2014 Orange Bowl forced Ohio State to change its entire defense - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


2014 Orange Bowl forced Ohio State to change its entire defense
247Sports
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Chris Worley didn't play that day, but he sure remembers the feeling. It was Jan. 4, 2014 at the Orange Bowl. The Buckeyes were less than a month removed from a loss to Michigan State that ended their undefeated season and a ...

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Tigers and Buckeyes babies gear up for Fiesta Bowl - WSPA.com
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Tigers and Buckeyes babies gear up for Fiesta Bowl
WSPA.com
The Tigers and Buckeyes will play in the game in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday starting at 7:00 p.m. The winner will face the victor of the Alabama vs. Washington game to be played earlier in the day in Atlanta. The National Championship game is ...

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Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has preparation for bowl games down to an artform
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Meyer will be looking for two more bowl wins this year to push his record in bowl games to 12-2.

“He’s done it, he’s been successful, and I think everybody in the organization gains confidence from that, knowing that the leader knows exactly what he wants to do.”

- Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano on Urban Meyer via Adam Rittenberg, ESPN


There aren’t many coaches out there who can match what Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer does in bowl games. In fact, the only coach who has a better winning percentage in bowl games is Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who took over the Utes after Meyer went to Florida. With three national titles already to his credit, Meyer knows just the right buttons to push to get his players to peak at just the right time during bowl season. While Meyer has an idea each year on how he wants to ready his teams for the bowl games, he knows that each team isn’t exactly the same, so he adapts his bowl preparation plans to best fit each of his teams.

There is a delicate balance of preparation from a coaching standpoint, but also making sure players are properly conditioned for the bowl game. To help with that, Meyer has leaned on strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti since 2005. The two have worked together for so long, and had so much success, that at this point they are almost on the same wavelength. The two coaches were thrown for a bit of a loop when the College Football Playoff was introduced a few years ago, but they adapted quickly, with their planning leading Ohio State to the playoff title in the first year. With bowl games coming during the holiday season, it could be easy for a team to get distracted, but Meyer’s attention to detail allows for his teams to stay focused. Now Meyer will try and channel the magic again as Ohio State looks to take down Clemson on Saturday night.

“They told us yesterday that we’ve had over 750 Clemson snaps or something like that from the scout team. We’ve been going hard.”

- Ohio State defensive end Sam Hubbard via Austin Ward, ESPN


As evidence by being a Heisman Trophy finalist two years in a row, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is not easy to get a read on. Ahead of Saturday night’s Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State is pulling out all the stops to get their defense prepared to try and slow down the versatile quarterback. Not only has Ohio State had freshman quarterback Dwayne Haskins trying to mimic Watson’s strong arm, but also safety Eric Glover-Williams has also played the role of Watson on the scout team to try and replicate the quarterback’s scrambling ability.

After spending nearly a month getting ready for what Watson might bring to the table in Glendale, the Ohio State defense is ready to see the real thing after logging so many snaps against the scout team. The Buckeyes even brought in a former NFL wide receiver Brian Hartline to try and test the defensive backs. The preparations for Watson could have some effects that stretch further than the Fiesta Bowl. With Haskins taking on the role of Watson, the Buckeyes are hoping it might help the growth of the quarterback since they see some of Watson in Haskins. Right now the Fiesta Bowl is the main priority though, and Ohio State’s defense will certainly be prepared for everything Watson has to throw at them.

“We’re going to be aggressive as hell. We’re not going to give anything easy. We’re going to suffocate offenses in everything that we do, which means at time you’re hanging yourself out.”

- Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell via Ralph D. Russo, Associated Press


Over the last couple years Ohio State has had quite a dominant defense, but had it not been for the loss to Clemson in the 2014 Orange Bowl, the defense might not look like it does today. The loss to Clemson was the last straw for Urban Meyer, who had seen his defense give up at least 30 points in four of the last five games of the 2013 season. After the season, Meyer told co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell to blow up the defense and start over.

Ohio State started their defensive makeover by hiring Chris Ash from Arkansas to join Fickell as co-defensive coordinator. The reason Ash was targeted by Meyer and Fickell was because Ash used press quarters at Wisconsin and Arkansas, and the Buckeyes were looking to implement press quarters because of the success Michigan State had with then-defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi using press quarters. Meyer and Fickell were interested in using press quarters because they were just toasted by Sammy Watkins and the Tigers in the Orange Bowl by quick passes and screens. Now after the defensive overhaul, Ohio State is looking to win their second College Football Playoff title in three years, but to do so they’ll first have to take down the team that made them change their defensive philosophy.

