Ohio State football: Buckeyes' playoff fate rests with committee - The Morning Journal
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football: Buckeyes' playoff fate rests with committee
The Morning Journal
2 Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, No. 2 CFP) lost control of their destiny when they stumbled at Penn State on Oct. 22. Their win over Michigan put into a play a tie-breaker system that gives No. 8 Penn State the Big Ten East Division title and a shot at No.


Continue reading...

Column: Basketball Buckeyes coming into focus - The Newark Advocate
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Column: Basketball Buckeyes coming into focus
The Newark Advocate
If the early stats are any indication, defense will be the Buckeyes' calling card this season. Ohio State is holding teams to 36 percent shooting from the floor in its first six games, with opponents hitting only 31 percent from the 3-point arc; only N ...
Buckeyes Roundball Roundup: OSU goes a perfect 3-0 on the weekWaiting For Next Year
Ohio State Weekly Recruiting Retweets: November 22-November 28247Sports

all 4 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State football | Upsets would help, blowouts hurt Buckeyes' playoff hopes - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football | Upsets would help, blowouts hurt Buckeyes' playoff hopes
Columbus Dispatch
Most national observers view the Buckeyes as a near-lock. The website fivethirtyeight.com gives Ohio State an 89 percent chance of qualifying, just 3 percent worse than Alabama's. But fans being fans, they worry about the 11 percent. After all, 2016 ...
Ohio State is now the College Football Playoff wild cardESPN
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes belong in College Football PlayoffUPI.com
Michigan's Charlton, Wormley boost NFL Draft stock despite loss to BuckeyesCBSSports.com
Chronicle Telegram -USA TODAY
all 2,059 news articles »

Continue reading...

Dotting the 'Eyes: Awaiting the Baron Browning decision, thoughts on Ohio State's official visitors from the weekend - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Dotting the 'Eyes: Awaiting the Baron Browning decision, thoughts on Ohio State's official visitors from the weekend
Landof10.com
The Tide have four linebackers committed and would like to add two more, the Buckeyes have one, but beyond that, there are few differences in what the schools can offer a player like Browning. Both schools have a long history of NFL success and ...

and more »

Continue reading...

USA Today's 1-128 re-rank: Ohio State No. 2, Penn State finally joins Buckeyes, Michigan, Wisconsin in Top 10 - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


USA Today's 1-128 re-rank: Ohio State No. 2, Penn State finally joins Buckeyes, Michigan, Wisconsin in Top 10
Landof10.com
The Buckeyes were No. 2 in both the AP and Coaches Polls on Sunday after Ohio State won 30-27 in double overtime against rival Michigan. Ohio State didn't win the Big Ten East and won't play in the Big Ten Championship Game, but the Buckeyes have ...
Kern: Buckeyes give Nittany Lions a helping handPhilly.com
Nittany Lion fans give big cheer for Buckeyes' assistance | Centre ...Centre Daily Times

all 669 news articles »

Continue reading...

There is a simple fix to figuring out the Ohio State-Michigan spot once and for all
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


And thereby quiet Michigan fans for good...

“If I am lost around Butte Montana, and my GPS can keep me from a wrong turn that takes me over a cliff, why can’t we triangulate the yard markers with a chipped football to give precision to a spot?”

-Roger Groves, Forbes


Technology has come a long way in football. From helmets that better prevent concussions to turf that can help players avoid injuries, tech has played a significant role in making football a safer and smarter game across the board. No area of football, however, has been more positively impacted by better tech than the officiating component. With the dawn of instant replay and the ability to have about a million camera angles on a given play--including those embedded in pylons or floating overhead--officiating has become significantly more precise over the years, but, unfortunately, remains as ever a human endeavor.

