BuckeyeBeliever said:

I haven't posted on here a great deal, but it is so much better then
Bucknuts...

Clarity, I applaud your efforts.

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"Hate the player, not the game"

BuckeyeSoldier said:

I am at a crossroads. I believe it is time to try something different and new. I have spent the last 17 years of my life working in the medical field but I don't believe that is my future. This is an odd request for this site but it can't hurt right?

If anyone here is looking to hire someone I am looking for a new career. Some of you know me, some not so much but allow me to brag a little bit.

I was accepted in to Mensa, and consider myself to be a great problem solver.
5 years in the army and growing up on a farm has taught me to work hard.
16 years in the medical field means that almost nothing is too gross or awkward.
7 years drawing blood at children's hospital has taught me how to sell a needle stick to a 6 year old and how to make even the saddest or maddest person smile.
2 kids of my own means I wont ever stop or give up.

The only thing I really require is that whatever you need me to do, there is an opportunity for growth. I wont be stagnant anymore.

Hopefully this isn't out of line. I live in Newark, Ohio but I am willing to drive for an opportunity. Thank you all.

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I am glad you shared this with us. I completely understand, as a fellow veteran, I am pulling for you and hope you find something fulfilling. It is true, when you love your job, it Neve feels like you are going to work

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Royce City (TX) Royce City High School

Wide Receiver
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LovelandBuckeye said:

You actually went to class? Rookie move.

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What can I say? I'm a sucker.

For those that like stats:

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Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State, Iowa lead Dave Wannstedt’s post-Week 3 list
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

It's a new week, and the top two teams remain the same in Dave Wannstedt’s Big Ten Power Rankings. See his post-Week 3 list inside.

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ScriptOhio said:

Pac-12 admits refs botched Arizona State-Michigan State ending

No. 24 Arizona State beat Michigan State 10-7 on Saturday, a win that was preserved by a 12-men-on-the-field penalty that wiped away a game-tying field goal for the Spartans. Matt Coghlin‘s second attempt, this one from 47 yards, sailed wide right, allowing the Sun Devils to hold on for the win.

But it turns out there should have been a second penalty called.

The Pac-12 has announced its officials missed a penalty on Arizona State on Coghlin’s second, missed attempt.

“An Arizona State defensive player took a running start and leapt over the kicking team’s line in an attempt to block the kick. In the process, he leapt into the frame of the body of an opponent. The penalty would have been 15 yards from the previous spot and an automatic first down.

In this case, it would have been administered as half the distance to the goal and Michigan State would have been provided one untimed down.”

That penalty would have moved the Spartans up to the Arizona State 14-yard line, giving Coghlin a third attempt from just 31 yards out.

The Pac-12 provided no word on what, if any, internal accountability the officiating crew that missed such a crucial penalty will face.

Entire article: https://collegefootballtalk.nbcspor...-botched-arizona-state-michigan-state-ending/

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Woody and Bo lost some NCs in the Rose Bowl due to PAC officials until the Big Ten insisted on refs from outside both conferences.

MOTSAG Conference Progress Rep
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



I will be trying something new, but I think it’ll be another fun way to take the MOTSAG faithful into a whole new stratosphere with our new Conference Progress Report. Here we will take a look at the Big 10 Conference as a whole and grade each team from week to week. I may or may not take a stab at teams outside of the Big 10 and grade other conferences as well, but let’s focus on the Big 10 first.



#1: Wisconsin Badgers (2-0)

The Wisconsin Badgers have been a force to be reckoned with and in two games they have outscored opponents 110-0. In week 3 they are on a bye, but I will still have them ahead of our beloved Buckeyes for the time being at least. As much as I want to place them ahead, I cannot overlook the fact that they have yet to give up any points.

They look like a well-oiled machine and until someone knocks them off of their perch, I feel the need to leave them because technically they are perfect in the sense that they haven’t given up a point and they haven’t shown any weakness up to this point. They have the weapons to give other teams fits so for now, they sit as the top team in the Big 10. They also have Michigan at home so things could change.

#2: Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)

As much as I want to put them at the top, I am not prepared to at this point. It’s not that I am doubting them, I am pretty proud of this team so far, but they are sort of an unfinished product at this point. Yes, they have outscored opponents 138-31, but they need more time to develop.

The defense is terrific and they are very disruptive, and the tackling is definitely better, but I like they could improve a little bit more. Sacks are always going to be a thing for this years team, but I want consistency with getting turnovers. The pick-six from Arnette was a sight for sore eyes, but if they can become a little more consistent with takeaways, I will move them up accordingly.

#3: Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)

Okay, they barely skimmed by Pitt in a rivalry game, but they managed to pull it off. No harm, no foul on their part and I won’t penalize them for being tested. They have been a terror on offense and they have outscored opponents 141-30.

They showed their grit in week three and their defense answered the call to stop Pitt. They are disruptive, but if challenged with the right pressure, they looked somewhat beatable. Penn State always has weapons on offense, so they cannot be taken lightly, but they’re a solid team that could make noise.

#4: Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0)

The Iowa Hawkeyes were also tested against a feisty Iowa State team, but luck played its hand at the end of this one with one of the most dreadful punt return sequences I’ve seen in a while.

Lady luck certainly favored the Hawkeyes in this battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy, but they too were tested. Their offense took a step back and only managed 18 points, but a win is a win and they’ve been outscoring opponents 86-31. They aren’t as flashy as the top three but their system grinds teams down and they just win.

#5: Michigan Wolverines (2-0)

The hype train ran rampant throughout the and guess who started feeling themselves a little too early on into the season? Yup, you guessed it, the Team Up North definitely thought they would destroy teams cause of their talent alone, but no one got the memo that your Offensive Coordinator would need some time to adjust to the team as well.

Yes, he came from Alabama but come on it won’t work out that fast. They showed their potential against Middle Tennessee, but against Army, they barely escaped at home. They too are on a bye week, but with a trip to Madison on the horizon, we will see exactly what this team can do.

#6: Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-1)

Okay, some might feel like they are too high, but they can be that Big 10 West team that comes out of nowhere at home and guess who the Buckeyes play in week 5? I think highly of them because they have everything I need in a team. A speedy quarterback and a Blackshirt defense that should pose a challenge, especially since it’s a home game.

An explosive offense and a good defense are enough to keep me anxious, but since a lowly Colorado team could squeak out a win against this team, who knows. They travel to Illinois but they took it on the chin, so they may use them as a tune-up to prepare for Ohio State.



#7: Michigan State Spartans (2-1)

Michigan State appeared to have it all in the bag, but another bad loss to a young Arizona State team, this time at home, I cannot help but feel robbed at this point. They have a stifling defense, but the offense looks a bit outdated and boring.

They have been the thorn on Ohio State’s side for a little bit and this gets me pumped for the upcoming clash in Columbus, but they must defeat Northwestern in Evansville. They seem to be getting into their usual groove so we may see another good win for the Spartans or another tough loss.

#8: Northwestern Wildcats (1-1)

The Northwestern Wildcats took an early loss to Stanford and they looked like they had regressed. They beat UNLV and looked better offensively. They play a Spartans team that took a bad loss to Arizona State and even they are at home, they could get taken out.

Their defense is still the same disciplined team, but their offense is inconsistent. With Thorson leaving for the NFL, they look confused and they are not as explosive as the Cardiac Cats of old. They need to find an identity soon, but we will see if they can survive a clash with the Spartans.

#9: Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-0)

Don’t let the undefeated tag fool you, this team is very inconsistent and they have barely managed to avoid losses to South Dakota State, Fresno State, and wait for it… Georgia Southern. The common denominator is they won by the skin of their teeth, by a single score.

Sure, a win is a win and they managed to skim by, but come on. They should be able to be more consistent, but the talent is still trying to gel together. I get that, but I cannot help but feel like they should be a little bit better than what they are showing.

#10: Maryland Terrapins (2-1)

Fools gold! What was a high-octane offense, but they just flopped against Temple in a rivalry game in Philadelphia. Their offense was fine, but their defense has been atrocious. If they can run teams out of the stadium. they’ll be fine. If not, then they look completely beatable.

This team is improved and they did take the Buckeyes to the absolute limit a season ago. So they did they just run out of steam or have they peaked as a team too early into the season? Either way, they have a bye to figure it out before hosting Penn State.

#11: Indiana Hoosiers (2-1)

So the Hoosiers ran into a buzzsaw and they were trounced at home. They had two convincing wins against lesser teams, but it is evident that they aren’t ready for big boy football against more elite teams.

They stood no chance against a gritty Buckeye squad who is on a mission. Looking ahead, they need to refocus their efforts and recover against UConn. The jury is still out, but I believe Indiana can turn it around.



#12: Purdue Boilermakers (1-2)

The last team to upset the Buckeyes has struggled to produce wins against Nevada and TCU, but the most recent loss isn’t a bad one in my opinion. They could certainly rebound against a lowly Minnesota team that has managed to skim by.