“Clemson is the reason. They’re good. I’m not ashamed to say it. A lot of what we do around here, we studied them.”

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on Clemson’s content creation via Pete Thamel, Sports Illustrated


Not only will Ohio State and Clemson square off on the field on Saturday night, but they also are squaring off online. Recently Athlon named Ohio State’s Twitter feed as the best in the country, which was a title that Clemson held last year. The Buckeyes know the Tigers are one of the best groups in the country when it comes to online content, which is why over the past two years Ohio State has tried to hire two people from Clemson’s creative team.

These days schools are looking for every possible advantage they can get when it comes to recruiting, which is why direct of player personnel Mark Pantoni leads a daily meeting where the staff comes up with ideas on content they can send to recruits. Since Meyer took over in Columbus, Ohio State has focused more on creative content, adding an estimated $100,000 to their budget. What keeps the creative team working so hard is Meyer’s desire to be best, and if his creative team isn’t the best, they find out what they can do to beat the competition. While the battle between Ohio State and Clemson’s creative teams won’t have any impact of what happens on the field on Saturday night, fans of both schools will definitely be ready for kickoff with the outstanding content both schools prov

STICK TO SPORTS

• Columbus was named the sixth-best city in the country for beer.
• The Buckeye Bourbon House will open up in downtown Columbus in February.
• After over two decades with ABC 6/Fox 28, Yolanda Harris announced last night’s newscast was her last.
• LeBron James ate raw garlic after losing a bet to his 12-year-old son.

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Im on chapter 6. This game is awesome.

A) No one would ever admit "actually we get smoked about 80-90% of the time, but we try to build on those really rare victories."

B) The young guys on this team have loads of talent, particularly at the skill positions (frankly, Dwayne can be a much better passer than JT and Victor, McCall, Mack do not take a back seat to the starters in terms of receiving potential).

C) This defense is really good. It's not suffocating, however, it's just really solid with terrific athleticism and ball skills to capitalize on mistakes.

J.T. Barrett aims to make more good decisions for Ohio State Buckeyes - WKYC-TV
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


J.T. Barrett aims to make more good decisions for Ohio State Buckeyes
WKYC-TV
Samuel proved to be the Buckeyes' most prolific playmaker, as he turned 91 carries into 704 yards and eight touchdowns, and a team-leading 65 catches into 822 yards and seven scores. Samuel had more than twice as many receptions as the next leading ...
Buckeyes, Let's Hold the LineThe Players Tribune
Ohio State football | Jack Looks Back: Buckeyes' first clash with Clemson was last game for WoodyColumbus Dispatch
Fiesta Bowl Preview: Clemson Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes in familiar prelude to greatnessUPI.com
ESPN -Landof10.com
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Ohio State Buckeyes: Composure separates Clemson QB Deshaun Watson - WKYC-TV
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Ohio State Buckeyes: Composure separates Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
WKYC-TV
The Ohio State Buckeyes have defended against a wide range of quarterbacks throughout the 2016 season, but they will get a test like no other when they take on the Clemson Tigers in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in ...
Buckeyes downplay Watson's interceptions; Watson and JT are friendsCleveland 19 News

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How Ohio State can stop Deshaun Watson
Ian Hartitz via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Spoiler: it’s going to be tough.

How Ohio State can limit Watson


Ohio State doesn’t change the principles of their defense based on the opponent. This is what happens when your entire defense is stockpiled with some of the most talented players in the country.

While much has been made of Ohio State’s cover-four scheme, Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley are talented enough that the defense has run an abundance of straight up man-to-man coverage. The secondary’s coverage ability, combined with the pass-rushing prowess and athleticism from the front seven, has allowed Ohio State to stifle scrambling quarterbacks all season.

Man coverage with a QB spy


Against Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners, Ohio State got basic and played cover-one spy during a huge moment early in the game:


Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has the ability to make plays outside of the pocket, so the defense needed to protect against a possible quarterback run. In the above play, Ohio State shows blitz at the line before the snap, but it's really just designed to confuse the quarterback and offensive line. The Buckeyes are only rushing their three down linemen and almost everyone else is playing man coverage.

Free safety Damon Webb (#7), bails at the snap to cover the middle of the field. He is just playing a deep zone and is looking for work. Strong safety Malik Hooker (#24) rolled into the box before the snap and is in man coverage with the tight end. They'll often switch responsibilities which makes it difficult for quarterbacks to know who is playing which role. The Buckeyes' three cornerbacks are all in man coverage.

