charlohiottean said:

Login to view embedded media
I can’t get this to embed, but if anyone wants to hear App State radio announcers lose their minds over the last second victory over Troy, here ya go. It is among the best freak outs I’ve ever heard.

edit: I got it

Click to expand...

Login to view embedded media
Chase Brice is the man. Immediately after making the play of the day in college football yesterday, Brice rushed over to the Appalachian State student section and helped people down onto the field to go celebrate with the team. Get you a quarterback who can do both.

He did kinda let that one girl at the end take a spill, but you can't bat 1.000.

Thanks for the info. Paper tix are definitely dying out.

chornii said:

It's huge - 86 GB. You might want to take smaller bites by choosing individual files.

I also have wifi problems occasionally. Please be patient.

Click to expand...

HI BRO....i haVE enough space on my usb drive

Login to view embedded media Cool yard decoration. I'm not sure how they did it; but I'm guessing a high end inflatable sex doll with clothes on filled with helium.....

Login to view embedded media


Throughout the offseason, we heard the stories of Jim Knowles' particular proclivity for sending pressure.

“It's gonna be aggressive,” Tanner McCalister, who transferred from Oklahoma State to continue playing for Knowles, said last winter after arriving in Columbus. “A lot of defenses react to what the offense likes to do. I think Coach Knowles wants them to react to what we like to do.”

Let's be honest, any time a new defensive coordinator is introduced at the FBS level, he tells the fans and local media that his philosophy includes the same, tired tropes of wanting to be aggressive while still keeping it simple for the players, and in this regard, Knowles was no different. Through two games, however, the veteran coach appears to be living up to his promise.

On the very first play from scrimmage of the 2022 season, Knowles sent his boundary cornerback on a blitz. Yes, that pressure forced safety Josh Proctor to make a tackle that he ultimately missed, resulting in a 54-yard gain that felt all too familiar for those who had watched this defense closely over the past two seasons.

But that one play has accounted for just over 10% of the total yardage Knowles' troops have given through two full games. Since that missed tackle, the OSU defense appears to be playing at a different level than years past, including the 2019 vintage that featured Chase Young and finished first in the nation in total yards allowed.

While that team relied on individual talent to win along the line of scrimmage and in the secondary, this iteration of the Silver Bullet defense looks to dictate the flow of the game, keeping opponents off-balance and often going backward.

For instance, while hosting Arkansas State last Saturday in Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes seemed to be the ones caught on their heels after Denzel Burke bit on a double-move and surrendered a 58-yard catch-and-run, setting up the Red Wolves in the red zone. But rather than sit back and hope their opponents screwed up after a penalty made it 2nd & 15, Knowles' defenders turned up the heat, sending a six-man pressure that pinned ASU back even further.
.
.
.
continued

Login to view embedded media

Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: Ohio State looks to continue in-state win streak against Toledo
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

The Rockets come to town having beaten up on two lesser opponents in their 2-0 start.

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast ‘Hangout in the Holy Land’ is here! Join LGHL’s co-managing editor Gene Ross alongside his co-host Josh Dooley as they cover everything from football to basketball to recruiting and more!

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On this episode, Gene and Josh preview Ohio State’s Week 3 opponent, the Toledo Rockets. First, they touch on the news and notes from the Buckeyes’ weekly press conferences, including the latest on the injuries to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming. They then get into their Toledo preview, a team expected to be one of the best in the MAC. The Rockets should provide stiffer competition than Arkansas State did, but at the end of the day Ohio State is still the far more talented team — as evidenced by the 31.5-point spread.

“Hangout in the Holy Land” will be back to two episodes per week during the regular season, with an episode before and after each Ohio State game to give you all the preview and recap content you may need. Be sure to download and listen in wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple to let us know your thoughts and how we can make things even better!

You can also follow us on Twitter @HolyLandPod, where we will want to hear from you guys even more! If there’s anything you’d like us to talk about on the show, @ us and let us know!

As always, Go Bucks.


Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @HolyLandPod

Connect with Gene:
Twitter: @Gene_Ross23

Connect with Josh
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye

Continue reading...

Buckeyes continue to stockpile visitors for upcoming home games
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ohio State sees new names added to its game day guest lists.

Ohio State will take on Toledo this Saturday evening for the third and final non-conference contest before Big Ten play. Already a quarter into the 2022 campaign, the Buckeyes will be looking to continue improving in every aspect on the field, but have proven they’re more than capable of being one of the top teams on both sides of the ball so far. Not a perfect product just yet, to continue on the trajectory the staff and players want, this matchup against an in-state foe is another chance to really get things clicking.

On the recruiting side of things, this many home games for Ohio State allows the coaching staff ample recruiting opportunities thanks to the game day visit experiences. Several top targets and other prospects have already made their way to campus the past two weeks. But with two more night games ahead, it’s shaping up to be a massive start to the year in terms of how many guys are on the guest lists for each weekend.

The on-field results are priority No. 1, but as this staff and program have proved many times, recruiting is right there as a top priority no matter what.

2024 linebacker heading to Columbus this weekend


Though the Wisconsin game is shaping up to be the next big recruiting weekend for Ohio State, this weekend will also see it’s fair share of recruits roaming the sidelines in pre-game and taking in a Buckeye football game under the lights. As the names on the guest list continue to grow, a new one was added on Wednesday as a South Carolina native and class of 2024 linebacker, Jaidyn Penix, shared that he’d be making the trek to Ohio Stadium.

