A brief history between Ohio State-Oklahoma
Geoff Hammersley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Even though they’ve only played three times before Saturday night, the Buckeyes and Sooners have played some memorable games.

Saturday night will be the fourth meeting between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oklahoma Sooners. Let’s take a quick look back at how the first three meetings went between these two college football powers.

Meeting #1: The Field Goal


The year was 1977. Ohio State and Oklahoma squared off for the first time ever at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Oklahoma, who was ranked No. 3, showed that they deserved the high ranking. OU jumped out to a fast start, with Billy Sims leading the Sooners to an early 17-0 lead after the first quarter. After Uwe von Schamann (remember that name) netted a field goal, the visiting squad had pulled away to a 20-0 advantage.

However, the Buckeyes had the “three yards and a cloud of dust” running strategy, and were going to battle until the clock hit all zeroes. Three straight rushing touchdowns later, and the Woody Hayes-coached Buckeyes found themselves leading the game midway through the third quarter.

But the Buckeyes had more left in the tank. Greg Castignola passed for his first touchdown of the game and put the Scarlet and Gray up 28-20. Only two passes were lobbed by Castignola against the visitors from Norman, Okla., but this completion put momentum squarely into Ohio State’s corner.

With under 90 seconds left in regulation, the Sooners fought back and scored a touchdown—but the conversion failed. Down 28-26, the Sooners attempted a squib kick on the ensuing kickoff. A deflection led to the Sooners getting the ball back—and a chance to win the game was now presented.

Four plays later, the Sooners were in field goal range for von Schamann. With three seconds left, von Schamann delivered a 41-yard field goal that lifted the Sooners to a 29-28 victory in Columbus.

Meeting #2: Revenge in Norman


Fresh off a 9-3, 1982 season that ended with a win in the Holiday Bowl against BYU, the Buckeyes rolled into the 1983 campaign with a Sooners rematch set for Sept. 17. At this early juncture, OSU entered ranked No. 6, while the home team Sooners were sitting on the No. 2 ranking.

After leading 7-0 at the end of 15 minutes, Buckeye quarterback Mike Tomczak went back to John Frank for his second touchdown to open the second quarter.

Oklahoma answered back with a Spencer Tillman 37-yard touchdown, however, Ohio State pulled up to a 21-7 lead in the third quarter and didn’t look back. When the dust settled, the Scarlet and Gray got their long awaited revenge on the Crimson and Cream, winning in Norman, 24-14.

Meeting #3: Another win in Norman


With 1983 way in the rearview mirror, 2016 brought the third meeting between the two schools. It may have been 33 years later, but the rematch had the same result as the second meetup: an Ohio State win in Norman.

This time around, Urban Meyer, who was in his fifth season at the helm of the Buckeyes, got his second win against Bob Stoops (the first win came against Stoops in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game).

Once again, the visiting Buckeyes got on the board early. H-back Curtis Samuel scored from 36 yards out, and defensive back Jerome Baker housed a Baker Mayfield throw for a touchdown. This would be the first game of the season that brought Ohio State’s secondary into the limelight as “Defensive Back University.”

For OSU’s offense, J.T. Barrett threw four touchdowns, including a play-of-the-year-caliber snag by wide receiver Noah Brown.


A combination of the offense and defense was too much for OU to handle, as the Buckeyes rolled out of Norman with a 45-24 victory.

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Oklahoma football: Sooners seek to silence Buckeyes' fans - The Oklahoma Daily
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Oklahoma football: Sooners seek to silence Buckeyes' fans
The Oklahoma Daily
Corso goes with the Buckeyes! pic.twitter.com/l8ZrnppIVw. — College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 9, 2017. This could work in the Sooners' favor, as senior defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo said the Oklahoma defense takes pride in their ...

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The best ‘College GameDay’ signs from Ohio State-Oklahoma
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


ESPN is in Columbus, which means a background full of signs that border on inappropriate and amazing.

The 2017 home-opener for Ohio State takes place in Week 2 against Oklahoma. Being a Saturday night prime time event means all eyes will be on the rematch of what was a trouncing of the Sooners on their home field in 2016. Boosting viewership, is the fact that ESPN’s “College GameDay” is in Columbus for the second Buckeye game in a row.

Inevitably, the analysis of Buckeye alum Kirk “Herby” Herbstreit, Rece Davis, Lee Corso and that other guy from Michigan will take a backseat to the litany of hilarious and moderately inappropriate signs dancing in the background.

Here are some of our favorite signs from Columbus on Saturday:







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Visiting for the Oklahoma game per Land of 10.

Ohio State vs. Oklahoma 2017: Start time, live stream, TV schedule and Game Thread
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 Buckeyes take on the Sooners in their first non-conference test of 2017.

It may have been a slow start versus Indiana, but the Ohio State Buckeyes worked out the kinks and pulled out an impressive win in week one. Now, it’s on to the non-conference matchup we’ve been waiting for all offseason, as the Oklahoma Sooners comes to town.

The game is a rematch of last year’s one-sided matchup in Norman, in which the Buckeyes routed Oklahoma 45-21 behind an epic performance from receiver Noah Brown. Of course, the Sooners have been undefeated since that very game. And tonight’s matchup against Ohio State is expected to be much closer than the previous iteration.