Raekwon McMillan (#5) and Chris Worley (#35), the two outside linebackers on this play, are responsible for covering the running back. Since the running back went to McMillan's side of the field, he covered him while Worley stayed home to spy Mayfield and look for work. Regardless of what goes on around him, middle linebacker Jerome Baker (#17) spies the quarterback to prevent any running lanes or scramble attempts.

At the snap, all three of Ohio State's cornerbacks and Hooker turn and run with their receivers. Mayfield appeared to be fooled by the blitz and didn't set the protection correctly, as Jalyn Holmes (#11) was gifted a free path to the quarterback. From there, Baker made a great play by finding the tipped pass and managed to take the interception all the way to the house.

The Buckeyes' defense gets complex when it needs to. Third-and-longs will sometimes result in well-timed blitzes, but Ohio State has often been able to get pressure on the quarterback without bringing pressure. In these instances, they've been more than happy to simply let their cornerbacks matchup with the opposition and hope that their players are better than the opposition.

The Rushmen package


If Ohio State is struggling to get pressure on Watson, they could move to their rushmen package sooner rather than later. Last season, Ohio State's defensive line was the strong point of the defense, as they had an abundance of NFL talent that excelled at getting to the quarterback. When opponents were forced into obvious passing downs, they began toying with a "rushmen" package that took their nose guard off the field for a defensive end. Joey Bosa was so good at playing inside or outside that they were able to put three defensive ends plus Adolphus Washington on the field at the same time. It was a nightmare for quarterbacks and offensive lines alike.

This season's version of the rushmen package involves two substitutions since the defense doesn't have an interior pass rusher on Washington's level. Nick Bosa (#97) and Holmes play plenty of snaps in non-passing situations as well, but the Buckeyes will bring them in as defensive tackles to join starting defensive ends Sam Hubbard (#6) and Tyquan Lewis (#59) to really get after the quarterback.


In the above play, Ohio State had forced Wisconsin into a fourth and goal with four yards separating the offense from the end zone. The defense subbed in Bosa and Holmes to play defensive tackle and proceeded to unleash the four pass rushers. The linebackers, safeties and corners play the same Cover 1 spy principal that we discussed before, except there are only two linebackers instead of three. The only difference is that there is now one quarterback spy instead of two, so the focus is more on pressure and less on defending against a run or broken play.

With great coverage across the board, the Wisconsin offensive line is overwhelmed by the pass rush and speed of the interior defenders. Most of the Buckeyes' pass rushers are hard to handle without a double team, so putting them all on the field at once makes it very difficult to protect the quarterback, while also allowing the defense to drop seven guys back in coverage. Holmes eventually makes it to the quarterback and seals the game.

The bottom line


Both Clemson and Ohio State will have a few surprises in store for each other, but at the end of the day both teams got to this point by playing their style of football. Clemson is going to try to spread Ohio State out on defense and let their best player attack them in a variety of ways. The Buckeyes are going to bet that their corners and defensive linemen are better than the Tigers’ receivers and offensive linemen.

Football is a team sport, but in a matchup with two very-even teams, the game could come down to individuals making big plays in big moments. Can the Ohio State defensive line contain Watson and force him to make quick decisions? Can Lattimore and Conley hold up in man coverage down the field and slow down Williams? I for one cannot wait to find out this Saturday.

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Buckeyes don't want to over-prepare for Watson - BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes don't want to over-prepare for Watson
BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has been on the radar of Ohio State fans ever since the five-star product out of Gainesville (Ga.) picked up his first offer. The Buckeyes made a recruiting run at Watson but could never get the ...
Ohio State Buckeyes: Composure separates Clemson QB Deshaun WatsonWKYC-TV
Buckeyes downplay Watson's interceptions; Watson and JT are friendsCleveland 19 News

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Here’s how to watch wrestling’s Midlands Championships live
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

Use BTN2Go and BTN2Go.com to watch live cameras from every mat of the Midlands Championships right up to the final round, which air live live on BTN TV.

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Countdown to 2017: Top 10 storylines of 2016 Big Ten season
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

We're one day closer to 2017, and today BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is counting down the 10 best storylines, in no particular order, of the 2016 Big Ten football season.

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The Orange Bowl and Alamo Bowl tops the next set of college football bowl game best bets, odds
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


We inch closer to the playoff as the first off the New Year’s Six bowl games kicks off.

Bowl season ATS: 7-16-1 (5-13-1 National, 2-3 B1G)

Season ATS: 92-103-5 (45-51-2 National, 47-52-3 B1G)

Bowl season has been a complete bust for MC&J so far this year. Tuesday and Wednesday really put a hurtin’ on this year’s bowl record, with just a 1-7 record against the spread in those eight games. Hopefully as the importance of the bowl games rises, MC&J’s picks can get better.

