Who will win the Big Ten and other questions answered for 2016
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Who will exceed expectations? What about disappoint?

We got together as a staff, all 18 of us, to look into our crystal balls and tried to predict how this season will go, just like we have every other season. This is the second of a three part series, where we’ll publish what our staff thinks of various Ohio State related prediction and college football at large. At the end of the season, as is tradition, we’ll also take a look back at these, so we can all laugh at how dumb we were, or crow about the one dang thing someone completely nailed.

Yesterday, we shared our Ohio State predictions. Today, let’s take a look at how we think the Big Ten will shake out:

Please list your predicted order of finish in the Big Ten East (Top to bottom)


7 points for a 1st place vote, 6 for a 2nd, etc

Ohio State: 121 points (13 first place votes)

Michigan: 111 (5)

Michigan State: 89

Penn State: 71

Indiana: 47

Maryland: 34

Rutgers: 28

Michigan is getting all sorts of love as a playoff contender and Big Ten favorite elsewhere in the media, but here, on an Ohio State blog, the Buckeyes still reign supreme, although in a closer vote than normal for these things. Many ballots looked similar, although the final three programs appeared in all sorts of different orders.

Please list your predicted order of finish in the Big Ten West (Top to Bottom)


Iowa: 111 points (7 first place votes)

Nebraska: 102 (5)

Wisconsin: 89 (3)

Northwestern: 76 (2)

Illinois: 44

Minnesota: 63 (1)

Purdue: 19

In what is becoming a bit of a tradition here for this preseason poll, nobody has any idea what the hell to expect from the Big Ten West. Nearly everybody got a first place vote, and just about every configuration you could imagine got at least one vote. Our writers were most confident in Iowa (nobody picked them worse than 4th), but this is hardly a ringing endorsement. The only thing anybody seems to be really sure about is that Purdue will suck. Which seems about right.

What Big Ten team is most likely to surpass expectations this year?


Michigan State: 3

Wisconsin: 2

Northwestern: 2

Penn State: 2

Minnesota: 2

Indiana: 2

Others: 5

Basically, everybody in the Big Ten got at least one vote except for Maryland, Rutgers, and Indiana. The program fueled by pure, unadulterated #DISRESPEKT got the most love, but clearly, there’s nothing close to a consensus here. You can talk yourself into nearly anybody.

Who in the Big Ten is most likely to wildly disappoint?


Michigan: 8

Northwestern: 2

Wisconsin: 2

Iowa: 2

Others: 4

I am shocked, shocked that an Ohio State site expresses some skepticism about Michigan. Based on the ballots though, this is less about Michigan as a team, and more about their massive expectations. Can say, Penn State be a big disappoint if nobody really expects them to be good anyway?

Who is your Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year?


J.T. Barrett: 14 votes

Saquon Barkley: 2 votes

Others: 2 votes

Homer pick? Sure, but in a conference that’s a little light on established playmakers at QB and RB (the positions most likely to win this kind of award), picking the guy who once finished in the top five for Heisman voting isn’t that crazy.

Who is your Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year?


Jabrill Peppers: 6 votes

Malik McDowell: 4 votes

Raekwon McMillan: 3 votes

Others: 4 votes

Don’t let anybody say this blog is too biased to say anything nice about Michigan, imo.

Who is your Big Ten Coach of the Year?


Urban Meyer: 6 votes

Mike Riley: 3 votes

Paul Chryst: 3 votes

Tracy Claeys: 2 votes (EDITORIAL NOTE: who in the blue hell voted for Claeys)

Others: 5 votes

Is this finally the year Ohio State wins coach of the year? Given how much Ohio State is replacing, it does seem like if it’s ever going to happen, this would be the year. But let’s face it: it’ll probably go to whatever 8-5 team wins the Big Ten West.

Continue reading...

Ohio State needs Gareon Conley to solidify an inexperienced secondary
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The lone returning start in the Buckeye secondary will be a player to watch in Week 1.

The storylines surrounding the Ohio State football team during the 2015 offseason were all about how they were going to be able to maximize their historic levels of returning talent to win a second consecutive National Championship. While a 12-1 record and a 16-point victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl looks great in a vacuum, the 2015 Buckeyes didn’t quite live up to preseason expectations.

The situation is slightly different heading into this season as the 2016 team looks to replace 12 players taken in the NFL draft (including five in the first round) and two more unsigned free agents still on their respective rosters. While expectations are always high in Columbus, many national experts expect the Jim Harbaugh-led Team Up North to capture the Big Ten crown.

With only six starters returning, three on each side of the ball, Urban Meyer and staff are going to have to rely on their unproven stockpile of top-line recruiting talent to fill important holes left in every position group.

On offense, the once and future starter J.T. Barrett is now firmly entrenched under center, or in the gun as it were, and All-American Pat Elflein returns to Columbus to move inside to finish his collegiate career at center. Junior Billy Price is also back at right guard.

On defense, Tyquan Lewis returns to anchor the line at one end position, while Sam Hubbard will likely replace the finally signed No. 3 pick Joey Bosa on the other end, as he did following the All-American’s targeting ejection in the bowl game. All-Conference middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan should steady a talented corps, but it will be up to junior cornerback Gareon Conely to provide a measure of veteran leadership to the exceptionally inexperienced backend of the Ohio State defense. For this reason, he is the defensive player to watch in Saturday’s opening-week match-up with Bowling Green.

The stats


Year: Junior

Height: 6'0

Weight: 190 lbs.

2015 Stat Line: 58 targets, 21 completions allowed, 49 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups

As Christopher Jason pointed out in his “Most Important Players” series, Conley had a fairly strong sophomore season playing opposite Eli Apple, who eventually went 10th to the New York Giants. However, with Apple and safeties Von Bell and Tyvis Powell gone to the NFL, Conley moves from the short side cornerback position to the field side, changing his responsibilities.

Even if Ohio State’s sheer talent advantage makes this a less-than-competitive game, Bowling Green’s offense should provide a preview as to how the reloaded Buckeye defense will handle a growing number of pass-happy teams on their 2016 schedule.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Long-term prognosis


Yes, Bowling Green did have the nation’s third-best rushing attack by some measures last season, but they also threw for 5,135 yards and that was before they lost leading rusher Travis Greene. Perhaps more importantly, the Falcons hired first-year head coach Mike Jinks, who most recently was Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive-minded associate head coach at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders ranked second in the FBS in passing yards per game a season ago with 388.2, and while their top-two 2015 receivers (Roger Lewis and Gehrig Dieter) are now with the New York Giants and Alabama Crimson Tide respectively, they do return 2016 Biletnikoff Watch List wide receiver Ronnie Moore.

Combine that passing pedigree with BG’s 20th-ranked S&P+ passing offense from last season, and Conley and new starters Malik Hooker (safety), Damon Webb (safety), and Marshon Lattimore or Denzel Ward (cornerback) are likely to be tested early.

However, the real lesson to come out of the opening Saturday for the secondary isn’t necessarily how they handle a likely out-gunned Falcons’ offense. Instead, it’s whether or not Conley can lock down his new side of the field, allowing his untested compatriots the opportunity to work themselves up into traditional Buckeye secondary form, since they will be tested fairly regularly as the season progresses.