A 6-foot, 195 pound linebacker, Penix has been very vocal in the past about his interest in Ohio State. After camping for the Buckeyes this summer in June, Penix went as far to say that Ohio State had long been his “dream school” and that the two-day visit was all he expected and more.

An un-ranked prospect currently, Penix has received interest from Michigan State, Ohio State, USF, and several more schools, but does not hold any offers to his name at least right now. However, the coaching staff clearly thinks highly of Penix, as this next visit to Columbus was based on an invite.

Ohio State is certainly doing their best to wrap up the current 2023 class as strongly as possible, and with 2024 being a top priority as well, continuing to evaluate players at any and all positions is definitely under works. Jim Knowles being a linebacker coach by trade means his eyes will be all over that spot specifically, and a solid junior campaign by Penix may be what really gets the ball rolling in his recruitment.

Wisconsin weekend recruiting updates


The Notre Dame home opener was one of the biggest recruiting weekends Ohio State has ever had. With so many top national players on site for the Buckeyes, the coaches were able to keep Ohio State in the thick of it for many of their top targets. Next weekend, Ohio State plays already it’s third night game of the season in just four weeks, and the guest list for when Wisconsin comes to town is growing quickly.

With new names certainly still to come, here’s a just a couple who have already locked down their visit plans:

• Four-star, defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (Suwanee, Georgia/North Gwinnett). The No. 299 player nationally, McDonald is the 44th best defensive lineman in the class and the 27th best player from Georgia per the 247Sports Composite. McDonald has nearly 40 offers to his name and is most closely associated with Clemson on the 247Sports Crystal Ball feature. This visit to Ohio State, though, will be an official visit.
• Four-star receiver Mylan Graham (New Haven, Indiana/New Haven). The No. 69 player nationally, Graham is the ninth ranked receiver in the country, and the top player in Indiana for the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite. Recently pegged to Ohio State on the Crystal Ball by Director of Recruiting for 247Sports, Steve Wiltfong, this visit is another big step for the Buckeyes in keeping the momentum.
• Four-star defensive back Bryce West (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville). The No. 37 player nationally, West is also the seventh best player at his position and the top player in Ohio for 2024 per the 247Sports Composite. A major priority in Ohio State’s 2024 class, continued visits to campus for West bode well to the Buckeyes adding him to their haul sooner rather than later.

Continue reading...

Play Like a Girl Podcast: Football is back baby!
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Cara Owsley-USA TODAY Sports

College football was pure anarchy and honestly, NFL was too.

On LGHL’s “Play Like a Girl” podcast, Meredith Hein, Megan Husslein, and Jami Jurich welcome in friends from around the LGHL, Ohio State, and sporting worlds to talk everything from Ohio State sports to advocacy for women in sports and all the happenings in between.

Check out the podcast below, and make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:


How about week two of college football? Alexis and Megan dive into how happy they were with Ohio State’s big win over Arkansas State, and even more excitedly discuss Alabama’s poor performance against Texas. Plus, they discuss the ramifications of Notre Dame’s loss to Marshall— sorry Marcus Freeman.

The Fighting Irish’s head coach wasn’t the only one to feel bad for— what happened to Joe Burrow? Does his appendix need put back in? He certainly struggled to begin the season, but the Chiefs and Bills Mafia certainly have a lot to look forward to this season.


Contact Megan Husslein:
Twitter: @meganhusslein

Contact Alexis Chassen:
Twitter: @Lovelybuckeye

Continue reading...

You’re Nuts: Which true freshman that played vs. Arkansas State is most likely to be an OSU legend?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.

In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.

Today’s Question: Which true freshman that played vs. Arkansas State is most likely to be an OSU legend?


Note: For this exercise, we are just going to be looking at the true freshmen that played on either offense or defense. According to Pro Football Focus, those players were defensive end Omari Abor, cornerback Jyaire Brown, defensive lineman Caden Curry, running back Dallan Hayden, defensive end Kenyatta Jackson, defensive tackle Hero Kanu, safety Kye Stokes, and offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola.

Jami’s Take: Jyaire Brown


Saturday’s game against Arkansas State saw the debuts of eight Buckeye freshmen on offense or defense, each looking for their chance to contribute to the behemoth that is Ohio State football. It can be a long way from “debut game” to “household name,” but the odds are good that at least one of these players will go on to become a Buckeye legend.

So if I were you, I’d pay attention to Jyaire Brown.

The freshman cornerback out of West Chester, Ohio, was the first member of the 2022 recruiting class, and enrolled in classes last January so he could participate in Spring practice.

Saturday, he got to show us a glimpse of what he can do.

In his Buckeye debut, Brown played every snap of the Red Wolves’ final three possessions, leading all OSU freshmen with 15 defensive snaps. He recorded one tackle.

Now, I’m by no means saying Brown is going to become an overnight Buckeye sensation. He may not even reach legendary status by the end of this season. But he’s an exceptionally hard worker who I believe knows how to play the long game, and that’s where the Buckeyes are really going to benefit.

What we got to see glimpses of from Brown on Saturday was his versatility. Give this guy some time under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and the new secondary/cornerbacks coach Tim Walton and he has the potential to go on to be a Buckeye playmaker.

The Buckeye secondary has struggled over the last two seasons, though they seem to be in much better shape this year. This bodes well for Brown, as he will have the opportunity to learn and develop in this freshman season, while hopefully getting some snaps in during game situations.