Saturday’s matchup between Ohio State and Michigan is a perfect example. Spotting is, perhaps, the most notorious components of the inexact science that is officiating. While it was apparent from replay that Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett made the line to gain on the critical 4th-and-1 play in the second overtime period, the fact that the spotting of the ball was done by a human and subsequently evaluated by fellow homo sapiens means that the spot was subject to human error.

Which of course begs the question: If technology is so great, that GPS can locate a cellphone in the middle of nowhere, what is the big jump to putting equally-accurate positioning devices into footballs, thereby preventing the human error in the area of spotting? Eye tests and replays can only take football so far, but it would be a mistake to rely on these methods when there is a more accurate one available. Baseball already uses a similar application in determining whether a hit was in fact a home run. And while it would obviously take time to implement into football (and some frustration along the way), it could also help to eliminate human error in the long run, creating a “technology cure” for spotting.

“We’re actually harassing Jerome Baker that he didn’t get his into the end zone. We told Jerome ‘I thought you were all the all-state Mr. Ohio tailback and you couldn’t quite find the end zone.’”

-Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell, via Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland.com


Ohio State linebacker Jerome Baker didn’t make it to the end zone Saturday against Michigan. But his interception in the third quarter was the crucial turning point of the day in favor of the Buckeyes. With his team down 17-7--their only score on safety Malik Hooker’s own second-quarter pick-six--Baker provided the spark for a stagnant offense and a burst for a tiring defense. In many ways, it seemed impossible up to that point in the game that Barrett and company would be able to earn points on offense. The Ohio State offense had managed just 92 yards after their 72-yard opening drive, missed a field goal and botched a fake punt which led to a Michigan touchdown. The defense, meanwhile, was matching Michigan’s own defensive prowess, allowing just 249 yards of total offense to that point. However, they had given up two touchdowns on short fields, and, as stifling as the defense had been for most of the game, the Wolverines didn’t seem to need to score again to win the game so much as maintain possession.

Baker’s pick changed all of that. While he didn’t score on the play, his 22-yard return gave the offense just a 13-yard field from which to work--a field which was immediately shortened by an offsides call against the Wolverines and a subsequent unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Jim Harbaugh himself. From there, the Buckeyes earned their first offensive touchdown of the day on a one-yard run by Mike Weber. With the deficit cut from 10 to three, the game seemed much more manageable with momentum on the side of Ohio State entering the fourth quarter.

Seven of Ohio State’s 19 interceptions on the season have been returned for touchdowns. Hooker leads the pack, with three such picks (he is tied for fourth nationally with six total interceptions on the season). Marshon Lattimore, Rodjay Burns, Damon Webb and Baker each have one.

Saturday, Baker finished the day with 15 tackles and a sack--quite the stat line for a linebacker who started the season as a backup.

“If it’s Penn State and Ohio State and Clemson and Washington you’re dead right, there’s going to be some angry fans just like there were two years ago.”

-Luke Zimmermann, via SBNation Radio


This year’s College Football Playoff committee will have a tall order ahead of them come next week, when they will be tasked with selecting the four best teams in the nation for the third iteration of the College Football Playoff. With all five conference champions yet to be decided, and one of the best teams in the Power-5 not even playing in its conference’s championship game, someone will inevitably be left out of this year’s field. In the Playoff’s two-year history, all eight of the bids have been conference champions, with seven having actually won conference championship games in the final week of the season. Realistically, there are five legitimate contenders for four seats at the table.

Ohio State made a powerful argument for its own playoff hopes this past weekend, having defeated archrival Michigan for the 11th time in 12 meetings. This year was just the second time the two teams have been ranked in the top-three heading into the final game of the season, and with yet another top-10 win under their belts, the Buckeyes have built a formidable resume as they await the committee’s decision.

But Ohio State’s Playoff hopes could hinge on the result of the Big Ten Championship game. If Penn State winds up beating Wisconsin with a lot of style points, a la Ohio State in 2014, they could make a statement for themselves to make the Playoff, thus shutting out the Buckeyes. Even so, though the Buckeyes narrowly lost to Penn State, Ohio State has just one loss to the Nittany Lions’ two. It has been clear from the committee’s rankings thus far this season that they like the Big Ten, so it is likely that the team(s) who makes it would get a favorable ranking.