Up to this point, the Boilermakers have been off and the jury is still out on this team. Their schedule looks pretty tough and they could have a bad season if things don’t change soon. For now, they are underachieving and they could sneak up on a few teams.

#13: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-1)

Well, the Scarlet Knights have been a tad bit better this season before they played Iowa. Either way, they look to be an improved team so far, but they very well might be the same old Rutgers team.

They have a tough schedule as well and they could struggle to make a bowl game once again. Unless they can sneak up on a couple of unsuspecting teams, but at this point, it is very doubtful. This team has some moxie and they can be explosive against the right opponent.

#14: Illinois Fighting Illini (2-1)

So Lovie Smith will have a hard time coming back from a bad loss against Eastern Michigan. Sure, he is 2-1 but he has to get his team back after such a devastating loss. It won’t be easy against Nebraska, but like the previous three or four, it might not be easy in the Big 10 schedule.

In what could be his last season, Smith would need a miracle to save his job. He would have to beat a good team or win all of his rivalry games before the end of the season. They should be relieved that Illibuck isn’t on the docket, but they could still mess it up for themselves.




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The Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0, BIG 1-0)defeat The Indiana Hoosiers (2-1, BIG 0-1)
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



In Justin Fields’ first true road game in the Big 10, he did well enough to help his team secure another win for the Buckeyes. Sure, he left some throws on the field, but at this point, we need to give him time as fans to adjust to the speed in just his third start. In the first three games, he has flashed and he continues to learn as the season ages, but we all have to love what he has flashed so far. He has yet to throw a pick and he has been efficient racking up 657 yards through the air and 9 scores. He is also pretty darn fast, but with Dobbins sharing the backfield, he doesn’t feel pressured to take off, but he has a respectable 114 yards and 4 rushing scores on the ground.

Against the Hoosiers, it was evidently an off game. He had a good performance, but he openly admitted that it wasn’t on par of what he expects of himself and what he is capable of. He was accurate when he had time, but when the Hoosiers brought the pressure and mix of his throwing mechanics caused the ball to sail high or he would miss the frame of the open receiver, but it is all about growing more comfortable when pressured in the pocket. Let’s not kid ourselves by saying that he is not having a productive season because he certainly is lighting it up and doing so in a perfectly balanced offense.

His backfield partner J.K. Dobbins also had himself a game against this Hoosier defense. He broke their will and also seemed to be breaking tackles at will while en route to a season-high 193-yard rushing performance highlighted by the 56-yard score as he bounced off of would-be defenders before finding the endzone. Even Dobbins’ backup Master Teague had himself a game as well. He played well while spelling Dobbins and he finished with 10 rushes for 106 yards and a touchdown. He too broke off a long 40-yard run toward the endzone.

One of the more underrated groups that have played well beyond anyone’s expectations to me would be the Slobs on the offensive line. They have been the glue that sparks this potent offensive attack and it is nice to see this group dominate up to this point. Thayer Munford has been playing lights out, the trio of internal linemen in Jackson, Myers, and Davis have been aggressive and have been mauling opposing defensive players, and my favorite out of the bunch Brandon Bowen is picking up where he left off before being lost for the season due to a leg injury two seasons ago. He is a lead by example type of leader and he has been showing it this season.

The Buckeye defense has been lights out as well and what an exciting time to be a Buckeye fan? They have been dominant and the coaches have found an identity and it is showing this season. In one of the worst defensive display in 2018, they would constantly get gashed with trick plays, splash plays, and even with swing passes, slants, and screens, but this defense is really playing with a swagger that we all have craved for. Better tackling, very few big plays, constant pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, sacks, and they are stuffing the run have been a sight for sore eyes and what better exclamation point that the pick-six in the red zone by Damon Arnette? He took it back and it brought us all back to the times where the team thrived and excelled at turning defense to offense.

Yes, all is well in the Buckeye Kingdom and it has been one hell of a ride, but Indiana, Cincinnati, and FAU are small samples of the teams potential. Up next is Miami (OH) and yes, they will be another small sample and I think it’ll be another stellar offensive show, but at this point, Ohio State’s depth and talent are showing up and beating these teams up. Don’t get me wrong, I love everything I have seen so far, they were a little inconsistent in week 1, they look motivated and earned that shutout in week 2, and week three, they exploited the talent gap and in week 4 it looks to be the same.

For now, we should enjoy the balance and the early part of the schedule. The fireworks have given us a glimpse of what they are capable of and they can definitely use the momentum before returning to the conference games. The non-conference slate hasn’t been that competitive, but since TCU backed out, they need to make sure they do not play to the opponents level and just impose your will against these other teams and just enjoy the ride. The goals for this team will always remain high, but let us take it a single game at a time.






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Ohio State has the third-best chance to reach the College Football Playoff
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The AllState Playoff Predictor favors the Buckeyes over other top teams.


Ohio State has done about all it can do so far this season, knocking off three inferior opponents with ease. While their current rank in the polls still has them locked in at No. 6, the Buckeyes are very much trending upwards, and according to the AllState Playoff Predictor, they have looked like one of the best teams in the nation, coming in with the third-best odds to make the College Football Playoff — behind just Clemson and Alabama.

The Tigers unsurprisingly lead the pack with a 78 percent chance at finishing in a playoff spot, which considering they likely won’t play another ranked team this season makes a ton of sense. Alabama is right behind them at 75 percent, playing a slightly tougher schedule including No. 4 LSU, but with clearly one of the top units in the country. Ohio State somewhat surprisingly has the third-highest odds at 43 percent despite a gauntlet of a remaining schedule, which still includes three top-15 matchups against Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan.

The Buckeyes have yet to play a real top-tier opponent in 2019, but their performance through their first three games of the season would seem to show they are ready to compete at the highest level. Entering the season with a bunch of unknowns, with a new head coach in Ryan Day and new quarterback in Justin Fields, there have been no signs of a hiccup. The offense is clicking, and a defense that struggled mightily last season has looked dominant in its new system.

There will be a ton of shakeup coming in the rankings moving forward, starting with this week’s matchup between No. 3 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame, the first two teams behind OSU in the playoff predictor. Of note, UCF is given better odds than any Pac-12 team with a nine percent chance, just ahead of Oregon at eight percent. Michigan, who began the year as the favorite in the Big Ten, has dropped all the way down to a one percent chance to make the playoff after two lackluster performances.


Ohio State’s offense under Ryan Day has been constantly improving and very impressive to start the year, with nobody having a bigger performance thus far than J.K. Dobbins’ effort on Saturday against Indiana. After his domination of the Hoosiers this past weekend, Dobbins was named one of the Big Ten’s Co-Offensive Players of the Week, sharing the honor with Minnesota’s Tyler Johnson.

The junior running back racked up 193 rushing yards on 22 attempts with two touchdowns — one rushing and one receiving. It was Dobbins’ second huge performance in Bloomington in as many visits, with a 181-yard effort in his first career start for the Buckeyes at Indiana in 2017. The third-year back had his full skillset on display in this one, breaking tackles, finding the right gaps and leaving defenders in the dust with his burst of speed. Despite his longest run of the day being a 56-yard scamper, his most impressive play on the day was his 26-yard TD in which he broke six or seven tackles en route to the end zone.

Dobbins has already rushed for 425 yards on the season, the most of any player in the Big Ten. The 5-foot-10, 217-pound wrecking ball entered the 2019 season having already amassed the most yards of any Ohio State running back in their first two seasons, with his 2,456 yards through two years surpassing even Archie Griffin’s 2,444 in his first two years in Columbus. If Dobbins is able to put up a third-straight 1,000-yard season — which he is on his way to accomplishing with ease — he would rank third all-time in program history through three years, behind just Griffin and Ezekiel Elliot.


A sight that may strike some fear and bad memories into Ohio State fans, the Buckeyes Big Ten battle with Nebraska on Sept. 28 will be a night game, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST in Lincoln.

Coming into the season, this was a game many believed to be the potential Big Ten West trap game that has plagued OSU the past two seasons. While a 3:30 p.m. game wound up an embarrassing blowout defeat at the hands of Iowa in 2017, it was more recently a 7:30 p.m. start that effectively ended the Buckeyes’ season, with a shocking 49-20 defeat on the road to Purdue.

There is certainly reason to be a bit concerned about the Nebraska game this year. The Cornhuskers, in their second year under Scott Frost, will have a ton on the line. After beginning the year ranked, they faltered in an OT loss to Colorado in their second game this season. A win against Ohio State would be a chance to completely change the outlook of the program, and it is almost certainly the Huskers’ most important game of the year. In addition, Nebraska will likely debut their black alternates for the contest, looking to channel the “look good, play good” mantra.