Once he has that experience and those learning opportunities under his belt, I expect we could be looking at one of the next great Buckeye corners. Known for his dedication and hard work, he is hungry to develop, and he seems to be in the right place to do that.

Physically, Brown has the speed to stay on top of receivers in games and to disrupt catches, making him a potential menace to opposing offenses. With the right coaching, he certainly has what it takes to start in seasons to come, and I think we’re going to be hearing his name associated with momentum-shifting plays as he comes into his own as a collegiate athlete.

Ohio State’s freshman class this season is absolutely stacked. There are showy players on both sides of the ball that have the potential to take this program all the way. But don’t sleep on Jyaire Brown — he’s the real deal.

Matt’s Take: Caden Curry


Is this a trick? I feel like based on what we saw on Saturday, Jami not taking Caden Curry is some sort of gimmick. Either way, I’m not complaining. The edge rusher from Greenwood, Ind. played 12 snaps against Arkansas State on Saturday and racked up four tackles, including one for loss.

While he obviously played primarily in garbage time, Curry ranks as the second-best defensive player on Ohio State’s squad according to PFF’s grades. Ironically, he grades out behind only fellow true freshman Kenyatta Jackson.

During Tuesday’s media availability, OSU head coach Ryan Day said that Curry has flashed multiple times during camp and in the early season, adding, “The more he plays the more he’s gonna find a role for himself. He’s been productive since he got here.”

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said of his freshman lineman, “He’s another guy that I noticed right when I got here. His first step, he’s tough ... I think he showed that he can play, he can definitely be in the mix.”


Getting the opportunity to play as a true freshman is incredibly valuable when trying to become a Buckeye legend. Not only does it help your recognition level amongst fans, but it also allows you to acclimate to the college game faster than you would if you were only getting reps as a third-stringer or scout teamer.

Ohio State has a history of producing elite edge rushers, and while they haven’t had a dominant player at that position since Chase Young left for the NFL following the 2019 season, the pedigree is certainly there. With Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau just one year ahead of Curry, he will have the opportunity to work with, learn from, and compete for playing time against two of the best DEs in the country, giving him the opportunity to shine in his third — and potentially final — year as a Buckeye.

Also, given how defensive line coach Larry Johnson loves to rotate players across the front, there is no doubt that Curry will continue to have opportunities to play, gain experience, and grow as a beloved backup until it is his time to take the spotlight.

His athletic ability is obvious to everyone — including the OSU coaches, apparently — and as a defensive end, Caden Curry is in the best possible position to succeed given the current depth chart, Johnson’s coaching philosophy, and the program’s rich history of turning out elite edge rushers.

Continue reading...

Toledo Defensive Player to Watch: DE/LB Jamal Hines
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Hines is one of the MAC’s best hybrid defenders, and he will be leading a Toledo defense which has given up just 10 total points in their first two games.

In 2019, the Toledo Rockets finished 102nd out of 130 teams in scoring defense. They nearly bottomed out by surrendering 32.2 points per game, one year after giving up 30.5 per – which was “good” for 84th. The issue? Apparently it was the team’s former defensive coordinator, because since then, the Rockets have finished 36th and 28th respectively, dropping their average down to 21.8 PPG allowed in 2021.

As for 2022? Toledo has surrendered just 10 points. Not per game, but total! Take a bow, Vince Kehres. You deserve a ton of credit. Kehres was hired as the team’s DC in 2020, leaving his head coach position at Division III Mount Union. If the name and/or school sounds familiar, it is for good reason. Kehres won two DIII championships in seven seasons as the HC of the Purple Raiders, compiling a 95-6 overall record.

For a coach at any level, that is pretty impressive. However, Vince Kehres was not even the most successful Mount Union coach in his own family. Not by a long shot. His father Larry won 11 DIII championships during an absurdly-dominant 27-year run in Alliance (OH), while concurrently serving as the school’s athletic director for most of them (1985-2020). The elder’s .929 winning percentage is the best in CFB history, earning him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame (2017 class). But as impressive as the Kehres family is and was, you’re probably asking me to get back to the Toledo Rockets. Say no more...

Toledo HC Jason Candle brought the younger Kehres aboard in 2020, due in part to their familiarity with each other. Coach Candle was a player at Mount Union, before joining their staff in 2003. He then moved on to Toledo in 2009, but maintained a strong relationship with the Kehres family and reached out when he needed a DC for his own coaching staff. Both likely acknowledged that the MAC was a big step up in competition for Kehres, but the Rockets couldn’t get much worse than they were in 2019, so the band was reunited. And it has been a successful venture for all parties involved.

In addition to bringing his own scheme and ideas, Kehres has helped to develop some fine football players. Safety Maxen Hook led the team with 96 tackles last year after making just two appearances in 2020. Desjuan and Dyontae Johnson – not related, despite wearing No. 1 and No. 2 and having very similar names – combined for 156 tackles and 20.5 TFL last year, and have been a huge part of the defensive rebuild. And Tycen Anderson became a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

With the exception of Anderson, all of those players returned to Toledo and have helped the team jump out to a 2-0 start this season. But none of them are this week’s Defensive Player to Watch. That title belongs to Jamal Hines, a Cincinnati native and disruptive force of nature for the Rockets.