Clemson, meanwhile, seems like the safest potential conference champion. With one loss and a strong strength of schedule, even a moderately large win over Virginia Tech in the ACC title game would likely be enough to earn the Tigers a Playoff bid.

On the flip side, Washington’s strength of schedule gains them no points, as their only out of conference opponent in the Power-5 was Rutgers. Compared to the Huskies, both Ohio State and Penn State bring a series of higher-caliber wins to the table which could be favored by the committee, even if Washington manages a big win over Colorado in the Pac-12 title game.

STICK TO SPORTS

• Like Lebron’s jacket from Saturday? Here’s how to buy
• Black Friday deals pulled in more shoppers this season
• ICYMI check out the marching band’s Olympic halftime performance
• Check out the most thorough scientific analysis of The Spot ever

Continue reading...

Buckeyes Roundball Roundup: OSU goes a perfect 3-0 on the week - Waiting For Next Year
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes Roundball Roundup: OSU goes a perfect 3-0 on the week
Waiting For Next Year
It's still early in the season, but the Ohio State Buckeyes remained undefeated this season (at 6-0) after going a perfect 3-0 this past week against three teams that rivaled the football team's non-conference schedule in Western Carolina, Jackson ...
Column: Basketball Buckeyes coming into focusMarion Star

all 3 news articles »

Continue reading...

The best No. 5 on the field for Ohio State vs. Michigan was Raekwon McMillan
Ian Hartitz via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


1,829 days and counting.

What a game. Michigan gave Ohio State everything they could handle and more, but it’s November 28th and 11-1 has never felt so sweet.

A few stats to sum up one of the best editions of The Game maybe ever:

• Ohio State’s defense knew that they’d see a good amount of Jabrill Peppers on offense, and they were ready. Peppers rushed for just four yards on four carries and didn’t make an impact on offense all afternoon.
• Despite their best efforts, Michigan could not run the football. Eight different Wolverines carried the ball at least once, but as a team Michigan rushed for just 91 yards on 43 carries. There was a lot of talk about whether or not the interior of the Buckeyes’ defense could contain the Wolverines’ rushing attack and they responded with their finest performance of the season.
• Tom Herman has a theory when it comes to game management. “If you win the turnover battle and the explosive play battle in the same game, you win that game 98 percent of the time.” Well, Ohio State won both of those battles and prohibited the Wolverines from racking up hardly any chunk plays. They allowed one 16-yard rush and two receptions over 20 yards, but never gave up the type of game-changing play that Michigan needed to put the game out of reach.

Let’s take a look at three of the biggest plays from the silver bullets.

“I remember, they ran #5 to my side last year a couple times then next thing ya know they were punting the ball...He REALLY killed us.” — Former OSU LB Darron Lee on Jabrill Peppers.


During the 2015 edition of The Game, Michigan utilized various screens, run/pass options and sweeps to get the ball into Peppers’ hands in space. He gained a respectable 54 total yards on nine touches.

The creativity that was shown last season was gone on Saturday. Peppers mostly lined up at quarterback when he was in on offense and didn’t do much besides running the read option and one quarterback power. He’s an electric athlete in space, but he’s not good enough to simply run past the Ohio State defense regardless of the play design.

Facing a huge third down from the Buckeyes’ five-yard line, Michigan dialed up a “read option” for Peppers at quarterback. The Wolverines had a seam up the middle if Peppers had given the ball to the running back, but he decided to keep it. These are the issues that arise when a linebacker attempts to play quarterback. Upon keeping the ball, Peppers attempted to beat two unblocked Buckeyes, Sam Hubbard and Malik Hooker, to the corner. It didn’t work.