Fortunately for the Buckeyes, things are different this time around. Ryan Day has seen the horrors of what can happen when you play down to an opponent on the road, especially in conference. Ohio State will be on high alert, and looking to do everything possible to avoid another huge letdown to a Big Ten West team. This year’s team looks like it has championship makeup, and they will hope to put that on display with a big win in a hostile environment on the road at night.

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Ohio State fans are very confident in the Buckeyes, while FanPulse keeps them at No. 6
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ranking stays at No. 6, confidence stays at 100%.

Another week, another Buckeye beat down. While the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 51-10 win over the Indiana Hoosiers didn’t do much to change their standing in the AP, Coaches, or SB Nation FanPulse polls, it certainly helped maintain OSU fans’ confidence in the direction of the program.


As they were in last week’s SB Nation FunPulse Top 25, the Buckeyes sit in sixth, behind No. 1 Clemson, No. 2 Alabama, and No. 3 Georgia. However, following Week 3, Oklahoma and LSU flip-flopped, so that the Tigers are in fourth, and the Sooners in fifth.

However, those numbers look a little different in the Land-Grant Holy Land version of the poll, where the Bucks sit in third behind Clemson and ‘Bama. In the LGHL poll, OSU’s Oct. 26 opponent the Wisconsin Badgers is the second-highest rated Big Ten team coming in at No. 11. TTUN is at 13th (two spots lower than in the national SBN poll), and Penn State is in 14th.

Sign up for the new SB Nation FanPulse Top 25 here


Other B1G teams in the LGHL Top 25 are Iowa (18), somehow Michigan State (22), and Maryland (24); really guys? Oddly, that’s not B1G bias on the last two teams — both of whom lost — to unranked opponents this weekend, because MSU and Maryland came in at the exact same spots in the national poll as well.

Check out both the LGHL and SBN polls below:


The other aspect of the FanPulse survey is for every fan to answer whether or not they are confident in the direction of the program. Not surprisingly, for the second week in a row, every single Ohio State fan surveyed said that they were. Go Bucks!



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The Ohio State Rushing Attack is Here to Take Your Lunch
George Eisner via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Ryan Day’s offensive diversification has opened up a world of possibilities for the Buckeyes.

Jim Tressell and Urban Meyer played two very different styles of offensive football during their respective tenures as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Tressell stuck to the traditional “three yards and a cloud of dust” mantra that the Big Ten Conference built its brand on, while Meyer was known the world over for bringing spread packages to the highest levels of college football.

However, if there’s one similarity that links the two of them, it’s that each became too predictable with the basic concepts of their offense as time wore on. Tressell leaned far too heavily on the infamous interior runs affectionately known to Buckeye nation as “Dave,” while Meyer’s steady diet of read options continued to define Ohio State on early downs even after J.T. Barrett handed the reigns over to a much slower Dwayne Haskins.

It was reasonable to assume Ryan Day would merely be an extension of Urban Meyer in his own first season as head coach given the sudden regime change, but through three games, Day has shown he’s committed to blending both styles of football that have come to define Ohio State over the last two decades. As a result, Day’s adopted sons of Columbus already look more like Chameleons at this stage than traditional Buckeyes.

Ohio State’s 51-10 drubbing of the Indiana Hoosiers served as the best example of this. After sputtering out on their opening drive and missing a field goal, Justin Fields and company would come out on their next series and proceed to conduct a symphony of offense for the remainder of the half.

Below, they begin their first scoring drive of the day with a solid power run out of a spread formation against a six man front. Wyatt Davis continues to show tremendous lateral movement on pulls, and J.K. Dobbins gets a perfect seal-off block from Jake Hausmann that takes the two remaining tacklers in the box out of the play:


Fields hurries the team back to the line for their next play, and lines up under-center for the next snap. Though Indiana is playing two of their safeties back, their defense in preoccupied with not giving up another respectable gain on the ground after surrendering five yards to Dobbins just a few seconds earlier. This puts them in a very vulnerable position for a play action pass, and although Fields doesn’t give a great throw after getting a clean roll-out, Chris Olave has nearly the entire right side of the field to himself on his comeback route because of Indiana’s anxiety about trying to stop the run:


Fields and Dobbins eventually make their way into the red zone before this beautiful zone running play out of a pistol formation set the Buckeyes up for a first and goal. Indiana stacks the box with an eight man front here and is still powerless to do anything because of the scrum the zone running scheme creates. Josh Myers does a great job of slipping out here to get to the next level and block the Mike linebacker, and although Rashod Berry is late on his assignment, Dobbins is already poised to fall forward for a first down by the time he’s met at the point of attack anyway. The broken tackles are just the icing on the cake:


Indiana’s rushing anxiety would put them on their heels the entire game. The next play served as an excellent example of this despite the fact that Dobbins ended up biffing what would have been the easiest touchdown of his career. Fields comes out under-center again immediately after the Hoosiers just got gashed on the previous play, and all three of Indiana’s Mike/Sam/Jack linebackers take steps in towards Dobbins anticipating an interior run. By the time the switch goes off in their heads that it’s another play action fake, Dobbins has already leaked out to the edge for a walk-in touchdown. Unfortunately, the man came down with a temporary case of Chase Young concrete hands:


From then on, the tone for the game was set. Ohio State continued to use under-center formations with a no-huddle tempo to sucker Indiana into play action fakes that set up the Buckeyes for monster gains. Here’s a play nearly identical to the one that went to Olave earlier that goes to Austin Mack on the same side of the field. This followed a third down conversion on the ground from Dobbins, and while Indiana’s linebackers do a good job this time of not biting on the fake, Fields still has all day to deliver a far more accurate ball to Mack than the previous one to Olave:


Though that drive ultimately resulted in a punt, a similar narrative would emerge shortly after the Buckeyes got the ball back again. Facing a 3rd & short, Ohio State rotates Master Teague III into the game, and Indiana responds by once again stacking the box. The line creates a lovely mess of a zone scrum, Hausmann and Berry get excellent seal-offs on the edge, and Teague is able to rumble comfortably to a first down:


Alright, so at this point, can you guess what Ohio State wants to do on their next play? The Hoosiers are helpless to stop anything on the ground the Buckeyes throw at them, having just given up a third down conversion to a backup running back despite stacking the box. Fields comes out under-center again, hits the defense with a play action fake, and both of Indiana’s safeties are way too eager to play the run on first down. Olave gets a couple of steps on his man-to-man matchup, and suddenly Ohio State has a two score lead:


Wait, wasn’t this article supposed to be about the run game? Well, yes, but it’s important to see the relationship that these play action passes have with respect to keeping the defense honest. Ryan Day’s contextual play-calling eventually forced Indiana to stop selling out before the snap, as seen on Ohio State’s first play of their next series.

Having just blown their responsibilities over the top, Indiana’s cornerbacks focus squarely on their receivers while the safeties ensure their first steps are backwards towards coverage. Ohio State opts for a zone sweep on their first play of this drive, and while Myers and Jonah Jackson do a poor job of communicating to pick up Indiana’s Mike linebacker, Jackson makes up for it by getting to the next level and pancaking the safety. The Mike whiffs on taking down Dobbins in the backfield, and Myers gets enough of a block on his matchup to allow Dobbins to break free of the tackle for a 55+ yard gain:


A short while later came the highlight of the day for the Ohio State offense. Facing 3rd & 6 on the doorstep of the Hoosier redzone with about four minutes left in the half, Ryan Day opted to call another zone sweep to the weakside. This time, the Buckeyes have a trips right that forces the secondary to commit to the strongside, and Indiana shoots themselves in the foot with a delayed lineman shift that sends them away from the direction Dobbins is going.

This allows Myers and Davis to get to the next level immediately, and they both take full advantage of the opportunity. Myers seals-off the Will linebacker on the edge of the line of scrimmage, and Davis takes the Mike linebacker out of the play before he can even see the block coming. Dobbins makes a beautiful cut back inside underneath Davis, and the rest is just grown man strength:


Ohio State didn’t just lean on zone blocking for the rest of the game, however. Part of the reason the Buckeyes finished with two hundred-yard rushers on the day was exactly because they kept mixing up their running styles for the duration of the contest. Here’s the exact same play the Buckeyes ran to Dobbins in this article’s first highlight above, only this time it goes to Teague. Indiana aligns themselves out of position given the likely direction of the running back in a shotgun formation, which lets Davis crush the weakside defensive end on his pulling block while Jeremy Ruckert follows up with an excellent seal-off on the Will linebacker. Teague makes an awesome cut in space, hits the safety with a stiff-arm, and then shocks everyone watching with his open-field speed:


Although Indiana’s poor individual and team tackling led to many of Ohio State’s big plays on the afternoon, this game showed you exactly how dangerous the Buckeye rushing attack can be this season when all cylinders are clicking in the offensive engine. Ryan Day has tremendous confidence in his offensive linemen with respect to their understanding of both zone assignments and power responsibilities, regardless of whether the play comes from a traditional under-center look or a modern spread formation. This allows Ohio State to run comfortably in most situations outside of 3rd & long, and puts Fields in position to unleash devastating play action passes when the offense is playing up-tempo.