Despite the general consensus of national analysts and other conferences’ fans, many Big Ten offenses have all but abandoned the “three yards in a cloud of dust” mentality that defined the league for generations. Bowling Green’s third-ranked S&P+ rushing attack aside, only two teams on the Buckeyes’ schedule (and only one in-conference) ranked in the Top-30 last year; Oklahoma (No. 28) and Maryland (No. 14).

Conversely, Ohio State’s schedule sees them face six teams in the Passing S&P+ Top-30 from last year, BG (No. 20), Oklahoma (No. 11), Indiana (No. 14), Nebraska (No. 25), Michigan State (No. 30), and Michigan (No. 8).

With Conley covering the boundary for the first time on Saturday, this week’s matchup should give fans a glimpse into what the Buckeye defense will look like with three DBs making their first starts.

Ohio State cornerbacks coach Kerry Combs thinks his lone returning starter is up for the task. "Absolutely, Gareon is ready…He and I have met several times already about his opportunity to lead in the back end and that will be his job. It is wonderful when it works out that way."

Conley spoke to Dave Revsine and Howard Griffith about the new-look defense and what they expect from their newly inherited leadership positions.

What to watch for


While the role of a cornerback extends far beyond coverage, the expectation is that with a comparatively more experienced line and linebacking corps, that the passing game will be the biggest question mark for the Buckeyes’ defense this season.

Conley is an exceedingly talented athlete, and in his 13 games as a starter has proven that he has the versatility to be the next Ohio State DB taken in the first round.


So, keep an eye on if Conley is able to stick with Moore, or if he regularly needs help from the safeties. If No. 8 can lock down his side of the field, it will be a big boost to the young secondary starters as they attempt to get their game legs ready in time for a Week 3 trip to Norman, Oklahoma.

Continue reading...

Buckeyes get in formation with TBDBITL-inspired concept uniforms - NBC4i.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes get in formation with TBDBITL-inspired concept uniforms
NBC4i.com
That's exactly what the folks at collegemarching.com set out to find out. They asked their designer, James O'Hara, to redesign college football uniforms to be based off their school's current marching band uniforms. This week, the website unveiled ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Ohio State athletics | Ask the Experts: About the quarterback position ... - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State athletics | Ask the Experts: About the quarterback position ...
Columbus Dispatch
The consensus seems to think that the QB spot is of no concern for the Buckeyes because J.T. Barrett returns. What seems to be forgotten is that his performance last season was a step down from the year before. Is it safe to assume that the quarterback ...
Barrett lends veteran hand to young BucksMarion Star

all 10 news articles »

Continue reading...

Game Preview: Bowling Green at Ohio State
Brandon Zimmerman via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Bowling Green Falcons @ Ohio State Buckeyes – Ohio Stadium Noon ET

It started as soon as the Buckeyes finished off Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl on January 1st. Everyone knew the Ohio State football team would look completely different for the 2016 season. Slowly over the next couple of days, players declared for the NFL leaving the roster full of young and inexperienced players.

In the end, the Buckeyes had 12 players from the 2015 team drafted with five of those players going in the first round. The


GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 01: Defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis #59 of the Ohio State Buckeyes (left) celebrates a fourth quarter sack with defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle #93 (right) during the fourth quarter of the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)


off-season has been full of the national and local media doubting how the Buckeyes will be able to contend this year with ONLY six returning starters. Now is the time to see how this team comes together.

In his four years as head coach at Ohio State, Urban Meyer has had his team ready to go from the on-set. The Buckeyes wins in their first game of the season under Meyer have been by an average score of 43-17. The opener for the 2014 season, which also replaced almost the whole team, was the only time Ohio State appeared to struggle as they only beat Navy 34-17. Many people chalked up the struggles to a combination of young players and gimmick offense but guess what…this year the Buckeyes face a gimmick offense with a young team. Sure, the Texas Tech spread is a little more normal than the triple-option of Navy but it is something the Buckeyes have had to specifically prepare for.

Eight new starters on defense will be thrown into the mix right away as the high powered Bowling Green offense rolls into town. This offense did not score any less than 27 points in a game last year and will give the inexperienced secondary and linebacker crew some fits throughout the day.

With Oklahoma and Baker Mayfield looming two weeks away, is there any better way to start the season than with Bowling Green and Tulsa? Let’s get the 2016 season started!

The Intangibles

TV: BTN (Kevin Kugler/Jim Miller/Lisa Byington)

Radio: Ohio State IMG Radio Network/97.1 WBNS (Paul Keels/Jim Lachey/Matt Andrews)

Online: BTN2GO 97.1 WBNS (Audio)

Social Media: @OhioStAthletics @BG_Football

Series Record: 4-0 (Last Meeting: OSU 35 – BGSU 7, Oct 7, 2006)

Previewing the Falcons

If you are a fan of teams throwing the ball 70 times a game, this Bowling Green Falcons offense is made for you.

It’s hard to ignore the fact they lost their head coach Dino Babers to Syracuse or the fact that they have to replace Matt Johnson who threw for 4,946 yards and 46 touchdowns after he graduated. You can also throw in the fact they lost running back Travis Greene to graduation after rushing for 1,299 yards and 15 touchdowns. All of these things add up to a recipe of a team which will struggle on offense under most circumstances.

First year head coach Mike Jinks will be looking to make his mark, after only coaching collegiately for three years, and he has more than enough talent offensively to make some waves. Jinks is a former high school coach and had been the running backs coach under Kliff Kingsbury at Texas Tech for the past three years. With that said, he is going to have a heavy Texas Tech influence on his offense which fits perfectly with what Bowling Green has the personnel for.


Knapke and his throwing ability will test the young secondary.


At quarterback will be redshirt senior James Knapke (6’2”, 236 lbs) who will be replacing Johnson for the second time in his career. Knapke started in 2014 after Johnson went down with an injury which cost him his season. In his one year of starting, Knapke attempted 280 passes for 3,173 yards and had 15 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

During the 2014 season, Knapke played against Indiana and Wisconsin. Against Indiana, he had a field day on that porous Hoosier secondary as he completed 46 passes for 395 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Against a tougher defense in Wisconsin, Knapke struggled completing only 13 passes for 163 yards and one interception.

His main target throwing the ball will be senior Ronnie Moore (5’9”, 170 lbs) who caught 72 balls for 951 yards and six touchdowns in 2015. Moore will lead a very deep but inexperienced wide receiver room. For his career, Moore has 156 catches, 2,188 yards, and 18 touchdowns.

Starting alongside of Moore at wide receiver will be redshirt junior Teo Redding (6’1”, 167 lbs), sophomore Deric Phouthavong (6’4″, 207 lbs), and sophomore Scott Miller (5’10”, 160 lbs). Redding has the most experience of the group catching 13 balls last season for 222 yards and three touchdowns.

At running back will be senior Fred Coppet (5’9”, 213 lbs) who is very experienced even though he backed up Greene last season. In three years as a back-up, Coppet has accumulated 1,804 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns.

The offensive line will be returning three starters after losing two All-MAC performers from 2015. Former right guard Alex Huettel graduated and left tackle Jacob Bennett (r-Sr) was injured during fall camp and will miss the entire season. Redshirt senior Logan Dietz (40 career starts) and redshirt junior Tim McAuliffe (27 career starts) will look to anchor the line and give Knapke time to throw.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons return quite a few key players from a defense who will without a doubt be looking to improve.

