Burning Questions: Will the Ohio State running game be much improved in 2022?
David M Wheeler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Buckeyes seek consistency first, then rushing dominance.

Since the 2021 Ohio State offense averaged about 560 yards per game and led the nation in yards per play, points per game, and yards per game, it seems ridiculous to be looking for improvement. Nevermind framing the issue as a “burning question.”

But the fact remains that the Buckeye running game last season was inconsistent. There were crucial moments when it needed to step up and get the job done — and it didn’t. The inconsistency didn’t matter in the runaway games. But in the losses to Oregon and Michigan and in the few close victories, it did matter. I have no doubt that it will matter this season too.

Last year’s No. 1 offense was unbalanced. The Bucks averaged 381 yards per game passing but only 181 yards rushing per game. They averaged 16.5 first downs and 3.5 touchdowns passing. Conversely, the running attack produced an average of nine first downs and 1.3 touchdowns a game.

That kind of unbalance isn’t typical of Ryan Day’s offenses, nor of Urban Meyer’s before him. In Day’s previous two seasons leading the Buckeyes, his teams averaged 262.5 yards per game passing and 256.9 yards per game rushing in the shortened 2020 season, and 263.1 yards passing and 267.3 yards rushing per game in 2019. With the exception of 2018, when Dwayne Haskins seemingly passed on every down, Meyer’s teams had a similar balance. The 2014 championship team, for instance, averaged 247 yards passing and 264.5 yards per game running.

What was different about 2021?


First, C.J. Stroud isn’t a running quarterback and not a true dual-threat. We thought he was, and early in the season we wanted him to run more. Some still do, but I don’t really expect it to happen. Additionally, the Buckeyes last year had a trio of starting receivers whose combined quality has perhaps never been seen in the college game. Get them the ball. Finally, given the gigantic (and not particularly mobile) offensive line, the offense seemed born to pass.

In 2018, one of the reasons that Haskins passed so much was that the running backs – J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber – didn’t have very good years. Dobbins averaged only 4.6 yards per carry, far below his figure in 2017 or 2019. Meyer alternated Dobbins and Weber, and neither seemed to evolve into the go-to guy. Granted, Haskins wasn’t much of a runner either. So, the Buckeyes passed

Last year, though, the Buckeyes were loaded with superior running talent. TreVeyon Henderson proved to be a true star. Miyan Williams looked nearly as good. And both Master Teague III and Evan Pryor were strong reserves. The problem wasn’t with the backs. No, the problem with the Ohio State running game in 2021 was with the line and with the play-calling.

The running game was very predictable in certain formations: under center, pistol. Defenses knew that a run was coming and stuffed it. The line, great at pass protection, couldn’t pull wide and couldn’t get out on linebackers. The Bucks couldn’t always count on the run, and so they passed. And passed.

But let’s go back to the earlier question. Does balance matter? If OSU had the nation’s best offense – and they did – does it matter if they get their yards and TDs on the ground or in the air? Yes, and here’s why.

The importance of run/pass balance


One of the aims of any football offense is to keep the opposing defense on its heels, off balance, unsure. A well-balanced attack can do that, especially if a team can run or pass from varied formations, looks or personnel packages.

If an offense is nearly certain to pass, the safeties and linebackers are taking a first step back. The defensive line is rushing full go at the quarterback. On a sure running play, the linebackers and safeties step toward the line of scrimmage, the defensive line stays put and reads the play.

A balanced attack, at worst, has the defense holding its position — reacting, rather than anticipating. With the Buckeyes’ speed, a false step on the part of the defense could be fatal.

Third-down plays


Obviously, 3rd-and-1 and 3rd-and-13 are different situations calling for different plays. But over the long haul of a season, a three-to-one ratio of passing for first downs against running for them (the Bucks’ ratio last year) works against offensive efficiency. You’re looking at pass defense packages, blitzes, and stunts. A balanced attack takes away that predictability. The defense has to play straight up.

Red zone offense


Let’s acknowledge it: the Buckeyes have had some trouble with red zone offense. Fortunately, they had a good kicker last year, but “settling” for field goals after good-looking drives is unsatisfying and can produce a momentum shift.

The problem with a passing attack near the opponents’ goal line is lack of room. There’s only 10 yards between the goal line and the end line. Tough to spread out the defensive backs, tough to get separation for the receivers. That end line is a defensive wall.

I know that Meyer always liked a running QB in the red zone, but a run-blocking O-line and a good back will get you over the goal line. A solid running game will freeze linebackers and open up short hook routes if you choose to throw.

The end game


With a small lead in the fourth quarter, the offense wants to be able to run the clock. Keep possession. Eat up time. A short passing game might accomplish the task. But you run the risk of incompletion (or even interception), a sack, a holding call. Any of which can stunt the drive and bring the foes’ offense back on the field. A strong running attack will have worn down the defense, and five yards a carry will finish them off.

Crush the will


A running attack that successfully picks up yardage and first downs not only wears down the defensive line but, eventually, will sap the defensive will. They realize that they really can’t stop the run. They’re getting beat on every running play. Once that happens (and it happened to the Buckeye defense in Ann Arbor), it’s very difficult to regain that confidence.

The 2022 season


Will the Buckeye running game be much improved? Yes, I definitely think so. There’s still the great passer, the nation’s best receiver, and several soon-to-be stars at wideout, but there will be a concerted effort to run the ball. Day has hired his old buddy Justin Frye to coach the offensive line. We’ll see some innovative blocking schemes designed to free Henderson, or whoever is carrying the ball.

Day has also been made very aware of his formation tendencies. I don’t think that we’ll have that problem this year. Someone (other than sportswriters and opposing coaches) is sure to be tracking tendency for the Bucks.

Then, there’s the physicality issue. The Buckeyes last year had no trouble running on weaker teams. Henderson and Williams racked up some impressive yardage. Against elite teams, however, the Buckeye line couldn’t open holes. Tough line play is certain to be emphasized in fall camp.

All in all, I think that we can expect a much more balanced offense from Ohio State this fall.

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for July 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


Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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...