After Baker Mayfield’s nearly perfect performance at quarterback for the Sooners (he completed 19-of-20 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns against UTEP), the Oklahoma offense looks ready to put up major points against a Power-5 opponent. It will also be the first major test for first-year Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley, who took over the program over the summer after longtime coach Bob Stoops announced his retirement.

On the Ohio State side, the defensive line proved just as dominant as expected in their opening game against Indiana, but it is the secondary that could prove to be the difference maker against the Sooners. After getting off to a rough start versus the Hoosiers, the trio of new starters, anchored by safety Damon Webb, found something of a rhythm against Indiana’s receivers.They will need to rely on the front seven to pressure Mayfield and take some of the pressure off.

If Indiana was a test case for the 2017 team, this matchup is the real thing.

When is the game and how can I watch?


Game Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.

Location: Columbus, OH

TV: ABC

Online: WatchESPN

Radio: 97.1 FM/1460 AM

Where is GameDay this week?


For the second week in a row, College GameDay will be covering an Ohio State game. Really, it’s the fourth-straight game that the pregame show has covered, dating back to last season. The Buckeyes are 26-12 when GameDay visits their matchup, including an 11-4 mark in Columbus. Lee Corso is an overall 20-10 when picking Brutus for the win.

What’s the rest of the Big Ten up to this weekend?


With Purdue having faced off against Ohio last night, there are 13 Big Ten games on the slate for the day, kicked off by five noon matchups. On ABC, No. 8 Michigan takes on Cincinnati, while Northwestern heads to Duke (ESPNU) and Iowa has in-state rival Iowa State (ESPN2). On BTN, No. 9 Wisconsin gets Florida Atlantic while Maryland plays Towson. At 3:30, No. 4 Penn State plays Pittsburgh at home on ABC, while Indiana travels to Virginia on ESPNU.

Michigan State faces Western Michigan and Rutgers plays Eastern Michigan, both on BTN. Nebraska travels to Oregon at 4:30 on FOX before the Ohio State game kicks off. Capping things off is Illinois vs. Western Kentucky at 8 p.m. on BTN and Minnesota at Oregon State at 10 p.m. on FS1.

Join the conversation


Below is your Ohio State-Oklahoma GameThread. Be respectful, be kind and as always, keep it classy. 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. We started off strong, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s keep it going.

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Ohio State Buckeyes will beat Oklahoma Sooners: Bill Livingston (photos) - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes will beat Oklahoma Sooners: Bill Livingston (photos)
cleveland.com
Texas, its most glamorous team, held Maryland, beaten 62-3 by Ohio State on the road last year, to 51 points in a 10-point loss at home in the first game of new coach Tom Herman, once a lauded Buckeyes offensive coordinator. As bad as Rutgers is in the ...
Ohio State Buckeyes to face off against Oklahoma SoonersNBC4i.com
Despite the miles between them, Oklahoma and Ohio State are closer than you'd thinkESPN
Barfknecht: Buckeyes must iron out defense against Sooner passer; plus Big Ten picksOmaha World-Herald
Youngstown Vindicator -Norman Transcript
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Ohio State vs. Oklahoma 2017: Game preview, prediction, and 6 things to know
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Tonight’s contest inside Ohio Stadium will feature two of the best quarterbacks in college football.

Ohio State opens up their home schedule tonight with a dandy, as the Buckeyes will be hosting the Oklahoma Sooners. Tonight’s matchup will mark the fourth time these two schools have met, and is the return matchup from last year’s contest in Norman, which Ohio State handily won 45-24.

Early on in last year’s contest it looked like the Buckeyes might have their hands full, as the Sooners drove down to Ohio State’s 10-yard line before missing a 27-yard field goal. While Ohio State couldn’t do much on their next possession, Cam Johnston turned the tide of the game with a 68-yard punt. Ohio State not only scored on four of their next five possessions before halftime, but they also added a 68-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jerome Baker to put Oklahoma in a hole they wouldn’t be able to dig themselves out of.

The biggest story of the win over the Sooners for Ohio State was the play of Noah Brown, who tied a school record with four receiving touchdowns, with one of those being an improbable catch in the end zone right before halftime around the back of an Oklahoma defender. Brown finished the game with 72 yards receiving, which was nearly half of the 152 yards quarterback J.T. Barrett passed for in the victory.

Starting the season not only on the road, but with a conference game could have tripped up Ohio State, and early on it was looking like the Buckeyes would be in for another tough contest in Bloomington. Luckily the Buckeyes made the correct halftime adjustments, and had a lot easier time dealing with the Hoosiers in the second half. After Indiana had taken a 21-20 lead in the third quarter, Ohio State took the lead for good on a 74-yard touchdown catch by Parris Campbell. Ohio State would finish the game with 29 unanswered points.

Oklahoma had a much easier time with their opponent last week, crushing UTEP 56-7 in Norman. Baker Mayfield completed his first 16 pass attempts, and finished the first half completing 19 of his 20 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns. With the game already out of hand, Mayfield didn’t need to play in the second half, which allowed Texas A&M transfer Kyler Murray to get his first snaps under center for the Sooners.

Since losing to Ohio State last year, Oklahoma has rattled off 11 straight wins, including taking down Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. If the Sooners want to keep their winning streak going they’ll need some of their new starters on offense to step up. Against UTEP, Oklahoma had three players rush for over 50 yards, but they’ll need even more production out of the backfield to replace what running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon were able to do for them last season.