Birmingham Bowl: South Florida (-10) v. South Carolina - 12/29 2:00 PM EST - ESPN

South Florida has already set a school record for most wins in a season, which is a major reason why Willie Taggart drew the attention of Oregon for their vacant head coaching position. The Bulls hit the jackpot with Taggart’s replacement, hiring Charlie Strong. But it isn’t quite time for Strong to take the reins of the Bulls just yet, as interim head coach T.J. Weist will lead South Florida against South Carolina in Birmingham.

Quarterback Quinton Flowers could kickstart a 2017 Heisman campaign with a strong performance against the Gamecocks. This year Flowers was one of just three quarterbacks with 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing. Between Flowers, who had 1,425 yards rushing, and Marlon Mack, who added 1,137 yards on the ground, the Bulls have quite a potent rushing attack.

South Carolina has been carried by their defense this year, and because of that I think they’ll be able to stay inside the number here. To say South Florida’s offense has been awful this year might be an understatement. While I’m not very impressed with what the Gamecocks offer up on offense, South Florida’s defense can make pretty much anyone look good it seems.

South Florida 31, South Carolina 27

Belk Bowl: Arkansas v. No. 22 Virginia Tech (-7) - 12/29 5:30 PM EST - ESPN

Justin Fuente’s first season in Blacksburg couldn’t have gone much better. A win against Arkansas will give the Hokies their first 10-win season since 2011. Quarterback Jerod Evans is a big reason for that success, throwing for 27 touchdowns and adding another 10 rushing touchdowns. With 20 points, Virginia Tech will break the school record for points scored in a season that was set in 2010.

Arkansas will be looking for their third straight bowl win under Bret Bielema. The Razorbacks will need another big performance out of Rawleigh Williams III, who ran for 1,326 yards and 12 touchdowns this year. What hurt Arkansas this year was they couldn’t get any consistency, as they alternated wins and losses for much of the season.

Another problem for Bielema’s teams at Arkansas is they haven’t found much success against ranked teams. The Razorbacks are 7-18 against ranked foes under Bielema, but this is first non-SEC ranked team they’ve played. I was impressed with how the Hokies stuck with Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, and I think they close out the year strong with a double-digit win in Charlotte.

Virginia Tech 38, Arkansas 24

Alamo Bowl: No. 12 Oklahoma State v. No. 10 Colorado (-3) - 12/29 9:00 PM EST - ESPN

Not only is this a matchup of former conference foes, but it also is one of the most intriguing non-New Year’s Six bowl games. Colorado is playing in their first bowl game since 2007, but they’ll have to do so without the architect of a defense that was one of the best in the country. Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt left the Buffaloes to take the same position at Oregon earlier this month.

While Colorado got some bad news leading up to the bowl game, Oklahoma State just got some good news. Quarterback Mason Rudolph announced he is returning to Stillwater next year, which could see the Cowboys sitting in a lofty position in the polls prior to the season. Rudolph was the only quarterback in the country to pass for more than 3,500 yards and throw less than five interceptions.

I love what head coach Mike MacIntyre has done in Boulder, but I think the loss of Leavitt will hurt Colorado in this game. Where the Buffaloes have been strong is in forcing turnovers, which is something that Rudolph just doesn’t do that much. This should be a fun game, but in the end I feel better about taking the points.

Oklahoma State 33, Colorado 30

Liberty Bowl: Georgia (-1) v. TCU - 12/30 12:00 PM EST - ESPN

This is certainly a bowl game and it is in Memphis, but other than that there isn’t a whole lot to say about this game. At least fans will get to watch Georgia running back Nick Chubb, who is nearing 1,000 yards this season. Kirby Smart has had an up-and-down first season in Athens, but things started to go Georgia’s way later in the year, with the Bulldogs winning three of their last four games.

TCU is a tough team to get a read on, and a lot of that can be attributed to the inconsistency of quarterback Kenny Hill. The Texas A&M transfer threw 13 interceptions this year, so Georgia’s defense could feast on a few turnovers. I’m not terribly impressed by either team, but if I had to choose I’d take Georgia just because I can trust their defense a little more.

Georgia 27, TCU 21

Sun Bowl: No. 18 Stanford (-3) v. North Carolina - 12/30 2:00 PM EST - CBS

Sun Bowl? More like the Shun Bowl if you are a starting running back for either of these teams. Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and North Carolina running back Elijah Hood are both sitting this one out, with the difference being McCaffrey is doing so to prepare for the NFL, while Hood is returning to Chapel Hill next yesar.