Hines was originally committed to the University of Cincinnati before flipping his pledge to Toledo in January of 2017. It might seem odd now, but the Bearcats were struggling under Tommy Tuberville at the time (can you believe this man is a ****ing senator now!?), while the Rockets were competing for MAC titles. Hines joined the team in 2018, and was listed as a 6-foot-2, 216-pound defensive end... 2-1-6. But despite his small-ish stature, this true freshman contributed right away. He played in 12 games, starting 10, and finished with 49 tackles, 9 TFL (third on the team), and 2 INT. The groundwork was laid for a productive college career, and Hines has not slowed down since.

From 2019-2021, Hines earned First, Second, and Third-Team All-MAC honors — making a jump up each season. Along the way, he also grew an inch and packed on 35 pounds, while diversifying his impressive skillset. In Toledo’s somewhat amorphous 4-2-5 defense, he has been used primarily to create pressure in the backfield, but the fifth-year player is also fairly adept at dropping into coverage. So he is now listed as a DE, but it really comes down to semantics, as he can fill multiple roles. However you want to define him as a player, just don’t leave out the fact that Hines is wildly disruptive.

Listed as a full-time OLB in 2021, Hines had a monster season. He finished third on the team in tackles with 88, and added 15 TFL and 9.5 sacks (led the team in both categories). But perhaps more impressivemis the fact that he finished in a tie for second with eight passes defended. Not bad for a big man. His positive momentum has carried over to 2022, as he is currently second on the team in tackles, behind former Buckeye LB Dallas Gant.

Hines is going to be a factor against the Buckeyes, and in all likelihood, he will not be the only one, because this Toledo team has a number of impact defenders. But the Rockets are still facing what could (hopefully) be a healthy Ohio State offense. Hines will need to be at his most disruptive, and receive plenty of help, if Toledo is going to remain competitive throughout. I will have my eye on him regardless, watching intently to see if he and his teammates bring the MACtion to Columbus.

Continue reading...

Login to view embedded media
Investigating These Women Who Were Topless at a Utah Football Game Is Grossly Sexist and Unconstitutional

KUTV — Two women at the University of Utah football game were topless in the stands on Saturday, wearing little if anything above the waist but body paint.

University spokesman Christopher Nelson told 2News Sunday night the women were asked by two female police officers to put on their shirts, and they complied.

But what happened drew attention on social media, with one mother writing it was her first time to bring her kids to a Utes game, and the experience was "not OK."

Nelson said he spoke with the U's Chief Safety Officer Keith Squires, and that detectives will "follow up this week to screen for any possible criminal charges."
University police said there is an active investigation.

Possible criminal charges?! It's obvious this investigation is un-American, but it turns out it may also be unconstitutional.

ABC4 — In Fort Collins, Colorado, two women sued the city over a topless ban and won.

And then, at the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, the women won again.

As a city, Fort Collins decided the city wouldn’t appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court — which, according to the plaintiff’s attorney, means that ruling affects all six states in the 10th Circuit including Utah.

“Utah is bound by the decisions of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals — so any city that has a law in Utah that bans female toplessness but doesn’t ban male toplessness, that law is presumptively unconstitutional now,” said attorney Andy McNulty.

Entire article: https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog...l-game-is-grossly-sexist-and-unconstitutional

Column: Ohio State’s top individual performances against Arkansas State
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

There was a lot to be excited about during Saturday’s big win. Here are the starters AND backups I was most impressed with.

Who doesn’t love a good blowout win? While the close, back-and-forth games are super exciting, I physically don’t think I can handle watching that type of game every week. So, it’s nice being able to sit back and relax for (hopefully) two weeks in a row, not worrying about the outcome. Another reason these huge wins are great is that we get a chance to see the backups play!

Here’s who I was impressed with against Arkansas State:

Steele Chambers and Cody Simon

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

Linebacker play certainly was not an issue in this past week’s game. Chambers tied for the team lead with six tackles, including four solo tackles, one tackle for loss, and a sack. The seven-yard sack came on Arkansas State’s first offensive drive of the second half. He was absolutely flying past their offensive line, and their quarterback didn’t stand a chance.

It is hard not to root for this guy. He was recruited as a running back, and now he was voted Defensive Player of the Game! His sack total already matches what it was for the entirety of last season. Chambers is off to a really hot start, racking up 11 tackles between the first two games.

He is looking really comfortable now after having a full season under his belt at this position. It was great that he went off against Arkansas State, especially, considering that the cornerbacks were struggling, so he picked up the slack. I’m excited to watch him pick apart Toledo Saturday as well.

I also wanted to shout out Cody Simon, who was phenomenal in the second half. He’s actually the other player Chambers tied with for team lead in tackles. He was quick and dominant, making tackles on back-to-back plays at one point. I was very impressed with what I saw from him.

Super Marv!

Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

I feel like it is almost unnecessary to include Marvin Harrison Jr. in this list because DUH. We already know how good he is. It took him one game to warm up this season, but he definitely broke out against Arkansas State. In case you’ve been living under a rock, he earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors and joined Joey Galloway in the Buckeye history books as the only two receivers to have two separate three-TD performances.

I would say 184 yards and three touchdowns is a solid day at the office. He looked unreal. The part I’m most excited about is how seamlessly he and Stroud looked together. This is only the third game they've played with each other, and their connection is already strong. Two of his three touchdowns were just things of beauty; the over-the-shoulder catch and the one where he caught it while being double-teamed. This guy is talented!

