Instant Recap Podcast: Ohio State takes care of business winning 45-12 against Arkansas State
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The game was not always pretty for Ohio State, but the Buckeyes’ defense and offense did enough for a big win

Ohio State won their Week 2 matchup against Arkansas State by a score of 45-12 in a convincing manner. Jordan Williams is joined by Chris Renne to bring you the Land-Grant Holy Land “Instant Recap Podcast.”

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To get the show started, the guys get into their initial reactions after looking at the stats of the game against Arkansas State. They talk about the main issues that plagued the Buckeyes early and how the team’s energy was the energy of a “pay game.”

After the initial discussion, the guys get into the explosive offensive performance from the receivers and C.J. Stroud. The Buckeyes' offense was consistent and never really needed to press to have success.

Then the guys get into some conversations about the defense today. The defense as a whole played well, but penalties and mistakes in the secondary stole the show. The guys discuss why they would rather have Denzel Burke have a bad performance now than later when the games really matter.

After that, Jordan and Chris discuss the Players of the Game as well as their favorite moments. Highlighted plays are Miyan Williams’ blitz pick-up and the greatest punt return that didn’t count. They also highlight their players of the game on offense and defense.

To conclude the show they give their final thoughts on the performance, discuss injuries, and what’s next for the Buckeyes.


Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB

Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330

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Wolves At The Shoe
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



This week, the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes will face an unranked Arkansas State team for the first time. Butch Jones will lead his team into The Shoe in a bid to upset the Buckeyes. Ryan Day will look to defend their home field and stay undefeated.

Both teams are coming off of wins. The Buckeyes downed the then #5 Norte Dame 21-10 to start the season off on a good note. The Red Wolves obliterated Grambling State with a final score of 58-3.

Offensive Woes

One of the best offenses in the nation was held to 21-points in the season opener and they will look to improve and regain their identity this week. With JSN and Fleming likely to sit out due to injuries, look for Stroud and his receivers to step up.

Enter Egbuka, MHJ, Ballard, and Johnson to be the next men up. Egbuka and Johnson were the only two receivers to catch passes for scores. With Johnson being an unknown.

To compliment the passing attack, look for Ohio State to establish the run early and often with Henderson and Williams. I think Hayden will see some time late, but not until late.

Can Stroud build rapport without JSN? Or will we see another week of out of sync offense? The O-Line played great and will also look to keep Stroud upright.

Defensive Momentum

The Silver Bullets might be back, but an old face will be on the other sideline again in RB Brian Snead. A former back from Florida, Snead left after an investigation and now he finds himself back in the Shoe.

The Buckeyes played lights out and will look to continue improvements on that side of the ball. The trenches can use added confidence, but it’ll be tricky against Blackman (former FSU QB).

It’ll be another test against a former D1 starter, but it’ll be another day at the office for all players in the trenches. Hall and friends will likely wreak havoc against an inferior team. Eichenberg will lead and make players at the second level.

This should be a decent test but look for the Buckeyes to put it away early and put in backups to keep their stars healthy on both sides of the ball.

Predictions:

1. The Buckeyes put it away early and starters sit at halftime.
2. The defense continues to improve with 3+ sacks and a pick or fumble recovery
3. There’s a Special Team and a defensive TD
4. McCord and Brown showcase their skills
5. Egbuka and MHJ combine for 100+ yards and two scores
6. Henderson and Williams combine for 160 yards and 3 scores
7. Stroud passes for 250 yards and 4 scores

Final: Ohio State defeats Arkansas State 42-13

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Tweeting Through It: Ohio State’s 45-12 win over Arkansas 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


Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Buckeyes’ matchup against the Red Wolves through the lens of social media.

Ohio State took on Arkansas State on Saturday in the first ever meeting between the two programs. The Buckeyes took care of business as you would expect, taking down the Red Wolves by a final score of 45-12 to move to 2-0 on the season. C.J. Stroud was exceptional, throwing for 351 yards and four touchdowns. Marvin Harrison Jr. was the recipient of three of those, leading the way among the receivers with seven catches for 187 yards and the trio of scores.

While your eyes were on the field, we were checking out what everyone on social media had to say about Saturday’s game. Let’s relive Ohio State’s big victory through the Twitterverse.



Before things kicked off, we learned that Ohio State would once again be without its top two wide receivers.


After a big game in Week 1, the X-man got the nod in Week 2.


And we’re off!


After a quick three-and-out by Arkansas State, TreVeyon Henderson makes his presence felt.


That didn’t take long. Route Man Marv on the board!


Jim Knowles’ boys cooking early.


Emeka Egbuka returns the punt for a touchdown, but a flag takes it off the board.


Ohio State keeping Arkansas State’s offense on the field with flag after flag.


The Buckeyes gift the Red Wolves roughly 60 free yards on penalties. Alas, its 7-3 OSU.


Another HUGE gain for Marvin Harrison Jr. on a dime by C.J. Stroud.


Sets up an easy walk-in touchdown for Tre, and the Bucks are up 14-3.


Everyone stop what they’re doing immediately!!


Marvin Harrison Jr. scored but the refs said he didn’t. 17-3 Buckeyes anyway.


It has been a tough start to the year for CB1. OSU defense holds them to a FG, 17-6.


Some defensive subs getting in for Ohio State after some shaky play in the secondary.


After the Red Wolves tack on another field goal, Ohio State answers QUICKLY. 24-9.


Mike Hall comes up with the sack on 4th-and-1. No. 51 should never come off the field.


Ohio State heads into half up 24-9. Here is a raccoon with a hat on for some reason.


The Buckeyes begin the second half with a bang. Henderson finishes it off. 31-9 good guys.


Things have escalated quickly in Columbus. Ohio State has run 4 offensive plays in the second half and scored two touchdowns. It’s 38-9.


Nearly had a heart attack over here. Crisis averted, it would appear.


Harrison Jr.’s third touchdown of the day is beauty. Perfect throw, perfect catch. 45-12.


Check that one off your Bingo card, folks. Congrats to Caden for earning the nod.


and not too long after that...


With a little over eight minutes remaining, Ohio State has emptied the bench.


Seems pretty good, imo.


Thats a final. Go Bucks.


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LGHL Asks: Ohio State fans reassess season expectations following Notre Dame win
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY Sports

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.

As we do every week, we asked Buckeye fans for their thoughts following the big Week 1 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It was a somewhat surprising game as the OSU offense was stymied for much of the first half, but was carried by the running game after halftime.


However, the real story was how the defense practically shut down the Domers’ offense, especially in the second half. So, check out how your fellow Buckeye brethren are feeling about the team and their season heading into Week 2’s game against Arkansas State.

Question 1: How did you feel about Ohio State’s 21-10 victory over Notre Dame?



I think that this is the correct answer here. Was I anticipating a more impressive performance by the Buckeyes? Yes, yes I was. But if there was one thing that I am decidedly not worried about with this team, it is offensive production. So I would definitely not classify my feelings about the Notre Dame game as disappointment in the offense.

However, the defense was revelatory against the Fighting Irish. I knew that they would be better than they were in 2020 and 2021 — how could they not be? — and we’ve seen dramatic defensive turnarounds based solely on a new defensive coordinator in recent OSU history. When Jeff Hafley came to Columbus as the Buckeyes’ DC in 2019, he turned what was the 71st-ranked defense in 2018 into the best defense in terms of total yards allowed in 2019.

Despite that history and Jim Knowles’ resume of turning out great defenses, I still wasn’t sure exactly how stout they would be, especially given all of the schematic changes that he would be implementing. And while it was only one week, I have to say, I am ready to convert to the cult of Knowles, because that was an incredible performance and I can’t wait to see what they are able to do as they get more comfortable with the changes throughout the season.

Question 2: Did the Notre Dame game change your expectations for Ohio State’s season?



I don’t think that my expectations changed, because I picked them to win the national title, and I still think that they will. But I am perhaps a bit more confident about their ability to do so having seen the defensive performance against a solid — but not spectacular — Notre Dame offense.


Again, I have no doubt that once quarterback C.J. Stroud and his new stable of wide receivers are able to establish a rapport between them, the passing game will return to the record-breaking heights that we have seen in recent seasons. Factor in an offensive line that seemed to gel before our very eyes throughout the season-opening victory, and I am pumped about the Buckeyes’ ability to have a more balanced offensive attack that is able to keep opposing defenses on their heals.

Question 3: Who impressed you the most in the Notre Dame game?



In this week’s “You’re Nuts” column, I argued for punter Jesse Mirco as the most impressive “under-the-radar” player from the Notre Dame win, and while that was slightly for the laughs, I do think that his performance was a pleasant surprise and something that will be valuable in crucial moments for OSU throughout the season.


However, the obvious answer here is Michael Hall Jr. He came in as a highly rated defensive recruit — No. 53 in the country in 2021 — but he was overshadowed by his two top-five linemates in that class in Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau. So, despite being a super-high four-star recruit, he was able to maintain a low profile heading into his second season in Columbus; not anymore though.

Hall announced himself as a force to be reckoned with against the Irish, and pairing him with Sawyer, Tuimoloau, Taron Vincent, Zach Harrison, Tyleik Williams, and Javontae Jean-Baptist in the defensive line rotation promises to be an exciting group for Larry Johnson.


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.

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Bold Predictions: TreVeyon Henderson cracks triple digits on the ground
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY Sports

Plus more bold predictions for today’s matchup against Arkansas State.