Ohio State’s biggest advantages


Trench warfare. Every week we could put Ohio state’s defensive line as one of the advantages of the Buckeyes, no matter who they are playing this year. Oklahoma has one of the best offensive lines in college football, and even that might not be enough to slow down the Buckeye defensive line.

Last week the Ohio State defensive line showed why they are garnering so much praise, as what they were able to do to Richard Lagow and the Hoosiers changed the game. Tyquan Lewis led the way with two sacks, which gives him 18.5 sacks in his career, moving him into Ohio State’s top 10 all-time. Sam Hubbard, Nick Bosa, and Jashon Cornell also registered a sack in the victory.

Even though Oklahoma’s offensive line is highly regarded, especially with preseason All-American Orlando Brown at left tackle, the Sooners won’t see a team with as much depth on their defensive line the rest of the year. If Ohio State is able to create consistent pressure, later in the game Oklahoma’s offensive line might not only wear down, but Baker Mayfield could make some mistakes that he might not normally be accustomed to. This could end up being a breakout game for Nick Bosa, as there isn’t any place better to announce your arrival as a dominant force on the defensive line than under the lights at Ohio Stadium.

The dynamic duo. Running the football has been the bread and butter of Urban Meyer’s Ohio State teams. This year was shaping up to be no different, and that was before true freshman J.K. Dobbins burst onto the scene last week. The running back reaped the benefits of Mike Weber’s hamstring injury, and all the Texas native did in his first game was break Maurice Clarett’s freshman school record for rushing yards in a debut.

Dobbins has already been named the starter for tonight’s game, but Oklahoma will also likely see a healthy dose of redshirt sophomore Mike Weber. Last year against the Sooners, Weber finished with 123 yards on 18 carries. Weber became just the third Buckeye to run for 1,000 yards as a freshman, and you know the running back from Detroit will be eager to show what he can bring to the table to try and win back some of the carries from Dobbins.

The combination of Dobbins’ speed and agility along with Weber’s power could be a little too much for the Sooners to handle. It isn’t like Oklahoma doesn’t have veteran talent in their front seven, Ohio State’s offensive line has the experience and talent to match what the Sooners have to offer.

Indiana was supposed to pose a tough defensive threat to the Buckeyes with the amount of returning starters, but eventually Ohio State figured out how to exploit the Indiana attack and it was tough to stop the Buckeyes once they got rolling. It could be a long night for the Sooners if Dobbins, Weber, and the rest of the Ohio State running attack finds success early on.

Squaring off with the king and his court. There is no question that head coach Lincoln Riley is one of college football’s rising stars at head coach. Riley’s potential at head coach is one of the reasons Bob Stoops felt comfortable stepping down as head coach of the Sooners when he did. Had Stoops not decided to retire, Riley more than likely would have taken a job as head coach at a Power 5 school in the next year or two.

Having said all that, Riley will have to try and match wits with one of the best head coaches college football has to offer tonight. Urban Meyer is 62-6 at Ohio State, and owns college football’s best active winning percentage at .851. Not only is Riley coaching in just his second game as head coach, he also is the youngest head coach in the FBS, having just celebrated his 34th birthday on Tuesday.

As if trying to win a chess match against Urban Meyer wasn’t enough, Riley will also have to worry about what former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson might try to do. Last week Wilson was able to earn some revenge on Indiana after the Hoosiers parted ways with him following the 2016 season, but now Wilson gets to try and defeat the school who employed him before he moved on to Indiana. Wilson doesn’t harbor nearly as much ill-will towards Oklahoma as he does Indiana, but you know he has had this game circled on his calendar since he joined Ohio State.

Oklahoma’s biggest advantages


Motivated Mayfield. After losing running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon to the NFL, even more pressure will be placed on the arm and legs of Baker Mayfield. Luckily for Lincoln Riley and the Sooners, Mayfield welcomes the pressure that comes with being one of the most high-profile quarterbacks in college football.

The 226 yards Mayfield threw for last year against the Buckeyes was the quarterback’s second lowest output of the season, with Mayfield only throwing for less in a blowout win over West Virginia late in the season. Now after the poor showing against Ohio State last year, Mayfield will have some revenge on his mind as the Sooners visit Columbus.

Even though Mayfield did lose his favorite target from last year, Dede Westerbrook, there are still a couple of targets Ohio State’s secondary has to keep a close eye on. Mark Andrews is one of the best tight ends in the country, and all he does is score touchdowns. Andrews has scored a touchdown on 15 of his 57 career catches, with the 26.3% TD-to-catch ratio being the best amongst FBS receivers.

The Sooners also were able to pick up Kentucky graduate transfer Jeff Badet during the offseason. Last year Badet led the SEC with a 21.6 yards per reception average. Even though they’ll on be together in Norman for a short time, if Badet and Mayfield could put up big numbers if they are able to get comfortable with each other in the passing game early.

Dare to dream. Since losing to Ohio State last year, Oklahoma hasn’t lost a game, winning all 11 of the games they have played. Along with the 11 straight wins, the Sooners have also won 11 straight true road games, with their last loss on the road coming in 2014 at TCU. Something will have to give against an Ohio State team that hasn’t lost very many games under Urban Meyer, and only have lost twice at home with Meyer at the helm.

Even though there isn’t a ton of history in this series, in all three previous meetings the road team has won, which could spell some good news for the Sooners. Oklahoma might look back to the 2014 season for a little motivation on walking out of Ohio Stadium with a win.

