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LGHL Who could Ohio State target to replace Luke Fickell?
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Who could Ohio State target to replace Luke Fickell?
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes will have a tough task replacing their longest-tenured assistant coach.
The Buckeyes will need at least one new assistant coach, as Luke Fickell has taken the new head coaching gig at Cincinnati.
Replacing Fickell will be a tough job, as nobody will know Columbus and Ohio State quite like he did, given how long his Buckeye tenure was. In a replacement, Ohio State will likely look for a coach with ties to the midwest or Ohio State, experience recruiting at a high level, or producing quality defenses, especially at linebacker.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some names that Ohio State could potentially consider.
Paul Rhoads- Arkansas DB coach, former Iowa State head coach
Things didn’t work out at Iowa State like Rhoads had planned, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know defense. A former graduate assistant at Ohio State back in 1991, Rhoads led quality defensive units at Iowa State, Pittsburgh and Auburn, before coaching the Cyclones from 2009-2015. His background is more with the secondary than with linebackers, but he has ties all over the midwest and could step into a more senior role, especially with Schiano not likely to stay at Ohio State longterm. Plus, hiring defensive assistants at Arkansas has worked out okay for the Buckeyes before.
Billy Davis-Former Eagles DC
Davis hasn’t been in the college game for long time, not since a graduate assistant job with Michigan State back in 1991. But he did have a long career coaching defense in the NFL, including a three year stint as the Eagles defensive coordinator. He’s a former college teammate of Urban Meyer, and the two remain friends. He’s also already at Ohio State, as he’s been working as a Quality Control Analyst.
Charlie Strong-former Texas HC
Is this one particularly likely? Probably not, as Strong is the favorite to get the head coaching job at USF. If for some reason that falls through, Strong probably won’t be without a head coaching gig for long, but as Greg Schiano has proven, there are worse temporary gigs than working defense for Urban Meyer.
Strong was Meyer’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Florida, can recruit at a very high level, and even has some experience near the region while at Louisville, along with deep ties to Florida. This isn’t likely, but it would be a huge home run.
Dean Hood-Former EKU HC
Hood, who currently coaches tight ends at Charlotte, has coached on the defensive side of the ball for most of his life. An Ohioan and former OWU defensive back, Hood has coached at Ohio, EKU, and Wake Forest. He’s also a longtime friend of Urban Meyer.
Marcus Freeman-Purdue LB Coach
You probably remember Freeman from his playing days at Ohio State, and in the NFL. After a standout career at Ohio State and a short stint as a pro, he took a graduate assistant gig at Kent State, and has been coaching linebackers at Purdue for the last few seasons. Freeman is younger, but shows some potential as a coach.
Matt Pawlowski-Miami (OH) LB Coach/DC
This might be a bit of an outside the box hire, as Pawlowski doesn’t have Ohio State or Urban Meyer ties. But he has been coaching in the Buckeye State for a long time, with stints at Ohio, Ashland, Marietta and others. A Cleveland native, Pawlowski’s Miami defense improved dramatically over the year, cracking the top 30 in total defense.
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Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes will have a tough task replacing their longest-tenured assistant coach.
The Buckeyes will need at least one new assistant coach, as Luke Fickell has taken the new head coaching gig at Cincinnati.
Replacing Fickell will be a tough job, as nobody will know Columbus and Ohio State quite like he did, given how long his Buckeye tenure was. In a replacement, Ohio State will likely look for a coach with ties to the midwest or Ohio State, experience recruiting at a high level, or producing quality defenses, especially at linebacker.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some names that Ohio State could potentially consider.
Paul Rhoads- Arkansas DB coach, former Iowa State head coach
Things didn’t work out at Iowa State like Rhoads had planned, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know defense. A former graduate assistant at Ohio State back in 1991, Rhoads led quality defensive units at Iowa State, Pittsburgh and Auburn, before coaching the Cyclones from 2009-2015. His background is more with the secondary than with linebackers, but he has ties all over the midwest and could step into a more senior role, especially with Schiano not likely to stay at Ohio State longterm. Plus, hiring defensive assistants at Arkansas has worked out okay for the Buckeyes before.
Billy Davis-Former Eagles DC
Davis hasn’t been in the college game for long time, not since a graduate assistant job with Michigan State back in 1991. But he did have a long career coaching defense in the NFL, including a three year stint as the Eagles defensive coordinator. He’s a former college teammate of Urban Meyer, and the two remain friends. He’s also already at Ohio State, as he’s been working as a Quality Control Analyst.
Charlie Strong-former Texas HC
Is this one particularly likely? Probably not, as Strong is the favorite to get the head coaching job at USF. If for some reason that falls through, Strong probably won’t be without a head coaching gig for long, but as Greg Schiano has proven, there are worse temporary gigs than working defense for Urban Meyer.
Strong was Meyer’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Florida, can recruit at a very high level, and even has some experience near the region while at Louisville, along with deep ties to Florida. This isn’t likely, but it would be a huge home run.
Dean Hood-Former EKU HC
Hood, who currently coaches tight ends at Charlotte, has coached on the defensive side of the ball for most of his life. An Ohioan and former OWU defensive back, Hood has coached at Ohio, EKU, and Wake Forest. He’s also a longtime friend of Urban Meyer.
Marcus Freeman-Purdue LB Coach
You probably remember Freeman from his playing days at Ohio State, and in the NFL. After a standout career at Ohio State and a short stint as a pro, he took a graduate assistant gig at Kent State, and has been coaching linebackers at Purdue for the last few seasons. Freeman is younger, but shows some potential as a coach.
Matt Pawlowski-Miami (OH) LB Coach/DC
This might be a bit of an outside the box hire, as Pawlowski doesn’t have Ohio State or Urban Meyer ties. But he has been coaching in the Buckeye State for a long time, with stints at Ohio, Ashland, Marietta and others. A Cleveland native, Pawlowski’s Miami defense improved dramatically over the year, cracking the top 30 in total defense.
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Google Ohio State Football: Urban Meyer Has To Love His Texas Buckeyes - Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: Urban Meyer Has To Love His Texas Buckeyes - Scarlet and Game
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Ohio State Football: Urban Meyer Has To Love His Texas Buckeyes
Scarlet and Game
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has to love his Texas Buckeyes. Both the players on his current team who hail from Texas, and the one he sent to the NFL who is now playing in the Lone Star State. These players have to be making a big impression on ...
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Ohio State Football: Urban Meyer Has To Love His Texas Buckeyes
Scarlet and Game
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has to love his Texas Buckeyes. Both the players on his current team who hail from Texas, and the one he sent to the NFL who is now playing in the Lone Star State. These players have to be making a big impression on ...
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Google Ohio State football | Luke Fickell accepts head coaching job at Cincinnati - Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State football | Luke Fickell accepts head coaching job at Cincinnati - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Ohio State football | Luke Fickell accepts head coaching job at Cincinnati
Columbus Dispatch
There was considerable speculation in Cincinnati about whether Buckeyes cornerbacks coach/special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs would serve as Fickell's defensive coordinator. Coombs was the highly successful head coach at Colerain High School ...
Ohio State Buckeyes: Cincinnati takes away DC Luke FickellUPI.com
Reports: Luke Fickell to coach Cincinnati BearcatsDayton Daily News
Ohio State Recruiting Notebook: The latest in Buckeyes recruiting ...Landof10.com
247Sports -Comcast SportsNet Chicago -SB Nation -BearcatReport.com
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Ohio State football | Luke Fickell accepts head coaching job at Cincinnati
Columbus Dispatch
There was considerable speculation in Cincinnati about whether Buckeyes cornerbacks coach/special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs would serve as Fickell's defensive coordinator. Coombs was the highly successful head coach at Colerain High School ...