Dallan Hayden

Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

How about the third-string running back? Hayden slid into this position after Evan Pryor suffered an unfortunate season-ending knee injury, and he has taken advantage. Once Kyle McCord entered the game in the fourth quarter, his first five plays were either handoffs to Hayden or passes to him.

I loved watching Hayden run. He reminds me of Miyan Williams, just absolutely refusing to go down on that first attempt. He’s listed at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, so he is a good 30 pounds lighter than Williams, however, he still has that same aggressiveness in him. They both got that dog in them.

It’s nice to see that we have a hungry freshman in the running back room (sound familiar)? I don’t think we should have any concerns for this position group.

Continue reading...

LGHL Asks: What are you most looking for in Ohio State’s game vs. Toledo?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.

Every day for the entirety of the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.

The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes head into their final non-conference game of the season this weekend as they host the Toledo Rockets at 7 p.m. ET in The Horseshoe. With the end of the first quarter of the season now in sight, we wanted to check in with Buckeye Nation to see their thoughts on a few big-picture questions.

So, fill out the survey below and have your voice counted. Also, sign up for SB Nation Reacts in order to be included in the weekly surveys about topics from across the college football landscape.

Question 1: What are you most looking for in OSU’s final non-conference game?


The first two games of Ohio State’s season have been an interesting mix of impressive performances and missed expectations. Some of that has to do with unforeseen injuries popping up to some of OSU’s best players, and some has to do with fans and media getting a little over their skis in forecasting how quickly the new Buckeye players and coaches would get up to speed.

So, I will be interested in seeing what it is that fans are looking for the most against the Rockets. I have my personal preference here, but I will keep that to myself until we get the results.

Question 2: Eight true freshmen played offense or defense against Arkansas State according to PFF. Which are you most excited about for the future?


I think it is going to be difficult for a lot of true freshmen to see a ton of playing time this season, just because the Buckeyes returned so much of their production on both sides of the ball from last season. However, there have been a few that have popped in the first two games of the season.

Against Arkansas State, Caden Curry and Dallan Hayden both had some brief, but impressive, moments. There were some other true freshmen who played on special teams — including 17-year-old Sonny Styles — but we are keeping this question to just those who played in their normal positions.

This isn’t necessarily about what you have seen in the first two contests of the season, and rather about what you expect from their future, so don’t feel like Curry is the only possible answer based on how dominant he looked in garbage time against the Red Wolves.

Question 3: What is your current confidence level on OSU winning the national title?


Because we are a fan blog mostly filled with a bunch of homers, the vast majority of our staff chose the Buckeyes as our national title winners this season (this is actually true for nearly every season), but you can have different degrees in confidence about predictions, so we want to see how you are feeling about OSU’s chances to take home the CFP championship in January.


Have your voice heard and share your thoughts on the Buckeyes here:


Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State Buckeyes fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate.

Continue reading...

Vegas Always Knows: A look at Week 3’s standout betting lines
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

What does Vegas know that I don’t with some of these spreads?

If you’re anything like me, you like to check out the weekend’s gambling lines ahead of time. On any given week, there are always a handful of numbers that stand out for one reason or another. Whether it be a questionably high spread or the wrong team is favored, at least in your mind, you always tend to ask yourself, “What does Vegas know that I dont?”

That is the question I'm asking with a handful of the lines for Week 3, courtesy of our friends over at the DraftKings Sportsbook.

No. 12 BYU vs. No. 25 Oregon (-3.5)


Of all the spreads available for this weekend, this is the one that confuses me the most. Oregon, who sits at 1-1 on the season, lost its first ranked matchup of the new campaign in a 49-3 trouncing at the hands of Georgia. BYU, on the other hand, is 2-0 on the year with one ‘upset’ already on their resume as they took down No. 9 Baylor this past weekend in a 26-20 thriller in overtime. While that game for the Cougars was at the friendly confines and the Ducks are the ones with home field in this matchup, I dont see enough there to sway this game in Oregon’s favor.

Bo Nix has never quite lived up to the hype, and has generally been a turnover machine against the stiffest competition, tossing another two interceptions in the loss to the Bulldogs. On the flip side, Jaren Hall is usually quite economic with the football, completing over 67% of his passes this season. BYU also won that game against Baylor without both of its top receivers, who could potentially return this weekend. I worry a bit about an emotional letdown coming off that exciting finish, but the Cougars are the more physical of these two squads, and I like Hall far more than Nix.

No. 11 Michigan State vs. Washington (-3.5)


This is yet another game where it feels like the wrong team is favored, but I think I understand this one more than the aforementioned matchup. Both programs enter this contest at 2-0, with the 11th-ranked Spartans picking up wins over Western Michigan and Akron while the unranked Huskies boast W’s over Kent State and Portland State. I dont think we’ve learned much about either of these two squads based on their previous opponents, however much like in the BYU-Oregon matchup, I trust one of these two offenses far more than the other.

We saw what Indiana transfer Michael Penix Jr. was able to do when healthy in the Big Ten, and he is off to a fantastic start in Washington to the tune of 682 yards on a nearly 70% completion percentage with six touchdowns to just one pick. Payton Thorne hasn’t been quite as impressive for MSU, tossing four TDs with three INTs through his team’s first two games. I’m not sold on Mel Tucker’s ability to build an entire team through the transfer portal two years in a row, and I think I trust Kalen DeBoer’s offense to take advantage of a secondary that was one of the worst in the country a year ago.