And I’ve waited until the end to throw praise on him, but my god, what an absolutely special player J.K. Dobbins is shaping up to be this year. Most running backs playing behind a line with this kind of positional intelligence are going to post solid numbers, but Dobbins’ ability to read the right holes, finish runs through contact, and punish weak tacklers is going to pay dividends for the Buckeyes all season. After a year on hiatus, it appears the Ohio State rushing attack is poised for an enormous bounce-back, and that should terrify absolutely every team in the Big Ten that previously though they’d only have to worry about limiting Justin Fields.

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Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0) VS Indiana Hoosiers (2-0)
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 Saturday will be Ohio State’s first true road game and what better way celebrate that with it being their first conference game of the season? Justin Fields has been more impactful at home, in front of the home fans, but we have never seen him away from the confines of the shoe–at least not up to this point of the season. Both teams stand at 2-0 with dominant wins against mediocre teams, but this is a step up in competition and talent for both teams and not to understate things, it looks to be another exciting game.

Michael Penix Jr, Game Time Decision

The heart and soul of this Hoosier offense lay squarely on the shoulders of Penix, but will he be available for the game against Ohio State? Penix carries a lot of the responsibilities and he accounts for a lot of the offense and its production. In two games, he is 38-40 for 523 yards and 3 touchdowns against 2 interceptions. He also has 79 yards rushing, which has been a problem for the Ohio State defense of old. Will they suffer from the same problems with a faster, in conference team? Or will they put the clamps on and win convincingly once again?

Depending on his health, Penix should get the starting nod, but just in case Peyton Ramsey will be asked to step in once again, in a familiar role as a starter. He was the guy in the last two season and he is a baller. A dual-threat QB that has gone 442-666, for 4,353 passing yards and 31 touchdowns against 18 interceptions. He also has 580 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground. He is more than capable of giving the Buckeyes fits, but that is if he can take care of the ball.

Fields/Dobbins Hot Streak

Justin Fields has been on quite a tear and the trail could heat up a bit more. 38-50 with 6 scores through the air. He also has 21 rushes for 103 yards and 3 more scores. Can he continue to light teams up and will he bring the explosive offense to Bloomington? Will he get his entire offense more involved and can they maintain the momentum against a Big 10 foe? Justin Fields is certainly up for the challenge, but will Indiana throw everything at Ohio State to confuse the young quarterback?

J.K. Dobbins ignited last weeks onslaught against the Cincinnati Bearcats and he too is looking to help his team during the current hot-streak. Although he hasn’t been a consistent part of this offense, when he gets his chance, he doesn’t disappoint. Dobbins has racked up 232 yards with three scores on the ground. He ripped his season-long of 60 yards against Cincinnati before leaving to give his stablemates some reps. Will he continue to terrorize defenses with his blend of speed and power?

The Chase Young Show

Let’s be real, the Indiana Offensive Line has a chance to stop one of the most dominant defensive forces and Ohio State’s Chase Young can certainly be that game-breaker to break past often. This defense led by Young is allowing 186 passing yards and 64.5 rushing yards and they say that they haven’t even scratched the surface or reached their stride. This version of the Buckeye defense has lived up to the hype and they have vastly improved over the tutelage of the new defensive coaching hires.

They play fast and aggressive, and more importantly, they are playing with a chip on their shoulder. Can this new-look defense get to and affect this quarterback? This line still hasn’t given up a sack and this will be a good test to gauge their progress. I can see Young and his teammates making Penix or Ramsey miserable, but we will have to see how it develops. The linebackers and defensive backs have improved, but against a conference foe, it’ll be the measuring stick before the meat of their schedules.

Zone 6 Machine

Zone 6 has been one of the best position groups on the team and they are deep at that position for the third year in a row. They aren’t as quick as last years group, but they still manage to break away and make splash plays happen for Fields and the offense. Victor, Hill, and Olave have been terrors. They have been consistent through two games, but I feel that they have been underutilized and it’ll change soon. They have been the focal point, but once they start clicking, watch out. Balance is the name of the game and so far, the Buckeyes have done well to mix in the run and the pass. Once the offense gets comfortable and once the passing game is leaned upon, it’ll be crazy.

The Tight End room has also been targeted more often compared to the recent years at Ohio State, and Ohio State has joined the party. In the first week, Ruckert had a couple of scores and it showed another dimension to the Buckeye offense. Not only will they be used to block defenders, but they also flash their skills in limited action. It acts as another piece to the puzzle for defenses to decipher. Teams are having trouble, but let’s be real, we relish the productivity of this offense.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

• Fields VS Secondary
• Defensive Front VS O-Line
• Back Seven VS Speedy WR’s
• Linebackers VS Penix/Ramsey/Scott
• Slobs VS Hoosier D-Line

PREDICTION

Ohio State Buckeyes defeat Indiana Hoosiers 48-20

Indiana seems to always shock the Buckeyes enough to hinder their offense and that streak looks to continue. It’ll be tough, but once the Buckeyes get it going, it’ll be hard to stop. I can see the starters putting the game out of hand by the 3rd quarter and I expect the backups to gain more valuable reps against Indiana’s first and second teams.










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The Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0) defeat The Cincinnati Bearcats (1-1)
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



With the return of Buckeye football, the much-anticipated return of Luke Fickell was one of the most frequent stories of the offseason. Would Coach Fickell be out to make a statement? How amped up would his team be after using the most effective way to place huge chips on the shoulders of the Ohio kids that were deemed as not being good enough to don the scarlet and gray?

It definitely worked for a little bit as a few players from the Bearcat roster played with that chip and they began chirping at the Ohio State DB’s–more so with Damon Arnette. The game looked to be another tightly contested game with two defenses battling it out, but the flood gates opened up and Dobbins provided that spark after he scores on a short scamper and then ripped off an impressive 60-yard dash to the endzone. Dobbins showed his burst and quickness, and he definitely swung the momentum in the Buckeyes favor for good. He finished with 17 total carries and 141 yards and a healthy 8.3 average before he was pulled, but he will be leaned on heavily when they travel to Indiana.

In relief duties, Master Teague showed his power and vision that secures the future, if or when Dobbins decides to take it to the next level. The rushing attack was clearly the focus and the Buckeyes racked up 270 yards and 4 total TD’s. Dobbins and Fields had two apiece, but Fields was also highly efficient through the air where he finished 20-25 for 224 yards and two passing TD’s to the highly touted true freshman Garrett Wilson and his last to K.J. Hill. Wilson in limited snaps showed why he was one of the best receivers to come out of high school and his hands? They are solid! He took that ball out of the sky in traffic to secure the first collegiate touchdown of his young career.

The offense put on another show and this time, they did not lay off the gas pedal and they put in their first complete game of the season before giving way to the backups. The same thing can be said for the defense as they secured their first complete game and the backups with a clutch turnover in the red zone to secure the shutout. The Buckeyes had zero turnovers, but Dobbins almost coughed it up again, but a penalty negated the fumble. They also forced two turnovers, one interception off a deflection and the fumble toward the end of the game and a blocked field goal. The defense also relentlessly harassed the Bearcat offense and had five sacks for the day. They barely let splash plays develop, but the Tight End and the slants were there, but not as frequently as before. They look motivated and the tackling and the discipline is evident.

Justin Fields was very deadly over the first two weeks, and he will be tested in week 3 as the Buckeyes travel to Indiana for his first true road test as a Buckeye. He is capable of making the correct read and he has the awareness to throw the ball away if the play isn’t there and those choices will be important on the road. Awesome game from start to finish and the momentum is definitely building up. The Slobs are also gelling and it is beginning to show. They need to build on it and as the games get tougher, I think they’ll be an important factor. If the entire team can keep it up and avoid the late-season letdown, the Buckeyes could find themselves in the big dance. They cannot get complacent and they must stay consistent. Another great win against an even better team in Cincinnati. It was their first big test and they met or exceeded expectations. The tests will keep coming and we will see you next week Buckeye Nation.




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The Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0) VS The Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)
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



After just a single week in the books, both Cincinnati and Ohio State are looking to add another win to their season record to begin the season 2-0. Both teams came off of impressive wins a week ago and they would like to add to the momentum in this collision course of two of Ohio’s best college teams. A lot is on the line with this matchup and this could be one of those hotly contested games that are sure to be packed full of dramatic twists and turns.

Luke’s Return Home

To start this bit, there is a lot of anticipation regarding the return of former player, former Defensive Coordinator, and former Interim Head Coach Luke Fickell. You could say that he inadvertently brought us Urban Meyer after a dreadful 6-6 season, but I think those wounds healed after both Coach Meyer and Coach Fickell brought reigned in the 2014 College Football Playoff Championship.