After the Buckeyes opened up the season on the road against Navy, Virginia Tech came to Columbus for Ohio State’s home opener and left Buckeye fans stunned following a 35-21 win by the Hokies. The situations are a little different though, as J.T. Barrett was making his first start at home for the Buckeyes, and now the quarterback is a senior. Still, if there was ever a game for Lincoln Riley to show to his squad to give them a little confidence about winning in Columbus, that might be the one to show them.

It isn’t a very wise idea to poke the Sooners though, because if you play them the following year there is a good chance they’ll get some payback. Since 2009, Oklahoma is 14-2 against teams they lost to the previous season, with the only losses coming to Baylor in 2013 and 2014 and Clemson in 2014 and 2015.

An experienced Soonerdary. Had it not been for Noah Brown last year, Oklahoma’s secondary wouldn’t have gotten so much flack for their performance against the Buckeyes. In reality, J.T. Barrett only threw for 152 yards against the Sooners, but the stats look a lot worse because four of Barrett’s 14 completions went for touchdowns to Brown.

Ohio State’s passing attack still has some questions to answer this year. While the Buckeyes ironed out some of their play in the second half against Indiana, it’s too early to officially declare the wide receivers as much improved over last year. The Buckeyes will likely have some trouble trying to find some separation against an experienced Sooner secondary this year.

Early this week Oklahoma did get some bad news when it was learned cornerback Jordan Parker would miss the rest of the year with an injury. Even with the injury, Oklahoma has three seniors in the secondary, with Jordan Thomas being the start of the group. Last year Thomas broke up 17 passes, and has hauled in seven interceptions in 29 starts during his career. If Ohio State wants to gain any momentum in the passing game, the Buckeyes might want to look to throw the football to whatever side of the field Thomas isn’t occupying.

Summary


F/+ Projection: Ohio State 35, Oklahoma 30

Win Probability: Ohio State 63.3%

To the surprise of nobody the F/+ projection calls for a very close affair in Columbus. Both teams are extremely talented, and tonight’s game has the capability to go down as one of the most exciting games of the college football season.

At the end of the day, Ohio State’s depth on the defensive line and explosiveness on offense should allow them to beat Oklahoma for the second straight year. With two outstanding quarterbacks squaring off inside Ohio Stadium tonight, college football fans should be hoping we have a chance to see these two go at it again in the College Football Playoff in January.

How to watch, stream, listen to Oklahoma v. Ohio State:


Game time: Saturday September 9th, 7:30 PM ET

TV: ABC

Streaming: WatchESPN

Radio: 97.1 WBNS-FM

Know your enemy: Crimson And Cream Machine

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Sooners recall loss to Buckeyes - Arkansas Online
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Sooners recall loss to Buckeyes
Arkansas Online
The young Buckeyes dominated, quieting the home crowd in a 45-24 thumping of the Sooners. Oklahoma didn't lose a game after that, reeling off 11 consecutive victories. Tonight the No. 5 Sooners visit Columbus to face No. 2 Ohio State. While Mayfield ...

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Mark May still hates on the Buckeyes - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Mark May still hates on the Buckeyes
247Sports
When analyst Mark May was with ESPN, he had somewhat of a little rivalry going with Ohio State and Buckeye Nation. It's unknown what caused May to have a public disliking of the Buckeyes. It could be the 72-0 victory OSU hung on his Pittsbugh Panthers ...


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Ohio State football: Urban Meyer makes waves, Buckeyes wearing LeBron James cleats, JK Dobbins to start - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football: Urban Meyer makes waves, Buckeyes wearing LeBron James cleats, JK Dobbins to start
Landof10.com
Ohio State football is the No. 1 topic in Wake Up Sloopy every day — but we cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Ohio State football, recruiting, ...
Highlights from Urban Meyer's coaches show247Sports
Urban Meyer driven 'insane' by Herman, Muschamp blaming inherited playersCBSSports.com

all 70 news articles »

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Visiting this weekend, per Givler.

Sam Hubbard is Ohio State’s key to winning the line of scrimmage against Oklahoma
Geoff Hammersley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


He had to make adjustments to become a defensive line star for the Buckeyes. Now, Hubbard is the key to stopping the Sooners, and Orlando Brown at the line.

Hubbard grew up a Buckeyes fan; he and his family went to a couple of Ohio State games every year. “I never thought I’d have an opportunity to play there,” he says. “I couldn’t resist it.”

— Sam Hubbard, in an article by Andy Staples and Bruce Feldman on the importance of the line of scrimmage in the OSU-OU game | Sports Illustrated


Those who win the line of scrimmage, win the game. The Ohio State Buckeyes-Oklahoma Sooners may very well follow that saying, as the Buckeyes defensive lineman Sam Hubbard goes up against the Sooners’ offensive tackle Orlando Brown.

To get to this point in time, both stars had to make changes before even setting foot on campus.

In an article by Andy Staples and Bruce Feldman of Sports Illustrated, For Hubbard, he was set on pursuing lacrosse in college, and was committed to going to Notre Dame to do just that. However, when Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes came knocking, Hubbard, who went to OSU football games growing up, couldn’t pass on the opportunity. But, that was the easy part.

On the Buckeyes 2014 title run, Hubbard was a redshirt—and in the process, was shifted around to offensive and defensive positions. Hubbard got bigger (he walked into OSU at 215 pounds) since his arrival, and now is the one fighting through offensive lines to get tackles and sacks.