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On the Gridiron


Blue-Chip Ratio 2022: The 15 teams who can actually win a national title
Bud Elliott, 247Sports

Ohio State to “Scarlet the Shoe” Against Iowa, Celebrate 100 Years of Ohio Stadium Against Rutgers
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

Is C.J. Stroud the fourth-best quarterback in college football?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

These people are stupid:


Healthy Josh Proctor gearing up for ‘something bigger’ this season for Buckeyes
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Ohio State-Notre Dame is top Week 1 matchup; Buckeyes picked to win
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Ohio State football’s run-pass balance needs a tweak in 2022, but not in terms of volume
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

How Buckeyes can have success in secondary by rotating safeties
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

WHAT IS HAPPENING?


Ohio State Recruiting: 2023 commit Jason Moore is a bigger deal than some realize
Caleb Houser, Land-Grant Holy Land

Forgotten Buckeyes: Vinnie Clark
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Five Buckeyes to make Big Ten civil rights journey to Alabama
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Washington III and Pair of Buckeye Targets to Compete at EYBL Peach Jam
Jack Emerson, Buckeye Sports Bulletin

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Women’s Golf: Cangrejo Joins Buckeyes as Assistant Coach
Ohio State Athletics

So this is a pretty big deal, huh?


Burning Questions: Can the Big Ten now claim USC and UCLA’s accolades?
Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land

And now for something completely different...


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Buckeyes may be on the verge of landing another 2023 target on offense
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Jelani Thurman | 247Sports

The 247Sports Crystal Ball pegs Ohio State to land another blue chipper in the 2023 class.

The beat goes on for the Buckeyes, as July has brought the staff plenty of good news in terms of recruiting. That momentum don’t look to be stopping any time soon.

With only a few remaining spots up for grabs in the 2023 class, Ohio State’s focus is on wrapping up another top national caliber class, but having 18 guys in the fold allows the coaches to really start looking at 2024. Being able to focus on the future bodes well for the Buckeyes, but until every spot in the current cycle is signed, sealed, and delivered, enjoy the ride of what is currently ranked the top class in the country.

Ohio State to add big time tight end?


The first commit in the 2023 class for the Buckeyes was Tennessee native tight end, Ty Lockwood. After only landing one TE in the 2022 cycle, the coaching staff made it a priority to land two at the position this year. But over the course of the 2023 class, it looked like the staff may again only land one player at that position for whatever reason. While the current depth in Columbus isn’t a major issue, Kevin Wilson knows he needs to continue stockpiling talent at his spot knowing how important tight ends are to Ryan Day’s offensive scheme.

With certain names coming and going in terms of realistic options for Ohio State, the latest name to emerge the last few weeks has been Georgia native, Jelani Thurman. The No. 135 player nationally, Thurman is considered the ninth-best tight end in the country and the 11th best player from Georgia in the 2023 class. Obviously this would be a major addition, and instantly have Wilson feeling better about the depth of his position. With offers from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, LSU, and nearly 30 others, clearly he’s deserving of his high four-star status.

The most interesting part to this recruitment is how fast the Buckeyes have seems to come on with Thurman. Offering in February of this year, Thurman was able to get to Columbus for his official visit just over two weeks ago, but the momentum here is coming pretty quickly in terms of Ohio State being not only a realistic option, but the favorite this late in the process.

On Wednesday, both Steve Wiltfong and Bill Kurelic submitted their 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, and both were in favor of Ohio State landing Thurman. Set to commit this coming Sunday, July 17, it does seem that the Buckeyes are the team to beat here. This second tight end in the class paired with the aforementioned Lockwood would be a terrific haul for Ohio State.

Current commit Brandon Inniss took to his own Twitter account yesterday to tell Buckeye fans to expect a great month, and the timing of his words along with the Crystal Ball action for Thurman point towards Ohio State loading up to land yet another top national talent to further cement this 2023 class as one of the very best in country, and certainly the best in the Big Ten.

Quick Hits

• Four-star Georgia native Martavious Collins took to his Twitter account Wednesday to release the latest update in his recruitment. The 2024 athlete trimmed his list of schools down to a top 11 with a commitment date set for July 20.

The No. 110 player nationally, Collins is also the 13th best player at his position for the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite grades. Making the cut for Collins included Alabama, Cincinnati, LSU, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Auburn, NC State, Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisville, and Ohio State.

A big-time tight end in the 2024 class, Collins does not yet have a Crystal Ball prediction in favor of any school, but now there’s only just under a week before we know where he’s headed.


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Burning Questions: Can the Big Ten now claim USC and UCLA’s accolades?
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Those 11 UCLA NCAA Tournament championships sure are tempting…

One of the huge appeals of the Big Ten bringing on USC and UCLA as part of the conference’s expansion is certainly the brand power of the newcomers. The two schools bring a significant history of excellence, from national championships to Olympians to some of the top professional athletes of the modern era.

USC brings a prestigious history on the football field especially:

• 11 claimed national titles
• 82 consensus All-Americans
• Six Heisman Trophy winners (not including Reggie Bush)
• 520 NFL Draft picks

All these accolades are top-10 in the FBS. Despite their struggles in recent seasons, USC brings one of the most reputable brands in college football.

UCLA, meanwhile, is one of the most storied college basketball programs of all time, with 11 NCAA Tournament victories, most of them coming under legendary coach John Wooden.

That doesn’t even get to the non-revenue sports where both have a sizable trophy case of baseball, water polo, gymnastics, track and field and volleyball (both beach and indoor) national titles. In all, the two schools bring a collection of 227 NCAA team championships to their new conference.

With the Big Ten expanding, the question remains: Can the conference absorb the accolades of teams who were not in the conference at the time those accolades were earned?

It would be so easy (and so desirable) to say yes. Having the histories of Indiana and UCLA basketball in the same conference or the combination of Ohio State, Michigan and USC football — either would give the Big Ten such a leg up compared to other conferences.

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Beyond the obvious question of the moral decision to absorb their contributions, the fact is UCLA and USC’s accomplishments were earned against different conference opponents in different circumstances. In other words, they didn’t compete in the same realm (or in some cases the same sports) as the Big Ten, so it’s challenging to reconcile.