Hubbard, knowing full well that Peppers would likely keep the ball, stayed at home and forced Peppers to backtrack all the way to the 10-yard line in an attempt to break free. Hubbard is quite the athlete himself and he managed to trip up Peppers for a huge four-yard loss. Even if Hubbard hadn’t made the tackle, Hooker was in a great position to make the play thanks to his solid inside-out angle.

Michigan’s usage of Peppers reminded me of how Ohio State used Braxton Miller for stretches last season. Despite game-breaking speed and the (alleged) ability to throw, all that really came out of the personnel group was a bunch of regular quarterback runs against a stacked box. Kudos to the Buckeyes for stuffing Peppers every chance they got, but it was a disappointing game plan from the Michigan offense.

The ESPN ballots are in, and it's unanimous: Ohio State's Malik Hooker is our Big Ten defensive player of the year. — ESPN’s Austin Ward.


While the Buckeyes’ offense put together a strong opening drive, they failed to move the ball with any sort of success for the remainder of the first half. This made Michigan’s decision to throw the football from their own end zone, with a quarterback that supposedly had a broken collarbone, that much more confusing.

On 1st and 10, Ohio State dialed up a nifty pressure that saw Jerome Baker attack the center, before Raekwon McMillan came late from depth to knife through the A-gap. Michigan kept seven blockers in to protect quarterback Wilton Speight, but the play-action fake didn’t allow the Wolverines’ running back to make it to McMillan in time. Hooker took care of the rest.


McMillan had a nice hit on Speight, but it was McMillan’s ability to attack the football that caused the turnover. Rather than go straight for the kill shot, McMillan raised his left hand up and was able to deflect the pass before sending Speight to the turf. Ohio State had Hooker and Chris Worley within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage to take away any short passes, and the tipped ball found it’s way into the waiting arms of Hooker who did the rest.

Ohio State was able to shut down nearly every offense they faced this season by playing cover four and rushing four defensive lineman. They likely could have used this same strategy with some success against the Wolverines, but by mixing in well-timed blitzes that allowed their freak athletes at linebacker to rush the quarterback, Ohio State gave their playmakers a chance to create turnovers. Needless to say, they came through in a very big way.

“We're actually harassing Jerome Baker that he didn't get his into the end zone...We told Jerome, 'I thought you were all the all-state Mr. Ohio tailback and you couldn't quite find the end zone.'“ — Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell.


Ohio State has used Baker as a quarterback spy with great success this season, but with Speight not being a running threat, Baker was able to instead use his athleticism in coverage.

The Buckeyes were in man coverage on this 2nd and 14, with McMillan and Baker patrolling the middle. The decision to allow McMillan and Baker to roam free with no man coverage responsibility not only helps with any passing routes down the middle, but it also allowed the linebackers to focus on a potential run. After reading pass, Baker does a great job of flipping his hips and getting depth to get underneath the Wolverines’ receiver who was running what seemed to be a skinny post.


It’s hard to say if Speight ever saw Baker, but regardless, Baker had to sky in order to corral the pass. Upon coming down with the ball, Baker proceeded to bob and weave all the way inside the 15-yard line. There may not be a more athletic trio of linebackers in the country than McMillan, Worley and Baker, and their ability to work into passing lanes makes the Buckeyes’ lock-down corners that much better.

The Buckeyes will have a talent advantage on defense against nearly every team in the country. In big games like this, talent won’t be enough. Hats off to Luke Fickell and Greg Schiano for not only calling blitzes to create turnover opportunities, but also for giving their athletes built-in freedom in coverage to do what they do best: make plays.

The final: 30-27 Ohio State.

Defensive player of the game: Raekwon McMillan.

Defensive play of the game: Malik Hooker pick six.

Next victim: TBD

Continue reading...