The defensive line will be anchored by redshirt junior Terrance Bush (6’2’, 252 lbs) from the defensive end position. In 2015, Bush had 50.5 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, and five sacks.

The linebacker crew returns all three of their starters from last season who all performed well, all while appearing a little undersized for their position. Redshirt junior Austin Valdez (6’1”, 236 lbs)


Valdez, the leading tackler from 2015, will look to shut down the Buckeye running game.


was the defensive leader from the middle linebacker position registering 101 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, one sack, and two interceptions.

On the outside at linebacker, the Falcons have redshirt seniors Trenton Greene (5’9”, 214 lbs) and James Sanford (6’1”, 200 lbs). This productive duo combined for 166 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles. Sanford is listed as a co-starter with redshirt sophomore Jack Walz III (5’11”, 197 lbs).

In the secondary, the Falcons lose both safeties but return redshirt senior Alfonso Mack (5’11”, 178 lbs). Mack, who was in his first year of starting, showed his playmaking ability intercepting six passes while racking up 49 tackles with 3.5 of those coming for a loss. Joining him in the backfield will be senior Will Watson at cornerback, sophomore Jamari Bozeman at free safety, and redshirt freshman Antonyo Sotolongo at the rover position.

Previewing the Buckeyes

There is not too much to say about the Buckeyes which hasn’t been regurgitated by every media outlet for the past seven months. The Buckeyes only have to replace their running back, three wide receivers, tight end, three offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, two linebackers, and three defensive backs. No big deal, right?

Have no fear Buckeye Nation, as hard as that all sounds they do return a few very important key players and vital positions. At quarterback, the Buckeyes will once again be led by redshirt junior J.T. Barrett. In 1.5 years as starter for the Buckeyes, Barrett has racked up 3,826 passing yards and 45 touchdown passes. In addition to his throwing, Barrett has added 1,620 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. He will be leaned on heavily by the coaching staff to get the young offense going early.

At running back the Buckeyes will turn to redshirt freshman Mike Weber and junior Curtis Samuel to replace Ezekiel Elliott. Weber is widely expected to be the every down back but I don’t think this will be a situation where the staff feeds him like they did Elliott and Carlos Hyde (except versus MSU) over the last couple of years. You will see Weber with the most carries but expect to see a lot of Samuel moving over from his starting spot at H-back to receive some carries throughout the game. This serves two purposes, it gives Samuel a chance to run the ball where he has averaged 6.9 yards per carry over his first two years and it allows the Buckeye staff to get Dontre Wilson onto the field.


Samuel will look to flex his muscles from multiple positions this year.


Wilson, who finally seems to be healthy, is a major playmaker which many have forgotten about due to him only playing 13 games over the past two years. As a freshman, Wilson had 670 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns. On top of that, he added another 523 yards in kick-off returns. Expect Wilson to be a major part of the Buckeyes this year doing a little bit of everything, especially in the return game.

The offensive line will be anchored by a couple of All-B1G performers in Pat Elflein (r-Sr.) and Billy Price (r-Jr.). These two will be counted on to keep first year starters Isaiah Prince (So.), Jamarco Jones (Jr.), and Michael Jordan (Fr.) composed and focused.

On defense, the Buckeyes will be led by one of the best middle linebackers in the nation, junior Raekwon McMillan. In his first year of starting, McMillan had 119 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, and 1.5 sacks. He will be flanked by a couple of guys starting full-time for the first time in their careers; juniors Chris Worley and Dante Booker.

Worley, who started over Darron Lee in 2014 against Navy, has racked up 28 tackles over his first two seasons switching back and forth between linebacker and safety. He was able to hold off


The young defense had a chance to shine in January against Notre Dame.


sophomore Jerome Baker for the starting job. Booker was technically in a battle with talented redshirt freshman Justin Hilliard but never really seemed to be in danger of losing his job. In his first two years on campus, Booker has had 29 tackles.

The strength of the Buckeye defense may be the defensive line led by defensive ends Sam Hubbard (r-So.) and Tyquan Lewis (Jr.). In 2015, his first year of starting, Lewis led the Buckeyes with eight sacks while adding 54 tackles and 14 of those coming for a loss. The former linebacker, safety, and tight end, Hubbard is taking on the tall task of replacing Joey Bosa who he backed-up last year. In that back-up role, Hubbard racked up 6.5 sacks and eight tackles-for-loss. These two, along with back-ups Jalyn Holmes (Jr.) and Nick Bosa (Fr.), will be counted on to get to the quarterback early and often in an effort to protect the new secondary.

The secondary will be led by one returning starter, junior Gareon Conley who was outstanding in his first year as a starter in 2015. Starting opposite of first round pick Eli Apple, Conley had 49 tackles and two interceptions. Joining him in the secondary will be redshirt sophomore Marshon Lattimore at cornerback, junior Damon Webb at free safety, and redshirt sophomore Malik Hooker at strong safety. Of this group, Webb has the most experience playing nickel back the past couple of years. Lattimore has always flashed his game-changing potential but has yet to show he can stay healthy. Hooker was a spring game standout and will look to bring his exciting style of play to the strong safety position.

Three Key Matchups

1. Bowling Green Offense vs. Ohio State Defense: While the high-flying Falcons offense only technically returns four starters (Moore at WR, Dietz/McAuliffe/Hunter at OL), they are not short on players with in-game success and experience. Knapke (3,173 yards passing in 2014), Coppet (1,804 career rushing yards), and Moore (2,188 career receiving yards) will put pressure on the Buckeye defense early and often. How will the eight first-time starters react to this high-paced offense?

1. Bowling Green Defensive Backs vs. Ohio State Wide Receivers: Outside of Mack, the BGSU secondary is relatively inexperienced. This inexperience could be easily overcome as they are tested by a pretty good passing attack everyday in practice where they see throw after throw. On the other side, you have an even more inexperienced wide receiver corps in Ohio State. Outside of Wilson, Samuel, and senior Corey Smith (combined 103 catches…53 less than BGSU’s Ronnie Moore), the Buckeye pass catchers are a highly-touted bunch but very unproven. The Buckeye WR corps struggled to get open last year. Will they be able to turn a corner this year? If they are, they need to prove it against the inexperienced BGSU secondary.

1. Mike Jinks vs. Urban Meyer: One is a man who is three years removed from coaching high school football with no collegiate head coaching or coordinator experience. The other is a man who owns a 154-27 record with three national championships and numerous coach of the year awards. As lopsided as this matchup looks, it is potentially the most dangerous matchup of the day as Jinks has a chance to not only shock the world but jumpstart his collegiate coaching career. You better believe that Bowling Green is going to come out ready to try anything to knock off the Buckeyes and Urban Meyer. Expect Jinks to do anything in his power to put pressure on Meyer and his young team.

Prediction

It may be a little sloppy at first…don’t be surprised if there are some growing pains in the first quarter as Coach Warriner and Coach Beck get a better feeling for what they have. We may even see something like 7-7 after the first quarter but in the end the Buckeyes will get it going. We will see Barrett throwing the ball around a lot more than in the past and Hubbard and Lewis will get to Knapke a lot. Final Score: OSU 49 – BGSU 17.



The post Game Preview: Bowling Green at Ohio State appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

Continue reading...

What you need to know about Nebraska before Ohio State plays them
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Nebraska can’t lose that many heartbreaking games again, right?