This weekend, Hubbard will have to go through Brown if he wants to get a sack on Baker Mayfield.

The story of how Brown became one of the best offensive tackles is a story in itself. Brown’s father played in the NFL, and the younger Brown weighed 450 lbs in the eighth grade. In the article, Orlando described himself as a “couch kid” growing up, playing video games and not being all that active, however, when he went to Oklahoma and was redshirted, that changed.

To get to the top of their respective positions, it took time, dedication and willpower to make the changes to their bodies (and mind). We’ll see all that work come to blows on Saturday night inside The Horseshoe.

“Before he was the Hoosiers’ head coach, Wilson served under Stoops on his offensive staff.”

— Morgan Moriarty on Kevin Wilson facing another one of his former teams | SB Nation


It is only Week 2, and OSU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson is already facing his second team that he has connections to. Last week it was Indiana Hoosiers; this week it’s Oklahoma.

On the Wilson-timeline though, Oklahoma came before Indiana. Before Wilson became the head coach for the Hoosiers, he was a coordinator under Sooners’ head coach Bob Stoops. In fact, he was one of the best coordinators in the country—and was part of, arguably, the best Sooners team since the inception of the Big 12.

Wilson was co-OC from 2002-05, and the OC from 2006-10 for Stoops. In that time span, OU went to the BCS national title game three times. In the time that Wilson was the outright OC, the Sooners won four Big 12 championships.

The 2008 Sooners has been regarded as one of the best offensive teams in the Big 12’s history, scoring a whopping 716 points, a number that is second most in FBS history. Nine times during that season the Sooners scored 50+ points. In the Big 12 Championship Game against Missouri, the Sooners dropped 62 points on the Tigers. Their season high scoring output was 65 points against a then-No. 2 Texas Tech squad. However, Meyer’s Florida Gators held that vaunted team to a season-low 14 points in the BCS title game.

Now he’ll face his former team in one of the pivotal games of this young college football season. If it’s like last week, expect the Buckeyes to be collecting a bundle of yards in the air and on the ground.

“Ohio State versus Oklahoma. Buckeyes versus Sooners. The Horseshoe versus the Sooner Schooner. The Block O versus ... well, the Block O”

— Ryan McGee on the similarities of the Buckeyes and Sooners | ESPN.com


We already touched on the similar stars on the line of scrimmage, and how OU has been a power in the beginning part of the 2000s. But, when you look at the whole picture, the Sooners and Buckeyes aren’t just similar in those two recent categories; in fact, they’ve been similar for quite a while.

ESPN’s Ryan McGee went on a little road trip, and determined that even though OSU and OU are 969 miles apart, both programs are closer than that. In the article, two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin said that the two schools seemed pretty close, as they both are neck-and-neck in the record books.

McGee even went on to ask if this game has the feeling of a rivalry. Especially when you consider the previous meetings in 1977 and 1983, with the former being a game-winning field goal for OU inside The ‘Shoe, both teams have been college football powers that rarely meet.

It’s a long read that gets the insights of people who know the programs best, and is almost like a virtual field trip.

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Ohio State-Oklahoma brings loaded visitors list to Buckeyes' campus - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State-Oklahoma brings loaded visitors list to Buckeyes' campus
Landof10.com
Ohio State is welcoming in Oklahoma on Saturday night for a major matchup of Top 5 college football programs. As the season's first marquee game on the Buckeyes home schedule, the Ohio State coaching staff also will welcome dozens of the country's top ...
Kurelic: OL looking for good one at OSU Saturday; commitments?247Sports

all 3 news articles »

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Despite the miles between them, Oklahoma and Ohio State are closer than you'd think - ESPN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Despite the miles between them, Oklahoma and Ohio State are closer than you'd think
ESPN
Ohio State versus Oklahoma. Buckeyes versus Sooners. The Horseshoe versus the Sooner Schooner. The Block O versus ... well, the Block O. This Saturday these two teams will share a football field for only the fourth time. If one were to scribble out a ...
OU GAMEDAY: 5 things to watch against the BuckeyesNorman Transcript
OU Football: Sooners, Buckeyes gear up for trench battleTimes Record
Battle 'lines' are drawn: Buckeyes vs. Sooners will be decided up frontMansfield News Journal
Washington Post -Landof10.com
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Wishing Brian all the best. Always happy to see a local kid get a major D1 schollie.

Luke Fickell may not beat TSUN, but he will surprise Harbaugh. The Buckeye runs deep in this one.

I'm finally getting around to making a cornhole set. Anyone have any advice for construction (thinking of using 2x3s for the frame and 1/2" ply for the deck, with a support strut to stiffen the deck.

Also, and more specifically, how about a good source for cornhole bags? Experience on corn filled vs. 'all weather'?

Thanks in advance.

Also:

inb4 lmgtfy

Buckeyes Make the Cut for Top-Ranked Wrestler David Carr - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes Make the Cut for Top-Ranked Wrestler David Carr
Eleven Warriors
The Iowa State legacy is a high priority for Buckeye coach Tom Ryan, who wants to keep the hottest in-state prospects at home whenever possible. Carr will visit Columbus this weekend, and will visit his father Nate Carr's alma mater in Ames in two ...

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I Got Five on it: Ohio State grounds Oklahoma into dust
Colton Denning via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


J.T. Barrett, Mike Weber, and J.K. Dobbins will bludgeon your defense, AT THE SAME DAMN TIME.