Big Ten reprimands Jim Harbaugh, fines Michigan after post-Ohio State referee criticism
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The conference says Harbaugh violated their sportsmanship policy

With college football press — and Ohio State and Michigan fans alike — waiting on pins and needles to see what response would be coming from the league offices, Big Ten brass has finally spoken.

Following Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s public criticism of the officiating after UM’s 30-27 2 OT loss to Ohio State this past Saturday, the Big Ten has fined Michigan as an institution $10,000 and publicly rebuked Harbaugh.

Their statement:

The Big Ten office today issued a public reprimand of Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy following Michigan’s game against Ohio State on Nov. 26, 2016. In addition, the conference announced that the institution had been fined $10,000 as a result of the violation.

The Big Ten determined that Harbaugh’s postgame comments regarding officials were in violation of Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01, which states in part that “The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of competition, civility towards all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials.” Coaches are teachers as well, and there is an expectation that they set the example for students and others in the area of sportsmanship.

The Big Ten Conference considers this matter concluded and will have no further comment.

So that’s that.

Continue reading...

Column: Basketball Buckeyes coming into focus - Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Column: Basketball Buckeyes coming into focus
Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
COLUMBUS - Like during an eye exam, the Buckeyes are slowly coming into focus. What does Ohio State do well? What are potential pitfalls for the men's basketball team? What is this team's identity going to be in 2016-17? All those questions are being ...
Buckeyes Roundball Roundup: OSU goes a perfect 3-0 on the weekWaiting For Next Year

all 3 news articles »

Continue reading...

Star safety Malik Hooker is '100-percent' returning to Buckeyes next season - Comcast SportsNet Chicago
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Star safety Malik Hooker is '100-percent' returning to Buckeyes next season
Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Ohio State safety Malik Hooker, who this week could be announced as the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year, told Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch that he is "100-percent" planning on returning to the Buckeyes for his redshirt junior season next year.
Per report, Malik Hooker will return next season247Sports

all 15 news articles »

Continue reading...

Bowl Projections: Ohio State still listed in playoff of Jerry Palm’s list
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

The playoff and bowl pictures have come into sharper focus following the final weekend of Big Ten football. Ten Big Ten teams are locks for the postseason, with one playoff team and three in Selection Committee bowls, according to Jerry Palm of CBSSports.com.

Continue reading...

What we learned: Buckeyes scrape by Michigan - BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


What we learned: Buckeyes scrape by Michigan
BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription)
If there was one downside of Saturday, and perhaps downside isn't the most appropriate of terms, it's that the Buckeyes will not be in Indianapolis next week of for the Big Ten Championship Game. Instead, it will be Penn State representing the East ...
USA Today's 1-128 re-rank: Ohio State No. 2, Penn State finally joins Buckeyes, Michigan, Wisconsin in Top 10Landof10.com
Kern: Buckeyes give Nittany Lions a helping handPhilly.com
Nittany Lion fans give big cheer for Buckeyes' assistanceCentre Daily Times

all 605 news articles »

Continue reading...

Column: Basketball Buckeyes coming into focus - Marion Star
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Column: Basketball Buckeyes coming into focus
Marion Star
If the early stats are any indication, defense will be the Buckeyes' calling card this season. Ohio State is holding teams to 36 percent shooting from the floor in its first six games, with opponents hitting only 31 percent from the 3-point arc; only N ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Ohio State’s Malik Hooker: “Right now, I am 100% coming back’”
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


If this sticks, Ohio State’s secondary will be elite next season.

Perhaps nobody on this year’s Ohio State team has seen his star explode as much as safety Malik Hooker. A relatively lightly recruited player compared to his blue-chip peers on the depth chart, Hooker grabbed a starting spot and has validated that decision every game, returning three interceptions for touchdowns (and picking off six passes total), and emerging as one of the top playmakers on the Buckeye defense.

Hooker could decide to leave early for the NFL after this year, and given his sterling performances this season, his athletic upside, and his likelihood of being an early draft prospect, most analysts, including this website, have assumed that Hooker will leave and pursue an NFL career.