Over time, however, it’s natural that those histories and accolades will start to fall under the Big Ten umbrella. After all, how often do we consider Penn State’s accomplishments pre-1990 outside the context of the Big Ten? That’s perhaps a bad example, as the Nittany Lions brought in just two national titles and one Heisman Trophy winner when they joined the Big Ten.

Even now, Maryland basketball and lacrosse championships from before 2014 feel like they are Big Ten wins as opposed to ACC. The Terps brought in 26 NCAA team titles when they came to the conference. (At this point we should acknowledge that Rutgers brought a 1949 NCAA title in men’s fencing when they joined the Big Ten.)

It gets easier to start claiming these titles when the sports they came in jive with the Big Ten. For instance, it seems unimaginable that the Big Ten will try to claim USC or UCLA’s beach volleyball titles, but perhaps they’ll try to own some of the tennis titles in a few years.

But beyond these more general historical accolades, there is a very specific scenario that will be a lot more challenging to reconcile: What of the Rose Bowl?

It will certainly be hard to explain to the next generation that the Granddaddy of them All oft featured two teams who belong in the same conference. There’s little precedence for that kind of post-season. We’ll certainly see a diluted version of that with Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC, since the Cotton Bowl featured the SEC and Big 12.

In short, it’s probably not fair to lump all USC and UCLA’s Rose Bowl titles — five and 25, respectively — in with the Big Ten, considering so many of those wins came against current Big Ten teams.

However, the reality is the Big Ten will be home to UCLA and USC’s 227 NCAA titles. Perhaps the Big Ten as a conference can’t claim them, but it will be their forever home.

At least until the next realignment.

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Ohio State Recruiting: 2023 commit Jason Moore is a bigger deal than some realize
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Jason Moore | 247Sports

Landing 2023 defensive lineman Jason Moore is exactly what Ohio State needed in this current cycle.

The commitment on Sunday of four-star defensive lineman Jason Moore was a huge addition for Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class. After only having one committed player along the defensive line before Moore to that point, it was time the Buckeyes and position coach Larry Johnson added an elite playmaker on that side of the ball, and someone who can bring a major impact from his edge rusher position.

Listed as the No. 53 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, any time you land that caliber of athlete regardless of position it’s going to be celebrated. But Moore’s commitment may mean that much and more to Ohio State when looking at a couple of various aspects of his background.

Sure, every player on Ohio State’s recruiting board is there for a reason, whether it be from a pure talent base and beyond, but looking more in depth at what Moore brings to the table and where he comes from, this recruitment may have been more important to the Buckeyes and their current class than many recruiting followers may have realized.

Here’s why Moore’s commitment was not only exciting, but needed.

Raw talent and potential for more


Not far off from being a five-star prospect, there’s a reason why Moore is the the fifth-best player at his position in the 2023 class per the Composite. Additionally, being the top-ranked player in Maryland this cycle, Moore is every bit of a top-100 player, and Ohio State has had more than enough success at developing guys like him for the next level — especially at his position. Look at the previous NFL Draft boards and see how well the Buckeyes have fared in that regard.

While the 20-plus offers from the likes of Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, LSU, Florida, Penn State, Auburn, and several more really give you all you need to know about Moore’s talent, the 6-foot-6, 255 pound frame he currently has directly points to how impactful he can be on the edge of the defensive line. The length allows him to bend and stretch in pursuit of the ball carrier, but having a basketball background to go along with it, Moore is really athletic for his size and has tons of room to continue getting bigger and stronger.

A perfect example of why he’s a “must-have” player in the class, his talent and ranking give the Buckeyes exactly what they’re looking for in a defensive end target. Everything he brings to the table helps Ohio State’s depth and pass rush and in a position where many times the game is won and lost. This commitment was crucial for the Buckeyes.

Obviously speaking, landing a talented four-star is always necessary when wanting to finish at or near the top of the recruiting rankings at the end of each year, but from a pure talent stance, Moore, with all of the size and potential he brings to the table in addition to a college-ready frame, makes him that much more important to this 2023 haul.

Building strong ties with a familiar prep program


Knowing talent many times can be the deciding factor of looking to land a recruit, where Moore becomes a little more special is because of where he’s from. To many Ohio State fans, his recruitment may even be recognized directly because of his high school team, and the recent history here would make complete and total sense.

Another product of Maryland’s DeMatha Catholic, Moore of course is from the same prep powerhouse that produced former Buckeye great, Chase Young. From the same position on the field, you know Moore has been taught and developed from a high school program that knows what they’re doing when it comes to churning out DI type players. From a schedule standpoint, it’s proven each year DeMatha plays not only some of the top prep teams in their area, but nationally as well. The caliber of player at DeMatha is known by Ohio State, and Moore is the next link in the chain.

Where the commitment of Moore gets even more interesting is from the pipeline aspect. Two players from DeMatha may not exactly be a large quantity to deem it a pipeline, but again, knowing what Ohio State was able to have with Young and now Moore, you get the notion that both the high school staff as well as Ohio State’s staff are pretty comfortable with each other, and that bodes well for future players the Buckeyes want to key in on.

Surely DeMatha isn’t finished producing great players, and having Ohio State ties to the program with two of their higher ranked guys is an aspect the coaching staff has to love.

Larry Johnson isn’t done yet


On top of talent and background, the final aspect of Moore’s commitment that makes him a major key to 2023’s recruiting class is the idea that it further proves Larry Johnson’s continued success. Let’s face it, unfortunately Johnson isn’t going to coach forever, and while the negative recruiting rumors surrounding him and a possible retirement have already been used before with top targets to lure them away from Columbus, this commitment just keeps the Buckeyes and Johnson with a full head of steam moving forward.

Landing an elite player such as Moore is one thing, but in doing so with Johnson, who had to beat out other top national suitors, the negative recruiting gets shushed a little bit. That’s exactly what Ohio State needs as they look to build up the rest of the 2023 defensive line class for one, but as eyes also look forward to the future classes too.

Where some may take a shot at how long Johnson can keep going, winning national battles on the recruiting front is a recipe to add even more guys. With elite talents such as John Walker and Matayo Uiagalelei still out there and highly considering the Buckeyes in their own recruitments, additions like Moore help because other top players see the momentum Ohio State has. That creates the potential to start a domino effect of top national guys wanting to play together at the next level.