Ohio State Buckeyes: Cincinnati takes away DC Luke FickellUPI.com
Reports: Luke Fickell to coach Cincinnati BearcatsDayton Daily News
Ohio State Recruiting Notebook: The latest in Buckeyes recruiting ...Landof10.com
247Sports -Comcast SportsNet Chicago -SB Nation -BearcatReport.com
all 89 news articles »
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LGHL Ohio State DC Luke Fickell to be Cincinnati’s next head coach, per reports
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Ohio State DC Luke Fickell to be Cincinnati’s next head coach, per reports
Grant Freking via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The longtime Buckeyes assistant will replace Tommy Tuberville.
After 15 consecutive seasons coaching in Columbus, Luke Fickell is finally flying the coop.
Per ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Fickell will be Cincinnati’s next head coach. Rittenberg reports that sources have told the network that UC and Fickell reached an agreement on Friday night, and that an official announcement is forthcoming.
There has been no word yet on if Fickell will remain with the Buckeyes throughout their upcoming playoff run.
Fickell, 43, has been an Ohio State assistant since 2002. The Columbus native has spent the past five seasons as co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach under Urban Meyer, a duty he also fulfilled for Jim Tressel from 2005-11. Following Tressel’s resignation in May 2011, Fickell was named the Buckeyes interim coach and directed the Scarlet and Gray to a 6-7 record in his lone season at the helm.
On Wednesday, multiple reports indicated that Fickell had become a serious candidate to replace Tommy Tuberville at Cincinnati. (Late last month, Fickell had reportedly become an object of Florida Atlantic’s desire.) Tuberville went 29-22 in his four seasons heading the Bearcats, but he stepped down on Sunday following a 4-8 record this fall, the first time the program had failed to qualify for a bowl game since 2010.
Fickell, a four-year starter at nose tackle for Ohio State from 1992-96, was a graduate assistant for John Cooper in 1999 before leaving to be Akron’s defensive line coach for two seasons. In 2002, Fickell returned to Columbus to be the program’s special teams coordinator, a position he held for two years before being moved to linebackers coach in 2004.
Kerry Coombs, Ohio State’s cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator, had also been floated as a possibility for the Cincinnati job. Coombs, formerly an extremely successful high school coach in his native Cincinnati, was a Bearcats assistant from 2007-11. Some have speculated that Coombs could possibly accompany Fickell to Cincinnati and serve as defensive coordinator. Coombs’ son, Brayden, is a Bengals assistant, and he has other family in the area.
We’ll have more as this develops. Congrats to Coach Fickell on his promotion!
Continue reading...
Grant Freking via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The longtime Buckeyes assistant will replace Tommy Tuberville.
After 15 consecutive seasons coaching in Columbus, Luke Fickell is finally flying the coop.
Per ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Fickell will be Cincinnati’s next head coach. Rittenberg reports that sources have told the network that UC and Fickell reached an agreement on Friday night, and that an official announcement is forthcoming.
There has been no word yet on if Fickell will remain with the Buckeyes throughout their upcoming playoff run.
Fickell, 43, has been an Ohio State assistant since 2002. The Columbus native has spent the past five seasons as co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach under Urban Meyer, a duty he also fulfilled for Jim Tressel from 2005-11. Following Tressel’s resignation in May 2011, Fickell was named the Buckeyes interim coach and directed the Scarlet and Gray to a 6-7 record in his lone season at the helm.
On Wednesday, multiple reports indicated that Fickell had become a serious candidate to replace Tommy Tuberville at Cincinnati. (Late last month, Fickell had reportedly become an object of Florida Atlantic’s desire.) Tuberville went 29-22 in his four seasons heading the Bearcats, but he stepped down on Sunday following a 4-8 record this fall, the first time the program had failed to qualify for a bowl game since 2010.
Fickell, a four-year starter at nose tackle for Ohio State from 1992-96, was a graduate assistant for John Cooper in 1999 before leaving to be Akron’s defensive line coach for two seasons. In 2002, Fickell returned to Columbus to be the program’s special teams coordinator, a position he held for two years before being moved to linebackers coach in 2004.
Kerry Coombs, Ohio State’s cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator, had also been floated as a possibility for the Cincinnati job. Coombs, formerly an extremely successful high school coach in his native Cincinnati, was a Bearcats assistant from 2007-11. Some have speculated that Coombs could possibly accompany Fickell to Cincinnati and serve as defensive coordinator. Coombs’ son, Brayden, is a Bengals assistant, and he has other family in the area.
We’ll have more as this develops. Congrats to Coach Fickell on his promotion!
Continue reading...
LGHL How to watch Ohio State vs. UConn: Preview, game time, live streaming online
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How to watch Ohio State vs. UConn: Preview, game time, live streaming online
Ben Martens via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The direction of the Buckeyes’ season may well be defined against the Huskies.
Season-defining games are generally reserved for the dog days of conference play in February and for March Madness, but for Ohio State basketball, Saturday’s matchup with Connecticut feels like a tipping point.
The Buckeyes are fresh off a seven-day stretch in which they blew a double-digit halftime lead on the road in a two-point loss to Virginia, escaped with a win against a Fairleigh Dickinson team barely ranked among the top 300 in the country according to KenPom, and then squandered another sizable lead at home to Florida Atlantic in a two-point overtime defeat.
Something is clearly not right with Ohio State.
“I feel like when we do bring the energy, we are a completely different team than when we don’t,” said junior Jae’Sean Tate after the loss to FAU.
The lack of energy from a major conference college basketball program is concerning, and a reason why head coach Thad Matta’s seat is heating up. Were it an isolated incident, one might be able to write it off to a rough stretch, but this issue has popped up repeatedly over the past few seasons.
“We let everything affect us, and they outplayed us, there’s no question about that,” Matta said after Tuesday night’s loss. “When things happen we have to be tougher and say ‘we can defy this.’”
Now in his 13th year at the helm for the Buckeyes, Matta has guided the program to Big Ten titles, final fours, and a national championship game appearance, but hasn’t gotten as far as the second weekend of the NCAA tournament since 2013. On-court performance may be in the hands of the program’s players, but at some point the lack of development, toughness, and execution must come back to the coaching staff.
This isn’t a #FireThad column. This is only to point out that Saturday at Value City Arena, Ohio State will play a game that has the potential to determine the rest of its season, for the better or for the worse.
On the opposite bench, UConn head coach Kevin Ollie knows all too well what Matta is going through. In his fifth year in Storrs, Ollie has the 2014 national championship on his coaching resume, as well as two Big East titles as a player for the Huskies and a 13-year NBA career. Yet, after early season losses to Wagner and Northeastern and a two-point win over Boston University, questions began to arise concerning his job security.
Connecticut may have already played its season-defining game, outlasting Syracuse 52-50 in a defensive slugfest on Monday night inside Madison Square Garden. The Huskies now stand at 4-4 on the year, and despite having endured a rash of injuries, have a little momentum on their side.
Numbers to know
314
Of the 351 NCAA Division I basketball programs, Ohio State ranks 314th in free throw percentage. The Buckeyes have a 63.1 percent success rate as a team and have only one regular rotation player (Kam Williams) hitting on better than 74 percent of his attempts.
UConn is actually worse, shooting 61.2 percent from the line, good for 332nd nationally.
In the second half against FAU, Ohio State went 8-for-13 from the charity stripe. Those missed opportunities may not have been the sole reason for the loss, but they certainly didn’t help matters. In close games, free throws are hugely important, and the Buckeyes inability to convert may come back to bite them again.