But according to one highly placed source, those assumptions might not be accurate. And that’s Malik Hooker.

Speaking to Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May, Hooker said “Right now it’s 100 percent sure I’m coming back to Ohio State.”

A lot can change between now and the deadline to declare for the NFL Draft. His coaches might encourage him to leave, especially if Hooker might be a first rounder. But his resoluteness right now could be a promising sign for Ohio State fans.

If Hooker returns, Ohio State’s secondary should be nasty once again in 2017.

Continue reading...

Buckeyes would make intriguing playoff story - Circleville Herald
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes would make intriguing playoff story
Circleville Herald
COLUMBUS — National powers are expected to reload season after season, no matter whom they lose in the National Football League draft. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Kern: Buckeyes give Nittany Lions a helping handPhilly.com
USA Today's 1-128 re-rank: Ohio State No. 2, Penn State finally joins Buckeyes, Michigan, Wisconsin in Top 10Landof10.com
Nittany Lion fans give big cheer for Buckeyes' assistanceCentre Daily Times

all 571 news articles »

Continue reading...

Watch Ohio State’s win over Michigan recreated in Tecmo Bowl
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


TOUCHDOWN, CURTIS SAMUEL!

Ohio State’s 30-27 (2OT) comeback win over Michigan was certainly one of the greatest in recent memory. And one of the greatest football games in recent memory is unquestionably the NES classic, Tecmo Bowl.

So, it stands to reason that combining the two would be awesome. And luckily for all of us, that’s happened.

Youtube user Irishkidd84 has recreated the final harrowing moments of the Ohio State-Michigan game on Tecmo Bowl, complete with the field goals, the excellent touchdown catch by Michigan’s Amara Darboh, the controversial spot (which, actually, was good), Curtis Samuel’s ridiculous Bo Jackson impression on 3rd down, and of course, the final score.

We think we’ll be watching highlights of this game for a long time, and in various forms. But only one highlight reel will make you want to fire up the ol’ NES again and start stunting on your little brother, which makes this one potentially the best of them all.

TOUCHDOWN, CURTIS SAMUEL!

Continue reading...

Power Rankings: State of Indiana owns top of Jon Crispin’s first top 10
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

We've had a few weeks to assess Big Ten teams now, so it's a good time for BTN analyst Jon Crispin to offer his first Big Ten Power Rankings. Quick note: This year's weekly list will feature the top 10 teams, as opposed to the entire conference in past years.

Continue reading...

Ohio State football players safe, accounted for after on-campus attack - ESPN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football players safe, accounted for after on-campus attack
ESPN
The second-ranked Buckeyes weren't scheduled to practice less than 48 hours after their win over rival Michigan, and the coaching staff had begun to scatter around the country on recruiting visits. But even though classes were canceled Monday after ...
Ohio University shooting suspect shot dead by cops as 9 people injured after rampageExpress.co.uk

all 923 news articles »

Continue reading...

BH: Luke on the move? | No crying in football - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BH: Luke on the move? | No crying in football
247Sports
In talking with a source well connected to Ohio State the conversation quickly turned to the offense and how the Buckeyes were a foot or so from a major meltdown in Columbus. If they don't get the J.T. Barrett “spot” first down, which was the right ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Twitter: Ohio State family, Big Ten rivals react to Ohio State campus attack
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

There was an attack on Ohio State’s campus Monday, leaving nine hurt and the suspect dead. Here’s the full release from news.osu.com: “Ohio State University Police and local law enforcement continue to respond to a public safety incident on Ohio State’s campus. A suspect has been shot and reported deceased. Victim injuries include stab wounds, injury by motor vehicle and other injuries that are being evaluated. At the recommendation of law enforcement, campus alerts for shelter in place have been lifted. Campus remains open during the continued investigation, although classes have been canceled for the remainder of the day. Facts

Continue reading...