The Ohio State football season will be here before you know it, and even if you’ve only been paying semi-close attention this offseason, you’re probably aware of the major storylines with the program. This is going to be an exceptionally young, but talented and athletic team. There’s a lack of proven production at wideout, running back, and defensive back. They return the best QB in the conference, and should at least compete for a Big Ten title.

But you may not know a lot about the specific teams on Ohio State’s schedule. We’ll get into a lot more detail before the actual games, but you may want a primer so you can sound smart at the bar, or at the barbecue, or in the grocery store checkout line.

So take a look at Ohio State’s opponents this year. Next up, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

What was the deal with Nebraska last season?


Man, what wasn’t the deal? Nebraska had, unquestionably, one of the weirdest seasons in all of college football last season.

They lost on a Hail Joseph to BYU to open the season. They lost in overtime to Miami. They lost on a last second field goal to Wisconsin. They gave up a game-winning TD to Illinois in the final seconds. They probably should have beaten Iowa as well.

They also got stomped by Purdue. PURDUE!

And yet, somehow, because of national craziness and because once upon a time, Nebraska got good grades, the Cornhuskers backed into a bowl game despite a losing record. They then beat a throughly disinterested UCLA team to win a bowl game, and finished with an improbable 6-7 record.

The advanced stats said Nebraska wasn’t nearly as bad as its record. But at the end of the day, you’re to some degree what the standings page says you are. What will it say about Nebraska this year?

What’s up with Nebraska’s offense this year?


Nebraska brings Tommy Armstrong back at quarterback. The senior threw for over 3,000 yards last year, he’s decently mobile, has a big arm, and does a lot of things better than many Big Ten fans give him credit for. But his mistakes were constant, and costly. Armstrong only completed 55% of his passes last year, and threw a whopping 16 interceptions.

Those turnovers are a perfect recipe for losing close games, and improvement anywhere in the offense won’t be able to offset that level of poor decision-making. Some interception regression seems likely, but Armstrong probably won’t drop from 16 picks to say, 5 or anything, unless he isn’t throwing the ball nearly as much. And that seems unlikely.

Part of that is because basically all of Nebraska’s skill position guys return. The top six wideouts, including leading receiver Jordan Westerkamp, are back. So is De'Mornay Pierson-El, who, if healthy, may be the best returnman in the conference. Leading rusher Terrell Newby returns, as do a slew of potentially interesting backups. There is not a shortage of players who can do some damage with the football on this team.

How effective this offense can comes down to their ability to not turn the ball over, and their offensive line. Nebraska struggled with consistency all of last year, and now they need to replace three starters on the offensive line. Nebraska wasn’t great in short yardage before, and failing to convert on those opportunities now just puts more pressure on Armstrong. How quickly the new guys gel will tell the story of Nebraska’s offense.

What about their defense?


Last year, it was pretty average, which isn’t good enough when you’re giving the ball back with alarming frequency. Nebraska was beset by injuries in their secondary, allowing other programs to tee-off when it came to big plays. Nebraska gave up more plays of 20 yards or more than almost anybody in the country (fourth worst).

Will that improve this year? It’s hard to say. Nebraska returns the bulk of their linebackers, which helped anchor a pretty good run defense, but replaces a big chunk of their defensive line. Nebraska will need to find a pass rush, either from players like all-name candidate Freedom Akinmoladun at end, or from some linebackers, like Josh Banderas.

Nebraska has a batch of four-star defensive backs waiting in the wings, and it will be interesting to see if any redshirt freshmen are ready to contribute. A bit of playmaking in the back could go a long way for Nebraska.

What’s the all-time series like for these two teams?


It’s a shame that two programs with as much history and success as Ohio State and Nebraska didn’t play much before the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten. Per Winsipedia, Ohio State owns a 3-1 all-time advantage, obliterating Nebraska in Columbus back in 2012, 63-38. Nebraska came back to beat Ohio State 34-27 in 2011, and the Buckeyes won the other two meetings back in the 1950s.

Is Nebraska going to be good this year?


If not, when? Sure, there are some tough games on the schedule. The Cornhuskers host Oregon before Big Ten play, travel to Columbus, and have Iowa on the road. But this is an experienced team across most of the offense and linebacking corps, and they have two easy crossover games with the Big Ten East.

If you can’t make a move in the weaker Big Ten West with a senior quarterback and this schedule when you still have a higher baseline talent level than anybody else in the division, then it seems like making a move isn’t likely to happen.

I think Nebraska is going to improve their late-game luck and win the Big Ten West. But as we saw last year, the margin between nine wins and five can be smaller than you think.

How worried should Ohio State fans be about this game?


A little bit. Is Nebraska good enough to beat Ohio State? Probably. But this game is at home, after a game that shouldn’t be quite as traumatic (Northwestern, at home), and I’m not sure Nebraska’s offense is set up in a way to take advantage of potential weak spots with Ohio State’s. This should be a competitive game, and if it was in Lincoln, it could be a lot scarier. But I think Ohio State will win.

Continue reading...

Dienhart: 14 bold predictions heading into the Big Ten season
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

The countdown to kickoff has begun. We are one day away from the start of the 2016 Big Ten football season. Until then, here are 14 bold predictions to prime the pump for the 2016 season. Illinois: The Illini will miss a bowl, but they will win one game they aren’t supposed to, beat the teams they are supposed to beat and be competitive in losses. And the expression on Lovie Smith’s face never will change. Indiana: The defense will go from bad to solid as the Hoosiers push to back-to-back bowls for the first time since 1990-91. Kevin Wilson

Continue reading...

Sometimes the worst Ohio State games are the best ones
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Sometimes the worst matchups still manage to make lemonade out of lemons.

There are some objectively excellent college football games. Last year’s national championship game, for starters. The USC-Texas Rose Bowl. The 2006 Ohio State-Michigan game. Sometimes, elite teams actually live up to the dang hype against one another, and we celebrate those games. They become our favorites.

But our favorites don’t have to be the very best games. In fact, one of my favorite Ohio State games was, by every objective measure, a garbage football game.

It was on Sept. 5, 2010. I was running a campaign field office for a congressional race in Indiana, which meant that I spent 14 hours a day on the phone, sitting in a lonely office begging for old people to come keep me company by also spending 14 hours a day on the phone. I also occasionally broke up those phone calls by knocking on stranger’s doors, asking to talk about Hoosier values, and praying nobody was home so I wouldn’t have to risk getting cussed out again. I slept in a stranger’s house on an air mattress that sprung a leak by my third week on the job. My bank account did not have a comma in it. Everything was awesome, basically.

On fall Saturdays, I broke up that schedule to watch a little college football. I would rationalize this by saying that canvassing or phone banking was stupid during these hours since everybody else was watching college football and did not want to talk about the economy (which was true). But honestly, it was more of a sanity break than anything else.

If I was sure that nobody would come down from our main office in South Bend, I would grab a Little Caesars Pizza (because I was clearly making bank from this campaign job), head up to my room, watch a college football game, and try to forget I was sleeping on an inflatable mattress in a town where I had no friends, did nothing but work, and would probably get called a racial slur in the next 48 hours.

That day, Ohio State played Eastern Michigan.

Under Jim Tressel, Ohio State was notorious for playing down to inferior teams. In 2002, the year they won the national title, they were fortunate to beat Cincinnati (23-19). They struggled with San Diego State and Bowling Green the next year. They needed a last minute field goal to beat Marshall. I once paid fifty American dollars to watch Ohio State lead Akron 3-2 at halftime. That all sucked.