Before each Ohio State game this year, LGHL is going to bring you some “bold predictions”. This will include somewhere a few hot takes for the game, whether it be passing yards, points scored, sacks, or some other things that we could see happening during the game.

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

TreVeyon Henderson ends streak of six straight games without 100 yards rushing


After bursting onto the scene with three triple-digit rushing performances in his first eight games in scarlet and gray, TreVeyon Henderson has been quiet of late, failing to reach the 100-yard mark in each of his last six games. It hasn’t been like Henderson has been completely unproductive during that span, as he has rushed for at least 63 yards in each of those contests.

What has been hurting Henderson over the last six games has been his inability to break the big run. Henderson has just one run of 30 yards or more in his last six games, with that run being a 57-yard scamper against Purdue. Lately Henderson has been using a more physical style of running, where in the first half of last season he was using his speed to create separation from opponents.

This is a great game for Henderson to rediscover some of the big play ability that we saw from him against Tulsa, where he set an Ohio State freshman rushing record with 277 yards. Henderson has been trying to find yards against tough defenses like Notre Dame, Utah, and Michigan. Arkansas State isn’t going to be able to hold the talented running back in check.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba won’t play in today’s game


Ohio State fans feared the worst last week when it was announced that wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba wouldn’t return to the game after suffering an injury in the first half against Notre Dame. Luckily the injury wasn’t as serious as first thought, since head coach Ryan Day was saying there is a possibility that the wide receiver would be available to play against Arkansas State.

While it would be great to see Smith-Njigba on the field so he could work on some of his timing with quarterback C.J. Stroud, Ohio State doesn’t need Smith-Njigba to play today. Just look at what happened to Stroud when he sat out last year against Akron to rest a shoulder injury. Stroud went from being a quarterback that some fans wanted to see benched to a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Even though the wide receiver room is loaded at Ohio State, it is imperative that Smith-Njigba is healthy if the Buckeyes want a shot at the national title. There’s not much to gain by stacking up some numbers against Arkansas State if Smith-Njigba is returning to the field too soon. The Buckeyes will be just fine in this game without JSN, and it’d be better to protect his health so he is on the field against Wisconsin, Penn State, and some of the other Big Ten teams Ohio State will take on over the next couple months.

The Ohio State defense records at least five sacks in today’s game


The Buckeye defense looked completely different from what we have seen over the last few years. There’s no doubt that new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has brought some excitement into a defense that desperately needed a change. The way the Ohio State defense looked last Saturday night is exactly the type of defense that is needed to win a national title.

Ohio State recorded three sacks against Notre Dame. The Buckeyes should be able to improve on that number today. Notre Dame came into last week’s showdown with one of the best offensive lines in the country, and it didn’t matter since it felt like the Buckeyes were in Tyler Buchner’s face all night long. If the Fighting Irish can’t slow the Ohio State pass rush down, then it’s hard to imagine the Red Wolves having much success at keeping quarterback James Blackman clean.

Plus, since Arkansas State will likely be trailing in the game, it will force them to pass the football more to try and keep pace, which will leave Blackman more vulnerable to sacks.

Brian Snead will score a touchdown in his return to Ohio Stadium


Running back Brian Snead started his college football career at Ohio State, and looked primed to become a key running back for the Buckeyes. During his brief time in Columbus, Snead ran the football 11 times for 37 yards and a touchdown. Prior to the 2018 game against TCU, Snead was suspended from the team after allegations of rape were levied against him. Snead was dismissed from the team a couple months later.

Even though the victim declined to press charges against Snead, a university investigation found that Snead violated the student code of conduct. Following his dismissal from Ohio State, Snead went to Western Community College in Iowa, followed by spending two years at Austin Peay before transferring to Arkansas State.

Snead saw 12 carries for 57 yards and a score last week in a blowout win over Grambling. Getting Snead into the end zone feels like something that Arkansas State head coach Butch Jones will try and do just to give Snead a moment in what will likely be an Ohio State blowout.

Ohio State won’t have the biggest margin of victory amongst Big Ten teams on Saturday


The Buckeyes will put a lot of points on the board against a team that went 2-10 last season. The Ohio State win won’t be the most lopsided in games involving Big Ten teams, though. Michigan is a 52-point favorite against Hawai’i on Saturday night. It wouldn’t a surprise to see the Wolverines win by more than the point spread, since Hawai’i is terrible.

The Rainbow Warriors already have two games under their belt this season. In Week 0, Hawai’i hosted Vanderbilt and got destroyed by the Commodores, 63-10. If Hawai’i can’t keep the score against one of the worst Power 5 teams in the country within 50 points, what chance do they have against a Michigan team that loves to pad their stats on cupcakes. Just look at what Michigan did last week to a Colorado State team that is a few notches above Hawai’i. The Wolverines took it to the Rams 51-7.

While I could see Ohio State winning by 40-50 points, Michigan could win this one by 60 or more.

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LGHL Tailgate Podcast: Everything you need to know to watch today’s Ohio State vs. Arkansas State game from home or in person
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-USA TODAY Sports

The only Ohio State game day podcast you need.

Before every Ohio State football game, Matt Tamanini will get you ready with all of the information that you need for that day’s game on the “LGHL Tailgate” podcast.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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

No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (-44.5) vs. Arkansas State | over/under 69


Game Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 10 at 12 noon ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
TV: Big Ten Network
Online: Fox Sports Live
Radio: 97.1 FM/1460 AM

While today’s game might not come with all of the pomp and circumstance of last week’s season opener, there is a lot that can be accomplished in today’s game, primarily revolving around players getting opportunities to get in-game experience, be they backups or starters needing to build chemistry.

On today’s “LGHL Tailgate” podcast, we get you ready for the game from all angles from weather to betting lines, from injuries to advanced analytics. There is no other podcast that you need to listen to on an Ohio State game day in order to be as prepared as possible heading into the game.

In the Arkansas State episode, we discuss the poetic history in the Red Wolves’ visit to The Horseshoe in the stadium’s 100th anniversary season, catch you up on their opening week victory, and remind you of the checkered path of former OSU running back Brian Snead.

Matt’s Game Prediction: Ohio State 60-6


C.J. Stroud: at least 250 passing yards, 4 TDs
TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams: 100 yards rushing
Ohio State Defense: No touchdowns allowed


Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt

Music by: epidemicsound.com

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Arkansas State vs. Ohio State: How to watch Week 2 matchup
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-USA TODAY Sports

The Buckeyes are back in action and are huge favorites against Butch Jones’ Red Wolves.

For the first time in program history, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Former Cincinnati and Tennessee head coach Butch Jones brings his squad to Columbus after they beat FCS opponent Grambling State 58-3.


Though the Wolves had an impressive Week 1 outing, in 2021, they were one of the worst defenses in all of FBS; ranking last in rushing defense and second to last in total defense. Those stats stand in stark contrast to Ohio State’s top-ranked offense from a season ago.

While the Buckeyes did not get off to the prolific start of the season that many — including me — predicted, today’s game should be an opportunity for them to put up some gaudy numbers while also getting some valuable game reps in for a large portion of the roster.

The Red Wolves are led by former Florida State quarterback James Blackman and their offense features Brian Snead, who was dismissed from the Ohio State team in 2018 following a rape accusation, not the running back’s first run-in with the law during his time as a Buckeye. Arkansas State is the fourth school in Snead’s collegiate career joining OSU, Iowa Western Community College, and Austin Peay.


Ohio State will likely take this opportunity to rest a few players who have been dealing with injuries. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba tweaked his hamstring against Notre Dame and even if healthy enough to go, it would be prudent to let the best wide receiver in the country rest at least another week.

Cornerback Jordan Hancock was technically active in Week 1, but was not in uniform, while WR Julian Fleming was a game-time decision, but was unable to give it a go. This game would be a good opportunity to get both some action, but head coach Ryan Day has not indicated whether either will be able to play against Arkansas State.

However, the coach has said that starting center Luke Wypler is not dealing with a major injury, despite being seen wearing a walking boot following the win over the Irish. So, expect Wypler to play, even if he gives way to Matthew Jones fairly early in the contest.

No matter who goes out there for OSU, this will likely be one of the biggest wins of the season in terms of point differential, so enjoy the scoring, Buckeye Nation!

When is the game and how can I watch?


Game Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 10 at 12 noon ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
TV: Big Ten Network
Online: Fox Sports Live
Radio: 97.1 FM/1460 AM

DraftKings Sportsbook line: Ohio State -44.5 | o/u 69

Official LGHL Prediction: Ohio State 59, Arkansas 10

Matt’s Prediction: Ohio State 60, Arkansas 6

Join the conversation


Below is your Ohio State vs. Arkansas State GameThread. Be respectful, be kind and — as always — keep it classy, BuckeyeNation. If you like GIFs, lay ‘em on us. In all, be good fans, cheer for your teams, be cool to each other (even if somebody else isn’t) and everyone wins. Let’s finish the season strong!

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

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jwinslow said:

You have to hand it to Apple. Their ability to trot out features that have been around for awhile is something else:

Login to view embedded media

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My brother’s photo quality on his new Galaxy is UNBELIEVABLE!!

Further note on above. Starting Proctor at S was a very cool move on Knowles/Day's part. Proctor 'gets' that he got benched for not doing his assigned job. OK, and then when Ransom came in and played lights out, I'd bet vcash that Proctor just knew he'd lost his starting job. Well, also would bet that Proctor was surprised when Proctor started Ark St game as starting safety. That young man's confidence must have soared, knowing that the coaches hadn't lost confidence in him. I didn't catch that watching the tame, but don't remember his name being called, either for a great play or a great flub. Because of teh quality of opponent, both Ransom and Proctor got their minutes, but that little tweak shows (to me at least), tOSU has some good coaches on the D side once in a long time. I'll be watching to see the dividends this move made. Go Bucks!