6
Among the nine players receiving regular rotation minutes for Ohio State, six are averaging double figures in scoring, led by Tate’s 14 points per game. Few teams in college basketball can rival that sort of offensive parity, and the Buckeyes have proven that they’re at their best when multiple options have it going on that side of the ball.
Ohio State has also had six different players record double-doubles through the team’s first nine games, which is tops in college basketball. UConn has a negative rebounding differential on the year, so crashing the glass should be a focus for the Buckeyes.
37
According to KenPom, Connecticut is 37th in the country in defensive efficiency. Ohio State ranks 23rd in this metric, which means viewers could be in for a not so pretty, grind it out kind of game on Saturday.
The Buckeyes are 20th in the country in field goal defense, holding their opposition to just 37.3 percent shooting from the floor. At 42.6 percent offensively, the Huskies rank 256th nationally, giving the scarlet and gray a seemingly distinct advantage on paper.
Cast of characters
Ohio State
Jae’Sean Tate
The national treasure not only leads Ohio State with his 14 points per game, but also with 7.8 rebounds a night despite his undersized 6-foot-4 frame. A junior, Tate has been the unquestioned heart of the Buckeye program the past two seasons, and his grit and tenacity are what his teammates should be emulating. The Pickerington native has three double-doubles already this season, and his energy has never been a question.
Keita Bates-Diop
After sitting out five games with an ankle injury, Bates-Diop was back on the floor for 20 minutes against FAU. While he scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds, it was apparent there was some rust to be shaken off from the absence. KBD showed flashes before the injury of being capable of impacting the game in a multitude of ways both offensively and defensively, and the Buckeyes certainly need that if they hope to start turning things around.
Connecticut
Jalen Adams
A blue-chip recruit who averaged a little over seven points per game as a freshman a year ago, Adams has emerged as UConn’s top offensive threat in his second season. Averaging team-highs of 17.8 points and 5.6 assists to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, the 6-foot-3 guard does a little bit of everything for the Huskies. Slowing Adams down could be the difference between a win and a loss for Ohio State on Saturday.
Rodney Purvis
Connecticut’s leading scorer last season after transferring from N.C. State, Purvis, much like Adams, impacts the game in a variety of ways for Ollie. The 6-foot-4 redshirt senior averages 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and a little over three assists a night. In last season’s 75-55 Huskies’ win over Ohio State in Storrs, Purvis put up 13 points, six boards, and five assists to lead a balanced attack.
How to watch
Game time: 6 p.m. ET
Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM
TV: Big Ten Network (Wayne Randazzo and Jon Crispin)
Streaming: BTN Plus
Continue reading...
Ben Martens via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The direction of the Buckeyes’ season may well be defined against the Huskies.
Season-defining games are generally reserved for the dog days of conference play in February and for March Madness, but for Ohio State basketball, Saturday’s matchup with Connecticut feels like a tipping point.
The Buckeyes are fresh off a seven-day stretch in which they blew a double-digit halftime lead on the road in a two-point loss to Virginia, escaped with a win against a Fairleigh Dickinson team barely ranked among the top 300 in the country according to KenPom, and then squandered another sizable lead at home to Florida Atlantic in a two-point overtime defeat.
Something is clearly not right with Ohio State.
“I feel like when we do bring the energy, we are a completely different team than when we don’t,” said junior Jae’Sean Tate after the loss to FAU.
The lack of energy from a major conference college basketball program is concerning, and a reason why head coach Thad Matta’s seat is heating up. Were it an isolated incident, one might be able to write it off to a rough stretch, but this issue has popped up repeatedly over the past few seasons.
“We let everything affect us, and they outplayed us, there’s no question about that,” Matta said after Tuesday night’s loss. “When things happen we have to be tougher and say ‘we can defy this.’”
Now in his 13th year at the helm for the Buckeyes, Matta has guided the program to Big Ten titles, final fours, and a national championship game appearance, but hasn’t gotten as far as the second weekend of the NCAA tournament since 2013. On-court performance may be in the hands of the program’s players, but at some point the lack of development, toughness, and execution must come back to the coaching staff.
This isn’t a #FireThad column. This is only to point out that Saturday at Value City Arena, Ohio State will play a game that has the potential to determine the rest of its season, for the better or for the worse.
On the opposite bench, UConn head coach Kevin Ollie knows all too well what Matta is going through. In his fifth year in Storrs, Ollie has the 2014 national championship on his coaching resume, as well as two Big East titles as a player for the Huskies and a 13-year NBA career. Yet, after early season losses to Wagner and Northeastern and a two-point win over Boston University, questions began to arise concerning his job security.
Connecticut may have already played its season-defining game, outlasting Syracuse 52-50 in a defensive slugfest on Monday night inside Madison Square Garden. The Huskies now stand at 4-4 on the year, and despite having endured a rash of injuries, have a little momentum on their side.
Numbers to know
314
Of the 351 NCAA Division I basketball programs, Ohio State ranks 314th in free throw percentage. The Buckeyes have a 63.1 percent success rate as a team and have only one regular rotation player (Kam Williams) hitting on better than 74 percent of his attempts.
UConn is actually worse, shooting 61.2 percent from the line, good for 332nd nationally.
In the second half against FAU, Ohio State went 8-for-13 from the charity stripe. Those missed opportunities may not have been the sole reason for the loss, but they certainly didn’t help matters. In close games, free throws are hugely important, and the Buckeyes inability to convert may come back to bite them again.
6
Among the nine players receiving regular rotation minutes for Ohio State, six are averaging double figures in scoring, led by Tate’s 14 points per game. Few teams in college basketball can rival that sort of offensive parity, and the Buckeyes have proven that they’re at their best when multiple options have it going on that side of the ball.
Ohio State has also had six different players record double-doubles through the team’s first nine games, which is tops in college basketball. UConn has a negative rebounding differential on the year, so crashing the glass should be a focus for the Buckeyes.
37
According to KenPom, Connecticut is 37th in the country in defensive efficiency. Ohio State ranks 23rd in this metric, which means viewers could be in for a not so pretty, grind it out kind of game on Saturday.
The Buckeyes are 20th in the country in field goal defense, holding their opposition to just 37.3 percent shooting from the floor. At 42.6 percent offensively, the Huskies rank 256th nationally, giving the scarlet and gray a seemingly distinct advantage on paper.
Cast of characters
Ohio State
Jae’Sean Tate
The national treasure not only leads Ohio State with his 14 points per game, but also with 7.8 rebounds a night despite his undersized 6-foot-4 frame. A junior, Tate has been the unquestioned heart of the Buckeye program the past two seasons, and his grit and tenacity are what his teammates should be emulating. The Pickerington native has three double-doubles already this season, and his energy has never been a question.
Keita Bates-Diop
After sitting out five games with an ankle injury, Bates-Diop was back on the floor for 20 minutes against FAU. While he scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds, it was apparent there was some rust to be shaken off from the absence. KBD showed flashes before the injury of being capable of impacting the game in a multitude of ways both offensively and defensively, and the Buckeyes certainly need that if they hope to start turning things around.
Connecticut
Jalen Adams
A blue-chip recruit who averaged a little over seven points per game as a freshman a year ago, Adams has emerged as UConn’s top offensive threat in his second season. Averaging team-highs of 17.8 points and 5.6 assists to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, the 6-foot-3 guard does a little bit of everything for the Huskies. Slowing Adams down could be the difference between a win and a loss for Ohio State on Saturday.
Rodney Purvis
Connecticut’s leading scorer last season after transferring from N.C. State, Purvis, much like Adams, impacts the game in a variety of ways for Ollie. The 6-foot-4 redshirt senior averages 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and a little over three assists a night. In last season’s 75-55 Huskies’ win over Ohio State in Storrs, Purvis put up 13 points, six boards, and five assists to lead a balanced attack.