Ohio State won a ton of football games under Jim Tressel. He owned Michigan, won a national title and multiple Big Ten titles, and consistently had Ohio State in national contention. But his coaching style also turned tune-up games against directional also-rans into occasional white-knuckle affairs. These were not always easy or fun games, and I know I wasn’t the only Buckeye fan to longingly look at national box scores and wish that maybe, we too could obliterate a crappy team every once in a while.

I was prepared to sit down in that tiny room on that tiny TV, eat my greasy pizza, and cuss at Ohio State for three hours, as they beat one of the worst teams in college football by like, 16 points or something, then head back to my office, wondering why I didn’t just play PS2 or something to relax instead. I did not have high hopes.

Instead, Ohio State proceeded to do something unusual. Under one of the more conservative Ohio State coaches in recent memory, Ohio State proceeded to absolutely kick the shit out of Eastern Michigan. When the dust settled, the Buckeyes were victorious, 73-20. It could have been worse.

I loved that game. Was it because it was the most technically masterful Ohio State game I ever saw, or the most ascetically beautiful one? Nah. Also, looking back on it, this was all pretty cool.


Nah, I loved it because it was the perfect match of expectations and moment. I was depressed, overworked, lonely, worried, and often wondering what the hell I was doing in rural Indiana. But for those few hours, I got a blissful reprieve, and got to watch Terrelle Pryor mercilessly dunk on overmatched MAC players. Sometimes, in life, you really need a win, and there’s no shame in turning the difficulty down to ‘Rookie’ every once in a while to get it.

I don’t know if there’s going to that kind of game for Ohio State this season. The expectations are different in many ways from last season. After all, last year’s squad was anointed before the year began, and was expected to hang 60-ish on a slew of bad teams en route to another playoff bid. That didn’t happen, and hell, that disparity made last year not-much-fun to watch a lot of the time.

But this is still Ohio State, reloading year or no, and they’re still expected to be good. Will not having the burden of needing to not only win, but electrify the nation, free us to enjoy those growing pains a little bit more? Maybe. I’d like to think it will help for me.

But an Eastern Michigan moment isn’t just about covering a point spread. We don’t watch football games in a vacuum, after all, just like they aren’t played in one. They’re in the context of our lives, and how we remember them isn’t just a function of who caught the pass, but where we were when it was caught, and who we were with, and what happened the day before.

I hope Ohio State wins a lot of football games this year. I hope many of them are in ways that are easy to love on football merits alone. I hope there aren’t nail-biters when they shouldn’t be. I’m already starting to go gray, and I’m only 29. I’m fine with not expediting that process.

But I also hope that we get to enjoy an Eastern Michigan type game this year. Maybe you’ll go to a party to watch a blowout over Rutgers, and meet your future husband. Maybe a dump-trucking of Maryland will help, if only for moment, help take the sting away from a breakup or job loss. Maybe you’ll find your new favorite neighborhood bar for the Tulsa game. Maybe it’ll help with something even bigger. It’s happened to me before, after all.

Another football season kicks off in earnest on Saturday. Not every game will be great. Some might even be bad. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t also be good, at least to somebody.

They might even be the best ones.

Continue reading...

2016 College Football Preview - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


2016 College Football Preview
Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State enters its fifth season under coach Urban Meyer with expectations still sky-high but perhaps a bit tempered as the Buckeyes look to replace eight starters apiece on offense and defense. Still, a run to the Big Ten championship game and a ...


Continue reading...

Rumblin’, Stumblin’, Bumblin’: Pre-Season Edition
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


There hasn’t been a lot happening that could motivate me to go to town like I usually do in this weekly article. First let me say that it’s great being back with the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly that is Ohio State football. Of course I let the gang get involved and they have their own thoughts each week. Shout out to Joe again for the awesome featured pic for this! Let’s get rolling with the very very Good.

Rumblin’


JT Barrett will be the top QB in the nation this season.


It’s amazing to me that there could be any questions about what Joe Thomas Barrett is capable of. Every publication should have him on their awards watch-list no matter what because we know what he is going to be.

It’s easy to forget that he essentially backed into the starting job in 2014 when Braxton Miller went down and all he did was set some records that he will probably beat again this season. JT has an ability, and we have already been hearing from some of the defense, to make defenders second guess where the ball is really going.

He has the best read option fake in the business and follows it up with a quick delivery or run to capitalize on it. I have read different articles from other agencies about how well he takes care of the ball and if there are any questions about red-zone offense? You can be dang sure the ball will be in his hands.

There’s a lot riding on his shoulders but he is use to it and ready. He stepped in on a moments notice two seasons ago and withstood QBgeddon until the bitter end. He is the clear cut favorite and it will be a blast watching this season.

Let’s see what the staff has to say about the Rumblin’

Scott – OSU offense with JT Barrett back in charge. The names of his supporting cast may be different. But he is healthy and ready to pick up where he left off against TTUN and ND.

Joe – My faith in Curtis Samuel and Mike Weber to combine forces and become the superpower that can replace Ezekiel Elliott. The Buckeyes want to have a more balanced offense in 2016 and that starts with being able to go to two different weapons in the backfield on a consistent basis. Samuel is someone that Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer has praised since he started for Ohio State as a freshman. Now is the time for that praise to be turned into designed plays for Samuel that compliment the power on strength of running mate Mike Weber. There is no way I’m voting for Clinton and Trump in November. I’m going all-in on Weber/Samuel 2016.

JC – I love the look the Buckeyes are presenting thus far. The question if it’ll be Samuel or Weber adds to the mystique that we all love. Raekwon McMillan on “D” – couldn’t make me happier. And “Big” Pat Elflein brings that contentment within my Scarlet & Gray soul even higher into that joyous stratosphere where I currently roam. I feel promise for this team … dare I suggest an “upset” in Norman? It’s how I’m feelin!

Brandon – The Ohio State recruiting machine! They just picked up Trevon Grimes and Tyjon Lindsey which gives them six 247Sports composite five stars already. It is a long ways until signing day but the Buckeyes could be picking up a few more big name guys. I can’t wait to follow along with Ben and see when Buckeye Nation is able to welcome a few more guys into this amazing class. We are in a lucky times right now and we should all take a moment to enjoy it. As we know, it can all be taken away quickly.

MDotySr – The sick job by coach Meyer and staff on the recruiting trail along with the development of the younger players. The best class I have ever seen in my 40 plus years following CFB period. The Buckeyes are setting up to be a National Championship contending team for the next 5-10 years.

Ben – I’ll echo above and say that the recruiting at Ohio State is far and away the best I have seen it at any point in my years of fandom. John Cooper was able to land a lot of good talent, and Tressel always had the state of Ohio represented well on the roster, but Urban Meyer is making both of those guys look like amateurs when it comes to recruiting. The class of 2017 is by far and away the best I have seen, and it will only get better as we inch closer to February. It’s an exciting time to be part of Buckeye Nation.

Stumblin’


I honestly did not have any trouble choosing what/whom to put here. I and most of Buckeye Nation cannot for the life of us figure out what Jim Harbaugh is doing. I will mostly let my comrades do the talking here because they say everything that needs to be said, but I will leave you with the item that was a quick response to the first bad pub of the summer.. No wonder fans are lining up on cliffs.