Bestbuck36 said:

Well, car broke down on Tuesday and I had a heart attack pushing it out of the road in 110 degree heat here in Phoenix. Told the Dr "I don't care what you have to do, but, I want to see the Bucks!" Home on Wednesday night and gearing up for a beat down. Figure I'll take one for the team there so everyone else is off the hook!

Click to expand...

Thump said:

Got the ‘Vid.

Click to expand...

Sorry, guys. I hope you have the mild form, Thumper, and not what I had. It was only 3 days and I didn't lose my sense of taste, but it was a miserable 3 days.

Hope everything is ok, Best!

MC&J: Alabama is nearly a three-touchdown favorite over Texas in Week 2 national action
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

A clash between future SEC foes in Austin tops the national slate this week.

Week 1 ATS: 7-8-1 (2-5-1 B1G, 5-3 National)

Season ATS: 11-11-1 (4-5-1 B1G, 7-6 National)

This week’s picks around the Big Ten can be found here.

National games:


(All lines courtesy of Draftkings Sportsbook.)

No. 1 Alabama (-20) v. Texas - 12:00 p.m. - FOX

There’s no doubt that Steve Sarkisian is building something in Austin. The former Alabama assistant was able to lure Quinn Ewers back to Texas, and soon enough Arch Manning will be taking snaps in burnt orange. Bijan Robinson is arguably the best running back in the country, while Xavier Worthy is a talented wide receiver.

Even though Texas is trying to restore themselves as a national power, they don’t have the depth that Alabama has. The Longhorns might be able to break some big players on the Crimson Tide, I just don’t see Ewers and company being able to do it throughout the game. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young makes it look too easy, with his six touchdowns last week showing that his Heisman season last year wasn’t a fluke.

In a few years this is going to be a conference matchup, since the Longhorns are headed to the SEC. This isn’t the type of game that makes Texas rethink leaving the Big 12, but it does show just how much work Sarkisian and company have to do if they want to have success in the conference. Texas may hang around a bit before the superior depth of Alabama takes over.

Alabama 45, Texas 21


South Carolina v. No. 16 Arkansas (-8) - 12:00 p.m. - ESPN

Arkansas got a really good win in their season opener, downing Cincinnati. Even though the Bearcats aren’t quite at the level that they were last year, Luke Fickell’s team never gave up in the game, and every time Cincinnati looked like they might be able to pull the upset Arkansas responded. The Razorbacks were perfectly balanced last week, throwing for 223 yards and rushing for 224 yards.

It feels like forever ago when Spencer Rattler was one of the best quarterback prospects in the country. The Oklahoma transfer was far from impressive in his debut with the Gamecocks, passing for 227 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in a 35-14 win over Georgia State. South Carolina actually scored more points from blocked punts in the game, recording two touchdowns on blocked kicks.

Having said all that, I like the Gamecocks to cover here. South Carolina does have a really good pass defense, which could keep quarterback KJ Jefferson in check. Rattler is a little more comfortable in his second start at his new school. Arkansas wins, but they seem to have a habit of making things a little more difficult than they need to be.

Arkansas 31, South Carolina 28


No. 24 Tennessee (-6) v. No. 17 Pitt - 3:30 p.m. - ABC

Tennessee wasn’t tested at all in their first game of the season, beating up on Ball State 59-10. Quarterback Hendon Hooker picked up where he left off last year, accounting for four touchdowns in the rout. Josh Heupel really has the Tennessee offense cooking, with the Volunteers scoring 45 points or more in their last four games.

While Tennessee had an easy go of it last week, Pitt was pushed to the limit by West Virginia in The Backyard Brawl. USC transfer Kedon Slovis passed for over 300 yards in his first start for the Panthers. Slovis might not has as much help this week, as running back Rodney Hammond Jr. suffered an injury against the Mountaineers and his status for the game is in doubt.

What worries me about backing Pitt is how much the victory over West Virginia took out of them. Tennessee was able to easily defeat Ball State last week, getting their starters out of the game without suffering an injuries. The Mountaineers really should have beat Pitt last week. This week Tennessee does what the Mountaineers couldn’t do.

Tennessee 44, Pitt 34


No. 25 Houston v. Texas Tech (-3) - 4:00 p.m. - FS1

When I first looked at this line I was a little surprised, especially when I found out Texas Tech would be without Oregon transfer quarterback Tyler Shough. Luckily for the Red Raiders they have Donovan Smith, who threw four touchdowns last week in an easy win against Murray State. After having some issues on offense the last few years, it looks like new head coach Joey McGuire has Texas Tech back to running the offense we have become accustomed to.

Last week I took UTSA to beat Houston. The Cougars showed tremendous fight, rallying from 21-7 down and then surviving multiple overtimes against the Roadrunners. Unfortunately for Houston, next up is a place that has been a house of horrors for them. Texas Tech has not only won nine of 10 games against Houston, with the last time the Cougars winning in Lubbock coming in 1990.

I feel like I’ve never won a game in Lubbock. If I back the Red Raiders, the opponent wins. If I pick against the Red Raiders, then they find a way to defend their home turf. The smart pick in this game looks like it’s Houston, since I’m taking Texas Tech here.

Texas Tech 38, Houston 34


No. 20 Kentucky v. No. 12 Florida (-6) - 7:00 p.m. - ESPN

Over the last few years Kentucky-Florida has been one of the more interesting matchups in college football, with only one of the last five meetings being decided by more than 11 points. We’ve come a long way from Kentucky being a pushover in the SEC, since Mark Stoops has really turned around the culture in Lexington.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, their backs will be against the wall in Gainesville on Saturday night. Running back Chris Rodriguez was suspended before the season, and even though the length of the suspension isn’t known, it doesn’t sound likely Rodriguez will play this week. On top of that, running back Ramon Jefferson suffered a season-ending injury last week. The lack of depth in the backfield was evident last week, with the Wildcats running for just 50 yards against Miami (OH).

I know this is a prime spot for a letdown for Florida after a huge win last week against Utah. If Kentucky was going to be at full strength, I could see them beating the Gators here. I just don’t see the Wildcats having enough to stay within a touchdown here. Will Levis against Anthony Richardson is going to be a fun battle, but Florida builds on their tough win last week.

Florida 34, Kentucky 23


No. 10 USC (-8.5) v. Stanford - 7:30 p.m. - ABC

Even though they only played Rice last week, if USC plays like they did all year, they are going to have a great shot at making the College Football Playoff. After suffering through the Clay Helton Era, which lasted way too long, it feels like the Trojans have their swagger back with Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams having come to Los Angeles from Oklahoma.

I just don’t think Stanford has the fire power to keep up with USC here. Even though the Cardinal looked good in a 41-10 win over Colgate, they aren’t going to have nearly the same success against USC. Don’t forget that Stanford was 3-9. Those problems don’t just go away overnight. Well, unless you are USC and bring in one of the best head coaches in the country, along with his blue-chip quarterback.

USC 37, Stanford 21


Arizona State v. No. 11 Oklahoma State (-11) - 7:30 p.m. - ESPN2

What exactly is left at Arizona State? Quarterback Jayden Daniels is now at LSU. Running back Rachaad White is in the NFL, while Chip Trayanum transferred to Ohio State to play linebacker. Herm Edwards was able to lure quarterback Emory Jones to the desert, but it’s not like Jones was all that special at Florida.

It’s no secret I don’t care for Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy. I do recognize that the Cowboys have a strong team, even without defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Spencer Sanders feels like he has been quarterback in Stillwater for 43 years, which will help the offense continue to roll. Last week Sanders threw for 406 yards and four touchdowns in a 58-44 win over Central Michigan. Even though the Cowboys aren’t as strong on defense, I don’t think the Sun Devils have the pieces to take advantage of Oklahoma State’s rebuilding defense.

Oklahoma State 42, Arizona State 23


No. 9 Baylor v. No. 21 BYU (-3) - 10:15 p.m. - ESPN

This should be a really fun game late Saturday night. It feels like both teams are pretty evenly matched, and both actually rolled up 573 yards on offense in easy wins in their season openers. The Bears are coming off an outstanding 2021 that saw them make the Sugar Bowl, but Dave Aranda does have some holes to fill on both sides of the football.

Soon enough this is going to be a Big 12 battle, as BYU has already accepted a bid to join the conference. The Cougars come into this game with plenty of experience at quarterback with Jaren Hall under center, as well as a defense that always feels like it is one of the toughest to crack in the country. Even though Baylor is ranked higher, the Cougars always feel like they hit an extra gear when they have a big game under the lights in Provo.

BYU 31, Baylor 24

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

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On this day in Ohio Stater football history....

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You’re Nuts: What is Ohio State’s most challenging home conference game this season?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

We’ve got a full schedule, so plan your vacations accordingly!

Folks. We have a full 2022-23 Ohio State men’s basketball schedule. So, for this iteration of You're Nuts, we are going to be touching on that.

We are only two months away from Ohio State basketball and we can now feel it. Last week, we discussed who would lead Ohio State in assists. Connor chose freshman stud Bruce Thornton, and Justin chose Oklahoma State transfer Isaac Likekele.


Here were the final poll results.



Funny enough, Connor and Justin tied this one.