At least scouts can still get a look at North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who threw for 3,468 yards and 28 touchdowns this year. Wide receiver Ryan Switzer was Trubisky favorite target this season, hauling in 91 catches for over 1,000 yards.

Stanford closed the season with five straight wins, with the spark being provided when Keller Chryst was inserted as the starting quarterback. Chryst threw for seven touchdowns and no interceptions in the last four games. I still can’t trust Stanford without McCaffrey. Even though North Carolina doesn’t have Hood, I still think they’ll be able to move the ball and make the Cardinal play catchup.

North Carolina 28, Stanford 24

Music City Bowl: Nebraska v. No. 21 Tennessee (-6.5) - 12/30 3:30 PM EST - ESPN

Is Nebraska even going to have anybody left by the time kickoff rolls around. The Cornhuskers likely won’t have quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., and it was already known that wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp and defensive back Nate Gerry wouldn’t be playing against the Volunteers. Ryker Fyfe started when Nebraska played Maryland, but the backup quarterback didn’t have anyone like Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett chasing him around.

On the other side, Tennessee definitely doesn’t have to worry about the quarterback position. Joshua Dobbs threw for 26 touchdowns and added nine rushing touchdowns, pretty much doing everything on offense for Tennessee this year. The Volunteers were riding a three-game winning streak before ending the regular season on a sour note with a loss to Vanderbilt.

If Nebraska wasn’t dealing with so many injuries I probably would be all-in on them giving Tennessee a close game. Knowing what I know now, it’s hard to see the Cornhuskers keeping up. This one could get ugly for Nebraska.

Tennessee 41, Nebraska 21

Arizona Bowl: South Alabama v. Air Force (-14) - 12/30 5:30 PM EST - ASN

What is ASN? Do I even have ASN? Isn’t Will McAvoy an anchor on ASN? Will Sloan Sabbith be on commentary? And now I’ve lost anybody reading this who didn’t watch The Newsroom.

Are you really going to bet against a team that has a player named Weston Steelhammer? I didn’t think so. Air Force runs all over South Alabama. I think we’ve spent enough time on a game that none of us will end up watching a second of.

Air Force 35, South Alabama 17

Orange Bowl: No. 6 Michigan (-7) v. No. 11 Florida State - 12/30 8:00 PM EST - ESPN

Finally we have gotten to the first of the New Year’s Six bowls. The Wolverines were obviously hoping to be playing in the College Football Playoff and if a certain spot wasn’t so good, Jim Harbaugh’s team just might be. Instead Michigan will have to set their bitter disappointment aside and take on Florida State. Remember when Will Ferrell played nine different positions during MLB spring training? Maybe Jabrill Peppers can do something like that an play every position on both sides of the ball for Michigan in this game.

If I was Peppers I surely wouldn’t want to try and tackle Florida State running back Dalvin Cook. Not many have been to successful at bringing down Cook this year, who has rushed for 1,620 and 18 touchdowns for the Seminoles. Cook will have to be on top of his game to crack a Michigan defense that might just be the best in the country.

Florida State struggled early in the season on defense, which dashed their College Football Playoff hopes a lot sooner than many were expecting. The Seminoles have tightened things up of late though, which is why I think they’ll be able to stay in this game. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker, who has 15 sacks on the year, could give the Michigan offensive line fits. I think Cook puts forward a strong performance in his hometown before announcing he is heading to the NFL and somehow the Seminoles hand Michigan their third loss in four games.

Florida State 24, Michigan 21

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How Ohio State can KO Clemson - ESPN
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How Ohio State can KO Clemson
ESPN
How Ohio State can KO Clemson · Ohio State Buckeyes. 1mSteve Muench and Kevin Weidl. Ranking non-playoff teams' chances of making 2017 field · Denver Broncos. 51mBill Barnwell. Karl's latest jabs anger Lillard's coach, agent · Portland Trail Blazers.


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Buckeyes had perfect decoy as Clemson QB - Toledo Blade
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Buckeyes had perfect decoy as Clemson QB
Toledo Blade
The Buckeyes aimed to mimic Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson using two players. Third-string quarterback Dwayne Haskins simulated Watson's throwing; Glover-Williams entered to give the Buckeyes' defense a taste of a scrambling quarterback.


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BM5: Buckeyes to take over U.S. Army Bowl again - 247Sports
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BM5: Buckeyes to take over U.S. Army Bowl again
247Sports
Yes, next week is U.S. Army All-American Bowl Week, culminating with the annual game on Jan. 7 at the AlamoDome in San Antonio, Texas. Once again, the week has a distinct Buckeye feel. Nine Buckeyes commitments and two 5-star prospects we all ...