Thanks to Buckeye Videos for this . ..

Let’s see what the staff has to say about the Stumblin’

Scott – Michigan’s recruiting. Nobody in Ann Arbor knows whether a certain recruit was at an event or not? Really?

Joe – The Big 12 for thinking that adding Connecticut, Central Florida, Houston or Cincinnati will fix their problems. The issue at hand has nothing to do with expanding but with cleaning up the football product that already exists and actually exercising some power as a conference whole. Texas and Oklahoma own that conference and have every final say imaginable. Until that changes, the Big 12 will always be in line to fall apart in this pangea college football conference landscape.

JC – I want to pity TTUN. But I can’t. The whole Harbaugh affair will end badly – as it does everywhere else. His mouth is in need of medicine (Bipolar complexities for sure – possible schizophrenia untreated in existence as well.) His loss of three commits in a short period of time is evidence of people waking up and smelling the coffee. The mess will only escalade. As a parent if he came knocking on my door and wanted to spend the night with my son, of whom he was recruiting, I would be “seriously” suspicious. And the whole tree climbing thing – what is that? (a.k.a. Michael Jackson and Neverland?). The great thing is he’s at TTUN …. And not elsewhere – where it wouldn’t be as promising! So the stumblin’ is just beginning to quake up in Ann Arbor – what a shame!

Brandon – The Michigan recruiting Yugo! I understand it isn’t nearly as bad as the past couple of days makes it seem BUT losing three commits in the past couple of days is not a good look for anyone. It makes you wonder what is going on? Are guys already tired of Harbaugh’s shenanigans or is Michigan cutting some dead weight? Or is there even other things going on behind the scenes. You never know with college football. Anyway you look at it, losing three recruits and one brand new freshman makes you wonder how things are really going in Ann Arbor.

MDotySr – Everything SCUM here, if Harbaugh isn’t saying something stupid he losing multiple commitments on back to back days. On top of all that, there are people writing, speaking and believing that they will be a really good team. I just don’t see it the same way and not just because of my Scarlet and Gray glasses. Their schedule favors them early but by mid-season they will be exposed and I for one will not be surprised.

Ben – Again I will echo above and say everything Michigan. I am tired of hearing about them. Harbaugh has one season under his belt and he is recruiting at a decent level (although when you lose 3 recruits in 2 days), but remember Brady Hoke’s first year? Yeah they both won 10+ games and went to a bowl game and yada yada yada. I think people will start to see through the facade that he is putting up, and he will start to rub people the wrong way like he did in San Francisco and they will grow tired of his antics. I don’t expect him to be around for 2-3 more years, as I think he belongs in the NFL where his ego can reside comfortably. They are a year away from anything this year, as they don’t even have a starting QB yet. Expect them to lose a game they shouldn’t early, and of course lose the last game of their season as well.

Bumblin’


I rarely jump on our own university here but I have to say my piece. I totally understand the need to have a zero incident policy with regards to everything that has happened in college football the past couple of years with Winston at FSU and the latest Baylor scandal.

What I don’t get is taking action without doing the full due diligance to protect both parties. Regardless of what the true issue is, we may not even get to hear Gibson’s side of the story. Here is a kid that was struggling to stay in Columbus anyway, finally beat that home-sick monster and is now dealing with not even being able to go to school and prove his innocence.

Please understand that I am not defending him because I don’t know the full story. I do however get the feeling that this was all a knee jerk response because Urban Meyer would not have come out and said as such.

Per Cleveland.com and Ari Wasserman


It’s my hope that this event brings some light to the fact that everyone deserves a say before they are punished. If he truly was suspended from school just based on a he said she said incident, I am not happy with that.

Let’s see what the staff has to say about the Bumblin’

Scott – Tim Brando for saying Alabama is in position to be the first 2-loss team to make the playoff. And on top of that, he said it was because the Tide was No. 1 in the AP poll. The same poll which doesn’t figure into the CFP. What a DB!

Joe – Is there ever a moment where Baylor wasn’t Bumblin’ over themselves this summer? Did Ken Starr really think he could hold some type of power position after the horrible stories that continue to come out after his departure? Bottom line, Baylor’s handling of the whole abuse allegations and scandal was downright putrid. It’s time to clean up college football and it starts in Waco.

JC – I must stay focused. The Bumblin’ seed has been planted with the hiring of Harbaugh up north. There are people I know who somehow believe that the Harbaugh hiring will reignite the ‘Rivalry’ equivalent to the Woody and Bo years. To them I suggest put the ‘hooch’ aside on occasion and tip a glass of water to cleanse the delusions (or is that the kool-aide the apostles of the false prophecy of Jimbo is peddling?). Whatever – the road-kill-grub-claimants up north are deserving of hope, just like anyone. So go ahead and bathe in that hope Wolverine-nation – as it sleeps-over with recruits, climbs trees to ‘show-off’ to some of those same recruits – snaps at reporters for legitimate questions that every Coach in College Football would face … enjoy that face of your “storied” football program. Even in the victories that will come … there will indeed be a moment when you will redden in complete embarrassment and you will shyly respond that you hope Craig Bohl, or Bryan Harsin, or Matt Rhule, are soon available. Or hmmmm, should a Wolverine even wonder if Scott Satterfield is available? These moments will come – so bask in that hope – even if misidentified – while it lasts!

Brandon – The national/local media during the off-season. Do a little research and discuss. Quit regurgitating the same thing over and over because you heard someone else say it. It’s like Wikipedia…just because it is there it doesn’t mean it is true. I feel like some people have gotten to the point where they are paid to be subject matter experts but don’t even try to be.

Ben – Ryan Lochte…. Oh college football related… Transfer rules. When it was made national news that Alabama would not let a player leave the program for another school in the SEC, simply because they were in the SEC and would compete with them, it was simply pathetic on Nick Saban’s part. If a kid does not want to play for you anymore, you should not be able to restrict the kid on where he wants to go. He already has to sit out a season unless he goes the FCS route, so he is being punished for leaving already. Kids sometimes make the wrong decisions in life, and they shouldn’t be penalized repeatedly for them. I’m glad Alabama finally got their head out of their *** and let him transfer where he wanted.

MDotySr – The Ole Miss Rebels and the recurring actions on in the recruiting department. Hugh Freeze and staff have been dodging bullets for the last two years, well that’s about to change. With the NCAA giving kids complete immunity to tell of their experiences (VIOLATIONS) while being recruited is going to open the floodgates. They will not be interviewing just current players/commits but kids who went elsewhere over the last couple years…..going to be interesting and I think some big penalties will be handed down.

Weekly Funny



The post Rumblin’, Stumblin’, Bumblin’: Pre-Season Edition appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

Continue reading...