At any rate, when Johnson lands players like Moore, it’s not only a good thing for the roster, but it’s also great for the future of the position recruiting.

Overall, the commitment of Jason Moore is just one player, but the after effect can be so much more when you consider all of the above in what has become a recruit that brings more to Ohio State than just talent alone. This addition is something that can positively impact the Buckeyes for some time, and it’s worth noting how important Moore is to this class and why he deserves recognition as such.

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Ohio State quarterback target from Texas delays anticipated decision
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Elite 11

The Buckeyes’ vacancy at the quarterback position in the 2023 class will remain, and a potential option slows down recruitment.

The pursuit for a quarterback for head coach Ryan Day and quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis in the Buckeyes No. 1 ranked recruiting class remains alive and well, as one potential outcome at the position hits the pause button and will instead slow things down. Plus, with another linebacker target headed elsewhere, it sure seems as if Ohio State has their eyes locked in on a select few at the position.

Novosad taking a step back


Back in June, the Buckeyes set their sights on a Texas blue-chipper as they were actively looking to fill the quarterback spot in their class by offering 2023 four-star quarterback Austin Novosad of Dripping Springs (TX). All things considered, interest from the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder in Ohio State developed rather quickly.

Novosad, currently a Baylor commit, would go on to take an official visit to the Buckeyes’ campus just nine days after being awarded the scholarship opportunity from the program, and things certainly felt as if they were trending in favor of the scarlet and gray. But Novosad didn’t jump at the chance to suit up in Columbus, and left all options on the table — including remaining a Bears pledge — and before the month concluded, he also saw another program enter the picture in Texas A&M.

Nonetheless, it seemed as if last week was gonna be when Novosad decided to cross the finish line in his recruitment. After stating that he was planning on making a decision before the conclusion of last week, Novosad is now pushing the pause button for now, and told Eleven Warriors on Tuesday that the timeframe has been pushed back.

“I wanted to get it done, but we talked about it and I just wasn’t sure. When you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t want to pull the trigger and regret something. So it’s just best to wait until you’re sure, so that’s kind of where we’re at. We’re getting no pressure from the schools, so I think we can wait until we’re ready,” Novosad told Garrick Hodge.

Who knows, maybe an offer from Notre Dame that Novosad secured on Monday could be the driving force to the delayed decision. However, the safe and likely unsurprising bet would be that the Texas signal-caller is having a tougher time than he would have expected in deciding between Baylor, Ohio State, and Texas A&M.

With Novosad now taking a step back to make sure he is making the choice he is comfortable with, it will be interesting to monitor the Buckeyes action going forward. Will another quarterback target emerge as a potential option, or will Day gear up for a battle with the Aggies and Bears in hopes of landing the No. 13 ranked quarterback in the country? Stay tuned.

2023 LB target off the board


Ohio State and first year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles have to be pleased with the recruiting success on defense in the 2023 recruiting class. The current haul features seven prospects on that side of the ball in the fold already, with six of them being blue-chip prospects. However, none of the seven pledges come from the linebacker position and on Tuesday, one potential option at the position announced his pledge elsewhere.


2023 four-star linebacker Raul Aguirre of Whitewater (GA) revealed his commitment to Miami (FL) yesterday, and the Fayetteville native choose the Hurricanes over offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, and more.

While the announcement came as no surprise, despite the Buckeyes having Aguirre on campus back in April, it does prove to make one thing very clear for the program — Troy Bowles of Jesuit (FL), Tackett Curtis of Many (LA), and Arvell Reese of Glenville (OH) are the clear-cut top targets at the position, and have been for quite some time now.

Both Bowles and Curtis currently look to be nearing the end of their respective recruitments, and the Buckeyes are a finalist for both as we head down the stretch. As for Reese, the in-state prospect has yet to narrow down his list of suitors, but it is Ohio State who stands as the odds on favorite to secure his pledge whenever that time comes.

While the pledge of Aguirre for the Canes is certainly a nice addition with the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder being graded as a top ten prospect at his position and inside of the state of Georgia, the focus for the Buckeyes remains unchanged.

Quick Hits

• 2024 four-star athlete Martavious Collins of Rome (GA) announced on Twitter that he will be releasing his top schools later today. The No. 110 prospect overall in next year’s class was offered by the Buckeyes back in March, and would make a trip to Columbus just a month later to visit the program.
• With the aforementioned Novosad delaying his decision and still truly considering a trio of programs, it is worth mentioning the noticeable movement on another QB target yesterday. 2023 four-star quarterback Brock Glenn of Lausanne Collegiate School (TN), who was offered by Ohio State just last month, received a pair of 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions that have him landing with Florida State.

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You’re Nuts: What schools would you like to see the Big Ten add next?
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 Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

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

The last couple weeks have been wild for the Big Ten after it was announced that USC and UCLA would be joining the conference in 2024. Even though the announcement of the addition of the Trojans and Bruins is huge as the conference tries to keeps pace with the SEC, it seems obvious that the Big Ten isn’t done adding schools yet.

While we all know that the Big Ten is likely to add even more schools to the conference, what we don’t know is what schools those future additions will be. There has been speculation that academic powerhouse Stanford could be one of those additions. Another thought is state schools Oregon and Washington could be headed to the Big Ten, but if that happens it’s hard to see those schools leaving rivals Oregon State and Washington State behind. Then there is Notre Dame, who could finally be coming to the realization that they’ll have to join an actual conference.

What we want to know today is who are the schools that you’d like to see the Big Ten add next? Aside from Notre Dame, a lot of the big name schools have found a home, so you’re not really going to get any more splash moves like the addition of USC and UCLA, or Texas and Oklahoma. Still, there are plenty of additions that could really bolster the depth of the conference and create some fun matchups.

Today’s question: What schools would you like to see the Big Ten add next?

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: Oregon and Oregon State


A lot of my reasoning for wanting these two schools to be added to the Big Ten is personal. My dad and my uncle live in Medford, my cousin did some graduate work at Oregon State, and I have friends that live in Portland. I’m begging the Big Ten to give me more reasons to travel out to Oregon. Honestly, if I didn’t live in Ohio, the state that I would want to be living in is Oregon.