Buy or Sell: Michigan should be in running for playoff spot?
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

Here is what BTN.com senior editor Tom Dienhart is buying and selling as we wait for the Big Ten championship game and wonder who will make the playoff from the Big Ten.

Continue reading...

Ohio State had a tragedy on campus. Here's how you can help
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


There is one thing you can do that may be helpful.

It’s impossible for our hearts not to be with our Ohio State University community today, after a senseless act of violence sent multiple people to the hospital, canceled class, and terrorized a campus and community.

When tragedy strikes, you probably want to know what, if anything, you can do. The single most important we believe you can do is to follow the guidance and instructions of university public safety officials at this time. They’ve done a great job so far, and we don’t want to accidentally make their jobs harder. If your residence hall is on lockdown, please honor that.

Beyond that, one thing that we might recommend you do is give blood. Giving blood saves lives, both after traumatic events like this, and also for more everyday patients.

If you are in the Columbus area, there are multiple Red Cross donation centers. The closest to Ohio State’s main campus in Columbus would be one located downtown, at One Nationwide Plaza, but other centers are in Gahanna, Newark, Lewis Center, and elsewhere.

If we become aware of other ways to help our community at this time, we’ll share them with you. If you’re able though, please consider making a blood donation.

If there are any additional support resources made available or anyone has any other constructive suggestions on how we can make Ohio State (and Columbus) better for us all, let us know in the comments below or on social media.

Continue reading...

No. 5 Baylor women rout Buckeyes for tourney title - Youngstown Vindicator
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


No. 5 Baylor women rout Buckeyes for tourney title
Youngstown Vindicator
Baylor headed to the beach shortly after arriving in balmy Florida for a long holiday weekend, getting a little time to bask in sun and ride down waterslides. The rest of the trip for the Lady Bears? All business. Alexis Jones scored 20 points and No ...
Ohio State 79, Florida Gulf Coast 66 | Mitchell, Buckeyes take control ...Columbus Dispatch
No. 5 Baylor Lady Bears vs. No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes, Game Preview, Game Thread and Video ReplayOur Daily Bears

all 146 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ezekiel Elliott gets 2 TDs and a win as Ohio State alumni celebrate Thanksgiving in the NFL
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


At this point, there really is no question that Zeke is one of the best rookies ever.

The 2016 NFL regular season is winding down, and the postseason is starting to take shape. Along with several Buckeyes likely making their way to the division playoffs, others are looking at individual awards. In Week 12, a handful of former Ohio State stars faced off on Thanksgiving, while others made an impact on Sunday. This week also included several players using their free Saturday to visit Columbus for the biggest game of the year.

Thanksgiving tradition


One of the time-honored traditions in the NFL is playing in one of the Thanksgiving Day games. Not all teams participate and others are annual regulars, but this year there were several Buckeyes in on the holiday festivities.

• Minnesota Vikings (Alex Boone) vs Detroit Lions (Taylor Decker)

The Lions came away with a 16-13 win on Thursday, with Decker playing in his inaugural Thanksgiving game. Decker has been having an up and down rookie year, but has definitely shown he was worth the first round pick. The Vikings are trying to reclaim their early-season win streak, but have seen so many losses, Boone even tried a new hair cut last week — it didn’t work.

• Washington vs Dallas Cowboys (Ezekiel Elliott, Darryl Baldwin, Rod Smith)

Another game, another incredible performance out of Ezekiel Elliott. The rookie running back helped his team come away with a 10-1 record on the season — the best in the NFL — and a 31-26 win over a division rival. Elliott had his second 97-yard rushing game in a row, but added two touchdowns this week against Washington.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Ryan Shazier) vs Indianapolis Colts (Jack Mewhort)

The Steelers whooped on the Colts Thursday, winning 28-7. With Cam Heyward out for the remainder of the season, Shazier is the sole Buckeye for Pittsburgh. The linebacker finished Thanksgiving with six total tackles — three solo. Mewhort is just happy to be back on the field, and is extra motivated thanks to his new longterm contract with Indianapolis.