Ohio State Buckeyes Battle the Bowling Green Falcons: A Q&A With a Buckeye Reporter - Hustle Belt (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes Battle the Bowling Green Falcons: A Q&A With a Buckeye Reporter
Hustle Belt (blog)
The Bowling Green Falcons will open the 2016 season in Ohio Stadium on Saturday afternoon against the Ohio State Buckeyes. This is the fifth time the two schools have met, with the Buckeyes winning all four previous games played in Columbus.
Ohio State Football: Falcons Will Test The Buckeye Pass DefenseScarlet and Game
Toledo at Arkansas State, BGSU at Ohio State to kick off seasonToledo Blade
Know The Enemy: Bowling Green247Sports
Eleven Warriors
all 18 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State Buckeyes release first official depth chart - WHIO
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes release first official depth chart
WHIO
Ohio State Buckeyes release first official depth chart. Bengals LB Burfict: 'I don't give no (expletive) about' the Steelers. Cincinnati Reds reportedly sign another Cuban pitcher. Five drivers file suit against Eldora Speedway. 7 things you might have ...
Vontaze Burfict on Poise, Playoff Collapses and PittsburghMonday Morning Quarterback

all 34 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State-Bowling Green football preview: Buckeyes' Urban Meyer faces former team - UPI.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State-Bowling Green football preview: Buckeyes' Urban Meyer faces former team
UPI.com
Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer will look across the field Saturday in Ohio Stadium to the other sideline and probably flash back 15 years to the place that launched his head coaching career. Bowling Green gave Meyer his first opportunity to be ...
Ohio State football 2016 vs. Ohio State football 2015: Where Buckeyes will and won't be bettercleveland.com
New year, new faces, same expectations for BuckeyesMarion Star
Meyer: Buckeyes embrace being favoritesThe Detroit News
ESPN -Columbus Dispatch -Dayton Daily News
all 199 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State football 2016 vs. Ohio State football 2015: Where Buckeyes will and won't be better - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football 2016 vs. Ohio State football 2015: Where Buckeyes will and won't be better
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- So little is known, so little has been seen, of the 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes that comparisons are the fallback. Here's what we have seen before. Will this be like that? The 2014 comparison has been seized upon, Urban Meyer helping to ...
Ohio State-Bowling Green football preview: Buckeyes' Urban Meyer faces former teamUPI.com
New year, new faces, same expectations for BuckeyesMarion Star
Meyer: Buckeyes embrace being favoritesThe Detroit News
ESPN -Columbus Dispatch -Dayton Daily News
all 195 news articles »

Continue reading...

Who will win the Big Ten Championship? Where will Buckeyes finish? Ohio State season preview - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Who will win the Big Ten Championship? Where will Buckeyes finish? Ohio State season preview
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Five Big Ten football programs have appeared in the five Big Ten Championships since its inception in 2011. Wisconsin and Michigan State have each been in three times, while Ohio State has made it twice and Nebraska and Iowa each ...
Buckeyes, Michigan go youngThe Daily Iowan
Bill Rabinowitz's Big Ten predictionsColumbus Dispatch
Ohio State has a tough road ahead for a Big Ten titleLand-Grant Holy Land
Eleven Warriors -The Sports Quotient
all 91 news articles »

Continue reading...

Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 8/31/2016
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


Welcome to your tri-weekly look at all things Ohio State recruiting. Let’s get started!

Another Texas Star Sets Decision Date:



The Buckeyes could be in for some really good news on November 29th, or maybe the state of Texas could be in for the good news. We said earlier this week that 5-star linebacker Baron Browning has set his decision date for November 29th and now 4-star linebacker Anthony Hines has set his decision date for the same day. There isn’t a lot of optimism in Hines becoming a Buckeye although he had a 3-day visit back in June and had nothing but good things to say about the Buckeye program. Right now the consensus is that Hines is either headed to Oklahoma or Texas with an outside shot at Baylor. He has only one official visit set right now and that is to Auburn this weekend when the Tigers face the Clemson Tigers.

The crystal ball report has Oklahoma at 65% followed by Texas at 24% and Baylor at 12%.

#1 OLB Has Visit’s Set, LSU Still in the Lead


Dylan Moses out of IMG Academy has LSU out on top right now, but his last official visit that he has scheduled is to Ohio State November 26th when the Buckeyes face off against the Wolverines in what could be a winner take all Big Ten matchup. The Buckeyes have a lot of ground to make up between now and then.



LSU was named his leader, however an official visit has not been set up to see the Tigers as he has probably seen all he needs from them so visiting other schools will tell him where he stands. His officials are:

Alabama – October 1st

Miami (FL) – October 7th

Texas – October 15th

UCLA – November 19th

Ohio State – November 26th

LSU holds his crystal ball lead with 89% of the 35 predictions with Alabama second at 9%.

Defensive Tackle to Release Top 5:




South Jordan, Utah’s Jay Tufele will be dropping his top 5 soon, and the Buckeyes are expected the make the list. Tufele is the top player in Utah and currently holds 21 offers to date.

Tufele has not suited up yet this season due to ligament damage in his foot, but he is expected the play again this season. Right now the crystal ball predictions are split between Ohio State and Oregon but I expect home town Utah and Michigan to make pushes for his services.

Buckeye Commit out for a few more weeks:


Tyjon Lindsey, one of the top wide receivers in the nation will continued to be sidelined by a broken collarbone that he suffered in a scrimmage two weeks ago. It sounds like it will be at least six weeks before he is able to suit up, and it just so happens that the game that takes place when he would be likely to return is against St. Thomas Aquinas and fellow commitment Trevon Grimes. The two made a commitment video in which they both pledged to Ohio State, and it will be fun to see them face off against each other if in fact Lindsey is able to bounce back from this injury.


Buckeyes Flip to Bama?


It has long been rumored that Shaun Wade would eventually leave the Ohio State recruiting class of 2017 and flip his commitment to Alabama. While that hasn’t happened yet and he remains “100% committed”, another current Buckeye commitment is being heavily pursued by the Crimson Tide as well. Safety Isaiah Pryor spoke to SEC Country last week and told him that Alabama has been pushing him to visit, but it looks like that probably will not happen.



“I think [Alabama has] done a very good job, but I’m just set on Ohio State,” Pryor said. “It was one of my first offers. I go up there a lot and have family up there. I have a great relationship with the coaches and I just love it up there.

While it looks like Pryor is safe to stay in this class, the case of Shaun Wade will still be interesting to watch.





The post Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 8/31/2016 appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

Continue reading...

New year, new faces, same expectations for Buckeyes - Marion Star
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


New year, new faces, same expectations for Buckeyes
Marion Star
COLUMBUS – Urban Meyer can't remember ever spending more time on practice — the preparation as much as the execution — than he has this preseason camp with his rebooted Ohio State Buckeyes. As he describes plotting every little detail and ...
Watch Ohio State football trailer for Bowling Green, count the Buckeyes who aren't on the team anymorecleveland.com
Meyer: Buckeyes embrace being favoritesThe Detroit News
Torrance Gibson suspended for season by Ohio StateESPN
Columbus Dispatch -UPI.com -Dayton Daily News
all 195 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State's unique recruiting advantage the reason for Buckeyes sturdiness: Is Cincinnati a future threat? - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State's unique recruiting advantage the reason for Buckeyes sturdiness: Is Cincinnati a future threat?
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It was an honest oversight, but there was no way Chris Ash was letting it go. While discussing Ohio State's unique recruiting advantage of being the only program in college football to have an entire talent-rich state to itself, Ash ...
Ohio State men's basketball | Top prospect aware of Buckeyes' recent recruiting victoriesColumbus Dispatch
Justin Ahrens to Ohio State: Buckeyes Land 3-Star SF ProspectBleacher Report
Future Buckeye small forward Justin Ahrens talks Ohio State commitmentLand-Grant Holy Land
Today's U (blog) -Eleven Warriors -247Sports -247Sports
all 34 news articles »

Continue reading...