Also, I would like to see Oregon added to the conference after they beat the Buckeyes in Columbus last year. As of now, the Ducks and Bucks aren’t scheduled to meet again until 2032 in Eugene and 2033 in Columbus. We all know the schools could meet before that though, as we have seen them matchup in bowl games twice since 2010.

Oregon is obviously the more desired school when it comes to Big Ten expansion, but it’s hard to see the Ducks coming and the Beavers going somewhere else. I’ve been through Corvallis and it’s definitely better than going to some of the dumps in the Big Ten like West Lafayette, Bloomington, or Champaign. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if the Big Ten added the Beavers along with the Ducks.

I’m sure that the Big Ten might be a little hesitant to add these two when it comes to the academics. Honestly though, academics are falling in the order of importance for conference expansion, especially when the Big Ten has to try and keep pace with the SEC. I just know if the Beavers and Ducks were added to the conference, fans would love it. I can speak from experience since I’ve loved the time I’ve spent in the state, and I know Buckeye fans would really enjoy trips out there.

Meredith’s answer: Notre Dame and Stanford


For starters, I love the move of adding West Coast teams to the Big Ten. As much as I hate the idea of possible 10 p.m. ET kickoffs for conference games, the benefits of geographic expansion — in terms of recruiting, media markets and more — are too good to pass up.

That being said, the teams that I’d like to see added next don’t bring as much new strategic value so much as brand recognition and rivalry opportunities.

Notre Dame has felt like the obvious choice for Big Ten expansion since Penn State joined the conference in 1990, but the Fighting Irish seem to still be smarting from their rejection from the Western Conference (the predecessor to the Big Ten) more than a century ago.

While it’s so easy to get annoyed by Notre Dame and their relentless bend toward exceptionalism, the program does have deep historical roots aligned with the likes of Ohio State and Michigan. Geographically, South Bend is firmly in Big Ten territory. Furthermore, many of Notre Dame’s historical rivals, including Michigan, Purdue and Michigan State, are current Big Ten teams. That list grew with the announcement that USC would be joining the Big Ten.

Selfishly, I also like Marcus Freeman as head coach in South Bend, which further positions Notre Dame as a Big Ten program in practice.

The other team I’d choose to add would be Stanford. This pairing makes sense especially considering recent history, which has seen Notre Dame and Stanford facing off most years since the late 1980s.

Stanford would bring a different kind of prestige to the Big Ten. As regular winners of both the Director’s Cup and Capital One Cup, the Cardinal are the shining example of how athletic departments can support a portfolio of sports that goes beyond football and basketball, which also serves to improve equity especially in women’s sports. (We’ll ignore here that one time Stanford announced they’d be cutting 11 varsity sports due to the impacts of COVID-19.)

Further, Northwestern, as the only private school in the 14-team conference (well, until USC joins officially), has always been something of an outlier compared to the rest of the Big Ten. It’s significantly smaller and significantly more rigorous academically compared to an already rigorous conference. Stanford (or Notre Dame) would give Northwestern a true peer within the Big Ten, because who doesn’t love a good pairing?

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Ohio State will travel to Louisville for the 2022 ACC/B1G Challenge
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

How the defending B1G co-champions have done in the annual challenge and their recent history against the Louisville Cardinals.

On June 16, the Ohio State Buckeyes learned their home and away conference opponents for the upcoming 2022-23 basketball season. Monday, a small piece of the remaining schedule was announced, when the ACC/Big Ten Challenge announced its schedule of games between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 of 2022. The defending B1G Conference Champion Buckeyes travel south to face the University of Louisville on Nov. 30.

The 2022 season marks the 15th time the two predominantly eastern United States conferences have competed in a mid-season competition, with ACC winning 10 of the previous 14 seasons. This year also marks the second season in a row in which the Buckeyes are the away team.

That Nov. 30 game is the first non-conference matchup announced for the Buckeyes, and it's hard to imagine them getting more difficult than Louisville. Last season, the Cardinals went 29-5, beating ranked teams like UConn, the University of Kentucky, and Notre Dame. Louisville also beat the University of Michigan twice — once in the regular season by 22 points and in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament by 12 points — before falling to the South Carolina Gamecocks, the eventual tournament champions.

However, the Buckeyes had a season that surpassed what many in college basketball expected. Also, Ohio State has Challenge history on its side when it comes to facing Louisville. In 2019, Ohio State beat the Cardinals 67-60.

In 2021-22, the Scarlet & Gray traveled to Syracuse, New York to face the Orange. It was the first non-conference game away from the Schottenstein Center, and the Buckeyes and Orange battled to a 97-91 Syracuse victory.

During the offensive battle, guards Jacy Sheldon and Taylor Mikesell led Ohio State with 23 and 21 points, respectively. Also, forward Rebeka Mikulášiková contributed 16 points and seven rebounds. But the Buckeye’s collective effort wasn’t enough to stop guard Teisha Hyman, who scored 30 points, playing every minute for Syracuse in the win.

Overall, in the challenge’s history, Ohio State has a tough record. In 14 games, the Scarlet & Gray have only four wins, but on the bright side, two of the four have been in the last three years where the challenge has taken place. The only year the ACC and B1G haven’t scheduled this midseason event was 2020, when COVID-19 put a halt to normal scheduling of games.

Elsewhere around the 2022-23 challenge are other exciting matchups. On Dec. 1, the Maryland Terrapins travel to South Bend to face Notre Dame, even though some shine is lost with Maryland stars Angel Reese and Ashley Owusu transferring away from the Terrapins in the offseason.

Also, the same night, the Indiana Hoosiers welcome the North Carolina Tar Heels, the Nebraska Cornhuskers travel to Virginia Tech and the Iowa Hawkeyes and Elite Eight side NC State tip off in Iowa City, Iowa.

Here’s the full list of games over the span of two days:


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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for July 12, 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


Adam Cairns/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

On the Gridiron


Gary Moeller, former Ohio State football player turned Michigan coach, dies at 81
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

You’re Nuts: Biggest Ohio State burning question
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land

Film Study: Paris Johnson Jr. finally gets to show off his full arsenal of skills
Blake Brockermeyer, 247Sports

Ohio State listed as early favorite in five critical regular-season games
Matt Parker, Lettermen Row

Black Out vs. the Badgers!