After 66 weeks:

Connor- 30
Justin- 26
Other- 7

(There have been three ties)


After 66 weeks, we have had three ties now. 1 every 22 weeks. Math.

Let’s get into this week’s topic. We are talking about the Big Ten schedule and who might give the Buckeyes the toughest challenge.

Today’s question: What is Ohio State’s most challenging home conference game this season?

Connor: Michigan State (Feb. 12)

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

January.

February.

Izzo.

Apri.

That’s how the saying goes, right? Like it or not, Tom Izzo always has his team playing their best basketball at the end of the season. The last two seasons, Michigan State has gone a modest 20-20 in conference play, and — like the Buckeyes — they did not make it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament either season.

But the Spartans typically turn the heat up in February and March. Each of the last two seasons, Michigan State looked bound for the NIT in December before turning on the jets at the end of each season and clearing the bar necessary to snag an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Izzo’s Michigan State team this season probably won’t be cutting down nets in Chicago at the end of the Big Ten Tournament, but they return several key pieces and will be playing their best basketball when they visit the Schottenstein Center in February.

Tyson Walker (8.2 PPG, 4.3 AST) is back to run point for the second consecutive season and should provide a steady calming force in the backcourt. Malik Hall (8.9 PPG, 4.6 REB, 42.6% 3PT) will need to take a big step forward this season, and many people covering the Big Ten Conference expect just that. He scored in double digits 15 times last season, but disappeared in March, averaging just 4.2 PPG during the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament.

Joey Hauser (7.3 PPG, 5.3 REB) is back, as are A.J. Hoggard (7.0 PPG, 4.8 AST) and former top-50 overall prospect Jaden Akins (3.4 PPG, 2.4 REB). “Get old and stay old” is the age-old formula for success in college basketball, and Izzo retained quite a bit from last year’s team, including young players who could have sought more playing time elsewhere

Michigan State’s game against the Buckeyes in Columbus is wedged between two games that the Spartans shouldn't be nearly concerned about. Sometimes, when a team has another huge test before or afterwards, they can see production dip due to a hangover from the last game, or looking forward to the next one. But with Maryland five days beforehand and Minnesota three days later, Ohio State will be MSU’s main focus for the better part of a week. Chris Holtmann and the Buckeyes will certainly get them at their best.

Justin: Illinois (Feb. 26)

Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images

First of all, this schedule is brutal.

“The Buckeyes have basically a brand-new team, and the fresh faces are going to get a taste of how brutal the Big Ten schedule can be,” 247Sports’ Isaac Trotter wrote. “Ohio State has to play Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Purdue and Rutgers twice. Road dates at Michigan and Indiana will not be easy. Ohio State probably would’ve preferred to get more than three combined games with projected bottom-feeders Penn State, Minnesota and Nebraska.”

So there is that. It is going to take a really solid season for the Buckeyes to contend in the conference. Obviously, they can still do it as this is a talented team, but they are going to have their hands full. No doubt.

I agree with Connor that Michigan State game is going to be tough. It always is. But I am going with the team I think will win the Big Ten this season. The Illinois Fighting Illini.

Illinois reloaded this season with guys like Skyy Clarke, Matthew Mayer and Terrance Shannon Jr. They are in the same boat as Ohio State with losing a lot of players, and have a fairly new team, but they are incredibly talented, well-coached and that late in the season, should be hitting their stride. This will be a tough game.

Full disclosure, I would have picked Michigan but they do not come to Columbus this year. Ohio State only plays them once and it is at Michigan.

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Three Things To Watch from Arkansas State
CMinnich 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 Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ohio State looks to build upon its strong game from the season opener.

Ohio State psychologically cleared a hurdle by virtue of their 21-10 win over Notre Dame in the season opener. An entire offseason focused upon substantially-needed defensive improvement, as well as overall physical toughness, was demonstrated to a nationally televised audience that saw the Buckeyes slowly but surely wear down the Fighting Irish over the last two quarters of the game.

As tempting as it may be to rest upon the laurels of game one, Ohio State needs to focus all of their energy and attention on their next opponent, the Arkansas State Red Wolves. This game will mark the first time that Ohio State and Arkansas State have ever played.

Arkansas State is also 1-0, coming off a dominant 58-3 win over FCS Grambling. Considering how Arkansas State went 2-10 in 2021, any news that is positive for the Red Wolves is probably welcomed enthusiastically in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Ohio State is an overwhelming favorite (-44.5) and is expected to win handily. Even with the odds in Ohio State’s favor, below are Three Things To Watch From Arkansas State as this game kicks off on The Big Ten Network at 12 p.m. ET.

1. The Ohio State Running Game Vs. The Arkansas State Defense

On our latest Silver Bullets Podcast that previewed this game, Michael Citro AKA “The Grumpy Old Buckeye” and I speculated on what Ohio State’s offensive attack may look like versus the Red Wolves, especially with the likelihood that WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba will probably be withheld from the game as a precautionary measure. It was gratifying to me that Ohio State focused on running the ball effectively in the second half of the Notre Dame game, and I believe that is where the Buckeyes will try to build upon what worked so well for them in game one.

Arkansas State held Grambling to only 50 yards on the ground, but it is highly unlikely that they will be able to replicate that same success versus an Ohio State offensive line that is trying to reestablish a reputation for physical dominance. TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams may both carry the ball a lot, and I am curious if we will see the debut of true freshman Dallan Hayden at some point in this contest.

2. The Ohio State Linebackers Vs. The Arkansas State Run Offense

A familiar name will be carrying the ball for Arkansas State in former Buckeye RB Brian Snead. Snead carried the ball 12 times for 57 yards and 1 touchdown in the season opener, spelling teammate Johnnie Lang (13 carries for 124 yards, 1 touchdown). Arkansas State had little trouble from Grambling, as the Red Wolves ran for 339 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

The Ohio State defense, especially the linebackers, played well against a formidable Notre Dame offensive line and running game. As I wrote up above about Ohio State looking to build upon what they did in game one, here is a chance for the linebackers, led by Tommy Eichenberg, to show their fans and the rest of college football that the game one performance was not a fluke, and that the Silver Bullets have truly returned as one of college football’s premier defensive units.

3. Which Ohio State Freshmen/Backups Will Play Versus Arkansas State?

True freshman DE Caden Curry was the only freshman credited with game activity versus Notre Dame, and it came all exclusively on special teams units. Ohio State is a substantial favorite, and this is the kind of game that backup units on both sides of the ball may have opportunities to get some well-needed game experience.

If Ohio State has a sizable lead after the first half, quarterbacks Kyle McCord and Devin Brown may see some action. As any Ohio State fan will recall from the 2014 national championship season, the Buckeyes needed three quarterbacks during the course of that season, so getting McCord and/or Brown snaps in a game seems prudent. The aforementioned Dallan Hayden may be able to get some carries as the 3rd-string tailback, while other players such as C.J. Hicks or Sonny Styles may also get some action in the game versus the Red Wolves.

Even with a nearly 45 point spread, I have a difficult time seeing Ohio State beating Arkansas State by that much, especially if the Buckeyes focus on running the ball a great deal during the game. I have it Ohio State 42, Arkansas State 7.

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Ohio State vs. Arkansas State: 2022 game preview and prediction
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

After opening the season with a top-five win, the heavily favored Buckeyes look to put up points against their Sun Belt foe.

The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes took care of business last week in their season-opening matchup against now-No. 8 Notre Dame. Now, the Buckeyes get some breathing room as they host Arkansas State of the Sun Belt Conference Saturday at noon in Columbus.

Arkansas State? Never heard of ‘em


This week marks the first time Ohio State and Arkansas State have faced off, and just the fourth time the Buckeyes have played a Sun Belt opponent. Ohio State has previously recorded wins over Marshall (2004, 2010) and Troy (2008) — though, at the time Ohio State played them, Marshall was in Conference USA.

Home is wherever I’m with you


It’s fitting that the centennial season at Ohio Stadium begins with a five-game homestand for the Buckeyes — one that kicked off with a bang last week with Ohio State’s first-ever, season-opening top-five win. A 106,594-person crowd came out for the night game, the highest attendance at the Horseshoe since 2017. Chief among the crowd were more than 60 top recruits from upcoming classes who got to see Ohio Stadium at its finest. Oh, and also LeBron and Bronny James.

This weekend’s matchup against Arkansas State might not draw such a large crowd, but still, there’s no beating the atmosphere at the Shoe.

Standing in the Hall of Fame


Ohio State will honor its 15-person 2022 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Saturday during halftime. The class includes four former football players, including cornerback Shawn Springs, the third-overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. Basketball great Aaron Craft is also being inducted. Take that, Iowa State.

We don’t get no respect


Despite the massive, nationally televised win Saturday (did we mention it was against a top-five opponent?), Ohio State fell from No. 2 in the AP Poll to No. 3 following Week 1. Credit to Georgia, who blew a now-unranked Oregon team out of the water, but Alabama stayed in the top spot after a shutout win over Utah State.

While these early polls hardly matter in the grand scheme of the season, there’s no doubt that achieving a blowout win Saturday is all but a necessity in maintaining Ohio State’s positioning against SEC foes ahead of non-conference play.

Dances with Red Wolves


Speaking of Saturday’s opponent, Arkansas State beat FCS Grambling State 58-3 in their season opener last week. The Red Wolves dominated just about every statistical category in the overwhelming victory. Here are just a few to note:

• Outgained Grambling State in total yardage 572-102
• Allowed just two yards per play
• Had zero punts to Grambling State’s eight
• Gained 34 first downs to Grambling State’s nine
• Maintained possession for nearly 12 minutes more than their opponents

This game which, again, came against an FCS opponent, was surely a breath of fresh air for an Arkansas State team that struggled in 2021.