How to watch
Game time: 6 p.m. ET
Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM
TV: Big Ten Network (Wayne Randazzo and Jon Crispin)
Streaming: BTN Plus
Continue reading...
Google Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yet - Dayton Daily News
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Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yet - Dayton Daily News
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yet
Dayton Daily News
Elflein was in his first year as a starter two years ago when the Buckeyes made the first CFP. That offensive line underwent an impressive transformation from a shaky young unit at the start of the season to a punishing, powerful force by the time Ohio ...
How Ohio State made CFP history, how Buckeyes could win it all247Sports
Ohio State's September Win at Oklahoma Helped the Buckeyes In More Ways Than OneEleven Warriors
What would Browning likely do if Fickell leaves?247Sports
Landof10.com -ESPN (blog) -MyDaytonDailyNews
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yet
Dayton Daily News
Elflein was in his first year as a starter two years ago when the Buckeyes made the first CFP. That offensive line underwent an impressive transformation from a shaky young unit at the start of the season to a punishing, powerful force by the time Ohio ...
How Ohio State made CFP history, how Buckeyes could win it all247Sports
Ohio State's September Win at Oklahoma Helped the Buckeyes In More Ways Than OneEleven Warriors
What would Browning likely do if Fickell leaves?247Sports
Landof10.com -ESPN (blog) -MyDaytonDailyNews
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Google Ohio State basketball: Has Buckeyes approach changed after losing a game they couldn't...
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Ohio State basketball: Has Buckeyes approach changed after losing a game they couldn't lose? - cleveland.com
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Ohio State basketball: Has Buckeyes approach changed after losing a game they couldn't lose?
cleveland.com
You never want to lose a game like the one the Buckeyes lost on Tuesday. But you can make the argument that this was the worst possible time because now Ohio State has to bounce back against two teams that are more than capable of winning if the ...
Ohio State men's basketball | Loving calls meeting to get Buckeyes focused, readyColumbus Dispatch
Ohio State Holds Team Meeting After Loss to Florida Atlantic as Buckeyes Turn Focus Toward ConnecticutEleven Warriors
Ohio State, Like UConn, Has Known Disappointment In Young Basketball SeasonHartford Courant
New Haven Register -Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State basketball: Has Buckeyes approach changed after losing a game they couldn't lose?
cleveland.com
You never want to lose a game like the one the Buckeyes lost on Tuesday. But you can make the argument that this was the worst possible time because now Ohio State has to bounce back against two teams that are more than capable of winning if the ...
Ohio State men's basketball | Loving calls meeting to get Buckeyes focused, readyColumbus Dispatch
Ohio State Holds Team Meeting After Loss to Florida Atlantic as Buckeyes Turn Focus Toward ConnecticutEleven Warriors
Ohio State, Like UConn, Has Known Disappointment In Young Basketball SeasonHartford Courant
New Haven Register -Scarlet and Game
all 13 news articles »
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Google Volleyball: Buckeyes drop five-set heartbreaker to Wisconsin in NCAA regional semifinal -...
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Volleyball: Buckeyes drop five-set heartbreaker to Wisconsin in NCAA regional semifinal - OSU - The Lantern
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Volleyball: Buckeyes drop five-set heartbreaker to Wisconsin in NCAA regional semifinal
OSU - The Lantern
A 2-1 set lead wasn't enough for the Ohio State Buckeyes to withstand a comeback from No. 3 Wisconsin in the NCAA tournament Sweet 16. OSU dropped the final two sets to lose 3-2 in the regional semifinal. Wisconsin freshman outside hitter Molly Hagerty ...
Ohio State women's volleyball | Buckeyes fall in NCAA regionalColumbus Dispatch
Video: Badgers volleyball team seeks 3rd win over Buckeyes to advanceJournal Times
Improving Buckeyes Face Test in No. 1 WisconsinEleven Warriors
University of Wisconsin Badgers -The Badger Herald
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Volleyball: Buckeyes drop five-set heartbreaker to Wisconsin in NCAA regional semifinal
OSU - The Lantern
A 2-1 set lead wasn't enough for the Ohio State Buckeyes to withstand a comeback from No. 3 Wisconsin in the NCAA tournament Sweet 16. OSU dropped the final two sets to lose 3-2 in the regional semifinal. Wisconsin freshman outside hitter Molly Hagerty ...
Ohio State women's volleyball | Buckeyes fall in NCAA regionalColumbus Dispatch
Video: Badgers volleyball team seeks 3rd win over Buckeyes to advanceJournal Times
Improving Buckeyes Face Test in No. 1 WisconsinEleven Warriors
University of Wisconsin Badgers -The Badger Herald
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Google Ohio State women's volleyball | Buckeyes fall in NCAA regional - Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State women's volleyball | Buckeyes fall in NCAA regional - Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State women's volleyball | Buckeyes fall in NCAA regional
Columbus Dispatch
The Buckeyes found their legs in the second set and jumped to a 6-2 lead on two kills by Hughes and one by Schirmer. Ohio State never trailed the rest of the way but needed a kill by Audra Appold and an attack error by the Badgers to close out the set.
Volleyball: Buckeyes drop five-set heartbreaker to Wisconsin in NCAA regional semifinalOSU - The Lantern
Video: Badgers volleyball team seeks 3rd win over Buckeyes to advanceJournal Times
Improving Buckeyes Face Test in No. 1 WisconsinEleven Warriors
University of Wisconsin Badgers
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Ohio State women's volleyball | Buckeyes fall in NCAA regional
Columbus Dispatch
The Buckeyes found their legs in the second set and jumped to a 6-2 lead on two kills by Hughes and one by Schirmer. Ohio State never trailed the rest of the way but needed a kill by Audra Appold and an attack error by the Badgers to close out the set.
Volleyball: Buckeyes drop five-set heartbreaker to Wisconsin in NCAA regional semifinalOSU - The Lantern
Video: Badgers volleyball team seeks 3rd win over Buckeyes to advanceJournal Times
Improving Buckeyes Face Test in No. 1 WisconsinEleven Warriors
University of Wisconsin Badgers
all 28 news articles »
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Google Ohio State men's basketball | Loving calls meeting to get Buckeyes focused, ready -...
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Ohio State men's basketball | Loving calls meeting to get Buckeyes focused, ready - Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State men's basketball | Loving calls meeting to get Buckeyes focused, ready
Columbus Dispatch
On Thursday, the Buckeyes were scheduled to practice in the middle of the day and reunite for an evening film session. When practice didn't go to Matta's satisfaction, the evening session was turned into into another practice. And in between, Marc ...
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Ohio State men's basketball | Loving calls meeting to get Buckeyes focused, ready
Columbus Dispatch
On Thursday, the Buckeyes were scheduled to practice in the middle of the day and reunite for an evening film session. When practice didn't go to Matta's satisfaction, the evening session was turned into into another practice. And in between, Marc ...
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Google Ohio State Buckeyes: Cincinnati takes away DC Luke Fickell - UPI.com
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Ohio State Buckeyes: Cincinnati takes away DC Luke Fickell - UPI.com
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Ohio State Buckeyes: Cincinnati takes away DC Luke Fickell
UPI.com
CINCINNATI, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Luke Fickell is leaving the Ohio State football program, but he's staying in-state. The Buckeyes' defensive coordinator has been hired to be the University of Cincinnati's next head coach, according to WTOL-11's Jordan Strack.