Ohio State records TreVeyon Henderson could break in 2022
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Ohio State to honor 2002 national championship team against Notre Dame
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

Big moments in Ohio State football history: Tressel Ball
David M. Wheeler, Land-Grant Holy Land

Five Questions as Buckeyes aim to reclaim elite status in secondary
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Did you get your slushie on Monday?


Ohio State back to No. 1 in recruiting rankings (paywall)
Bill Landis, The Athletic

You’re Nuts: What If the Big Ten goes to 20 teams? What would that look like?
Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


EJ Liddell injured in New Orleans Pelicans NBA Summer League game, report says
Nick Kosko, 247Sports


Ohio State women to face Louisville in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

With plenty of new faces, will Ohio State’s defense step up this season?
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land

Trey Burke Was “Very Impressed” with Brice Sensabaugh After Stellar Kingdom League Performance, Says Ohio State “Has a Gem” in the Freshman
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

#DevelopedHere


Nick Kellogg ‘thrilled’ to be newest assistant with Buckeyes hoops program
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Wrestling: Three Buckeyes Claim Gold Medals at 2022 U20 Pan American Championships
Chase Brown, Buckeye Sports Bulletin

Women’s Golf: McGinty, Seumanutafa, Bourdage Excel
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Hockey: Buckeyes at NHL Development Camps
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


Well, I loved this more than “The Book of Boba Fett” and a large part of “Obi-Wan Kenobi”:


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Ohio State four-star TE target set commitment date
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


2023 four-star tight end Jelani Thurman via @jelani3345 on Twitter

The Buckeyes will soon learn if a four-star tight end will join their 2023 recruiting class. The team is also hoping to steal a four-star LB from Alabama later today.

Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class is quickly coming together. The program has earned 18 verbal commitments thus far, good for the top class in the 247Sports Class Rankings. However, the team is not done adding to the haul, and on Monday they learned they may soon be adding a second tight end to the class.

Four-star TE to commit this month


As mentioned above, the Buckeyes have hold of the nation’s top recruiting class. With limited spots remaining, the team will put more of a focus on the defensive side of the ball, mainly at linebacker and along the defensive line.

Despite focusing on the defense for filling out the remainder of the class, the Buckeyes next commitment may be another offensive skill player. On Monday, the team learned four-star tight end target Jelani Thurman (Fairburn, GA / Langston Hughes) will be making his decision known to the public this weekend on July 17th.


Thurman has not released a top schools list, but judging by his official visits, Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn and Michigan State look to be the contenders to earn his commitment. No team sticks out from the others as the favorite, but the Buckeyes were the most recent visit he completed, with him on campus June 24-26, and should be the freshest in his memory.

Ohio State has already earned a commitment at the position in four-star TE Ty Lockwood but adding a second tight end has always been the plan, making Thurman more of a priority than a desire. Additionally, Lockwood took to Twitter Monday to share that not only is he on board with adding another commitment at the position to this class, but he is excited for Thurman especially.


Lockwood was not the only future Buckeye to try and sway Thurman to choose the Buckeyes. Ohio State 2024 five-star quarterback commit Dylan Raiola (Chandler, AZ / Chandler) showed Thurman some love on Monday.


Ohio State 2023 five-star wide receiver commit Brandon Innis (Fort Lauderdale, FL / American Heritage) also showed Thurman some love on Monday.


As Thurman has kept his recruitment pretty close to the vest, his decision Sunday will be one for Buckeye Nation to keep a close eye on. It is obvious that Ohio State’s coaching staff and current commitments have Thurman at the top of their list, and they are doing everything they can to land him. Thurman is the No. 9 TE in the 2023 class and he is the No. 135 overall prospect. He is also the No. 11 recruit from the talent-rich state of Georgia.

Gabe Brooks of 247Sports has more information on what Ohio State could be getting in Thurman, if he were to choose the Buckeyes:

Quick Hits

• Ohio State 2023 four-star linebacker target Raul Aguirre (Fayetteville, GA / Whitewater) announced over the weekend he be deciding on his collegiate school of choice earlier than expected, and will be making his decision public at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Aguirre is currently projected to Alabama, and if he were to spurn them, it would come as a big surprise to everyone except recent Ohio State cornerback commit Kayin Lee (Ellenwood, GA / Cedar Grove) who has been doing some last-second recruiting.

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This might be my favorite story since Tim Donaghy was accused of fixing games.

TDanford said:

Can you re-seed the 2006 Ohio State - MSU game. I have a copy, but my disk has a flaw at 3:24 of the 2nd quarter, through the end of the 1st half?

Thanks.

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I know for a fact this was the chillest, most enjoyable vacation these guys have ever been on.

Dudes continue to rock

IMO, losing on Reed as as big of a deal, as to me he plays identical in size and game to Will Smith Jr. Best of luck to him in Baton Rouge

Well I specifically bought them to fish on lake Erie. Basically stumbled across them as a dusty pair of Smith Techlites. They are polarized, but its not distracting while driving. So without the light transmissibility chart in front of me, I ended up liking them for everything short of daytime skiing to late afternoon. For bright days that I don't need polarization I tend toward red mirror. I might get green next go round, but unscientifically I probably trend a little darker lens than most. I used to keep cheapy all condition lightly mirrored cycling glasses for summer rain storms, fog etc to cut glare.

@sparcboxbuck

BOOOOM! Four-star athlete Jermaine Mathews commits to Ohio State
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


2023 athlete Jermaine Mathews | Mick Walker

The Buckeyes land their third defensive back commitment of the week.

Ohio State has been landing commitments in droves coming off of two massive recruiting weekends in a row. After the Buckeyes landed three top-100 receivers last week, this week it was time for them to load up on the secondary. With Kayin Lee and Calvin Simpson-Hunt both joining Ohio State’s 2023 class in the last few days, Friday brought the third defensive back commitment of the week.

Making things official this afternoon, four-star in-state athlete Jermaine Mathews announced his commitment to Ohio State.