Last season, the Red Wolves finished at the bottom of the Sun Belt’s West Division with a 2-10 overall and 1-7 in-conference record. Don’t let that fool you, though, as the Sun Belt was mightier than usual in 2021: Louisiana and Coastal Carolina both earned national attention with 13 and 11 wins, respectively.

That’s just offensive


Let’s talk more about that offense. Arkansas State is currently 12th in the nation in yards per game, with 572, and 10th in scoring offense with 58. Of course, that’s with just one game having been played (and this will not be the last time we reference our limited data points at this point in the season).

Sound familiar?


Leading the charge for the Red Wolves is senior quarterback James Blackman, a super-senior in his sixth year of eligibility. You might remember Blackman: He spent his first four seasons with Florida State, including two as the Seminoles’ leading passer.

Saturday, Blackman was 15-of-20 for 210 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Of note, while he’s not prone to take off (in fact, his career rushing stats look a lot like C.J. Stroud’s), Blackman can make plays with his feet — or at least he did in his final season opener. In fact, he had two touchdowns on two rushing attempts last week against Grambling State, thereby tripling his career rushing touchdown total.

Blackman is probably among the most experienced quarterbacks currently in the FBS — even more so than Penn State’s Sean Clifford. Facing a secondary that is still finding its footing, Blackman might be able to make some plays. For Ohio State, it doesn’t help that Blackman is not alone in his Power Five roots.

Feeling the transfer portal effects


Leading the way in receptions for the Red Wolves was Champ Flemings, who hauled in seven catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. Like Blackman, the fifth-year senior receiver came from a Power Five program previously (Oregon State).

And rounding out this highlighted group of super seniors on offense, running back Johnnie Lang, a sixth-year player who spent his first four seasons at Iowa State, led the Red Wolves in rushing last week. Lang had 124 yards on 13 carries and scored one touchdown Saturday.

Mr. Jones and Harley


Head coach Butch Jones is kicking off his second season at the helm with the Red Wolves. You might remember Jones from his time at Tennessee, Cincinnati and Central Michigan. He actually won two Big East titles during his time with the Bearcats. Unfortunately for Jones, after going 0-6 in the SEC in 2017, he got booted from Tennessee and the head coaching ranks more broadly for a few years. But don’t feel too sorry for him. He joined Nick Saban’s crew at Alabama before joining Arkansas State in 2021.

Perhaps more relevant for this week, assistant Red Wolves head coach Rob Harley is the great-great nephew of Ohio State great Chic Harley — as in “the House that Harley Built.” The younger Harley happened to be a walk-on on Ohio State’s 2002 National Championship team honored last week. It’ll be the second-straight week a former Ohio State player comes to coach against the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe.

Day of our Lives: Season 4


Perhaps the least dramatic soap opera ever, Ryan Day’s tenure at Ohio State got a boost in ratings this past weekend against Notre Dame. The Buckeyes head coach is now 34-4 overall with one more premiere, top-five win.

While Day is still growing as a head coach (and probably should consider handing over play-calling duties), his offseason savvy seems to have paid off with the addition of former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Jim for the win


On that note, Jim Knowles’ defense was as good as advertised and showed rapid improvement from the Buckeyes’ performance in the Rose Bowl to now. While the defense started off hot, it only continued to improve throughout the game. Notre Dame had just 72 yards in the second half and punted on its final six possessions.

And because the scoreboard matters, Ohio State’s scoring defense was phenomenal. The Irish’s 10 points were the fewest against a top-five opponent since 1996.

Arkansas State can put up points — at least they did against Grambling State. Again, it’s hard to know how prolific the Red Wolves truly are given just a single game’s worth of data, but Knowles’ new defense will have a test from a set of veteran offensive players who can make plays.

Not a second(ary) to lose


Ohio State’s secondary still has room for improvement, but the unit was better than they were, say, last year against Oregon, Michigan or Utah. One area of focus will assuredly be big plays, as the Irish had four passing plays of 20+ yards. It was also somewhat troubling that Notre Dame’s Tyler Buchner, a first-year starting quarterback coming into a night game in the Horseshoe, completed his first eight passes.

The Red Wolves’ passing attack was prolific against the likes of Grambling State. Still, it’s unlikely the Buckeyes’ defensive backs will be on the ropes against Arkansas State’s receivers.

Bringing down the house


Or, just bringing the house. Ohio State saw an outstanding performance from its defensive line — especially in the second half. Moreover, some surprising players led that performance. In his first start for Ohio State, defensive tackle Mike Hall had, perhaps, the sack of the game on 3rd-and-10 on Notre Dame’s final possession of the game, thus sealing the victory for Ohio State. Hall added two tackles for loss.

The Red Wolves allowed zero sacks against Grambling State last week. That will probably change tomorrow.

Tommy Boy


Fortified play from the linebacker position certainly played a role in the defensive line’s dominance Saturday. As we know, Ohio State has struggled at the linebacker position for several seasons. However, things finally seemed to click Saturday with the performance of linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, who earned Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Notre Dame. The fourth-year linebacker, who was second on the team in tackles in 2021 and the defensive MVP of last year’s Rose Bowl, had a team-high nine tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks Saturday.

Seeing red (zone)


On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes are first in the FBS in red zone offense, scoring touchdowns on 100% of their attempts from scoring range. We’ll, for now, disregard the fact they’re tied with 64 other teams for the No. 1 spot as we’re just one game into the season.

Ohio State’s offense was not as prolific as we might have liked to see against Notre Dame, but the Buckeyes were facing a fierce defense. For those thirsting for high-flying action, tomorrow will be a much better option.

Getting the job done


C.J. Stroud had far from his best game as starting quarterback at Ohio State, but it was hardly a poor performance. And it makes sense that there were some fits and starts for the second-year starter, as he was missing his favorite target in Smith-Njigba. The junior quarterback began his second season under center going 24-for-34 for 233 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. Not bad against a defense that finished last season ranked 15th in total defense.

Further, while the numbers he put up were not monster, Stroud remained the favorite in Heisman betting after Week 1. He’ll certainly have the opportunity to pad those stats tomorrow.

We miss you, JSN


Star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba may be out against Arkansas State, and that’s okay. Smith-Njigba was hurt against Notre Dame Saturday and Day has said that Stroud’s favorite target won’t return until he’s at full strength — something the head coach surely felt comfortable with given the next two matchups against Arkansas State and Toledo.

If you’re worried about who Stroud will throw to tomorrow, never fear. Electrifying return man Emeka Egbuka had a career game at receiver, hauling in nine catches for 90 yards and the Buckeyes’ first touchdown of the season. Beyond Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr. had five catches for 56 yards. Even the tight ends got involved. Senior Cade Stover had three catches for 14 yards.

And of course, there’s fifth-year senior wide receiver Xavier Johnson, whose touchdown catch put the Buckeyes ahead in the third quarter and whose tackle on the ensuing kickoff put the Irish in terrible field position from which they could not emerge.

Too fast, too furious


Despite a first half where the Buckeyes seemed off their rhythm, Ohio State showed some tempo in the second half against Notre Dame, catching the Fighting Irish on their heels.

After two punts on two drives to open the third quarter, the third drive was the charm as the Buckeyes drove downfield going 78 yards in 10 plays in under five minutes. That drive, of course, wrapped with Stroud’s touchdown pass to Johnson.

For the first time all night, Notre Dame’s defense looked winded as Stroud ran what wasn’t exactly a hurry-up offense, but just enough to keep the Irish on their heels. And Buckeye Nation breathed a sigh of relief as we saw a vestige of the quick-strike offense which made Ohio State so powerful last season — offense we’ll hopefully see a whole lot more of against the Red Wolves.

This here is a run-out-the-clock situation


On the flip side, after taking things up a notch, the Ohio State offense seemed to melt right into a clock-killing, fourth-quarter drive that effectively eliminated any hope of a comeback for Notre Dame. Running back TreVeyon Henderson took the first three carries for 15 total yards before fellow back Miyan Williams took over rushing duties, carrying the ball seven times. Williams also had a critical catch on 3rd-and-3 deep in Ohio State’s own territory to keep the drive going.

We’ll also take a moment here to credit the offensive line. Though the unit allowed an early sack on Stroud, the highly touted group paved the way for Henderson and Williams’ performances and a very respectable 172 rushing yards against a fierce Notre Dame defensive line.

What was impressive about that 95-yard, 7:06-minute drive was how the offense managed to switch gears from going tempo right before. Many teams struggle with the run-out-the-clock situation. Especially facing a team like Arkansas State, being able to put things away early and drain the clock down is an important skill.

Kicking and screaming


Ohio State’s special teams have been a source of stability for most of recent memory. Unfortunately, the performance Saturday was something we’d rather forget. Noah Ruggles, who was Mr. Reliable last season going 20-for-21 on field goal attempts and 74-for-74 on extra points, missed his one and only field goal attempt Saturday from 39 yards away.

Granted, we’re being super picky here. On a weekend where some teams lost actual games because of missed extra points, we must admit that Ohio State’s special teams never put the result in jeopardy Saturday.

Elsewhere on special teams, Jesse Mirco put up a strong performance punting for the Buckeyes — something we haven’t had to say in a long time. Mirco punted five times Saturday (compared to 31 times all of last season) and averaged 45 yards per attempt. Hopefully we won’t see much of Mirco tomorrow.