Ohio State Recruiting Notebook: The latest in Buckeyes recruiting ...Landof10.com
Steve Says: Fickell has earned opportunity at Cincinnati247Sports
Report: Buckeyes assistant Luke Fickell negotiating to become next head coach at CincinnatiComcast SportsNet Chicago
WTOL.com -OSU - The Lantern -BearcatReport.com
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Ohio State Buckeyes: Cincinnati takes away DC Luke Fickell
UPI.com
CINCINNATI, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Luke Fickell is leaving the Ohio State football program, but he's staying in-state. The Buckeyes' defensive coordinator has been hired to be the University of Cincinnati's next head coach, according to WTOL-11's Jordan Strack.
Ohio State Recruiting Notebook: The latest in Buckeyes recruiting ...Landof10.com
Steve Says: Fickell has earned opportunity at Cincinnati247Sports
Report: Buckeyes assistant Luke Fickell negotiating to become next head coach at CincinnatiComcast SportsNet Chicago
WTOL.com -OSU - The Lantern -BearcatReport.com
all 26 news articles »
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Google Ohio State basketball: Watch Buckeyes practice for Saturday's game vs. UConn - cleveland.com
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Ohio State basketball: Watch Buckeyes practice for Saturday's game vs. UConn - cleveland.com
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Ohio State basketball: Watch Buckeyes practice for Saturday's game vs. UConn
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State basketball's game against Connecticut on Saturday is about as must-win as a game can be in December. The Buckeyes (7-2) are coming off a loss to Florida Atlantic on Tuesday night and need to show they're capable of ...
Ohio State Holds Team Meeting After Loss to Florida Atlantic as Buckeyes Turn Focus Toward ConnecticutEleven Warriors
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Ohio State basketball: Watch Buckeyes practice for Saturday's game vs. UConn
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State basketball's game against Connecticut on Saturday is about as must-win as a game can be in December. The Buckeyes (7-2) are coming off a loss to Florida Atlantic on Tuesday night and need to show they're capable of ...
Ohio State Holds Team Meeting After Loss to Florida Atlantic as Buckeyes Turn Focus Toward ConnecticutEleven Warriors
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LGHL Ohio State is used to playing (and winning) against Heisman Trophy finalists
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Ohio State is used to playing (and winning) against Heisman Trophy finalists
Geoff Hammersley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes defeated 3 Heisman finalists in 2014, and have beaten 3 already this season.
“Watson isn't the type to back down from a challenge, either. But Ohio State's recent track record against some of the nation's top individual talents suggests if there is any reason for concern, it might be on the side of the superstar.”
– Austin Ward, ESPN.com
With the Heisman Trophy set to be presented Saturday night, there are a few finalists that Ohio State has faced – and one they will face. This isn’t something out of the ordinary; two years ago, the Buckeyes ran the gauntlet against three Heisman Trophy finalist en route to claiming the inaugural College Football Playoff.
This is something Buckeye nation has gotten use to in the Urban Meyer era: winning big time games, against big time position players. Already, OSU traveled to Norman, Okla. to take down, convincingly, the Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook led Oklahoma Sooners. Then, in The Game, Curtis Samuel’s game-winning touchdown rush past Jabrill Peppers solidified the fact that OSU has won huge games against some of the best talent in college football.
Now, with the Buckeyes set to take on Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, don’t expect the Scarlet and Gray to back down from the challenge. As Austin Ward noted in his story, there is “obvious motivation” within the Bucks to play well against Heisman caliber talent.
However, Ward mentions the fact that even in the Buckeyes string of victories against Heisman finalists, they’ve given up some decent numbers and big plays. In the 2015 National Championship, Oregon’s Marcus Mariota collected over 300 yards in the air; against Michigan this past year, Peppers collected his lone interception of the season off of J.T. Barrett.
At the end of the game, it boils down to how many times Heisman moment plays are surrendered, notes Ward. In the case of the Buckeyes, they’ve given up some big plays, but they’ve had more than the opposition. We’ll see if OSU can do the same to Watson and the Tigers as they’ve done to all the other past Heisman finalists (and their teams) in recent years.
“I think what we're seeing with this team is a good combination of leadership and some of the younger guys. Overall, it was a good performance from us.”
– OSU wrestling coach Tom Ryan after defeating No.5 Missouri, 30-9
Winning big time contests aren’t exclusive to the OSU football team. On Thursday night, the No. 4 wrestling team hosted their first home match of the year at St.John Arena against the No.5 Missouri Tigers. In the end, the Buckeyes came out as huge victors, winning 30-9.
In a banner night for gold medal Olympian Kyle Snyder, he scored his fourth pinfall of the year at the 4:32 mark of his match. Prior to the match, Snyder’s national championship banners were shown at St.John Arena, as well as Myles Martin’s national championship banner in the 174-pound class.
Some snapshots from tonight via Sam Janicki. More coming in the AM. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/tcIksRAog5
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) December 9, 2016
In Martin’s match, he finished with a technical fall, but not before scoring 16 points in the first period.
The next match for the Buckeyes will be against Northwestern on Dec. 18 at noon.
“University officials said this week that [beer] sales topped $1.1 million for the season.”
– Marla Matzer Rose, The Columbus Dispatch
In the first year of having beer sales at Ohio Stadium, the university seems to have found another source for revenue. As reported by the Columbus Dispatch, beer sales brought in around $1.1 million for OSU. The Dispatch also noted that there were less reported problems with fans at games, compared to years past.
With the added money, OSU used the funds to help add additional police officers to games, as well as helping fund the university’s alcohol and substance abuse center.
Already, the Schottenstein Center had the ability to sell the alcoholic beverages at basketball and hockey events. On a national level, Ohio State joins institutions like Texas and West Virginia in having alcohol sales at athletic events.
In the Dispatch’s article, Texas was reported to have brought in roughly $1.8 million from alcohol sales, while West Virginia collected roughly $600,000.
Expect alcohol to be back on the menu next year for football games in The Shoe.
Stick to Sports
• The Columbus Dispatch’s obituary for John Glenn.
• Tom Herman’s old job at Houston has been filled by Major Applewhite.
• Someone across the pond returned a library book... 120 years overdue.
• Frenchman in charge of finding tax avoiders, was actually a tax avoider.
• President Obama orders investigation in alleged Russian hacking in 2016 election.
Continue reading...
Geoff Hammersley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes defeated 3 Heisman finalists in 2014, and have beaten 3 already this season.
“Watson isn't the type to back down from a challenge, either. But Ohio State's recent track record against some of the nation's top individual talents suggests if there is any reason for concern, it might be on the side of the superstar.”
– Austin Ward, ESPN.com
With the Heisman Trophy set to be presented Saturday night, there are a few finalists that Ohio State has faced – and one they will face. This isn’t something out of the ordinary; two years ago, the Buckeyes ran the gauntlet against three Heisman Trophy finalist en route to claiming the inaugural College Football Playoff.
This is something Buckeye nation has gotten use to in the Urban Meyer era: winning big time games, against big time position players. Already, OSU traveled to Norman, Okla. to take down, convincingly, the Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook led Oklahoma Sooners. Then, in The Game, Curtis Samuel’s game-winning touchdown rush past Jabrill Peppers solidified the fact that OSU has won huge games against some of the best talent in college football.
Now, with the Buckeyes set to take on Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, don’t expect the Scarlet and Gray to back down from the challenge. As Austin Ward noted in his story, there is “obvious motivation” within the Bucks to play well against Heisman caliber talent.
However, Ward mentions the fact that even in the Buckeyes string of victories against Heisman finalists, they’ve given up some decent numbers and big plays. In the 2015 National Championship, Oregon’s Marcus Mariota collected over 300 yards in the air; against Michigan this past year, Peppers collected his lone interception of the season off of J.T. Barrett.