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4-star WR Joshua Moore includes Ohio State in top schools
Bret Favachio 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 in a battle for the Texas native.

Moore reveals top schools


When it comes to Ohio State's 2018 class, the Buckeyes are off to a very good start as they've already secured two commitments from two exceptional out-of-state prospects — '18 quarterback Emory Jones and '18 running back Brian Snead.

On Wednesday, the Scarlet and Gray found out that their chances for another non-Ohioan got a bit better. '18 wide receiver Joshua Moore, the 60th overall player in the class, from Yoakum (TX) announced via Twitter that he narrowed his list of 50 offers down to just 14. Of the 14 programs that were included, Ohio State was one of them.


As for the Buckeyes competition for the 6-foot, 168-pounder, they will have to fight off Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M in this battle.

Ohio State initially jumped into the picture for Moore in September of this year when they delivered an offer to the Lone Star State standout. The Buckeyes have yet to host Moore on a visit to campus, so plenty of credit should go to the coaching staff for keeping the interest high. With that being said, former Buckeye offensive coordinator Tom Herman, who is now the head coach at Texas, is currently projected to be the beneficiary in this recruitment. On the 247Sports Crystal Ball for Moore, the Longhorns have received 73 percent of Moore's predictions.

Pryor, Wilson shine at UA practice


Day 1 of the Under Armour All-American practice was held on Wednesday in Orlando, Fla. and '17 safety Isaiah Pryor, an Ohio State pledge, from IMG Academy (FL) wasted no time making a good impression on those in attendance. According to Adam Gorney of Rivals.com, the four-star prospect looked "strong" on defense.

It was more of the same with '17 defensive tackle Marvin Wilson of Episcopal (TX), who announced, on Tuesday, a top five list that included the Buckeyes. Wilson, the No. 3 player in this year’s recruiting cycle, was listed by the aforementioned Gorney of Rivals as the most impressive player of the day.

Gorney raved about the showing of Wilson, a major Ohio State target, and even stated that the 6-foot-4, 329-pounder was "absolutely dominating." On Sunday, you will be able to see with your own eyes, these two talents in action. It will be interesting to see how they and many other Buckeye commits/targets fare throughout the week.

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Buckeyes roll past Lancers, 71-37 - Athens Messenger (registration)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes roll past Lancers, 71-37
Athens Messenger (registration)
Nelsonville-York's Hunter Edwards (12, left) goes up for two despite some hard-charging defense from Federal Hocking's Jared Hawk during Wednesday's game in Stewart. The Buckeyes won the game 71-37. prev. next. STEWART – The Nelsonville-York ...


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Ohio State dominates Minnesota 87-62 to open Big Ten play
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Kelsey Mitchell makes Big Ten history in the win.

The No. 14 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-4, 1-0) knocked off Minnesota (9-5, 0-1) 87-62 on Wednesday night from the Value City Arena to open up Big Ten play for both teams. Throughout the game, Ohio State’s depth and athleticism kept the Golden Gophers at arms length, despite a gritty effort to keep the contest close at times.

OSU got substantive contributions from every player to step on the floor. Juniors Kelsey Mitchell and Linnae Harper led the way for OSU; 11 Buckeyes scored, but Mitchell was the game’s high scorer with 23 points to go along with six assists. Harper also turned in a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards.

The Gophers got the first bucket of the game, but after that opening basket, the first five minutes were dominated by the Buckeyes. With 4:40 left in the first quarter, Kelsey Mitchell hit the 299th three-pointer of her collegiate career to give OSU a 13-4 lead on the strength of an 11-0 run.

At that point, the Buckeyes were 5-10 from the field, and Minnesota was just 1-10, despite Gopher center Jessie Edwards making the first shot of the game.

After Minnesota converted on a pair of free throws, Mitchell took a deep three with 4:09 left in the first quarter to extend the lead to 16-6. The basket made her only the fifth player in Big Ten history to reach the milestone, and she wasn’t done just yet.

The Buckeyes’ athletic advantage was evident in the first quarter as they routinely scored off of their full-court pressure, and played with an impressive tempo on offense. The first 10 minutes of the game saw the Buckeyes hit five three-pointers on 10 attempts, including four from Mitchell, who was the game’s leading scorer with 12. After one quarter, Ohio State led 29-18.