Summary


The question here (not to jinx anything) is less so about if Ohio State will beat Arkansas State, but rather if the Buckeyes will manage to beat the enormous 45.5-point spread Vegas has laid out for them.

The game brings about as different an atmosphere compared to last week as possible: a noon game, an unranked opponent from the Sun Belt and fewer unknowns on both sides of the ball.

Still, Ohio State will need to avoid the letdown that inevitably follows a win like the Buckeyes had in their opener. And there are some tricky players on the Arkansas State side who could make things difficult, especially defensively, if Ohio State shows up in the wrong mindset.

This opponent doesn’t feel like a typical Group of Five matchup — possibly because the Red Wolves have benefited so much from the transfer portal. It doesn’t help that their head coach also has SEC roots and a proven ability to win.

Still, Ohio State squashed much of the speculation surrounding the program heading into the season. The offense didn’t panic when it was down and made second-half adjustments to take and maintain the lead. More impressively, the defense grew by leaps and bounds in just a few months (and with many of the same personnel) to become what looked like an elite unit last week. The Buckeyes looked in many ways like a College Football Playoff contender.

Now, let’s see that offense at work.

LGHL Prediction: Ohio State 59, Arkansas State 10

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for September 9, 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 Gregory Shamus/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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Ask LGHL


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

Ask LGHL: Just how many rushing yards can Ohio State put up against Arkansas State
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Gridiron


Ryan Day Radio Show: Ryan Day Loves Ohio State’s Talent but Wants to Keep Building Skill, Talent and Discipline in 2022
Chase Brown and Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

Analyzing last Ryan Day comments before Arkansas State
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Previewing Buckeyes Week Two game against Arkansas State
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Can Ohio State cover a 44-point spread against Arkansas State?
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land


Will Ohio State football center Luke Wypler play Saturday against Arkansas State?
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

Mutual trust between Buckeyes players, Jim Knowles already showing up on field (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Lathan Ransom Expected to Start for Ohio State Against Arkansas State
Braden Moles, Buckeye Sports Bulletin


What issues emerged for the Buckeyes in Week 1? Anything need fixin’?
David M. Wheeler, Land-Grant Holy Land

Film Study: C.J. Stroud and the Ohio State Offense Played Better than the Numbers Showed in the Victory Over Notre Dame
Kyle Jones, Eleven Warriors

Buckeyes preparing contingency plans along interior of offensive line (paywall)
Tim May, Lettermen Row

Emeka Egbuka in Prime Position to Steal Spotlight at Wide Receiver Amid Injuries to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

On the Hardwood


Men’s Basketball: Buckeyes to open Big Ten with Rutgers and close year at Michigan State
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Big Ten basketball: Rating each team’s conference schedule for 2022-23 season
Isaac Trotter, 247Sports


Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Isaac Likekele
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Women’s Soccer: Buckeyes Win A Thriller 3-2 at Brown
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Golf: Buckeyes Fire -14 in Final Round of Frederica Cup
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


Should be national holiday, tbh


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Buck Off Podcast: Notre Dame review, C.J. Stroud’s new confidence level, and our Arkansas State report
Chris Renne 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

Arkansas State is the biggest game on Ohio State’s schedule (this week), but there is a lot more to talk about than the Red Wolves.

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. The guys take a look back at Ohio State’s matchup against Notre Dame, take a look forward to Arkansas State, and discuss the news from throughout the week.

To get the show started, the guys give their final takeaways on Ohio State’s matchup against Notre Dame. The guys discuss the performance from the defense in detail, getting into some particular sequences from the game and the rotations of the defensive position groups. After that, they look at the offensive performance and why the offense was better than initially thought. They discuss the offensive line play and how Ryan Day needs to learn how to rely on his running backs.

Then we get into the coach and player press conferences from this week. The Buckeyes coaches talked about the physical win, and the guys discuss why this is the foundation to a successful season for the Buckeyes. They also talk about Perry Eliano’s clout as the safeties coach, his confidence, and the future rotation of the Ohio State safeties. The last part of this discussion gets into Stroud’s leveled up confidence from a leadership standpoint.

After the break, the guys get into their Arkansas State report. A major point of discussion is how hard this game will be to get up for after an incredibly high level matchup against Notre Dame. The guys discuss the Arkansas State roster building strategy, and how the Buckeyes can attack a defense that had the worst run defense in 2021 and an offense that gave up 48 sacks in 12 games.

To close out the show, the guys get into a list of things fans and coaches can learn from a game like the matchup against Arkansas State. Then, Jordan brings up one of the wildest “Final Thoughts” in Buck Off history — hint: kickers are people too.


Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod

Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB

Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330

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Ohio State earns Crystal Ball for in-state 2024 athlete, preps for another slate of visitors
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Damarion Witten | 247Sports

The Buckeyes look to be in position to keep one of the top 2024 players within state borders at home.

Arkansas State is already coming to town as the week went by rather quickly. With another home game on the docket, the Buckeyes are set up to host a crew of recruits again. While it’s not at the same capacity of Week 1, it’s another chance to keep the momentum rolling in a positive direction on the trail. If anything, having a smaller number of visitors this week allows the coaches to roll out the red carpet, and that should be a big time benefit.

Ryan Day and company have a great recipe for gameday visits, and this weekend should be much of the same. With the season well underway, look for the rest of these home games slated over the next couple of months to be huge recruiting opportunities as both local and national targets make their way to Columbus.

Signs pointing towards keeping a 2024 athlete home


Pipelines are hard to come by when it comes to recruiting, but when one is steady, there’s not much that’s better. For years, Cleveland Glenville was exactly that for Ohio State, and after a bit of a hiatus, it looks to be very much back in the works of being a school that produces several elite players — many of which end up in Columbus suiting up for the Buckeyes.

With a 2023 player already committed thanks to Arvell Reese and a couple of other names already taking priority, the Buckeyes are seeing additional targets come to mind. A 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction was submitted in Ohio State’s favor on Thursday for yet another Glenville product in the 2024 class.

6-foot-4, 220 pound athlete Damarion Witten was predicted to stay close to home for his college career, and the submission coming from Bill Kurelic makes it one that’s definitely worth paying attention to. Witten being linked to Ohio State this early after his recent Buckeye offer bodes pretty well for the 2024 class adding him to the fold sooner or later.

The No. 240 player nationally, Witten is the 31st best athlete in the class and the 10th best player in Ohio for 2024 per the 247Sports Composite. Witten was just recently offered by Ohio State, and with the upside he already has, this is one target that the Buckeyes would love to keep at home. Fortunately, signs are trending towards that being the case.

Guest list growing for Saturday’s contest


As mentioned, another game in The Shoe is the perfect opportunity to host recruits for game day experiences. As they will all season long, recruits will flock to Columbus to see what the Buckeyes have to offer, and the coaching staff has the perfect itinerary for these players to follow as they take in one of the best atmospheres in all of college football. With the game just over 24 hours away, here’s a few names that will be in attendance on Saturday.

Making the in-state trek, 2024 offensive lineman Jaden Ball (Carroll, Ohio/Bloom-Carroll) will be on site to see the Buckeyes in action. A 6-foot-4, 285 pound interior lineman, Ball does not currently hold an offer from Ohio State, but does have three to his name with MAC schools such as Akron and Miami Ohio in the fold. An unranked prospect right now, solid junior and senior seasons will certainly have more eyes on his play.


Sticking with the trend, Ohio State will also be hosting another 2024 interior lineman from not too far away as Jake Grimm (Columbus, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) will make the short commute to campus. Like the aforementioned Ball, Grimm is also a 6-foot-4, 280 pound offensive line prospect that is starting to see his recruitment start to take shape. With only one offer to date, this is yet another player that Ohio State is able to keep tabs on to see how the rest of his junior season plays out and then some. Unranked as of now by 247Sports, the Buckeyes are at the very least are paying attention.

Quick Hits

• In addition to the two offensive linemen slated to visit, the Buckeyes will also be hosting another pair of in-state prospects as both Tito Glass, an unranked running back in the 2024 class, and Jaystin Gwinn, a 2025 quarterback, have confirmed their visit plans for this weekend. While both are currently without a 247Sports ranking, like any visitor, the Buckeyes are watching their in-state products and evaluating every chance they can.

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Ask LGHL: Just how many rushing yards can Ohio State put up against Arkansas State?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Set Number: X164138 TK1

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.

Question: Just how many yards can Ohio State put up against Arkansas State?


I feel like I can speak for most Buckeye fans when I say that the biggest pleasant surprise from Saturday’s 21-10 victory over the then-No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish was the absolutely stellar performance by the Ohio State defense. However, a close second would be the impressive rushing performance by Miyan Williams, TreVeyon Henderson, and the entire OSU offensive line.

In total, they rushed for 172 yards, with Henderson going for 91 on 6.1 yards per carry while Williams had 84 on 6.0 ypc. While I am on record as saying that Ryan Day and the Buckeyes should take the next two games — against Arkansas State and Toledo respectively — to rest Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s ailing hamstring and build more cohesion between quarterback C.J. Stroud and his corps of first-time starting wide receivers, this Saturday against the Red Wolves might be a perfect opportunity to continue building momentum on the ground.

Though the Buckeyes opened as a 45.5-point favorite over Arkansas State, that number has dropped a while point to 44.5 as of publishing time, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Beyond the obvious talent differential, undoubtedly a lot of that point spread is due to the Red Wolves’ inability to stop the run.