At the end of the game, it boils down to how many times Heisman moment plays are surrendered, notes Ward. In the case of the Buckeyes, they’ve given up some big plays, but they’ve had more than the opposition. We’ll see if OSU can do the same to Watson and the Tigers as they’ve done to all the other past Heisman finalists (and their teams) in recent years.
“I think what we're seeing with this team is a good combination of leadership and some of the younger guys. Overall, it was a good performance from us.”
– OSU wrestling coach Tom Ryan after defeating No.5 Missouri, 30-9
Winning big time contests aren’t exclusive to the OSU football team. On Thursday night, the No. 4 wrestling team hosted their first home match of the year at St.John Arena against the No.5 Missouri Tigers. In the end, the Buckeyes came out as huge victors, winning 30-9.
In a banner night for gold medal Olympian Kyle Snyder, he scored his fourth pinfall of the year at the 4:32 mark of his match. Prior to the match, Snyder’s national championship banners were shown at St.John Arena, as well as Myles Martin’s national championship banner in the 174-pound class.
Some snapshots from tonight via Sam Janicki. More coming in the AM. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/tcIksRAog5
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) December 9, 2016
In Martin’s match, he finished with a technical fall, but not before scoring 16 points in the first period.
The next match for the Buckeyes will be against Northwestern on Dec. 18 at noon.
“University officials said this week that [beer] sales topped $1.1 million for the season.”
– Marla Matzer Rose, The Columbus Dispatch
In the first year of having beer sales at Ohio Stadium, the university seems to have found another source for revenue. As reported by the Columbus Dispatch, beer sales brought in around $1.1 million for OSU. The Dispatch also noted that there were less reported problems with fans at games, compared to years past.
With the added money, OSU used the funds to help add additional police officers to games, as well as helping fund the university’s alcohol and substance abuse center.
Already, the Schottenstein Center had the ability to sell the alcoholic beverages at basketball and hockey events. On a national level, Ohio State joins institutions like Texas and West Virginia in having alcohol sales at athletic events.
In the Dispatch’s article, Texas was reported to have brought in roughly $1.8 million from alcohol sales, while West Virginia collected roughly $600,000.
Expect alcohol to be back on the menu next year for football games in The Shoe.
Stick to Sports
• The Columbus Dispatch’s obituary for John Glenn.
• Tom Herman’s old job at Houston has been filled by Major Applewhite.
• Someone across the pond returned a library book... 120 years overdue.
• Frenchman in charge of finding tax avoiders, was actually a tax avoider.
• President Obama orders investigation in alleged Russian hacking in 2016 election.
Continue reading...
LGHL How will Ohio State defend Clemson’s dominant passing attack?
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How will Ohio State defend Clemson’s dominant passing attack?
Chuck McKeever via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes will need ironclad coverage against Deshaun Watson and co.
The Ohio State-Clemson matchup in this year’s Fiesta Bowl promises something for just about everybody. Veteran quarterbacks looking to cement their respective legacies? Check. Head coaches who would rather saw off an arm than lose this game? Check. An advanced stat-head’s dream contest, pitting the No. 3 and No. 4 overall S&P+ teams against each other? Check and check.
The Buckeyes are tasked with finding answers to the myriad questions still surrounding their offensive play-calling and execution. Much to the chagrin of Ohio State fans, Clemson doesn’t have this problem. The Tigers are humming on offense under the leadership of Deshaun Watson, and while they can’t bowl teams over on the ground, they’ve shredded opponents through the air all season.
So...what are Luke Fickell and Greg Schiano to do?
The problem
Deshaun Watson has thrown for more than 3900 yards this season, boasting 39 passing TDs on his 2016 résumé. Watson’s completed more than 67% of his passes and averages just shy of eight yards per attempt—J.T. Barrett, by comparison, is at 62% and 6.2 YPA. The Tigers’ signal-caller is a tremendous arm talent who can run if he has to.
Watson also has a full complement of weapons to dish the ball to. Leading the pack is junior Mike Williams, who averages almost 14 yards per catch. Williams has 10 TDs on 84 catches and a 70% catch rate. He’s joined by speedy sophomore Deon Cain, who has 9 TDs on just 32 catches in 2016, and tight end Jordan Leggett, a 6’5 target who looked like a wide receiver blowing past the Virginia Tech secondary for a pair of scores in the ACC Championship game.
Running back Wayne Gallman is talented enough to draw defenders’ attention, and the Tigers made hay on run fakes that left receivers in single coverage against the Hokies last week. Clemson has leveraged advantages like this one to become the No. 8 passing attack in the country, and while they hit few home runs, they are terrifyingly efficient at moving the chains and keeping Deshaun Watson upright.
The solution
Chris Ash, now the head coach at Rutgers, brought the press-quarters coverage scheme to Ohio State in 2014. It’s worked uniquely well at Ohio State, because it relies on having at least one corner and one linebacker who can reliably cover a receiver or tight end one-on-one play after play—no safety help. It also requires a safety speedy enough to cover a slot receiver.
In the last three seasons, the Buckeyes have had no shortage of corners who can play without help over the top (Eli Apple, Gareon Conley, Marshon Lattimore), linebackers comfortable in coverage against receivers and tight ends (Darron Lee, Raekwon McMillan, Jerome Baker), and safeties with enough football smarts to roam where they’re needed (Vonn Bell, Tyvis Powell, Malik Hooker). Without all three of those elements, the press-quarters scheme can’t function as intended.
Let’s say the Tigers line up in trips left with a single right-side receiver, as in this diagram from Football Study Hall’s Ian Boyd:
/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7600453/Buckeye_Solo.0.jpg)
A basic press-quarters look.
In this example, Clemson could have Williams, Cain, and Hunter Renfrow (their slot guy) as X, H, and Y, respectively, with Artavis Scott as the Z receiver. The Buckeyes’ press-quarters look in response could have Marshon Lattimore (C) in single coverage against Scott, with Jerome Baker (W) shadowing Wayne Gallman (R) out of the backfield.
Strong side linebacker Chris Worley (S) and middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan (M) would then join Gareon Conley (C) and either safety, Damon Webb or Malik Hooker ($), in a cover-4 look. The other safety (F) is then freed up to read the pass and deliver some air support to the slot or the outside corner. (Under Meyer, the Buckeyes don’t always differentiate between strong and free safeties. For a look at how this defense works against the run, click here.)
Given the complex, on-the-fly permutations of packaged plays and up-tempo offense in the modern college football landscape, it takes a special set of defensive personnel to run this scheme well. Urban Meyer, Greg Schiano, and Luke Fickell have that in this year’s team. Safety Damon Webb is a former corner with better-than-average coverage skills for his new position. Linebacker Chris Worley is himself a converted safety, with all the pass-defending skills that come with his former position. That’s not to mention the way that Malik Hooker has walked the razor-thin margin between aggression and conservatism that all good safeties must tread, en route to six INTs this year, or the beautiful coverage skills of Marshon Lattimore, or...you get the picture.
The conclusion
The Buckeyes will contain Deshaun Watson and keep the Tigers off the scoreboard if they can do the following three things:
Continue reading...
Chuck McKeever via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes will need ironclad coverage against Deshaun Watson and co.
The Ohio State-Clemson matchup in this year’s Fiesta Bowl promises something for just about everybody. Veteran quarterbacks looking to cement their respective legacies? Check. Head coaches who would rather saw off an arm than lose this game? Check. An advanced stat-head’s dream contest, pitting the No. 3 and No. 4 overall S&P+ teams against each other? Check and check.