A product of Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, Mathews comes in as the nation’s No. 24 athlete and the No. 9 player in Ohio. The Buckeyes were able to outlast the close-to-home Bearcats as well as Jackson State, LSU, Oklahoma and Penn State to round out Mathews’ top six schools heading into his decision. Ohio State had the luxury of being his most recent official visit on June 17, and clearly it was enough for Mathews to decide to suit up in the scarlet and grey at the next level.

While listed as an athlete, Mathews projects as a defensive back — most likely a corner. The 6-foot, 175-pounder picked up an offer from Ohio State after impressing at a camp in early June. He looked so good, in fact, that Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope listed him as the No. 2 prospect he saw at Ohio State’s summer camps, which is saying a lot given some of the other big names in attendance. This comes after Mathews rose over 100 spots in the 247Sports rankings to earn that fourth-star, and the Buckeyes certainly took notice of a potential diamond in the rough as a late-bloomer.

Here is what 247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu had to say of Mathews’ abilities:


Mathews becomes the 16th member of Ohio State’s No. 1 overall class in 2023, and the sixth player from the state of Ohio. He is the sixth defensive back to commit to the Buckeyes in this cycle, joining the aforementioned Lee and Simpson-Hunt as well as fellow corner Dijon Johnson and safeties Malik Hartford and Cedric Hawkins — quite the impressive haul for the two new assistants leading those rooms in Tim Walton and Perry Eliano. Mathews’ addition bumps Ohio State’s class up to 269.08, which is six points ahead of Notre Dame for that top spot with the same amount of commitments.

Mathews will be the final cornerback in this class for Ohio State, but the program is still very much in the hunt for a number of big pieces on defense, and perhaps two or three more additions on offense. The Buckeyes are still very much in the hunt for five-star safety Caleb Downs and five-star defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei, as well as their top target at linebacker in Tackett Curtis, among others. They would also still like to add another offensive lineman or two in addition to a quarterback and maybe a second running back. Either way, Ryan Day and his staff will be looking to keep their hot streak rolling after adding six new names to their 2023 class in just the past two weeks.

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Buck Off Podcast: USC and UCLA set to join B1G, defensive back recruiting, and ACC preview
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Huge news week in college football with the Big Ten gaining two new members, and Ohio State stays hot on the recruiting trail

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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


On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” I am joined by Jordan Williams, and this is a long one with the news of USC and UCLA joining the Big Ten.

To start, we discuss just how monumental USC and UCLA joining the B1G is, with the addition of the two Los Angeles schools, there are so many stories to follow. We discuss the impact on TV negotiations and how the B1G solidified itself as the most valuable conference. We also discuss what each school brings to the conference, how their football coaches rank, and how this realignment effects College Football Playoff negotiations.

When we get back from the break, we get into a rapid fire recruiting segment where we discuss the big week on the trail. We get into the two cornerback commitments for Tim Walton and how he might land a three-peat of his own on Friday. Rounding out the recruiting talk, we discuss the latest updates for Ohio State targets Tackett Curtis and Olaus Alinen.

For the last part of the show, we get into our first conference preview featuring the ACC. We discuss who we think will be contenders and why the ACC could be a really fun conference this season due to a lot of parity. We also discuss players to watch, coaches on the hot seat, and our conference champion predicition.


Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod

Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB

Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330

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The WNBA Buckeye Report: A Sad Week 7
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images

The 2022 WNBA All-Star game is missing a star in Kelsey Mitchell

The weekly WNBA Report has a much less positive tone this week. Throughout the season, the play of former Ohio State basketball players in the United States’ top domestic women’s basketball league has been put under the spotlight in a positive way. On Tuesday, the WNBA took away a lot of the fun when they announced the 2022 WNBA All-Star Reserves.

On June 15, Land-Grant Holy Land shared the case for Indiana Fever guard and former Buckeye All-American Kelsey Mitchell to earn her first All-Star nod in five pro seasons. Mitchell was a long shot to make the 10 starters due to the nature of fan voting and the Fever’s struggles over the year, as well as a failure to break through the bubble of WNBA fan attention.

On June 20, the starters were unveiled with the usual suspects like 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones from the Connecticut Sun and league legend and Chicago Sky forward, Candace Parker. Also, a lifetime achievement award of an All-Star spot was awarded to the Seattle Storm’s Sue Bird, who’s having her worst scoring season of her 19 years in the league. Fortunately for Mitchell, there was hope with the reserve’s selection.

Fans vote is out the window for the remaining 12 all-stars, and it’s left to the coaches. A lone published stipulation of the coach vote is that they can’t vote for their own players. When the 12 were released Tuesday, Mitchell’s name was left off again.

The guard who, as of the announcement, was first in points scored (383), fourth in pointer per game (19.1), sixth in three-point field goals (45) and ninth in assists (82) misses out on the midseason exhibition in arguably her strongest season. Compare that to fellow backcourt player and reserve in Chicago’s Kahleah Copper, who played seven less games than Mitchell, but was still voted in from a stronger overall roster.

Unless the Fever’s experiment of fully loading their team with rookies pays off, and Indiana begins competing in the middle of the pack in 2023, it certainly feels like Mitchell doesn’t have a chance. Or another scenario of Mitchell leaving Indiana for a stacked team to earn the recognition and banter that the former Buckeye rightfully deserves.

Mitchell isn’t the only example of the coaches and fans getting it wrong. Washington Mystics’ Natasha Cloud, who is the best facilitator in the league averaging 7.3 assists per game on top of her best shooting season in a seven-season pro career with 11.0 points per game, also was left off the 22-player roster.

Onto the actual report for this week. Mitchell played only once last week, with the Fever losing their sole match of the seven-day stretch against the Dallas Wings. Dallas won big, by 26 points, but Mitchell did what Mitchell does. In just under 30 minutes on the court (backups came in towards the end due to the one-sided score line), Mitchell scored 22 points, assisted on four and added two rebounds.

In terms of fellow Buckeye Jantel Lavender, the forward continued earning only a few minutes to give starters on the Seattle Storm a rest. Lavender had seven total points and five rebounds across two games, a 14-point victory against the Washington Mystics and eight-point defeat to the Las Vegas Aces.