While they did only give up 50 yards on the ground last week against Grambling State — a game they won 58-3 — in 2021, Butch Jones’ crew was last, like literally dead last, in stopping the run. They gave up 261.08 yards on the ground per contest, 11.25 more per game than 129th-place Kansas.

The Red Wolves gave up a nation’s worst 6.42 yards per carry last season; 2.74 ypc worse than the Buckeyes’ did in 2021, and we all know how OSU fans felt about that rush defense. Keep in mind that Arkansas St. only played one Power 5 team last year (a 52-3 loss to Washington) and their only ranked opponent was Coastal Carolina (a 52-20 defeat).

So, while DraftKings Sportsbook is not giving rushing total prop lines for this contest, I think it is safe to assume that OSU will be able to put up as many rushing yards as they want on Saturday afternoon in The Horseshoe. The question is, how many yards will they actually want to put up?

While I do expect Ryan Day to give Stroud, Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jayden Ballard, Xavier Johnson, and Julian Fleming (if he is healthy) ample opportunities to build an in-game report, at what point will the game get out of hand leading the coach to take the air out of the ball?

I am going to guess that the first half will see a fairly well-balanced offensive attack, with a slight favor towards putting the ball in the air. However, when it becomes clearly uncouth for Stroud to continue to chuck it, I imagine that we will see Kyle McCord step in to lead the OSU offense. I would think that Day would like to get him some passing reps in the game, just so he’s ready in case the unimaginable occurs with Stroud, but undoubtedly McCord will be handing the ball off more than throwing it.


What will be interesting to see is how long Henderson and Williams remain in the game. With the preseason third-string back Evan Pryor out for the year, the next man up is true freshman Dallan Hayden. Saturday would be a great opportunity to get his feet wet at the collegiate level, but does Day want to burn one of Hayden’s redshirt games this early in the season?

Players can appear in up to four games and maintain their ability to redshirt, but given the relative lack of depth at the running back position, I’m not sure that OSU wants to eat into the freshman’s four games this early into the season, just in case something happens down the stretch.

However, given that the emergency fourth-string RB is linebacker Chip Trayanum, the Buckeye coaching staff might not have much of a choice in how and when they deploy Hayden.

Either way, I am going to put the rushing total for the Buckeyes this weekend at 261.5, less than half a yard more than the Red Wolves’ 2021 season average. Even if the Buckeyes put on the breaks from an offensive standpoint, stop throwing the ball, and call simple, straight-ahead running plays, I have a feeling that with the team’s renewed emphasis on toughness, even the backup lineman and backs are going to want to prove their mettle when given the opportunity.

So, I’ll go out on a limb and say that Henderson and Williams both eclipse 100 yards rushing and in total, the Buckeyes finish north of 261 — who knows, maybe Stroud will even answer Buckeye Nation’s prayers and run the ball a bit himself.


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

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MC&J: Can Ohio State cover a 44-point spread against Arkansas State?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After last week’s huge season-opening win over Notre Dame, the Buckeyes host Arkansas State on Saturday.

Week 1 ATS: 7-8-1 (2-5-1 B1G, 5-3 National)

Season ATS: 11-11-1 (4-5-1 B1G, 7-6 National)

Going nearly .500 in the first week of the college football season isn’t all that bad. What makes it sting so much is we were so close to a number of underdog upsets. West Virginia, Purdue, and Illinois were all leading in the last five minutes of their games. UTSA was up 21-7 and had multiple chances in overtime to knock off Houston. At least Florida came through, which is funny because it was the “upset” I was least confident in.

Week 2 B1G picks:


Duke v. Northwestern (-10) - 12:00 p.m.- FS1

Evanston will host the Nerd Bowl on Saturday when Northwestern takes on Duke. The Wildcats had last week off as they traveled back from Ireland after downing Nebraska 31-28 in Dublin. Ryan Hilinski threw for 314 yards and two scores, while Evan Hull added 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

New Duke head coach Mike Elko had a successful debut last week, shutting out Temple 30-0. Riley Leonard also threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener. The win was Duke’s first since last September of last year when they beat Kansas, snapping an eight-game losing streak.

Even though I think Pat Fitzgerald is one of the most overrated coaches in the country, I do like Northwestern here. The Wildcats are rested and have a great running back combo in Hull and Cam Porter, along with a defense that is usually tough to do much against. Duke’s shutout was more of a fluke that Northwestern’s win in Ireland, and it’ll show on Saturday.

Northwestern 27, Duke 14


Ohio v. Penn State (-25.5) - 12:00 p.m. - ABC

If Penn State was smart they’d move this game to the evening so they could do their stupid “whiteout” thing against a team from Ohio. The Nittany Lions obviously should pull out all the tricks they can against the Bobcats, who won 24-14 when the teams met in State College in 2012.

Penn State was able to survive last week against Purdue in West Lafayette. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Sean Clifford knows what to do when his back is against the wall since he has been quarterback of the Nittany Lions for 75 years. The Penn State offense still has some concerns though, as they were only able to average 3.1 yards per carry against the Boilermakers.

I would love to pretend the Bobcats have a shot to upset the Nittany Lions in State College like they did 10 years ago. Sorry Ohio fans, it isn’t gonna happen. Penn State routinely handles MAC teams with little problem under James Franklin, while Ohio is rebuilding under whatever a Tim Albin is. The Nittany Lions had a couple extra days to recover from the win against Purdue and prepare for Ohio, but they don’t really need it.

Penn State 44, Ohio 13


Washington State v. No. 19 Wisconsin (-17.5) - 3:30 p.m. - FOX

Usually Wisconsin early season non-conference games can be boring, but this games does have some areas of intrigue. Not only will Washington State be visiting Camp Randall, running back Nakia Watson will be returning to Madison, where he started his college career. Watson ran for 117 in Washington State’s season opener against Idaho.

The Badgers aren’t hard to figure out. A heavy dose of Braelon Allen, hope Graham Mertz doesn’t make any mistakes, and trust your defense. Wisconsin wasn’t tested against Illinois State last week, and has a layup against New Mexico State next week, so this will be their only chance to play a real team before heading to Columbus in a couple weeks.

Wisconsin wins here, but they’ll get a test from the Cougars and quarterback Cameron Ward, who was one of the best FCS quarterbacks when he was with Incarnate Word. The Badgers do have some problems against teams that can throw the football a little, which is why I think Washington State can stay within 17 points.

Wisconsin 24, Washington State 20


Maryland (-27) v. Charlotte - 3:30 p.m. - Stadium

I’m not exactly sure why Maryland is playing at Charlotte. I guess that tells you just where the Terrapins stand when it comes to their hierarchy in college football. You would never see Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, or any of the other national powers do something like that. Then again, Maryland isn’t anywhere close to a national power.

The Terrapins were close to covering the 24-point spread last week. Buffalo hung around just enough to stay within the number. Even though the Terrapins are on the road, Charlotte is really bad, losing their first two games by a combined score of 84-37. After falling to FAU in their season opener, the 49ers lost to William & Mary last week. If Charlotte can’t even beat an FCS school, what chance do they have against Taulia Tagovailoa and the Terrapins? I can’t see Charlotte keeping this within 30 points.

Maryland 51, Charlotte 17


Akron v. No. 14 Michigan State (-34.5) - 4:00 p.m. - BTN

Akron needed overtime to beat Saint Francis last week. If the Zips can barely get an FCS team that hasn’t won more than seven games in the last decade, what chance do they have against Michigan State? Remember last year when Akron came to Columbus and were beaten 59-7 by Ohio State? This game is probably going to look a lot like that. Running backs Jalen Berger and Jarek Broussard get plenty of work as they jockey for carries ahead of next week’s game at Washington.

Michigan State 54, Akron 10


Iowa State v. Iowa (-3.5) - 4:00 p.m. - BTN

After watching Iowa last week, it’s hard to imagine the Hawkeyes scoring four points, let alone winning by at least that many. The Hawkeyes totaled 166 yards in a 7-3 victory over South Dakota State last week, using two safeties to dispatch the Jackrabbits. Apparently Kirk and Brian Ferentz had to see more of awful Spencer Petras at quarterback this year. Petras was as terrible as advertised, going 11-of-25 for 109 yards and an interception on Saturday.

As bad as Iowa’s offense is, their defense is that good. Iowa State has not only lost their last six meetings with their in-state rival, they have only scored more than 17 points in one of those contests. Things won’t get any easier this year as the Cyclones have to replace quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Breece Hall. Even though Iowa looked awful last week, it’s hard to not back the Hawkeyes in El Assico until Matt Campbell can prove he can beat Kirk Ferentz.

Iowa 21, Iowa State 10


Virginia v. Illinois (-4.5) - 4:00 p.m. - ESPNU

If Illinois was truly turning the corner, they’d be 2-0 right now. Instead, the Fighting Illini showed no killer instinct, allowing Indiana to hang around last week, which allowed the Hoosiers to score a late touchdown to beat Bret Bielema’s team. Running back Chase Brown has been great, he just hasn’t gotten much help on offense.

This line is a little puzzling to me, especially after what we saw when these teams met last year in Charlottesville, when Virginia won 42-14. I know that this year’s contest will be played in Champaign, but other than that there isn’t much different. Brennan Armstrong threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns last year, and he still key targets Dontayvion Wicks and Keytaon Thompson at his disposal. The Cavaliers are just the better team, plain and simple.