Welcome to I Got Five on it, where last week I wondered how J.K. Dobbins would do in his first collegiate game (pretty well, it turns out), waxed poetic about the depth of the defensive line (they are the truth), proclaimed that Robert Landers is on the verge on stardom (IT SHOULD HAVE COUNTED), and other fun things.

This week, I’m back with five more things to watch for, as the Oklahoma Sooners come to Columbus for a top-five showdown with Ohio State, this time with significantly less quotable material from their backup quarterback:

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oops

As fate would have it, OU hasn’t lost since then —their 11-game win streak is the nation’s longest— and they’re looking to avenge the loss that ultimately cost them a shot at last year’s College Football Playoff.

All-World quarterback Baker Mayfield is back in Norman, and if his opening line versus UTEP last week is any indication —19-20 passing, 329 yards and three touchdowns— OU’s offense will be as explosive as ever, despite the loss of Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine, and Dede Westbrook.

The biggest news for OU this offseason was legendary Head Coach Bob Stoops’ decision to retire, seemingly out of nowhere. Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley takes over, and if you ask Urban Meyer, not much is going to change. Riley passed his first test in the Sooners 56-7 win over the Miners, but facing a No. 2 ranked Meyer team on the road is a hell of a task in your second game as a Head Coach.

With all that in mind, here are five things to watch for as Ohio State takes on Oklahoma:

Triple up


Noah Brown’s four touchdowns got all the headlines last year, but where Ohio State really torched OU was on the ground. The Buckeyes rolled up 291 yards rushing, using a inside-outside attack with Curtis Samuel, Mike Weber, and J.T. Barrett all getting in on the fun:



Samuel’s no longer a Buckeye, but J.K. Dobbins already looks like That Dude™, and with Weber’s return from injury, plus Barrett’s ability to bludgeon when needed, Ohio State might have the most devastating three-headed ground attack since Dugtrio:


Ohio State used RUN THE DANG BALL. It’s super effective!

Dobbins will start, but it will be interesting to see how Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson divies up carries early on. How often will Dobbins and Weber be on the field at the same time? Will Weber be used more in short yardage situations? Either way, their contrasting running styles give Ohio State the ability to attack OU on the ground in different ways. If the Buckeyes build a lead into the second half, expect them to wear down the Sooners’ defense just like they did last year.

Separation anxiety


Success running the ball will be key because duh, obviously, but also because it looks like #Zone6 still enjoys feeling defensive backs attached to their hips way too much. Buckeye receivers had a tough time shaking coverage in the first half last week, which was a story we saw far too often last season.

Things opened up in the second half as the Buckeyes worked the middle of the field to create mismatches, and give their top-notch athletes needed room to use their speed.



Generating deep passing plays is still an issue, but a ‘throw the ball to the really fast dude and let him run’ strategy isn’t the worst fallback option.

OU has some nice pieces in its secondary, but it shouldn’t be impossible for Ohio State receivers to find adequate room, especially if the run game is working well. If they’re able to do so, this offense can reach the next level its been grasping at for the past two seasons.

Record setter


King of Touchdowns, J.T. Barrett

In case you weren’t aware, J.T. Barrett is three touchdowns away from breaking Drew Brees’ conference record for career touchdowns responsible for. Disregarding how Big Ten it is to have a touchdown record from the 1990’s still standing, it’s going to be a great moment for the Barrett, and the program.

Weber’s return probably means less of Barrett’s running the ball (praying hands emoji), but if the run game opens up enough for the receivers, he has a good chance at breaking the record through the air against an OU defense he threw four touchdowns on last year.

Barring injury, Barrett is going to end up responsible for 135 or so touchdowns in his career by the end of the season, and there isn’t anyone in the Big Ten at the moment who will make a run at that new mark. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing with Barrett, but he’s undoubtedly had a hell of a career in Columbus, with possibly the best yet to come.

In the middle


Indiana’s decision to throw the ball almost exclusively outside the numbers and disregard the run, left Ohio State’s linebackers and safeties without the opportunity to make a lot of plays. That won’t be the case against OU.

The Sooners thrive in the middle of the field, and the biggest matchup of the game might be how Ohio State defends tight end/wide receiver/cyborg Mark Andrews:


Andrews is every talking head’s NFL Draft cliche about modern tight ends come to life. He’s too big for defensive backs, too fast for linebackers, and has plenty of athleticism. It’s not like Ohio State is at a lack for athletes at either position, but limiting Andrews’ production is probably priority number one, at least through the air.

31-0


Yeah, I know that you’re sick of seeing it. Ohio State’s goose egg in last year’s playoff semifinal became a running meme that continued last week when Clemson’s marching band threw down this vicious tomahawk dunk on the Buckeyes, and got a good laugh from us in the process. Despite dropping 49 points against Indiana, a primetime matchup with OU is the perfect setting to put what happened against Clemson to rest.

(Also, controversial take: If you’re still upset at people making fun of Ohio State getting pantsed on a national stage, maybe college football isn’t for you ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

Based off the IU game, passing the ball is still a work in progress. There are options at receiver, but is there a deep threat? Has Barrett’s accuracy downfield improved? Do we really know about the offensive line yet? What will happen when they play a top-flight defense?