The Buckeyes are tasked with finding answers to the myriad questions still surrounding their offensive play-calling and execution. Much to the chagrin of Ohio State fans, Clemson doesn’t have this problem. The Tigers are humming on offense under the leadership of Deshaun Watson, and while they can’t bowl teams over on the ground, they’ve shredded opponents through the air all season.
So...what are Luke Fickell and Greg Schiano to do?
The problem
Deshaun Watson has thrown for more than 3900 yards this season, boasting 39 passing TDs on his 2016 résumé. Watson’s completed more than 67% of his passes and averages just shy of eight yards per attempt—J.T. Barrett, by comparison, is at 62% and 6.2 YPA. The Tigers’ signal-caller is a tremendous arm talent who can run if he has to.
Watson also has a full complement of weapons to dish the ball to. Leading the pack is junior Mike Williams, who averages almost 14 yards per catch. Williams has 10 TDs on 84 catches and a 70% catch rate. He’s joined by speedy sophomore Deon Cain, who has 9 TDs on just 32 catches in 2016, and tight end Jordan Leggett, a 6’5 target who looked like a wide receiver blowing past the Virginia Tech secondary for a pair of scores in the ACC Championship game.
Running back Wayne Gallman is talented enough to draw defenders’ attention, and the Tigers made hay on run fakes that left receivers in single coverage against the Hokies last week. Clemson has leveraged advantages like this one to become the No. 8 passing attack in the country, and while they hit few home runs, they are terrifyingly efficient at moving the chains and keeping Deshaun Watson upright.
The solution
Chris Ash, now the head coach at Rutgers, brought the press-quarters coverage scheme to Ohio State in 2014. It’s worked uniquely well at Ohio State, because it relies on having at least one corner and one linebacker who can reliably cover a receiver or tight end one-on-one play after play—no safety help. It also requires a safety speedy enough to cover a slot receiver.
In the last three seasons, the Buckeyes have had no shortage of corners who can play without help over the top (Eli Apple, Gareon Conley, Marshon Lattimore), linebackers comfortable in coverage against receivers and tight ends (Darron Lee, Raekwon McMillan, Jerome Baker), and safeties with enough football smarts to roam where they’re needed (Vonn Bell, Tyvis Powell, Malik Hooker). Without all three of those elements, the press-quarters scheme can’t function as intended.
Let’s say the Tigers line up in trips left with a single right-side receiver, as in this diagram from Football Study Hall’s Ian Boyd:
A basic press-quarters look.
In this example, Clemson could have Williams, Cain, and Hunter Renfrow (their slot guy) as X, H, and Y, respectively, with Artavis Scott as the Z receiver. The Buckeyes’ press-quarters look in response could have Marshon Lattimore (C) in single coverage against Scott, with Jerome Baker (W) shadowing Wayne Gallman (R) out of the backfield.
Strong side linebacker Chris Worley (S) and middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan (M) would then join Gareon Conley (C) and either safety, Damon Webb or Malik Hooker ($), in a cover-4 look. The other safety (F) is then freed up to read the pass and deliver some air support to the slot or the outside corner. (Under Meyer, the Buckeyes don’t always differentiate between strong and free safeties. For a look at how this defense works against the run, click here.)
Given the complex, on-the-fly permutations of packaged plays and up-tempo offense in the modern college football landscape, it takes a special set of defensive personnel to run this scheme well. Urban Meyer, Greg Schiano, and Luke Fickell have that in this year’s team. Safety Damon Webb is a former corner with better-than-average coverage skills for his new position. Linebacker Chris Worley is himself a converted safety, with all the pass-defending skills that come with his former position. That’s not to mention the way that Malik Hooker has walked the razor-thin margin between aggression and conservatism that all good safeties must tread, en route to six INTs this year, or the beautiful coverage skills of Marshon Lattimore, or...you get the picture.
The conclusion
The Buckeyes will contain Deshaun Watson and keep the Tigers off the scoreboard if they can do the following three things:
- Get Watson’s jersey dirty. The press-quarters scheme can only work with an aggressive and talented front four. The Buckeyes have that. But Watson has only been sacked 11 times this season (compared to Barrett’s 24), and Ohio State is in trouble if they don’t get to him early and often.
- Emphasize the “press” in press-quarters. Against one of the best receivers they faced all year, Northwestern’s Austin Carr, the Buckeye secondary was absurdly generous. They gave Carr a 7-10 yard cushion play after play, and Carr gladly chewed up all the space they gave him. That can’t happen against Clemson’s playmakers.
- Eliminate the home run ball. The Buckeye pass D has shown a slight tendency toward allowing loooong pass plays, coming in at just 45th nationally in preventing explosive passes. Jordan Leggett and Deon Cain made mincemeat of the Virginia Tech secondary on a few long plays, and if Ohio State gives them those same chances, the score might tilt in the wrong direction.
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Google How Ohio State made CFP history, how Buckeyes could win it all - 247Sports
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How Ohio State made CFP history, how Buckeyes could win it all - 247Sports
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How Ohio State made CFP history, how Buckeyes could win it all
247Sports
Not only did Ohio State become the first team to make the College Football Playoff without winning its conference, but the Buckeyes did so as the No. 3 seed. They weren't even the last team in, and the only reason they were the second-to-last team in ...
Ohio State's September Win at Oklahoma Helped the Buckeyes In More Ways Than OneEleven Warriors
Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yetMyDaytonDailyNews
Facing -- and beating -- Heisman finalists nothing new for Ohio StateESPN (blog)
Landof10.com -Chat Sports -cleveland.com
all 34 news articles »
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
How Ohio State made CFP history, how Buckeyes could win it all
247Sports
Not only did Ohio State become the first team to make the College Football Playoff without winning its conference, but the Buckeyes did so as the No. 3 seed. They weren't even the last team in, and the only reason they were the second-to-last team in ...
Ohio State's September Win at Oklahoma Helped the Buckeyes In More Ways Than OneEleven Warriors
Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yetMyDaytonDailyNews
Facing -- and beating -- Heisman finalists nothing new for Ohio StateESPN (blog)
Landof10.com -Chat Sports -cleveland.com
all 34 news articles »
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BTN Tracking Big Ten teams in the NCAA volleyball tournament
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Tracking Big Ten teams in the NCAA volleyball tournament
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network
Entering Friday, six Big Ten teams were in the NCAA volleyball tournament's Sweet 16. Track Friday's tournament action here.
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BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network
Entering Friday, six Big Ten teams were in the NCAA volleyball tournament's Sweet 16. Track Friday's tournament action here.
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Google Volleyball preview: Buckeyes season on the line in the Sweet 16 against No. 3 Wisconsin -...
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Volleyball preview: Buckeyes season on the line in the Sweet 16 against No. 3 Wisconsin - OSU - The Lantern
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Volleyball preview: Buckeyes season on the line in the Sweet 16 against No. 3 Wisconsin
OSU - The Lantern
For the Buckeyes, the team has knocked off Missouri State and most recently, won a five-set nail-biter against Kansas State on Dec. 3. Junior outside hitter Ashley Wenz said when the team was down, they looked to the upperclassmen for inspirational ...
Sweet 16 preview: The rest of the Madison Regional fieldThe Daily Cardinal
Women's hockey: No. 1 Wisconsin battles Ohio State in final series of 2016The Badger Herald
all 14 news articles »
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Volleyball preview: Buckeyes season on the line in the Sweet 16 against No. 3 Wisconsin
OSU - The Lantern
For the Buckeyes, the team has knocked off Missouri State and most recently, won a five-set nail-biter against Kansas State on Dec. 3. Junior outside hitter Ashley Wenz said when the team was down, they looked to the upperclassmen for inspirational ...