As far as trends go, it is worth noting that Washington was just 1-4 against the spread last season when favored by 3.5 or more points, while Michigan State was 4-1 ATS last year when 3.5-point underdogs or greater. Different teams with different rosters this year, but an interesting statistic nonetheless.

Nevada vs. Iowa (-23)


This game isn’t as much about the wrong team being favored, as Iowa is likely the more talented team in this matchup. My main issue here is that I'm not sure an offense led by quarterback Spencer Petras is capable of scoring 23 points. After a miserable offensive season in 2021, the Hawkeye offense is somehow even worse in 2022. Kirk Ferentz’s team has scored just one touchdown through two games, barely defeating South Dakota State 7-3 on two safeties and a field goal and then losing their rivalry game to Iowa State, 10-7.

Petras may very well be one of the worst multi-year starting quarterbacks in the history of college football. Over his last seven games, the senior has thrown just one touchdown pass — compared to nine interceptions! Even still, Ferentz maintains that Petras will be the team’s starter, and so until that changes and/or he fires his son as the team’s offensive coordinator, I cannot see a valuable reason to lay 23 points to this Iowa team. Considering the Hawkeyes have scored 34 points total over their last four games dating back to last season — an average of 8.5 points per game for you mathematicians out there — I can’t comfortably put actual U.S. currency on this team to cover any type of double-digit spread.

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

Continue reading...

Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for September 14, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

Ask LGHL


Introducing ‘Ask LGHL,’ asking and answering questions throughout the football season
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ask LGHL: How does losing Evan Pryor impact the Ohio State offense?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Gridiron


Ohio State looks for fully-loaded offense when Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Julian Fleming return
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Key takeaways as Ryan Day, Jim Knowles evaluated Buckeyes
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Ohio State coach Ryan Day compared his team to a pianist in a dive bar
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch


Four Lessons Learned from Ryan Day, Jim Knowles as Buckeyes gear up to finish nonconference play
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Knowles notes: Will Caden Curry play more? | How well are Buckeyes tackling thus far
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts

Ryan Day, Jim Knowles Confident Denzel Burke Will Bounce Back After Shaky Start to Season
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

Practice Report: Buckeyes getting healthier on offense as Big Ten play nears
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row


How Perry Eliano went from spider webs to a dream coaching job with the Ohio State football program
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

Knowles: Defense a “Right Now Proposition”
Andy Anders, Buckeye Sports Bulletin

You’re Nuts: Who is your favorite in-state opponent for Ohio State?
Brett Ludwiczak and Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Buckeyes fan, ALS fighter Patrick Behan welcomed by Ohio State
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Seems good:

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Column: “Are you showing the women’s soccer game?”
Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land

Cross Country: New Program Director, Head Coach Looks to Establish Success
Steven Kishpaugh, The Lantern

Men’s Soccer: No. 22 Buckeyes Earn 3-All Draw at No. 14 Akron
Ohio State Athletics


Women’s Golf: Ohio State Wins Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Soccer: Borkovic, McLaughlin Earn Co-Big Ten Honors
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


Absolute comic gold.


Continue reading...

LGHL Uncut Podcast: C.J. Stroud discusses return of Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State Athletics

QB1 also gets into the increased involvement of the tight ends in the passing game.

Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On this episode of “Land-Grant Holy Land Uncut,” Ohio State starting quarterback C.J. Stroud discusses how the eventual return of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming to the wide receiver rotation will impact the Buckeyes’ passing game. He also discusses the increased role that the tight ends are seeing this year in the OSU passing game and how Cade Stover has become a focal point for opposing defenses.

Moving to the running game, Stroud praises the dynamic duo of Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson coming out of the backfield, the emergence of Donovan Jackson on the offensive line, and what the recent rash of upsets across college football can teach his Ohio State team about how they approach their work on a daily basis.


Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

Music by: www.bensound.com

Continue reading...

A pair of blue-chip defensive linemen set visits to Ohio State
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Jordan Hall | 247Sports

Defensive line coach Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes will have the opportunity to impress a pair of standout defensive linemen in the coming months.

Ohio State picked up some good news on Tuesday as a pair of highly-coveted defensive line prospects revealed their intentions of upcoming visits to the Buckeye campus. Plus, the head coach of one of the last remaining targets in 2023 for Chris Holtmann and the hoops program breaks down the latest.

Hall, Scott set Buckeye visits


It was a positive Tuesday for defensive line coach Larry Johnson and Ohio State, as it was revealed that a pair of top defensive line prospects from different classes will head up to Columbus this fall to get an in-person look at what the program has to offer.

One of those, as revealed by On3 Recruits, is 2023 four-star defensive lineman Jordan Hall of Westside (FL). The Jacksonville product will be making his trip to Ohio State in late November as an official visit when the Buckeyes take on arch-rival Michigan.

Hall, the No. 61 overall player in the class, will give Ohio State a tremendous opportunity to put themselves into contention for his services. With schools like Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and South Carolina also well-positioned, the Buckeyes will want to hit it out of the park with Hall, as he could be a major piece to the defensive line puzzle in a class that currently features just two pledges in the unit.

The other prospect along the defensive front that will get a look at Ohio State this year is 2024 four-star defensive lineman Justin Scott of St. Ignatius (IL). According to Bucknuts, the Chicago native will be in attendance on Sept. 24 when the Buckeyes square off against Wisconsin.