Virginia 31, Illinois 20


Georgia Southern v. Nebraska (-23.5) - 7:30 p.m. - FS1

What exactly has Nebraska done this year that suddenly makes you think they are going to put everything together and win by at least 24 points? Even though the Cornhuskers won last week against North Dakota, they took their sweet time to put some distance on the Fighting Hawks.

Georgia Southern does have a few things going for them. Not only do they have Clay Helton as their head coach, they brought in Buffalo transfer quarterback Kyle Vantrease, who threw for 367 yards and four scores in a 59-7 win over Morgan State. Until Nebraska proves they can play a complete game, fade them when they are laying this many points.

Nebraska 38, Georgia Southern 24


Hawai’i v. No. 4 Michigan (-51.5) - 8:00 p.m. - BTN

This week is J.J. McCarthy’s time to shine! Last week Cade McNamara got the start and it was a truly Cade McNamara performance, going 9-of-18 for 136 yards and a score. The Wolverines didn’t need McNamara to do much more than that in a 51-7 victory over Colorado State.

The cupcake gets a little fluffier this week with Hawai’i visiting Ann Arbor. The Rainbow Warriors are worse than Colorado State, as evidenced by Hawai’i losing Timmy Chang’s head coaching debut 63-10 to Vanderbilt a couple weeks ago. If Hawai’i can’t stay within 50 points at home against Vanderbilt, they have no chance of doing so on the road against Michigan.

Michigan 66, Hawai’i 7


Arkansas State v. No. 3 Ohio State (-44) - 12:00 p.m. - BTN

Just win, baby! After a slow start to last week’s game, that’s what Ohio State did, making some second half adjustments to send Notre Dame back to South Bend with a 21-10 loss. Thankfully the Buckeye defense came to play, since the offense had some issues early, which were compounded by the loss of Jaxon Smith-Njigba to injury. While head coach Ryan Day doesn’t expect Smith-Njigba to miss much time, there wouldn’t be much harm for sitting the standout wide receiver this week, and maybe even next week to give the injury time to heal.

There was quite a hilarious coaching matchup last week when Arkansas State and Butch Jones took on Hue Jackson’s Grambling squad. Jones and company easily defeated Jackson and the Tigers, 58-3. The Red Wolves have a familiar name at quarterback, as Florida State transfer James Blackman is taking the snaps. Along with Blackman, Arkansas State also has former Ohio State running back Brian Snead, who was dismissed from the team after he was accused of rape.

As much as I don’t want to see it, this feels like a perfect scenario for a bit of a hangover for the Buckeyes. After starting the season with an emotional game under the lights against a high-profile opponent, now they are playing a nooner against an inferior team. Even just a couple early drives not ending in touchdowns could be what decides whether the Buckeyes cover or not. Plus, Ryan Day said there could be more rotations on defense, which we all saw how well that worked over the last few years. 44 points feels just a touch high for this one.

Ohio State 55, Arkansas State 14

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What issues emerged for the Buckeyes in Week 1? Anything need fixin’?
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


Set Number: X164138 TK1

A closer look at Ohio State’s win over Notre Dame and what exactly ailed the Buckeye passing game.

Playing No. 5 Notre Dame in the season opener was bound to expose some problems for the Buckeyes. I was concerned about the defense: the line, the linebackers, the secondary. I guess that’s everybody. And I was wondering about the effectiveness of the OSU running game against a good defense. But never did I think that I’d devote this column to issues with the Ohio State passing game, and – let’s be honest – with quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The passing game, however, didn’t measure up, and it took a stout defense and a bruising running attack to pull out the big win.

C.J. Stroud


After the game, Stroud obliquely addressed his subpar performance. He didn’t use the word “nervous,” but he talked about how strange it felt to be playing for real, in front of a huge crowd, for high stakes. Yeah, he was nervous. Not surprising really, given the circumstances. What was surprising was that it took so long to shake off the nerves, to settle down, and find what broadcasters always refer to as his “rhythm.” But it did take a while, so let’s look at why.

The Notre Dame defense


Stroud was up against one of the best defenses that he’ll face this year, and perhaps one of the best defenses in the country — and they played like it. They came in with a good scheme, were disciplined, and executed well. They were beaten down by OSU’s aggressive and physical O-line at the end, but for nearly three quarters, the ND defense was the real deal.

The Irish, for much of the game, kept their two safeties (one of whom, Brandon Joseph, is a preseason All-American) deep to prevent the long pass plays that make the Buckeye attack so powerful. They combined this formation with a formidable pass rush on Stroud. The result of this combination was that Stroud couldn’t throw the deep ball. He didn’t have time, and the receivers couldn’t get behind the Irish secondary.

Although the Irish were credited with only one sack, the pass rush frequently flushed Stroud from the pocket, forcing him to roll out in order to keep the play alive, and to throw on the run. He’s good at it. But Stroud, like most QBs, is much better throwing from a protected pocket.

Small ball


Not being able to hit the big plays, Stroud was frustrated as he turned his attention to shorter routes. Once his favorite receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, went down in the first quarter, Stroud’s frustration (and nerves) worsened. He underthrew a number of passes. Some of them were incomplete, but, even on completions, he was short, or late. Throwing behind a receiver rather than hitting him in stride lessened the likelihood of a good catch and run, long a trademark of the OSU passing game.

Emeka Egbuka managed to snag a sideline pass and break free of his defender. He streaked down the sideline for the Buckeyes’ first touchdown, a play that covered 31 yards — the longest play of the night.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen so many short passes from the Buckeyes, especially ones over the middle, that went for four or five yards. In Stroud’s great 2021 season, he averaged 10.1 yards every time he threw the ball, complete or incomplete. Against the Irish, his average yards per attempt was 6.6.

In 2021, JSN averaged 16.9 yards per catch; against ND, he had three yards on two catches. Marvin Harrison Jr., in limited play in 2021, averaged 12.6 yards per catch; his performance on Saturday was close – an 11.2-yard average for his five receptions. Egbuka averaged 21.2 yards per catch in 2021 (only nine receptions) and 10 yards per catch (also nine receptions) against Notre Dame. Xavier Johnson averaged 17 yards on his two catches, Cade Stover 4.7, and Jayden Ballard seven. No big plays.

Stroud didn’t really settle down until the running game started clicking in the second half. That success, combined with the great job that the Buckeye defense was doing, visibly removed some of the pressure from Stroud. He didn’t have to win the game himself.

The receivers


It’s a good thing that the Buckeye receiver room is so deep. We anticipated JSN, Harrison Jr., and Julian Fleming to be the starting wideouts. Fleming sat out of the game with an injured shoulder, and Smith-Njigba was injured on his first catch. Harrison Jr. and Egbuka both played pretty well, without blowing me away. And we saw Ballard and Johnson, surprisingly, playing meaningful downs. Stover caught three short passes but was (in my opinion) under-utilized.

Miyan Williams made a really nice catch for a 12-yard first down, diving toward the sideline as he made the grab. It was his only reception. And TreVeyon Henderson didn’t catch a pass. So, neither of these weapons was used to catch a wheel route, a screen, even a dump out in the flat. They didn’t have the chance to get the ball in some open space.

Play calling


Stroud and the OSU offense weren’t helped any by the play calling. The Buckeyes had to expect Notre Dame to try to take away the long pass. If they didn’t, the game would be over quickly. But it was hard for me to tell what solution Ryan Day had in mind to counter that tactic. Running plays, in order to bring the safeties up in support, are the obvious call, but we didn’t see much running in the first half.

Screens and draws are often employed to slow down a vicious pass rush. I know that Ohio State doesn’t run many draws and that screens are often executed with wide receivers, but I would have liked to see running backs on screen passes. Since Stroud seemed willing to run a couple of sneaks for first downs, how about a quarterback draw?

Notre Dame’s defense is no doubt faster than most teams’ that OSU will face this year. Nonetheless, the Buckeyes are loaded with elite talent. It’s necessary to get the ball to big-time playmakers — guys like Henderson and Egbuka — in open space. The Bucks like to run the slot receiver (or tight end) in underneath the linebackers and hope for a good run after the catch. With the safeties back, it was hard for OSU to get the linebackers to drop deep into coverage to allow room for these plays.

What about passes to the backs or a delay pattern for the tight end? When your wideouts are depleted, and the defense has taken away deep posts, seam patterns, and long outs, you need to have some other arrows in your quiver.

Solutions


First of all, Stroud is going to be just fine. He has a couple of fairly easy (I would hope) games to regain his stride. He’s the best QB in the country, and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to show his stuff.

I don’t know how long Smith-Njigba and Fleming will be out. Not long, I hope; the injuries don’t sound all that serious. But Stroud will need to familiarize himself with other receivers. He already has a good rapport with Harrison Jr., Egbuka, Ballard, and Johnson will get more practice reps this week. And, against an opponent like Arkansas State, we may see one or more of the true freshmen receivers.

The running attack looked very good in the second half of the Notre Dame game. It needs to be used, with perhaps some more plays outside to pressure linebackers and corners and set up some passes. Passing more to the backs and to the tight ends would also be a good idea until JSN, especially, returns.

Just as the passing attack is probably the most unexpected problem for the Buckeyes to face, it’s probably also the easiest to fix. All of the parts, really good parts, are already in place. It was a big win, and the only damage from the unexpectedly modest passing attack is a drop behind Georgia in the AP Poll. I can’t see that it makes any difference at this point whether a team is ranked No. 2 or No. 3. There is quite a bit of football left to be played.

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