He remained Coach Meyer’s Co-Defensive Coordinator up until he took the Head Coaching job for the Cincinnat Bearcats in December of 2016. Now here we are, a face from the past who bled scarlet is has returned to face his old team, his alma mater and the new face of the team, Coach Ryan Day. Will Coach Fickell be able to pull off the in-state upset over another good Buckeye team? Or will he feel the wrath of the Buckeyes?

We all know that before he sets foot in the Shoe, he will have his team ready to go. The offense looked legit too, so hopefully, they can contain them. This will definitely be their first big test because the Ohio kids against Ohio State factor still always seems to haunt the Buckeyes. Will the Buckeyes shut them down and play their first complete game of the season? Or will they play with their heads on fire and go vanilla when they think the game is out of reach?

Ball Security Issue?

J.K. Dobbins may have played with aggression, but he did have a key giveaway that seemed to swing the momentum in FAU’s way in the second and third quarters. Sure, he is playing fast and he is being more decisive when running, but what use is that after giving up a turnover? Listen, I love the way he is running. He is running hard, but he is also being impatient and is running straight into defenders. He is running away from openings and being impatient–and that is what is the most frustrating part.

Dobbins is a beast, I will not deny that, but to be successful he needs to hit the holes fast after they have developed and most importantly, he should take better care of the ball. He racked up 21 carries for 91-yards, he had a catch that went for 14-yards and he had a rushing score, so it’s not like I hate his play. He goes up against a stout defensive unit that so happens to have a former coach. He needs to buckle up for war.

Under The Lights

Justin Fields has been impressive, but under the lights in the Shoe, he needs to show a little more consistency in his game. Like Dobbins, he has a bad exchange during an RPO play and it resulted in another turnover for the Buckeyes. He played lights out for the first 6 minutes of the game but after that barrage of points, the FAU defense forced a string of punts that negated the offensive attack and the overall flow of the game for the Buckeyes.

By simply executing a variety of blitz packages that both pressured the offensive line and Fields. Enter Coach Fickell and his band of Ohio kids that have a huge chip on their shoulder after being deemed as not good enough to don the scarlet and gray. This could spell disaster for the Buckeyes in an early tilt and Fields’ first big test against a stout and motivated defense. Can he overcome his inexperience? Will he be able to dissect the Bearcats defense and avoid the sacks and the turnovers that they routinely get? Malik Vann, a Cincinnati kid will be a player to watch and he will be looking to shut down the offense.

Defensive Struggle

The overall theme for this game revolves around the term “defense” and this could be one of those games where it is the key to winning. The Silver Bullets flashed in week 1 and they did so well they gave some reps to the younger players to build their confidence. There are a ton of talented reserve players, but I feel they need more to further develop because a few of there were getting worked in mop-up time.

Chase Young and company will be looking to control the trenches and they better play disciplined because one of those that got away so happens to be one of Cincinnati’s best playmakers. Michael Warren II, an Ohio kid who got away was one that I particularly wanted and he is a major weapon for the Bearcats. Desmond Ridder will attempt to confuse this potent Buckeye defense with his arms and his legs. Can the Buckeyes shut them down? Will it be another nail-biter?

Five Match-Ups To Watch

• Fields vs Cincinnati DB’s
• Dobbins vs Cincinnati Front Seven
• Harrison/Borland/Werner vs Warren/Cincinnati TE’s in the seam
• Arnette/Okudah/Wade vs Cincinnati WR’s
• Slobs vs Cincinnati Front/Bliztes

PREDICTION

Buckeyes def. Cincinnati 52-20

• Fields: 19-26, 287 passing yards, 3 TD’s/10 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
• Dobbins: 22 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD
• Defense: 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD (still want that!)

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Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) defeat Florida Atlantic Owls (0-1)
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



The Ryan Day Era at Ohio State has begun, and boy, you have to like what you just witnessed. In a span of a couple of minutes, the Buckeyes erased any remaining concerns or doubts with the offense and its new additions. You can also say the same for the defense as well because they played like their heads were on fire and with an urgency that we have all been crying for. In a season of new, the Buckeyes went out and made somewhat of a statement in their season debut. It wasn’t mistake-free football but after one game they looked pretty good, but now Coach Day has the tools to fix a few things as the season matures.

The Justin Fields Show

Justin Fields, a former 5-star dual-threat quarterback had high expectations for him coming out high school. He chose to stay close to home and enrolled at the University of Georgia. He sat behind fell behind Fromm and he then decided to use the transfer portal to find his next home for his shot to play. Fields brought more expectations and some well-warranted hype after his decision to go to a university like Ohio State.

As soon as he arrived, Fields was tabbed to as Dwayne Haskins’ successor, but he had to beat out fellow transfer portal quarterback Gunnar Hoak. Once named as the starter, the distractions were tuned out. Fields began his Ohio State career with a bang as he racked up chunk plays on four straight drives to put the Buckeyes up 28-0. Although a lovely sight to see, the FAU Owls eventually found their stride and forced a punt in consecutive drives–effectively rendering Ohio State ineffective on offense.

Fields’ speed was evident and his accuracy was noticeable. He did not force any bad passes into tiny windows and he had the awareness to slide or run out of bounds to protect himself. The depth at his position is fairly new and unproven, so at least he is aware of his importance. 18/25 for 234 yards, 12 carries for 61 yards, with 4 total touchdowns aren’t bad numbers, but there is certainly some room for improvement and I am confident that he will continue to improve as the season goes on. He had a lateral pass that resulted in a fumble, but look for Coach Day to fine-tune the offense against Cincinnati. It would be unrealistic if you think it was a perfect game for him, but he is well on his way to becoming an integral part of this offense.

Playmakers Paradise

The Buckeyes lost a lot of their offensive playmakers to the NFL after the 2018 season, but today they showed no dropoff in production. Campbell, Dixon, and McLaurin were all team captains and the majority of the offense revolved around those three, but in 2019 they returned Hill, Victor, Saunders, and Mack to take their place as the pulse of the offense. They also have a few younger stars like Olave and Wilson to add quality depth to the Zone 6 group to add some sizzle to the 2nd team offensive attack to keep opposing teams second-guessing.

The playmakers aren’t limited to just the guys in Zone 6, we saw a re-emergence with the Tight End group and we witnessed an uptick in their usage. Former #1 Tight End Jeremy Ruckert gathered his first two TD’s in a good showing during year two. He finished the game with 4 catches for 38 yards and two scores.

The Cadillac position or Tote Nation also showed out and had 178 total yards and two TD’s between the four backs, which is good, but they were far from perfect due to the Dobbins fumble that might have swung the momentum in FAU’s favor for a short period of time. What could be Dobbins’ last year, he was noticeably more decisive when carrying the rock. He looks bigger and stronger, and he runs with more purpose and aggression. His stablemates McCall, Teague, and Crowley all showed out as well, gaining the tough, hard-fought yardage putting any doubts about the future in check.

Trench Warfare

The Slobs have been iffy and after numerous losses in the trenches, the Buckeyes had to re-build the Offensive Line when they returned a single starter in Thayer Munford. The new-look line features a bunch of former 5 stars and they look like a talented and deep group. From the left to right, Munford, former Rutgers guard Jackson, Myers, Davis, and Bowen look to re-establish the Slob standard in 2019. They blocked well in the beginning before getting lazy as the game progressed. It gave me a bit of hope but like all things, it is a work in progress this early into the season and they gave up a couple of sacks in the process.

On the opposite end of the trenches, the Rushmen played spectacularly and to their standard lead by Chase Young. Young himself gathered 1.5 sacks by himself and his position group had a total of 4 for the game. They are definitely playing with the urgency even after the departure of Dre’Mont Jones and Nick Bosa. They had a few key players that were banged up and unable to play, but the future of this position is bright.

Back Seven Improvement

The back seven of the defense became the running theme of the 2018 season because they were plain bad. Poor angles, missed tackles and chunk plays plagued them the entirety of the season and naturally, they would be one of the major stories coming into the 2019 season. After a single game, they improved under Coach Mattison, Coach Washington, and Coach Hafley simplifying things to make them read and diagnose plays quicker. It worked and they look like the Silver Bullets of old, flying all around the field and making sure tackles time after time.

The new zone scheme and the DB’s tracking the ball has helped, but later in the game the seams were ripe for the picking and FAU was able to move the ball. Like every other topic, it is a work in progress because it was far from perfect. Werner showed his speed but he overran the play and missed out on a sack in the second half. The improvement is obvious and back-up Safety Josh Proctor came away with a turnover, so it’ll get better–I promise you.

Overall Analysis

The Buckeyes are 1-0 with many pluses and a few negatives, but they are minor fixes. Fields played good and the offense clicked with him at the helm, but the dropoff after the scorching start was evident. The Running Backs are beasts that all play hard, but ball security needs to be in their minds after turning it over. Zone 6 and it’s Tight Ends are going to be hard to account for and they bring a needed balance to the offensive attack. Finally, the defense played well and if they continue to improve, they will be a force to be reckoned with.