Sweet 16 preview: The rest of the Madison Regional fieldThe Daily Cardinal
Women's hockey: No. 1 Wisconsin battles Ohio State in final series of 2016The Badger Herald
all 14 news articles »
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Google LOOK: Ohio State gives J. Cole's new album cover a Buckeye makeover - Landof10.com
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LOOK: Ohio State gives J. Cole's new album cover a Buckeye makeover - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
LOOK: Ohio State gives J. Cole's new album cover a Buckeye makeover
Landof10.com
J. Cole — born Jermaine Lamarr Cole — was born in Fayetteville, N.C. so it's unlikely he's a Buckeyes fan. However, former Ohio State player Chukwuemeka Onyejekwe has a rap career as Mekka Don. He's produced a few songs for the Buckeyes, including ...
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
LOOK: Ohio State gives J. Cole's new album cover a Buckeye makeover
Landof10.com
J. Cole — born Jermaine Lamarr Cole — was born in Fayetteville, N.C. so it's unlikely he's a Buckeyes fan. However, former Ohio State player Chukwuemeka Onyejekwe has a rap career as Mekka Don. He's produced a few songs for the Buckeyes, including ...
Continue reading...
Google Ohio State's September Win at Oklahoma Helped the Buckeyes In More Ways Than One - Eleven...
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Ohio State's September Win at Oklahoma Helped the Buckeyes In More Ways Than One - Eleven Warriors
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ESPN
Ohio State's September Win at Oklahoma Helped the Buckeyes In More Ways Than One
Eleven Warriors
When the game finally did begin, it didn't take long for the Buckeyes to show they were the better team. Noah Brown caught four touchdown passes and Ohio State rolled to a 45-24 victory. The questions about the Buckeyes' youth and inexperience?
Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yetMyDaytonDailyNews
Ohio State football | Buckeyes wary of potent Clemson offenseColumbus Dispatch
Facing -- and beating -- Heisman finalists nothing new for Ohio StateESPN (blog)
Land-Grant Holy Land
all 26 news articles »
Continue reading...
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
ESPN
Ohio State's September Win at Oklahoma Helped the Buckeyes In More Ways Than One
Eleven Warriors
When the game finally did begin, it didn't take long for the Buckeyes to show they were the better team. Noah Brown caught four touchdown passes and Ohio State rolled to a 45-24 victory. The questions about the Buckeyes' youth and inexperience?
Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yetMyDaytonDailyNews
Ohio State football | Buckeyes wary of potent Clemson offenseColumbus Dispatch
Facing -- and beating -- Heisman finalists nothing new for Ohio StateESPN (blog)
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Facing -- and beating -- Heisman finalists nothing new for Ohio State - ESPN (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Facing -- and beating -- Heisman finalists nothing new for Ohio State
ESPN (blog)
That team also took on the following year's winner. And the current roster already has faced three of the finalists this season, with quarterback Deshaun Watson on deck when the No. 3 Buckeyes take on No. 2 Clemson in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl on Dec.
Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yetMyDaytonDailyNews
3 Ohio State Match Ups For The Buckeyes' Defense In The Fiesta BowlFactory Of Sadness
Five Players That Must Play Better For Ohio State to Have a Shot at ...Eleven Warriors
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Facing -- and beating -- Heisman finalists nothing new for Ohio State
ESPN (blog)
That team also took on the following year's winner. And the current roster already has faced three of the finalists this season, with quarterback Deshaun Watson on deck when the No. 3 Buckeyes take on No. 2 Clemson in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl on Dec.
Buckeyes focused on fundamentals, not Clemson yetMyDaytonDailyNews
3 Ohio State Match Ups For The Buckeyes' Defense In The Fiesta BowlFactory Of Sadness
Five Players That Must Play Better For Ohio State to Have a Shot at ...Eleven Warriors
Land-Grant Holy Land
all 23 news articles »
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LGHL Ohio State offensive coordinator Ed Warinner reportedly could be in “serious mix” for WKU...
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Ohio State offensive coordinator Ed Warinner reportedly could be in “serious mix” for WKU head coaching job
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
How many assistant coaches could Ohio State need to replace this offseason?
Ohio State assistant coaches are in high demand right now. Co-DC Greg Schiano has been tied to both the Oregon position (since filled) and the USF position. Co-DC Luke Fickell has been heavily linked to the Cincinnati head coaching job, and it’s entirely possible he takes Mr. Cincinnati himself, Kerry Coombs, with him, a scenario that I think could put Ohio State in a tough spot.
But it is entirely possible they aren’t the only Ohio State coaches who could get promotions this cycle.
According to a recent tweet from Tim May at the Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State offensive coordinator Ed Warinner could also be headed elsewhere.
While waiting to hear what happens at UC vis a vis Luke Fickell, keep hearing Ohio State OC Ed Warinner could be in serious mix at WKU.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) December 9, 2016
Western Kentucky is open after Jeff Brohm left to become the new head coach at Purdue.
This wouldn’t be the first time Warinner has been linked to other coaching positions, as he was tied earlier in his Ohio State career to openings at Army and Kansas, where he had coached previously.
Warinner has experience all over the country, but especially in the midwest, where he’s coached at Kansas, Illinois, Notre Dame and Michigan State, along with stints at Army and the Air Force academy.
Ohio State’s offense has been a bit up and down since Warinner formally replaced Tom Herman, but his reputation working with offensive linemen and developing passing games, last few years not withstanding, is still excellent. He could be a good fit for Western Kentucky. Plus, let’s not forget, Ed Warinner is from Kentucky.
WKU has propelled several coach careers in past few decades. Plus, Warinner is from KY. His dad played for Bear Bryant at UK way back when.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) December 9, 2016
Even though Urban Meyer has a great reputation for hiring assistant coaches, and even though plenty of great names will be interested in any opening at Ohio State, replacing multiple coordinators in one offseason might be tough.
Continue reading...
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
How many assistant coaches could Ohio State need to replace this offseason?
Ohio State assistant coaches are in high demand right now. Co-DC Greg Schiano has been tied to both the Oregon position (since filled) and the USF position. Co-DC Luke Fickell has been heavily linked to the Cincinnati head coaching job, and it’s entirely possible he takes Mr. Cincinnati himself, Kerry Coombs, with him, a scenario that I think could put Ohio State in a tough spot.
But it is entirely possible they aren’t the only Ohio State coaches who could get promotions this cycle.
According to a recent tweet from Tim May at the Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State offensive coordinator Ed Warinner could also be headed elsewhere.
While waiting to hear what happens at UC vis a vis Luke Fickell, keep hearing Ohio State OC Ed Warinner could be in serious mix at WKU.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) December 9, 2016
Western Kentucky is open after Jeff Brohm left to become the new head coach at Purdue.
This wouldn’t be the first time Warinner has been linked to other coaching positions, as he was tied earlier in his Ohio State career to openings at Army and Kansas, where he had coached previously.
Warinner has experience all over the country, but especially in the midwest, where he’s coached at Kansas, Illinois, Notre Dame and Michigan State, along with stints at Army and the Air Force academy.
Ohio State’s offense has been a bit up and down since Warinner formally replaced Tom Herman, but his reputation working with offensive linemen and developing passing games, last few years not withstanding, is still excellent. He could be a good fit for Western Kentucky. Plus, let’s not forget, Ed Warinner is from Kentucky.
WKU has propelled several coach careers in past few decades. Plus, Warinner is from KY. His dad played for Bear Bryant at UK way back when.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) December 9, 2016
Even though Urban Meyer has a great reputation for hiring assistant coaches, and even though plenty of great names will be interested in any opening at Ohio State, replacing multiple coordinators in one offseason might be tough.
Continue reading...