The hot shooting for the Buckeyes continued into the second period as sophomore guard Sierra Calhoun hit a three from 23 feet to give the Buckeyes their biggest lead of the game, doubling up the Gophers 36-18. While OSU’s bench was outscoring their Minnesota counterparts 12-0 at that point, fouls were beginning to be a bit of a problem for the Buckeyes as three players (Tori McCoy, Stephanie Mavunga, and Shayla Cooper) had already picked up two a piece.

Throughout the first seven minutes of the second quarter, the Buckeyes maintained a substantial lead on the strength of their shooting and turnover advantage. The Gophers were shooting just 27.6% and had turned the ball over eight times, while OSU was shooting 40.5% and had only committed two turnovers.

However, with an increased defensive intensity, Minnesota went on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 40-29 after being down 38-18 earlier in the quarter. During the Gopher streak, OSU made only one of 17 field-goal attempts.

With just over a minute remaining in the quarter, a pair of free-throws from Minnesota’s Carlie Wagner cut the lead to single digits (42-33) for the first time since 2:52 in the first quarter. However, OSU’s Linnae Harper put back an airball rebound with 0:28 left in the half, and then hit a jumper as time expired, to extend the Buckeye lead to 46-33.

Minnesota’s head coach, Marlene Stollings, who played two years at Ohio State before transferring to Ohio University, is still the leading scorer in Ohio High School Basketball history, male or female, with 3,514 points.

At the break, Mitchell lead all scorers with 16, while Edwards led the way for Minnesota with 7. Three Buckeyes; Calhoun, Harper, and Makayla Waterman; turned in five first half rebounds.

The second half opened with both teams coming out of the locker room slightly more sloppy than they had been in the first 20 minutes. Both teams had a pair of turnovers in the first 5:30, and both teams struggling from the floor; Minnesota was 2-11, and OSU was 3-9.

Ohio State re-established a 20-point lead by turning up the heat on defense. With three steals and two blocks in a minute and a half beginning around the 5:00-mark of the third quarter, the Buckeyes look a 59-39 lead. After three quarters, OSU lead Minnesota 16-3 in points off of turnovers. They led the game 65-43 with 10 minutes left to play.

With 6:45 left in the game, Minnesota lost one of its most productive players, as junior center Bryanna Fernstrom fouled out after turning in 12 points and 10 points in 20 minutes off of the bench.

The only statistical category that went Minnesota’s way was rebounding. However, even though they edged the Buckeyes 56-55 on the boards, the Buckeyes outscored the Gophers 16-10 in second chance points, and led in points in the paint as well, 38-26.

Ohio State didn’t shoot particularly well (33-85, 34.6%), they played fantastic defense, causing 24 turnovers, while only giving up 12. Kelsey Mitchell’s twin sister did get her first points of the season, hitting both of her three-point attempts.

The OSU Women’s Basketball team returns to the hardwood on Saturday at 3 p.m. EST on the road against Indiana. The game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network, and should be a great way get into the Buckeye spirit ahead of the Fiesta Bowl matchup against No. 2 Clemson.

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Xavier McKinney, a 4-star S, includes Ohio State in top 3: Could he choose the Buckeyes? - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Xavier McKinney, a 4-star S, includes Ohio State in top 3: Could he choose the Buckeyes?
cleveland.com
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Four-star safety Xavier McKinney of Roswell, Ga., was quietly on an official visit to Ohio State for the win over Michigan on Nov. 26. He wasn't in the spotlight because the Buckeyes were hosting some big-named five-stars like ...


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Ohio State band member hits 55-yard FG, earns Buckeyes tryout - NFL.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State band member hits 55-yard FG, earns Buckeyes tryout
NFL.com
And now, the Ohio State band member will get a chance to show what he can do with a football instead of a musical instrument. The OSU band's official Twitter account captured Brizee connecting on a 55-yard field goal attempt Tuesday, and tagged ...
Ohio State marching band member kicks 55-yard field goal, gets football tryoutLand-Grant Holy Land

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Ohio State’s College Football Playoff hype video is the elixir you need for Saturday
Harry Lyles Jr. via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


It’s almost that time.

Ohio State’s video team has done a spectacular job all season of getting us ready for matchups week in and week out, and they may have brought their best work for the playoff.

The Buckeyes will be looking for revenge on a Clemson team that knocked them off in the 2014 Orange Bowl. The teams looks very different than they did then, but both are obviously both in a great spot.

Both teams have been highly regarded throughout the year, and to have them meet up in the Fiesta Bowl for a chance at a national championship only seems fitting. If it hasn’t hit you yet, this hype video will do the trick.

Go Bucks.