Coming home


One advantage of playing on Thanksgiving is the open weekend that follows. Several NFL players who played on Thursday, and others who won’t play til Monday, made their way back to Columbus for some time on the sideline during The Game. Some of the alumni representing the Scarlet and Grey included Taylor Decker, A.J. Hawk, James Laurinaitis, and Jack Mewhort.

San Diego must be happy


The Chargers drafted two of the best defensive talents out of Ohio State during the 2016 NFL Draft: Joey Bosa (No. 3 overall) and Joshua Perry (fourth round).

Despite an offseason filled with contract disputes, Bosa has been able to get the organization and fanbase back on his side with a rookie season that rivals most. He continued his insane first year in the league with seven tackles (two for loss), .5 sacks and two quarterback hits on Sunday against the Texans.


Perry is making his value known on special teams, even forcing a fumble after a huge hit on a punt return Sunday. He doesn’t quite have the type of Year 1 stats that Bosa does, but he has 14 total tackles (11 solo) on the season.

A legend falls


The end of Mike Nugent’s career is coming more and more into focus as the Bengals have endured a rocky season with the usually reliable kicker. Things didn’t look great in the preseason, but Nugent bounced back early in the regular season before completely crumbling toward the end. Overall on the season he’s missed five field goal attempts and four point afters. In the past two games, he’s missed all but one point after -- something kickers across the league are struggling with. As the rules change and Nugent ages, the likelihood he’s still playing in 2017 diminishes each week.

Plays of the week


Ted Ginn Jr.

Just a week after his first touchdown of the season, the Buckeye made an incredible catch in stride which usually results in him turning on the boosters — and it did. Ginn has stepped up when it mattered the past two games and kept the Panthers in the game with this third quarter 88-yard touchdown catch.


Michael Thomas

The rookie had his second 100-plus yard receiving game and second game with two touchdowns in Week 12. Thomas finished the day with nine receptions for 108 yards and two trips to the endzone — including this impressive snag in double coverage.


Terrelle Pryor

The former quarterback is without a doubt having more success in the NFL as a receiver. He’s transformed into the kind of deep threat that teams long for, and his size often gives him an advantage over his opponents. Pryor is closing in on an 1,000-yard receiving season — currently at 855 yards — and hauled in his longest reception of the season at 54 yards.


The Buckeye also honored the latest Ohio State win over Michigan with an O-H-I-O as he exited the tunnel in Cleveland.

Other notes

• This week’s ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup will feature two teams struggling for a win the past several games when the Philadelphia Eagles (Malcolm Jenkins) host the Green Bay Packers (Corey Linsley).
• John Simon (Texans) was inactive Sunday due to a chest injury he sustained during ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 11. Nick Mangold (Jets) missed his fourth straight game due to injury and despite being healthy, teammate Devin Smith was inactive Sunday.
• Eli Apple (Giants) went out Sunday with a cramp and missed a good portion of this week’s game. However, teammate and fellow Buckeye Johnathan Hankins was a big contributor against the Browns, forcing an errant throw by Josh McCown leading to a Giants Pick-6.
• Rookie Jalin Marshall (Jets) has officially been demoted from special teams punt returner after recurring issues with drops — something Buckeye fans know all about. Jets’ head coach Todd Bowles admitted, according to 247Sports. “I thought Jalin struggled a little bit catching the ball...It got to the point where he’s helping out more on offense, and we’re trying to take something off of his plate.”
• Just one week after his first NFL career touchdown, rookie Braxton Miller (Texans) only had one reception on three targets for 12 yards Sunday. He’s been a minimal contributor so far this season, only seeing more targets as other receivers are injured. But at least he saw the endzone once:

Continue reading...