We’ve seen this before. Once upon a time, Ohio State couldn’t win big games, until they did. They couldn’t hang with SEC Speed™ until they could. Until Ohio State’s offense shows up against a top-tier opponent, the memory of their dud against Clemson will stick in the public’s eye. A good performance tomorrow from Barrett and co. won’t change what happened against the Tigers, but it’s a great opportunity to put it in the rear view for good.

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Ohio State-Oklahoma is one of the most talent-rich games of the 2017 season
Kyle Sumner McKinnon via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Quite a few NFL prospects will take the field Saturday night in Columbus.

There’s more on the line than just a W when No. 5 Oklahoma squares off with No. 2 Ohio State Saturday night.

Okay, I lied about that. But there is something you should be paying closer attention to; the future NFL players actually on the field.

No, seriously. This weekend’s matchup is one of the most talent-rich college football games of the year. The Sooners v. Buckeyes 2017-edition is filled with future first-round picks and pro-caliber players.

So who do you have to keep an eye out for? Let’s take a look (hint, there are a lot of Buckeyes).

Oklahoma

Baker Mayfield


The Sooners’ fiery leader at quarterback has placed in the top four of Heisman Trophy voting both of his years in Norman and could take home the hardware as a senior. Last season was Mayfield’s best to date, completing 71 percent of his passes for 3,965 yards with 40 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Orlando Brown


Already seen as one of the premier offensive linemen in the 2018 draft class, the 6-foot-8, 360-pound Brown won’t be hard to spot in Ohio Stadium. He’s the son of a former NFL offensive tackle and routinely bulldozes defenders. OSU’s stacked defensive line should be a fun test for Brown.

Mark Andrews


Despite compiling 14 touchdowns over the past two years, Andrews hasn’t been a major focal point for Oklahoma. He’s still a mismatch for opposing defenses and could be the first tight end off the board in the 2018 NFL Draft. Andrews got off to a fantastic start Week 1, hauling in seven receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown.

Jordan Thomas


A four year-starter, Thomas is one of the top cornerbacks in the country. He can take away an opponent’s No. 1 receiving threat and blanket an entire side of the field. After recording 17 pass-breakups in 2016, it’s safe to say Thomas could be a real problem on Saturday.

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo


In his first season as a starter in 2016, Okoronkwo tallied 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles. He’s a disruptive force off the edge and it looks like he’ll be even better this year after his one sack, two tackle for a loss performance against UTEP last week.

Steven Parker


The glue guy of Mike Stoops’ defense, Parker has the prototypical NFL frame and playmaking ability needed to really thrive at the next level. He’s a two-year starter and will be the best safety on the field Saturday night.

Ohio State

J.T. Barrett


His future as a quarterback will be debated all season long; we know this. But Barrett’s dominance at OSU is undeniable. He’s 27–4 as a starter and is primed to break multiple records, including Drew Brees’ career Big Ten touchdown mark. Rarely does Barrett shrink in big games and with Oklahoma on the docket, we should see No. 16 at his best.

Mike Weber


Freshman phenom J.K. Dobbins may be getting all the headlines lately, but he’s not leaving college anytime soon. Now that Mike Weber guy? The first OSU freshman running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards? He good. Weber will be back splitting carries with Dobbins after a nagging hamstring injury forced him to sit out Week 1.

Marcus Baugh


No Buckeye gets overlooked more often than Baugh. Is that because OSU barely ever uses tight ends in the passing game? Probably. While he doesn’t possess the physical tools or playmaking ability of someone like Mark Andrews, Baugh can definitely play. He’s sneaky athletic, a solid blocker and has a knack for finding open pockets in coverage. He would’ve scored a touchdown last week if not for a J.T. Barrett overthrow.

Billy Price


The anchor of OSU’s offensive line, Price moved from guard to center this offseason and fared well in Bloomington. He made a great decision to stick around another year in college to refine his game and it seems to be really paying off. What Price lacks in size he makes up for in technique, versatility, and leadership.

Jamarco Jones


Yes, Billy Price is indeed the anchor of the Buckeyes O-line, however, Jamarco Jones isn’t too far off. He’s grown a lot in recent years and has worked hard to get stronger with a more fluid weight distribution. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will likely match up with Jones at least a few times (strictly for our enjoyment, of course).

Jerome Baker


Had the rules permitted, Baker would’ve bolted for the NFL when last season ended. He’s an absolute freak athlete with potential through the roof. Baker finished 2016 second on the team in tackles, second in tackles for a loss, and third in sacks. Not to mention two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against…

Sam Hubbard


A surefire draft pick had he elected to leave for the pros as a junior, Hubbard instead chose to stay in Columbus and refine his game. He’s hasn’t quite lived up to expectations as a Buckeye, but Hubbard’s athleticism, skill and motor are why he remains so dangerous coming off the line.

Jalyn Holmes


Hats off to the player that gets drafted without ever starting a game in college. Well, Holmes might end up being that player, as he totaled 8.5 sacks in 2016 coming off the bench. His stock will improve with another productive season.

Tyquan Lewis


Why did Tyquan Lewis, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year that led one of the best D-lines in the country in sacks for a second straight season, decide to stay in school for his senior year? He has his reasons. Regardless, Lewis’ two sacks in Week One say more than enough and speak to the type of player the Buckeyes get back for a final go-round.

Chris Worley


With the likes of Raekwon McMillan, Darron Lee, Joshua Perry, and Ryan Shazier long gone in the NFL, Chris Worley has carried the linebacker torch at OSU. He’s shifted from the outside to the inside with McMillan out of the picture, and could enjoy a career-high in tackles this year.