The Seattle roster, home to three 2022 WNBA All-Stars, added eight-time All-Star and 2012 WNBA MVP Tina Charles to their frontcourt. Charles and the Phoenix Mercury announced a “divorce” of Charles’ contract, who is looking to win a title before hanging up her basketball shoes. Phoenix, who are struggling without Brittney Griner, weren’t competing at the top of the league, a reason that many believe led to Charles’ move. With that move, it’s likely that Lavender’s minutes take a cut.

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Unpopular Opinion: 2022 will be Maryland’s best season since 2010
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

At least I'm pretty sure this is unpopular.

There is something intriguing about unpopular opinions, mainly because if you are right you look like a genius, and if you are wrong, you can just chalk it up to guessing out of right field. Feels like a win-win.

My unpopular opinion is one that is honestly hard to even narrow down to one sentence. But basically, I think Maryland is going to be good. There are some caveats here, and I am not saying they are heading to the College Football Playoff and taking down Alabama. Nonetheless, this could be a fun season for the Terrapins. Maryland has not had an eight-win season since 2010, since they went 9-4 in the ACC. I am predicting basically that.

First of all, they have a top-five quarterback in the conference. Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa is coming off a season where he completed almost 70 percent of his passes for 3,900 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. As good as Tualia is, his options are absolutely not limited. Rakim Jarrett, Dontay Demus and Jeshaun Jones are all returning to their receiving core, and the Terps added Florida’s Jacob Copeland.

Last season, Jarrett recorded 62 catches for 829 yards and five touchdowns, Demus recorded 28 catches for 507 yards and three touchdowns and Jones recorded 18 catches for 224 yards. At his previous stop, Copeland recorded 41 catches for 642 yards and four touchdowns.

The big loss for the Terrapins’ offense is running back Tayon Fleet-Davis, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. Fleet-Davis tallied 128 rushes for 721 yards and eight touchdowns, and also had 32 catches for 305 yards with a touchdown. But with this passing attack, they only need an average rushing game, and with guys like Jarrett and Copeland, they can be very creative with their rushing attack to throw teams off.



Maryland also had 12 guys get named to various preseason All-Big Ten teams, including Tagovailoa, Demus and Jarrett. Taulia is up for second-best quarterback in the conference with Aidan O’Connell and whoever Michigan sends out behind the obvious No. 1 in C.J. Stroud.



One of the issues that Maryland will always (maybe not?) have to deal with is conference divisions. If they were in the West Division, they would have a much better chance to pile up some wins, because it is no secret that the West is not as good as the East. Maryland has to play Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State this season.

However, some conferences — like the Big 12 and ACC — have already moved away from divisions, and the Big Ten could be one of the next ones to do so, since it is wildly agreed that the divisions are unbalanced. If that happens, Maryland will have a chance to have some simpler matchups. That is also irrelevant to my point, since my opinion is about this season and their season schedule is already set, but I digress...

So lets talk about this season. Their non-conference schedule is very doable, playing Buffalo, Charlotte and SMU — all winnable games. In conference, they do get to play Ohio State, Michigan State and Purdue at home. If you couple that with playing Northwestern, Rutgers and Indiana, their conference schedule does not look as daunting as it may seem.

It is still not easy by any stretch, and I don’t think they will contend for a title or anything, but the Terps getting to eight wins feels like something that can happen. And honestly, if it doesn’t happen this season, I am not sure when it will. The defense will have to hold stronger than they have before, but as long as they can help out Taulia and those receivers, they should be able to win some games.

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for July 1, 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


Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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

Business is Back to BOOOOOMing...


Four-star cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt commits to Ohio State
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


What Calvin Simpson-Hunt’s Commitment Means for Ohio State’s 2023 Recruiting Class
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors

Calvin Simpson-Hunt a Buckeye: The impact
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts

Analyzing impact as four-star cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt commits to Ohio State
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Twitter reacted after 4-star DB Calvin Simpson-Hunt flipped his commitment to Ohio State
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts

Times, They Are A-Changin’...


USC, UCLA accepted as applicants to join Big Ten Conference, per report
Robbie Weinstein, 247Sports

University Statement: Big Ten Conference
Ohio State Athletics

The More the Merrier!


Big Ten planning to add USC and UCLA explained: How it could happen, when and what it means (paywall)
The Athletic College Football Staff

USC, UCLA will help Ohio State, bring Hollywood to Big Ten (paywall)
Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch

What potential Big Ten expansion would mean for Ohio State
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

SHOW ME THE MONEY!


How the move for USC, UCLA could impact the Big Ten, Ohio State
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Road trips will get longer in Big Ten
Chris Pugh, The Columbus Dispatch

On the Gridiron


Unpopular Opinion: Don’t expect an elite defense from the Buckeyes this year
David M. Wheeler, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State football’s Kaleb Brown undergoes ‘smooth surgery’ to repair loose knee cartilage
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

J.T. Tuimoloau taking full advantage of first offseason with Buckeyes
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Couldn’t be happier for Scary Terry!


Ohio State football’s receiver renaissance synching up with NFL’s salary explosion for wideouts
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

Unpopular Opinion: Ohio State’s game day experience and home field advantage are overrated
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Report: Jae’Sean Tate agrees to three-year deal, $22.1 million deal with Houston Rockets
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Good god...

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Women’s Swimming & Diving: Olympic Bronze Medalist Hentschel Signs With the Buckeyes
Ohio State Athletics

Swimming and Diving: Trace Joins Coaching Staff, Hulme Promoted
Chase Brown, Buckeye Sports Bulletin

While NIL is good for college athletics, some areas of it are sketchy
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land

And now for something completely different...


“I don’t have friends, I have family.”


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ScriptOhio said:

Two shows with Jimmy Kimmel:

and

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Forgot he wasn't always a raging fist magnet.

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Four Crystal Balls for Da U.

How soon you forget Paul Warfield. Big Ten Champs Wisconsin came to Columbus with a dynamic pass combination of Ron Vander Kelen to Pat Richert. Woody asked Paul to play DB. He smothered Vander Kelen's main target, allowing him just one catch for something like 6 yards.

Next Bond movie at least 2 years from starting production.

https://www.ign.com/articles/next-james-bond-movie-will-be-a-complete-reinvention-for-the-series?amp=1