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The FAU Owls (0-0) VS The Ohio State Buckeyes (0-0)
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



We are now within 24-hours folks! We all have waited and seen the offseason develop and now we are so close to game time, I can barely contain myself–and I am positive that you all can’t do it either! After another offseason that featured a few more key players departing to live their dreams in the NFL, I cannot begin to tell you how much they will be missed, but we will be fine. Talent at Ohio State comes and goes, but they always restock to perceived “bare” cupboard. Let’s see how the cupboard stacks up against the Florida Atlantic Owls in my new 24-hour preview with five burning storylines.

The transfer portal savior comes in as the first and probably the most important on this makeshift board of mine. The “bare” cupboard (the quarterback room) was one of the major storylines that haunted the Buckeyes in the offseason and with the sudden departure of Matthew Baldwin, the position looked grim, but the Buckeyes added the aforementioned Fields and Hoak to bolster their depth, with Fields beating out Hoak for the starting position for the Buckeyes.

Fields certainly has the hype behind him, even before the spring game, but he seems poised to become the leader of this offensive charge. He will replace Dwayne Haskins who left to become the Redskins’ first-round pick. Fields has the wheels to run and the gun to sling the ball to his playmakers, but will we see a slow-developing rise? Or will he come out guns blazing in what could be a tune-up match with an overmatched Owls team?

J.K. Dobbins returns from what he himself has called as a sub-par season at the Buckeyes Cadillac position, he will attempt to redeem himself in the 2019 season. In a season where he logged 1,053 rushing yards and 263 yards receiving, he is looking for more yardage in what could be his last season at Ohio State. He will look to best his 12 TD total to establish himself as a legendary Buckeye RB and leave his mark.

He is a shifty runner and he can handle passes out of the backfield, which suits the offensive scheme. He will be leaned upon heavily to occupy the defenders in the box IF Fields cannot sustain the aerial assault, Dobbins will start up the ground assault, but he has reinforcements in long-forgotten Demario McCall and Master Teague. They also have two-studs in Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers lying in wait if or when the game gets out of hand. Can this stable of backs, especially the Dobbins make an immediate impact? Can they place the game out of reach to earn some rest to prepare for a tough game against Cincy and their former coach?

The question is will the Slobs play to their usual standard? The Slobs are usually great year in and year out, but with the departure Prince, Jordan, and Knox, can the next generation of slobs live up to the expectation and help Dobbins gash offenses? With a nearly-new starting five of Munford, Jackson, Myers, Davis, and Bowen can they be another nasty starting five?

Branden Bowen has healed from his season-ending injury a season ago, and he has thrust himself into a starting role beating former five-star Nicholas Petite-Frere for the job. He does have the potential to go out with a bang and what better opportunity than this season with being an integral part of a potentially lethal offense? His fellow slobs are also fighting to retain their reputation as Munford returns to man to blindside, former Rutgers stud enters the fray as the starting Left Guard, another former five-star talent in Myers finally grabs a starting role at Center and the same for Davis at Right Guard. The depth is there as well, but for now, the starters will look to secure the trenches for Fields and Dobbins. Can they live up to the standard or even exceed it as the season winds down.

Damon Arnette left NFL money for another season for redemption in the Scarlet and Gray. The story a year ago was his inability to cover and the consistent penalties incurred, but with a new position coach in Hafley, he had to come back to prove himself. He, along with Okudah and Wade have all secured their usual spots can the trio regain their BIA swag? Or will they fall further away from the standard that has been a constant for the past few years?

On the back end, at the Safety positions, Jordan Fuller also turned down the NFL for one more season at Ohio State. He will pair up with Brendon White, who broke out last season and became an impact player once he received his shot. Can they DB’s reduce the poorly-timed penalties and live up to the BIA reputation? Or will they go through the growing pain along the way with their new secondary coach? Will the takeaways become their specialty once again? Or will they continue to get gashed by opposing the offensive playmakers time and time again? Can they stop the constant bleeding and negate those same playmakers?

Lastly, to go along with the defense, can the Linebacking Corps recover from what was a horrible year from the defensive side of the ball–particularly with the play from this group. Tuf Borland and Pete Werner always seemed to be out of position and opposing offenses picked on them. Will they be able to put those worries to rest with two more new, but familiar coaches in Washington and Mattison? Can they be counted on since they have regained their roles as starters?

Another question is can the backups get some reps to carve out their roles once the game gets out of hand? Make no mistake, the trio of Pope, Browning, and Mitchell are ballers, but they fell behind the seasoned vets who were starters a year ago and that it is nothing to be ashamed about. They will most likely carve out crucial roles as backups, but the trio of thumpers will be something to watch during mop-up duty. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them inserted into starting roles later in the season if nothing changes for the defense.

PREDICTION:

Ohio State defeats FAU 49-13.

Ohio State will start out rusty and eventually right the ship, both on offense and defense. The starters will gain much-needed reps and put the game out of reach by halftime and then earn well-deserved rest in the third quarter. Fields will rack up 210 yards through the air with a pair of TD’s and 45 yards on the ground. Dobbins will tear it up and go for a minimum of 100 yards and a TD with a couple of catches out of the backfield. Hill and Zone 6, along with the TE’s will be used frequently in a balanced attack, scoring at least three times. The defense will start up slowly, but they will eventually regain their swagger and have a game. 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble, and one would result in a defensive score. The backups will gain valuable experience in clean-up duty and they will score twice more to secure the win.




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Vegas Always Wins: Clemson covers, but ‘Bama busts
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The worst bad beats from Week 3 of college football.

We are now through three weeks of the college football season, with teams starting to establish themselves as the bulk of conference play encroaches. By this time, you are either starting to build up a bankroll for the rest of the year, or finding a good excuse at work for why you’ve been mysteriously losing money each Saturday. Whichever path the early season has taken you thus far, there remains a ton of time to get on some winners.

There were a few scares this week, but all the teams at the top got the job done. The biggest upset of the weekend was No. 18 Michigan State falling 10-7 at home to unranked Arizona State, missing a 47-yard field goal at the end of regulation after a penalty pushed them back five yards following a initial 42-yard make. A few teams at the bottom lost as well, with No. 21 Maryland’s offense disappearing in a 20-17 loss to Temple and No. 24 USC coming up short in a 30-27 loss at the hands of BYU.

Despite a lack of huge upsets, there was certainly not a lack of bad beats, including two of the nation’s top teams. Vegas certainly knows what they are doing when they make these lines, so let’s take a look at how they took your money this week.

Alabama 47 - South Carolina 23
(Line: Bama -26.5)


Alabama took on their first SEC opponent of the year, traveling to Columbia, SC to take on the Gamecocks. Coming into the game as heavy favorites, nobody really expected South Carolina to keep it close, but they were able to do so at least in the opening quarter, finding themselves down just 14-10 after the first. That is when things began to fall apart.

The Crimson Tide would score 10 unanswered points in the second quarter. After SC was able to get back on the board with a field goal in the third, the No. 2 team in the nation turned it up, winding up with a 47-16 lead with under two minutes remaining. Cruising with a 31-point lead and little time left, it appeared as though Alabama was about to cover the spread. The Gamecocks, however, had other plans...


With under 15 seconds remaining, South Carolina was still intent on getting into the end zone despite the large deficit. The 11-yard touchdown pass had no impact on the final outcome, as Alabama remained undefeated through their first three contests. However, those seven points trimmed the margin of victory to 24 points — just not enough for the Tide to cover.

Clemson 41 - Syracuse 6
(Line: CLEM -28)


Syracuse was actually the last team to beat Clemson in the regular season, a 27-24 upset of the then-No. 2 Tigers in 2017. With a shaky start to the season, and coming off a blowout loss to Maryland, not many people expected Cuse to pull off the miraculous feat yet again. Right from the get-go, it was clear that the Orange did not have another upset in them.

After touchdowns on both a pass and a run from Trevor Lawrence, Clemson jumped out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The two teams traded field goals back and forth until halftime, before the Tigers found the end zone against to start the third quarter, extending their lead to 24-6. The No. 1 team in the nation added another field goal and a touchdown in the fourth, but then seemingly took their foot off the gas as they stayed off of the scoreboard for what initially looked like would be the rest of the game.

Up a ton, and having possession of the ball with under a minute left and the backups on the field, Clemson seemed content to just run the clock down to zero. Then, Chez Mellusi happened.


A poor effort tackling by a tired and defeated Syracuse defense, mixed with a motivated backup running back for Clemson created a nightmare scenario for bettors of the Orange who would've just been happy coming away with a push. Instead of the Tigers winning by 28, the exact number of the spread, they instead won by 35 to cover on a play that had no intentions of reaching the end zone.

