameDay


The GameDay crew is reportedly headed to Louisville for Louisville-Florida State instead of Ohio State-Oklahoma. The hell, guys?

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