Denzel Ward


Another platoon swap in the Buckeyes secondary left potential future first-round pick Denzel Ward as the only experienced cornerback on the roster. He has enough on his plate this season as the leader of a defensive back group that was searching for answers after being thoroughly humbled by Indiana.

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"Don't" and "Stop" are fairly effective safe words. I assume Jax combined them into a less effective phrase "Don't Stop!"

Nice! Judging from your avatar you have quite the view of them too!

First Sooners-Buckeyes Meeting in 1977 Resulted in “The Kick” - kfor.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


First Sooners-Buckeyes Meeting in 1977 Resulted in “The Kick”
kfor.com
Uwe von Schamann kicked a 41-yard field goal with 3 seconds to play to lead OU to the win over the Buckeyes. It's a play that's still known as simply "The Kick," and it's had a lasting impact in the minds and hearts of Sooner fans and for von Schamann.

and more »

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Ohio State goes to enemy territory, offers multiple Michigan OTs
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes are looking to plant flags in rival quarters.

The Buckeyes have easily a top game not only for their personal season this weekend, but in all of college football for the year. A top ten matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners at home brings Ohio State football back to the Horseshoe, and with it a seemingly never-ending star-studded list of recruits who will be on hand to see the electricity within Ohio Stadium come tomorrow night. While recruiting may take a little bit of a backseat to Oklahoma this week, Thursday proved to be different as the recruiting trail was hotter than ever.

Another move into Michigan?


One of the greatest rivalries in all of sports is Ohio State versus Michigan. However, Michigan hasn’t beaten the Buckeyes in 2,112 days. In a rivalry that has completely been owned by Ohio State since the turn of the century, Urban Meyer will look to continue that tradition with another win this coming November. Until then, Ohio State will do their best to recruit for the future, and what better place to do so than in the land of your most hated rival?

Yesterday, 2019 offensive tackle Logan Brown (Grand Rapids, MI/East Kentwood) took to twitter to announce that he had received his latest offer from The Ohio State University. A monster-sized product standing at 6'6, 285 pounds, Brown clearly not only looks the part, but can surely play the part as well. Ranked as the seventh-best tackle in the country for the 2019 class, Brown is also the third-best prospect in all of Michigan for 2019. With a whole two years left of prep football to be played, it’s truly scary to think what improvements Brown can still make.


Currently, the East Kentwood Falcon possesses 17 offers from the likes of Michigan, Alabama, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and most recently, Ohio State. With the thought that the in-state star is leaning towards the Wolverines, now is a perfect time for the Buckeyes and Urban Meyer to swoop in and get into the mix. Beating Michigan on the field is wonderful, but it’s even better if you can do it with players who are from the very state. Will Brown be the next? Only time will tell.

Bradford lands OSU offer


Let’s stay in the state up north and talk about another prospect who received good news concerning Ohio State yesterday. Again, it can’t be overstated how dominant Ohio State has been in its rivalry versus Michigan in the last 15 years. With only two losses coming since 2001, it’s pretty easy to see who truly has the upper hand in this war.

Make your way to Muskegon, Michigan, home to the state power Big Reds coached by legendary head coach Shane Fairfield, and you will find not only some of Michigan’s best high school players, but really, some of the best prep players in the entire Midwest. From a team that has no shortage of talent, 2019 offensive tackle Anthony Bradford was the second at the position in Michigan to have an offer extended his way from the Buckeyes on Thursday.


At 6'5, 320 pounds, Bradford is a top-40 tackle in the country and also the ninth-best prospect in the very deep Michigan class of 2019. With seven offers from the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Ohio State, it’s only a matter of time before more come beckoning on the prized recruit’s door. With Muskegon being a dominant run team, Ohio State has to love what they see on Bradford’s film as a run blocker. The success the Buckeyes have had on the ground in the Meyer era is no secret and it’s due to a great line in front of the stellar backs in Columbus. Can Ohio State and Meyer strike gold in Michigan for another to bolster the trenches?

A look into the future


When you hear the term “Cadillac Position” in regards to Ohio State, you think of the running back spot. However, with the way Urban Meyer and his staff have recruited and developed their players since day one, any position on the field can be considered the prize. On defense though, the cornerback spot has been a serious moneymaker for the Buckeyes and their players, literally. With the past two NFL Drafts seemingly belonging to the Ohio State secondary, it’s easy to see why top recruits continue to choose the Buckeyes each and every cycle that comes through. With the 2018 class sure to be the exact same, it’s a great time not only for the fans, but the players themselves, as the formula for success is pretty simple. Work hard, become a starting Ohio State corner, and it’s onto the big stage.


With so much success at one spot, position coach Kerry Coombs may be looking to the future, as yesterday an offer was sent to 2020 stud Keshawn Lawrence (Nashville, Tennessee/Ensworth). Lawrence has yet to own a 247Sports ranking due to his class, but being a high school sophomore and already standing at 6'2, 185 pounds, there’s no question why Ohio State came knocking at the door.

With tall, lengthy corners with great coverage skills being a serious need in the league, Lawrence’s size not only fits that bill, but also makes him a great size for safety if he ever switches positions. An athlete with the ability to do both nonetheless is a huge asset to have and the Buckeyes being all-in so early may just help solidify a relationship before Keshawn decides on a school in the coming years.

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