Florida 29 - Kentucky 21
(O/U: 46)


It seems like every year a top-10 ranked Florida team struggles with lesser competition on more than a few occasions. This game was one of those such occasions, as unranked Kentucky had a real chance to come away with a victory over the No. 9 team in the nation. Unfortunately for the Gators, despite escaping with a win, they lost quarterback Feleipe Franks for the rest of the season with a dislocated ankle.

Kyle Trask came in to relieve Franks late in the third quarter, trailing 21-10. The junior was able to immediately lead Florida on a 62-yard touchdown drive, cutting the deficit to 21-16 after a failed two-point attempt. Two possessions later, the Gators took the lead on a four-yard TD run by Trask, again failing to get the two but now up 22-21. With four minutes remaining, Kentucky just needed a field goal to win the game.

Driving all the way down to Florida’s 17-yard line, the Wildcats were all set up for a game-winning field goal. Unfortunately for the home team, the 35-yard attempt went wide right, and the Gators maintained the lead with just 54 seconds remaining. With the spread never really in doubt — Kentucky was +9.5 in the game — bettors of the under also felt they'd be able to rest easy, as Florida just had to get one first down to ice the game. Well, they got the first, and a bit more...


In an effort to pick up a first down to put Kentucky away, Florida ran a simple end around play. Some good blocking and some poor tackling led, instead, to a 76-yard touchdown run in the game’s final 40 seconds. With the over/under set at 46, the Gators could have just gotten the first and ended the game with the total at 43. Instead, the long TD pushed the total to 50, putting a dagger into the hearts of under bettors.

Texas 48 - Rice 13
(Line: TEX -32, O/U; 57.5)


The ending of this game was an absolute roller coaster of emotions for bettors on both sides and those on the total, with the potential for a crushing double-loser. Texas was heavy favorites in this matchup with Rice, and showed that they were the much better team right out of the gate.

By the time halftime rolled around, the Longhorns already held a substantial 31-0 lead. They continued to add to it out of the break, with another touchdown in the middle of the third quarter. Rice got their first points of the game early in the fourth on a shirt TD pass, cutting the deficit to 38-6 after a failed PAT. Texas added a field goal to make it 41-6, and the spread seemed safe. However, with just a minute remaining, the Owls put up a garbage time touchdown to make it 41-13 — a 28 point lead that would be insufficient for Longhorn bettors.

That is when things got a little crazy...


The 97-yard kick return touchdown completely turned this game on its head from a betting standpoint. The score gave Texas a 48-13 lead, good enough to flip the script and cover the 32-point spread with under a minute remaining. The points also put the game total at 61, just 3.5 points over the total set by the oddsmakers. Anyone who bet Texas and the over came out a miraculous double-winner, and those with Rice and the under a languishing double-loser.

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Podcast: Discussing California law to pay players, ‘THE,’ more with Kelsey Trainor
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 Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Did you know that OSU legend Chris Spielman sued Ohio State for unfairly using his image and likeness last year?

On Land-Grant Holy Land In Conversation, we talk to people in and around Ohio State athletics, and the sporting world at large, to bring you a different insight and perspective to the teams, athletes, and university that you love.

On this episode, we are joined by LGHL’s Legal Analyst Kelsey Trainor to talk about California Senate Bill 206, which — if signed — would make it law that all NCAA student-athletes in that state would be able to be compensated for the use of their name, likeness, or skills.


We also discuss Chris Spielman’s recent lawsuit against Ohio State for the university unfairly using his image and likeness as part of a promotional campaign last year, and we close out the show with OSU and LeBron James’ efforts to trademark the word “THE” and phrase “Taco Tuesday” respectively.

Contact Kelsey Trainor:
Her Twitter: @KTrain_11
Podcast Twitter: @CallingGame1

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


Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt
Instagram: @BWWMatt

Theme music provided by www.bensound.com

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BOOM! Four-star, 2020 SG Eugene Brown commits to Ohio State
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Eugene Brown III | Twitter | @g3ne__
Brown becomes the only player in the 2020 class.

On Monday, just after 12 noon ET, Eugene Brown III announced that he would be playing his collegiate basketball for Chris Holtmann and the Ohio State Buckeyes. The 2020 shooting guard from Decatur, Ga. is a four-star prospect and the sixth-rated player in the state. He is also slotted in as the 26th player nationally and 112th overall by 247Sports Composite rankings.


Brown is 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, and plays his high school ball at Southwest DeKalb. He is considered a quality shooter and a tough defender, and should provide the Buckeyes with a tall wing able to compete on both sides of the floor.

In addition to the Buckeyes, Brown also had offers from more than a dozen schools including Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Butler, and Texas A&M. Brown visited Ohio State over the weekend, and even though he had officials slated for A&M, Louisville, and both of the in-state programs, he decided to commit to the Buckeyes. It is not known if he will still take those official visits, but as of Monday, he is committed to OSU.

Brown’s pledge to play for Ohio State makes him the first — and, by default, only — player in the 2020 class for Holtmann’s squad. Their 2019 class was ranked first in the Big Ten, and the 2021 group is currently rated as No. 1 nationally, but, because of a lack of scholarship availability, things have been slower on the 2020 front.

Whether Holtmann adds anyone else in this cycle or not, welcome to Buckeye Nation, Eugene!

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Pretty much every Ohio State sport was a winner this weekend
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

The Ohio State University
Football was just the tip of the spear.

The eyes of Buckeye nation may have been on Bloomington Saturday, but a number of Ohio State programs earned impressive wins in their respective sports over the past week.

Field hockey bounces back with 11-0 win over Central Michigan


After falling to No. 6 Virginia last week, the Buckeyes were back to their winning ways with an 11-0 shutout of Central Michigan Friday at home. The 11 goals scored set a new program record for goals in a single game. In all, the Chippewas got in just four shots to the Buckeyes’ 29. Junior Nikki Trzaska and senior Esther Clotet Alsina each had three goals on the day, while freshman Mackenzie Allessie added two of her own.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news from the weekend for Ohio State. The Buckeyes fell 2-1 in a tightly-contested matchup with No. 8 Louisville Sunday. Allessie scored Ohio State’s lone goal on the day.

With the loss to the Cardinals Sunday, the Buckeyes are sitting at 4-2 on the season. Of those four wins, three came in shutouts. Next up, Ohio State opens conference play against No. 13 Northwestern Friday in Columbus.

Men’s and women’s soccer pick up weekend wins


The Ohio State women’s soccer team had a major victory over the weekend, taking home its first win of the season as it defeated Miami (OH) 1-0 Friday night in Columbus. Sophomore Kayla Fischer scored the winning goal for the Buckeyes in the 39th minute. In all, Ohio State had 26 shots to Miami’s one.

Ohio State continued its winning ways with a 3-1 triumph over Ohio Sunday, with goals from Fischer (her third of the season), redshirt junior Meghan Kammerdeiner and junior Marissa Birzon.

Coming up next for the Buckeyes, Ohio State is scheduled to open up its conference slate against Michigan State Thursday in Columbus.

The men’s squad also earned a major win over the weekend, bringing home a 2-1 conquest over No. 25 Bowling Green on the road. Despite two hours’ worth of weather delays, the Buckeyes stayed focused with goals from senior Jack Holland and redshirt sophomore Devyn Etling to seal the win for Ohio State.

With the win, the Buckeyes improve to 4-1 on the season. Next up, Ohio State is scheduled to face South Florida on the road in Tampa, but the Buckeyes are also preparing for the start of Big Ten play Saturday against Penn State in Columbus.

Volleyball notches sweep of Bowling Green


A rough weekend for women’s volleyball ended on a high note Saturday. After falling to Tulane 1-3 and Western Kentucky 0-3 in the Holiday Inn — University Plaza Invitational, the Buckeyes bounced back with a 3-0 sweep of Bowling Green in Kentucky. Leading the way for Ohio State were Mia Grunze and Vanja Bukilic, who combined for 25 of the Buckeyes’ 49 kills on the day.

The Buckeyes are sitting at 4-5 on the season, and have a chance to get to a winning record

this weekend when they host a three-game slate at the Buckeye Invite at the Covelli Center in Columbus. Ohio State is scheduled to face Miami (OH) Thursday and Illinois State and Dayton Friday.

Cross country runs away with Commodore Classic


The women’s cross country team finished second out of 20 teams in the Commodore Classic in Nashville Saturday. Two Buckeyes, senior Lainey Studebaker and junior Abby Nichols, finished among the top six runners, securing the high finish for Ohio State.

The men’s squad finished seventh of 15 competing teams, with the highest-place finish coming from junior Aaron Wood at No. 18.

In other running news, the 2019 women’s track and field team received its Big Ten Championship rings in recognition of the squad’s indoor and outdoor championships last season.