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Barrett gets 2nd chance for Buckeyes - Beloit Daily News
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Barrett gets 2nd chance for Buckeyes
Beloit Daily News
A healthy, confident Barrett led the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff against Clemson on New Year's Eve. Instead of being relegated to the fringe, he's now is at the center of intense bowl game prep with a chance to ...
Buckeye in-state target weighing very important decision247Sports

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Watch Ohio State band member nail 55-yard field goal
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

If any college team is in search of a kicker (there's a lot of them), we recommend scouting The Best Damn Band In The Land. Check out one member of the Ohio State marching band drilling a 55-yard field goal inside.

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A.J. Hawk delivers message to Ohio State players heading into the playoff
Harry Lyles Jr. via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Enjoy the ride.

“Have fun. It goes fast.”

- A.J. Hawk, The Players Tribune


Former Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk wrote a great piece for The Players Tribune that talked about the significance of football in Ohio. He didn’t leave it at strictly Ohio State football, but rather went into how it’s a huge deal at the high school level, despite it not getting the hype that surrounds Texas high school football. At the same time, Hawk mentions that playing for Ohio State seemed impossible, like becoming the President of the United States. There’s numbers you grow up recognizing because of their historical significance, or because they were a player you grew up admiring.

Hawk then talks about suddenly being thrown into that mix, after seeing Jerry Rudzinski, who grew up in Hawk’s hometown, play for Ohio State. That pushed Hawk, who ultimately was able to go to Ohio State and win a national championship. He expands on things that he experienced as a player, like the way that he and his teammates were with each other, including other small details that he noticed while at Ohio State. His message in the end to the 2016 Buckeyes, is to “Have fun. It goes fast.” That sounds like some good advice for young college athletes on top of the world right now.

“Meyer pointed at his own desk. He wasn’t saying [J.T.] Barrett is simply going to be a college head coach someday; he’s saying Barrett will be the head coach at Ohio State someday.”

- Pat Forde, Yahoo Sports


Urban Meyer thinks his quarterback, J.T. Barrett will hold the throne that is the Ohio State head coaching position. “I really believe this,” Meyer told Forde. “I think he’s going to sit right here one day. Right here.” Meyer clearly thinks very highly of Barrett, who is having one of the most prolific careers not just in Ohio State history, but in Big Ten history. He’s involved in a lot of plays, 57.7 percent of them, according to Forde.

Barrett and Meyer have set out to do what everyone does, and that’s win a national championship, and compete for multiple ones. “I know why he came here, he was very clear about it,” Meyer said. “It was to play for a national championship. … He said he couldn’t stand to go to another place and watch Ohio State play for a national championship.” Barrett added, “[A national title] was one of the things I wrote down as my goals as a freshman. The goal was reached, but playing in it is totally different. That’s something I definitely want to be a part of.” The got one in 2014, maybe they’ll have some even-year magic.

“[Curtis] Samuel arrived at Ohio State thinking he was just going to be a running back.”

- Marla Ridenour, Akron Beacon Journal


The story of Curtis Samuel is an interesting one. He’s not from a place (Brooklyn) where a lot of football players come from. He wasn’t recruited to Ohio State to be an H-back, and yet here he is, tearing it up in Urban Meyer’s offense and drawing comparisons to Percy Harvin. When he was in high school, he played running back, but never really felt like one. “In high school, every little combine or camp event I went to I played receiver, I never played running back,” Samuel told Ridenour. “I was kind of comfortable in high school, but the plays we ran were sweeps and bubble screens. I didn’t know about running routes and 15-yard curls.”

Samuel came to Ohio State, who had Ezekiel Elliott, a guy who turned out to be pretty dang good. That’s when Meyer started to work with converting Samuel, who needed a good amount of time to adjust. “It definitely took a lot of time. My first practice was horrible. You could tell I had potential there, but the routes were horrible. [Receivers] Coach [Zach] Smith helped me, coach Meyer, the unit room we had was great, they pushed me, they helped me become the receiver I am today.” He’s undoubtedly turned into a great receiver, and while he may not get the national recognition we feel he deserves, we know what number 4 in the scarlet and gray uniform is capable of. Ask folks in Ann Arbor.

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On the Beat: Buckeyes' strong run defense has Clemson's attention - Charleston Post Courier
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


On the Beat: Buckeyes' strong run defense has Clemson's attention
Charleston Post Courier
Only two tailbacks have run for 100 yards against the Buckeyes' third-ranked defense, both in OSU wins: Wisconsin's Corey Clement reached 164 yards on 25 attempts and Michigan State's LJ Scott got 160 yards on 19 totes plus a 64-yard receiving ...


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