Scott and Ohio State wasted no time hashing out a visit date as the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder was just recently offered by the program at the beginning of this month. Perhaps that is telling of the interest that the second best prospect from Illinois has in the Buckeyes.

Other schools that are also highly interested in Scott as evidenced by already offering include Auburn, Miami (FL), Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, Wisconsin, and more.

Coach breaks down OSU hoops target


As Ohio State looks to finalize a 2023 hoops recruiting class that recently saw a spot open up with the decommitment of 2023 four-star shooting guard George Washington III of Chaminade Julienne (OH), one name worth monitoring is 2023 four-star combo guard Taison Chatman of Totino-Grace (MN).

Chatman, a Minneapolis native, does include Ohio State in his top five along with Minnesota, Kansas, Virginia, and Xavier. With a decision looming for the Buckeye target, 247Sports’ Steve Helwagen caught up with Chatman’s head coach Nick Carroll on Tuesday morning to discuss what he brings to the table.

“He’s got a unique ability to shoot off the catch and off the dribble. In his last two years, he has shot it better off the bounce than off the catch. He’s shooting the ball 48 percent on pull-up jump shots last year. That is kind of a unique thing,” Carroll told 247Sports.

Carroll would also rave about what Chatman can do at the defensive end of the floor.

“I think he is a very good defender right now. I think he has the ability to be a top-shelf defender. He’s got great anticipation skills. As he continues to build his conditioning and his body, we’re just scratching the surface of what he is capable of doing. I think he just needs to continue to sharpen his habits so when he gets to that next level he’s not able to just exist; he’s able to thrive as soon as possible.”

While it remains to be seen where Chatman will suit up at the next level, it definitely sounds as if the top ranked player from Minnesota has the tools to play at a level wherever his next chapter may be. The 6-foot-4, 170-pounder also pencils in as the No. 31 prospect overall and the eight highest graded combo guard in the class.

Quick Hits

• According to Bucknuts.com, Ohio State is “the school that stands out” for 2024 four-star athlete Miles Lockhart of Basha (AZ) among the double-digit offers he has received thus far. The Buckeyes offered the Chandler native back in June after participating in camp, and the Top 100 prospect for next years cycle looks as if he holds the program in high regard.
• Ohio State pledge and 2023 four-star safety Cedrick Hawkins of Cocoa (FL) spoke with Chad Simmons of On3 on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the latest. Of note, the 6-foot, 175-pounder described his visit for the Notre Dame contest “lovely,” discussed his likely return trips to Columbus being for the Wisconsin, Rutgers, and Michigan games and that he is “100% locked in” with his commitment to the Buckeyes.
• 2023 four-star offensive tackle Samson Okunlola of Thayer Academy (MA), an Ohio State target, revealed to Eleven Warriors on Tuesday that he is at least considering a visit to Columbus later this season. “I might,” the No. 3 offensive tackle in the class told Garrick Hodge about a potential visit to Ohio State coming.

Continue reading...

LGHL Uncut Podcast: Ryan Day, Jim Knowles provide major injury updates
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



They also discuss whether or not young players who have flashed early will see increased playing time.

Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On this episode of “Land-Grant Holy Land Uncut,” Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles wrap up the analysis of the Arkansas State victory and turn their attention toward this weekend’s matchup with the Toledo Rockets. They detail the injuries to wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming, cornerback Jordan Hancock, and defensive tackle Mike Hall. Fortunately, from the sound of things, all are tracking to play this weekend, some with more certainty than others.

They also preview the Rockets’ offensive and defensive capabilities, discuss the nagging penalty issues for the Buckeyes, talk about which young players have earned more playing time, and more.


Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

Music by: www.bensound.com

Continue reading...

Column: “Are you showing the women’s soccer game?”
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

It should not be impossible to find bars that show women’s sports.

If you dedicate yourself to watching women’s sports the way I do, and if you enjoy doing that in public spaces, you’re probably familiar with how difficult it can be to find a bar showing The Game (women’s edition). My google history is absolutely cursed from the number of “Where to Watch Angel City FC Game Los Angeles,” “New York Bars USWNT,” and “Chicago bars showing WNBA Playoffs” searches I’ve entered over the past few years.

Given a 2021 study published by USC and Purdue University showing that 95% of total television coverage and “SportsCenter” highlights focused on men’s sports, it makes sense that it would be hard to find places to watch women’s sports with the same public camaraderie that we find for football, March Madness, and the World Series.

But a few days ago, I learned about a bar in Portland that was making waves as a women’s sports haven. The Sports Bra, self-described as “the sports bar dedicated to women’s sports,” opened earlier this year in Northeast Portland and devotes itself fully to broadcasting only women’s sports.

It was, until earlier this month, the only sports bar in the country dedicated to showing women’s sports. With the announcement earlier in August that Seattle is following suit with the Rough & Tumble Pub (focused on showcasing Seattle’s women’s sports teams including the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and the NWSL’s OL Reign), our whopping total has been brought to two (2). Two whole sports bars that offer the guarantee you can catch that NWSL game or the WNBA playoffs.

Lines have been out the door for The Sports Bra, which also makes sense when you consider the growing popularity of professional women’s sports across the board.

Viewership for last year’s WNBA finals was up 40% from just two years earlier, and the league has increased the number of regular-season games thanks to the growing popularity. As of 2019, US women’s soccer generates more revenue than men’s soccer. The NCAA increased the women’s basketball tournament pool to 68 teams this year, and the women’s Final Four games averaged 3.5 million viewers, the highest-watched women’s Final Four in a decade.