Women’s tennis, golf open competition this week


After finishing its 2018-19 campaign with a sixth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the Ohio State women’s tennis team is ready to start its fall slate this week with the Furman Invite in Greenville, South Carolina. The Buckeyes ended last season 18th in the ITA rankings, having finished the year with a 19-7 overall and 8-3 in-conference record.

The women’s golf team, meanwhile, is travelling to Toledo ahead of the Glass City Invitational to open its 2019-20 season. Eight Buckeyes return to the roster this season, including Aneka Seumanutafa, last season’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Hockey players earn preseason honors


Two members of the women’s hockey team earned preseason recognition ahead of the start of their season, scheduled to open Sept. 27 against St. Lawrence in Columbus. Leading the way is junior forward Emma Maltais, who was voted WCHA Co-Player of the Year. Additionally, senior defender Jinny Dunne was named to the All-WCHA team, along with Maltais. The Buckeyes enter the season ranked third in the WCHA Coaches Poll.

Current, future and former Buckeyes compete on national and international stages


With the start of NHL training camps this week, 13 former Buckeyes find themselves on 10 NHL rosters. Three players, including forward Mason Jobst, center Tanner Fritz and right wing Nick Schilkey, are all with the New York Islanders organization, while forwards Ryan Dzingel and Max McCormick are both with Carolina. Dzingel signed a two-year, $6.75 million contract with the Hurricanes in the offseason. Center Zac Dalpe is the lone Ohio State alum on the Columbus Blue Jackets this training camp.

Halfway around the world, wrestler Kyle Snyder is preparing for competition for the Senior World title in Kazakhstan, with competition scheduled to begin Saturday. Snyder, the most decorated wrestler of his generation, is seeking his third title at Worlds since 2015.

Incoming freshman tennis player Cannon Kingsley has demonstrated why he was the top recruit in the 2019 recruiting class. Playing in four junior Grand Slam events over the summer, Kingsley rose as high as 593rd in the ATP rankings and No. 10 in the ITF World Junior rankings.

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Football, like life, is a celebration of the traditional and the new
John Moe via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
A look into the first Ohio State home game of the season.

College football, like life, is filled with both the traditional aspects of endeavor along with more recent innovations. Football is a shared exercise: hard for the players, hard for the coaches, and, yes, hard for the fans.

Ah, after a winter of shared frustration, discontent, and solution, followed by a long summer of anticipation, fans finally reached the beginning of a new season of Ohio State football. We walked to the bus stop for the Ol’ COTA #2 bus and our Saturday trip down High Street, going to the Ohio State campus and the game against Florida Atlantic. As usual, the Saturday bus crowd buzzed with excitement. It was a new season, but still it was connected with the traditions of so many years of Ohio State Saturday football games. We sat in the front of the bus, in the seats behind the driver where we could face other passengers.

The first stop after downtown Worthington, an older man and a woman got on. You could tell they were excited to be on the bus. The man explained to his companion about the route of the bus. You could tell he was excited to be going to the game. He asked the man behind him if he was going to the game and the man replied, no he wasn’t. Then the older man looked at me and asked if I was going. I replied that I was. He said that I ought to look more happy. I said I would, look more happy, that is.

We began to talk the way people do on a bus. Finally, it became apparent that the man wanted to share information. I asked the older man how long he had been going to games. He replied that he was a member of the National Championship team of 1961. He held out his left hand to display for me his ring. There it was, a big, elaborate, fine championship ring. One does not see those often. We got off the bus at 18th Avenue and walked through campus.

I asked his name. It was Larry Stephens; he told me that he was a linebacker on the ’61 team. The National Championship ring was on the left hand. On the right hand, Mr. Stephens sported a Big Ten Championship ring. The second ring was a little smaller, but it was imposing nonetheless. We talked, he told me he played at 5-foot-10, 214 pounds. He said he was a little lighter today. I told him I played, but it was Division III. I was a little bigger than Larry when I played. He noticed that I was bigger.

Larry and I had a good chat, walking together, all the way to the stadium. Just the way it ought to be on Game Day: just two guys walking down memory lane, telling stories. An American scene—football, Saturday, blue sky. Sharing the past, knowing the future was steps away. As we walked, the other people going to the game were increasingly dressed in scarlet for Ohio State. Younger students, warm day, shorts and t-shirts, excitement all around.

A sacred part of Ohio State “Horseshoe” tradition is the participation each year of the Alumni Band. This year 500 strong. We look forward to the Alumni Band and the current OSU band doing four, count ‘em, four individual versions of “Script Ohio”, all on the same field. Marching “Script Ohio” is a sacred trust for Ohio State fans, the song brings everyone together. Each game, a senior in the band is chosen to “dot the i”, the “i” in Ohio.

This year a friend of mine who works at my bank told me his father would play in the Alumni Band. His father, who plays the cornet, was in the Ohio State band about 30 years ago. My friend told me that the band members, all 500, had to get to the ‘Shoe early, about 6 a.m. early, to learn their routines for the day and practice. He informed me that mostly the Alumni Band will do simple straight lines and play the same version of “Script Ohio” they always played.

We walked to our seats. My favorite usher, Mike Danter, was there. I almost did not recognize him, His moustache was gone.

“You’re here,” I said. “But, where’s the moustache?”

“Of course I’m here, it is my thirty-first year, here at the same gate,” Mike said.

Traditions never cease. He had shaved his great moustache, I was sorry to see that. Last year he had dyed it twice, once a sort of turquoise color and once he had put red dye on the top of his head in the shape of an mohawk strip. Now there was no color. I asked why. He said he started a new job at the warehouse where he has worked for 40 years.

The first game of the year combined a strong ingredient of tradition with a sense of anticipation of the new. In the case of this 2019 first game, all the tradition is nice, but finally there has to be a game, and this year the Buckeyes features a new coach in Ryan Day and a new “on the field” general in transfer quarterback Justin Fields.

There was plenty of room for anxiety and worry. All the traditions, all the championship rings, all the former players, all the steadfast ushers, it all comes together to make the future of the season easier to handle, but, still, the game has to be played.

Geoff Hammersley
You Win With People: Woody and Anne Hayes’ gravesite in Columbus, Ohio. Woody coached five national title teams at Ohio State.

With under two minutes played, Fields ran a “keeper” to the left and the Florida Atlantic defense went the opposite direction. Time of possession: 1:53. With 11:05 to play in the first quarter, OSU scored again on a pass from Fields. Two plays, time of possession just 36 seconds. With 9:12 to go in the first, after 2 plays, Fields scored again on a pass to Benjamin Victor. Three plays, 37 seconds off the clock. Still in the first, OSU had 154 yards; Florida Atlantic, -12 yards. Under well-known (and well-traveled) head coach of the Florida Atlantic Owls, Lane Kiffin brought a team that was no match for the Buckeyes.

Finally, the last score of the quarter, happening in just four plays, brought another TD for the Bucks. Time of possession: 1:02. The only thing good about this game for FAU was that there was no hurricane in Ohio, except for Justin Fields, a hurricane all his own.

But the football “Hurricane” that come to mind is the subject of a 1952 Bowery Boys film entitled “Hold that Line”. The Bowery Boys were led by the indomitable man named Slip, and Sach was his second in command.

In the film, the Bowery Boys go to the local university. Sach is in the chemistry lab and begins to mix a cocktail of assorted random chemicals. He drinks the chemicals and becomes physically invincible. The Bowery Boys go out for the football team and no one can tackle Sach. The team goes on to win many games and Sach is named “Hurricane” in the local newspapers. Eventually, in the middle of the most important game of the year, of course, the chemicals wear off and Sach is returned to normal. Not to be deterred, the team makes Sach a decoy and Slip is left untouched to skamper, run, score, and win the championship.

The film “Hold that Line”, directed by William Beaudine and written by Tim Ryan and Charles R. Marion, is one of many Bowery Boys films, but in this instance, the film reminds us of a new hurricane on the football field in Justin Fields.

Never forgetting the real-world devastation of the Hurricane Dorian, in the sports world, the word hurricane retains its reference as an athlete who is superb. As warm weather pushed the dreadful real hurricane Dorian out to the Atlantic Ocean last week, off the East Coast, it seemed that a new football hurricane has come onto to the scene.

Against Cincinnati last week, Fields again shredded the defense, passing 20-for-25, 224 yards and two touchdowns. Fields also added nine runs for 42 yards rushing and two more touchdowns. The ceiling for the second-year quarterback is very high.

Hurricane Justin Fields is on his way to becoming part of the tradition of the “Horseshoe”.

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Keith Duncan, 5 first-time winners claim Week 3 individual honors
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

The Big Ten office released its Week 3 individual honors Monday, and there are five first-time recipients. Iowa K Keith Duncan, the special teams player of the week, is the lone repeat winner. See all of the honorees inside,

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I have two on the 50 in sec 22c with seat backs. PM me if your interesed, only asking face value