Joe Burger: A captain not on Buckeyes' depth chart - Youngstown Vindicator
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Joe Burger: A captain not on Buckeyes' depth chart
Youngstown Vindicator
When Ohio State announced its seven captains, the names were familiar and fairly predictable. Except for one: Joe Burger. Those who haven't studied Ohio State games closely over the past three seasons probably haven't heard of Burger, a senior backup ...
Skull Session: Ohio State 28-Point Favorites Over Bowling Green, Joe Burger's Oatmeal Motivation and Sam Hubbard ...Eleven Warriors
Ohio State football | Scholarship for walk-on Joe Burger a family traditionColumbus Dispatch

all 7 news articles »

Continue reading...

Joey Bosa And Chargers Finally Agree
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The San Diego Chargers finally ended the month-long holdout with first round draft choice (3rd overall) former Buckeye, Joey Bosa.

The news was announced Monday – August 30 – at the Chargers Training facilities, Chargers Park, in San Diego. The announcement follows five days where both sides pointed fingers at one another, accusing the other of “games.” The primary issue appeared to be Bosa’s $17 million dollar signing bonus and whether the contract would have offset language. The announcement ironically also follows a defensive-horror-show in a preseason matchup against the Vikings who won 23-10.

“I’m happy to be here and there is no animosity between us,” Bosa said. “It’s just a matter of business and I’m happy to have it out of the way. I am very relieved. I knew this was going to get done. I was surprised how long it took. Of course I would have loved to have been out there with my teammates but the NFL is a business.”

“We just wanted what was fair and what people in that position got the last four or five years.” Bosa added.

Coach Mike McCoy would say later that he had heard of Bosa’s agreeing to terms prior to Sunday’s loss to Minnesota. “I had to keep it to myself!”

”He’s here to help us win and I told the team he’s here to help us win,” McCoy said. ”Regardless of when he got here, let’s go.”

There was a threat on the table recently from the Chargers to reduce any offer to Bosa under the guess that he wouldn’t be ready to play a full season. Bosa, number three overall in the past NFL draft is the last rookie to sign. Brian Ayrault, Bosa’s representative, announced only five days ago that all of the statements being put by the Chargers were manipulated facts and that going public would not strengthen the team’s relationship with Bosa.

Whatever transpired between that moment and now is left to speculation. The deal is done. Bosa is now back on the field and ready to help the Chargers win. Bosa has said he would be ready for the September 11th opener against the KC Chiefs.

Bosa also spoked in reference to his mother’s intake publically in this long dispute. Earlier in August, Cheryl Bosa posted a remark toward the Chargers on Facebook. In a reply to someone frustrated by the stalemate, she wrote: ”It bums me out for him so much. Wish we pulled an Eli Manning on draft day.” This past Thursday Cheryl Bosa retweeted an article critical of the Chargers and added the comment, ”The Chargers were petty and terrible even before they tried to stiff Joey Bosa.”

Joey on Monday said: ”What do you expect a mom to do? ‘She loves me, she wants what’s best for me and she made a dumb decision, like I have before, saying something she shouldn’t have said on social media. She honestly had no idea it was public, she thought, because she was sending it to somebody else. Leave it to a mom to mess up on Facebook.”



In Bosa’s 31 day absence from training camp, he and his representatives said he participated in a rigorous workout schedule – saying he is not soft, and is ready.

With that all said and done Buckeye Nation now will have the joy of witnessing a rising star coming from the West.

The post Joey Bosa And Chargers Finally Agree appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

Continue reading...

2018 QB gains interest with Ohio State
Austin Kemp via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Buckeyes pushes forward for 2017, shows interest in 2018 QB

With the 2016 season just a few days away, the Ohio State coaching staff is working double duty to put a championship team onto the field as well as putting together elite classes on the recruiting trail. With Tyjon Lindsey and Trevon Grimes jumping into the class last week, Ohio State sits at 18 commits and the No.1 class in the country. Though there aren't a ton of spots left for 2017, expected attrition is expected to happen over the next several months as Ohio State will inevitably see kids transfer and declare early for the NFL draft. Months ago, it seemed as if the 2017 class would sit right under 20, but now it's looking like the Buckeyes could end up bringing in close to 25.

Urban Meyer and his staff won't reach for any prospects down the line, they can't afford to, but Ohio State is in on some of the top players in the country that they will chase all the way to the end.

Bucks showing interest in 2018 QB


Dealing with the 2018 class is different, though. Though the Buckeyes have an upper leg on many top prospects, few have pulled the trigger and committed. There are reports that Ohio State is showing interest in quarterback Jarren Williams (Lawrenceville, GA / Central Gwinnett)


Williams holds 10 total offers, but that list does not include Ohio State. With Emory Jones already committed for the very same class, it's unclear how legit the interest is on both sides. Ohio State has loaded up their quarterback room for years to come and with a top 2018 QB already committed, it's likely the Buckeyes just land one at that position in next year's cycle. Williams stands at 6-foot-3 and is rated the No.17 dual-threat QB in the country.

If Ohio State does make an offer to the Peach State native, here is a sample of what the Buckeyes could be getting.


As it stands, Williams is penciled in as a hard commit to the University of Kentucky, according to 247sports. However, there is a lot of time between now and National Signing Day 2018. The schools that have offered Williams include Florida State, Houston, Maryland, Boston College, Louisville and West Virginia.

If anything changes, we’ll have you covered here on Land-Grant Holy Land.

Continue reading...

TFF: Buckeyes unveil first game trailer of 2016 - ABC6OnYourSide.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


TFF: Buckeyes unveil first game trailer of 2016
ABC6OnYourSide.com
Four days away from their season opener, the Ohio State football team released their first hype video before their noon kickoff with Bowling Green at Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Captains J.T. Barrett (QB), Pat Elflein (C), and Raekwon McMillain (MLB ...
Ohio State's Offensive Line Hoping to Avoid Early-Season Struggles it Had After Last Overhaul in 2014Eleven Warriors

all 4 news articles »

Continue reading...

Buckeyes, Michigan go young - The Daily Iowan
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes, Michigan go young
The Daily Iowan
With only three more days until college football figuratively — and literally — kicks off, the 14 Big Ten head coaches joined for the first teleconference of the season. A few highlights from the nearly hour-and-a-half-long teleconference include ...
Bill Rabinowitz's Big Ten predictionsColumbus Dispatch
Five reasons Ohio State won't win the Big Ten in 2016247Sports.com
Ohio State has a tough road ahead for a Big Ten titleLand-Grant Holy Land
Bleacher Report -Eleven Warriors -The Sports Quotient
all 86 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State football | First depth chart lists 18 freshmen - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football | First depth chart lists 18 freshmen
Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State released its first depth chart of the season today, and it reflects the Buckeyes' youth. Only seven seniors were listed on the two-deep. Eighteen freshmen were listed, including true freshman Michael Jordan as the starting left guard. Co ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Joe Burger: A captain not on Buckeyes' depth chart - Youngstown Vindicator
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Joe Burger: A captain not on Buckeyes' depth chart
Youngstown Vindicator
He's played in 34 games over the past three years and has a grand total of three tackles. His biggest play as a Buckeye was last year when he brought down Indiana punter Erich Toth for a 3-yard loss on a fake punt attempt. Ohio State was trailing by 7 ...
Ohio State football | Scholarship for walk-on Joe Burger a family traditionColumbus Dispatch

all 6 news articles »

Continue reading...