The Women’s College World Series out-performed the Men’s College World Series on average viewership per game and number of viewers in the most viewed game. The U.S. Women’s Open in golf nearly doubled the purse between 2021 and 2022. The list goes on and on.

And yet, for those of us who don’t live in Portland or Seattle, it can feel like we have to move mountains to find bars that show women’s sports on TV.

Why?

It’s clear there’s a demand for these games. If I had a dedicated bar I could go to for women’s sports, I would drive at rush hour in LA traffic to be there for my teams.

I love spending my fall Saturday and Sunday mornings at the bar watching college football and the Chicago Bears. I love a good B-Dubs March Madness moment. And I want to be able to enjoy that same sense of shared fandom for my women’s teams in their everyday games, not just when the Olympics roll around.

Sure, I can watch these games at home – but half of the fun of fandom is finding other fans to share the madness and excitement with. When I watched the Cubs win the World Series at the Chicago Cubs bar in NYC, it was a collective moment of joy and relief and many tears and many more Old Style toasts. It would have been fine to sit on my couch, but a lot of the magic that night was found in singing “Go Cubs Go” with strangers. Any Buckeye fan who’s ever linked arms with someone they didn’t know to sing Carmen knows the feeling.

And women’s sports fans deserve that experience too.

If bars and restaurants are paying attention, they’ll capitalize on the surging popularity in women’s sports by filling a major hole in the market and dedicating themselves to showing women’s sports regularly.

So this is major props to the Sports Bra and Rough & Tumble (and a friendly heads-up to pop in if you’re in Portland or Seattle), and it’s also a call to other bar and restaurant owners or wannabe owners to start showing women’s sports. Even if it’s not the only thing you show, I promise it will draw the loyalty of the millions of fans like me who are searching for a home base to watch our women.

Continue reading...

You’re Nuts: Who is your favorite in-state opponent for Ohio State?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

Ohio State will host Toledo on Saturday night at Ohio Stadium. The Rockets will be trying to do something that no in-state foe has been able to do in 101 years: beat the Buckeyes. Ohio State has won 44 straight games against other teams from the Buckeye State, with the most recent victory coming last year when Akron was trounced in Columbus by Ohio State.

Toledo can at least hang their hat on a solid performance against the Buckeyes, losing 27-22 at Ohio Stadium in 2011. The Rockets have now been beaten three times by Ohio State during their 44-game winning streak against in-state opponents. Following Saturday night’s game against Toledo, Ohio State will host another Ohio opponent next year when Youngstown State comes to Columbus.

It feels like there are some Ohio opponents that have a little more juice than others when it comes to play the Buckeyes. For example, Youngstown State will probably get a lot of love next year because of their ties to Jim Tressel, but the Penguins won’t challenge Ohio State on the field. Other schools from Ohio have come into The Horseshoe in the past and shown a little more fight than you’ll likely see from Youngstown State.

Today’s question: Who is your favorite in-state opponent for Ohio State?

We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.

Brett’s answer: Cincinnati


By “favorite” we mean the Ohio school you like to hate on the most, right? Since I’m a big ball of hate, I feel like favorite should be the Ohio school that makes your blood boil the most. I already think Cincinnati is terrible because of my hatred for Skyline Chili. If y’all want to eat what looks like the contents of a used diaper, that is on you. Just don’t try and pretend that it is good and the rest of us are missing out. We definitely aren’t.

Last year Bearcat fans got a little chesty, and they had good reason to, shocking the college football world and going undefeated during the regular season and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. This caused some Cincinnati fans to think they were ready for the Buckeyes. I would have loved to see Ohio State take on Cincinnati, just because it would have resulted in Bearcat fans getting shut up real quick. How quickly they forget they were just two years removed from getting shutout by Ohio State, 42-0.

Honestly, I don’t even think of Cincinnati as a Buckeye city. Look at how many Cincinnati prospects end up going to Notre Dame. I feel like if you took a poll of everyone living in Cincinnati and the surrounding area, Ohio State wouldn’t be the preferred college team of the area. That’s fine though, since we have seen how bad Cincinnatians are at picking things. You can see why I now call Cincinnati “The Jewel of Kentucky”.

Meredith’s answer: Ohio University


For this one, there’s only one answer: Ohio University. There’s no actual football reason for wanting to play them. The Buckeyes are 6-0 all-time against their MAC opponents from Athens. Most recently, Ohio State brought home a 43-7 victory during the now-vacated 2010 season.

Yes, the Xs and Os have always worked in favor of the Buckeyes in this matchup, but I have a bone to pick with Rufus the Bobcat. That’s because, in that fateful game in 2010, Rufus, unprompted and unprovoked, attacked Brutus.

Let me make one thing clear: No one attacks MY Brutus and gets away with it. Brutus is an icon and a national treasure. A two-time mascot of the year, Brutus was also inducted into the mascot hall-of-fame in 2007.

I don’t want this to turn into mudslinging, but there’s probably a degree of jealousy from Rufus who felt that he was perhaps overlooked or lumped in with the myriad other wildcat-type mascots in the FBS. Perhaps we should even pity Rufus as this was a clear teenage-type attempt to get attention.

As an aside, Brett, for this particular occasion, Brutus’ official bio says he is friends with the Cincinnati Bearcat. I’m okay with that.

Continue reading...