Heard Around the Shoe – 8/22/2016
Ben van Ooyen via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Welcome to your tri-weekly look at all things Ohio State recruiting. Let’s get started!

Buckeye Target Releases Top 5, OSU Not Included:


Last month during Friday Night Lights, the Buckeyes landed a surprise commitment from Brian Snead, a 4-star running back for the class of 2018. With the depth chart at running back a bit thin after this season, I still expect the Buckeyes to take 2 backs in the class of 2018, but it looks like one of those will not be Ricky Slade. Slade is a 5-star back out of Woodbridge, Virginia. The Buckeyes are still working on convincing Jaelen Gill to be the second back in the class, and thus Slade figures he has a better shot elsewhere.



Slade lists 25 offers, and his top 5 include Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Florida and Penn State. His crystal ball status had Ohio State out in front with 4 of the 9 projections coming in for the Buckeyes up to this point. I expect the home town Hokies to be the front runner from here on out, but if the Buckeyes lose traction with Gill or Snead decides to look elsewhere I would expect the Buckeyes to get back in the mix.


Bishop Gorman Duo Injured during Scrimmage:


Ohio State West.. sorry I mean Bishop Gorman High School is home to two current Ohio State commitments and possibly another one around 11am EST time today. Wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey and Quarterback Tate Martell were both dinged up during their scrimmage last week, but according to sources both are ok and ready to go.



While Martell should be able to play in their week 1 matchup wtih Cedar Hill, Texas, Lindsay might not because of the NIAA has still not ruled on the transfer per USA Today, and Lindsey would need 10 practices in order to be able to play in a game.

Check in around 11am EST time today to learn more about Tyjon Lindsey’s commitment, and if he picks the Buckeyes.

Top 2018 Ohio Prospect on hand for Practice:


Although he has yet to receive an offer from the Buckeyes, 2-way star Tyreke Smith showed up to practice on Saturday to check out the program and interact with the coaching staff. Listed as both a Tight End and Defensive End, Smith has the opportunity to shine on both sides of the ball to earn that Buckeye offer. Since he has not played football since the 7th grade, he does not have a lot to go on except his size and potential. Smith already holds offers from 12 programs including Penn State and Michigan State, and I would expect the Buckeyes to offer once they see him in person or on film.


Texas Offensive Lineman Gets Buckeye Offer:



Another day, another offer for a 2018 athlete. The Buckeyes extended an offer to 4-star offensive lineman Barton Clement from Missouri City, Texas last week. Clement lists 11 offers to date, and has 2 crystal ball predictions in for Texas A&M. The Buckeyes are always looking to build a strong offensive line and Clement is the 5th rated offensive guard in the class of 2018, and the 13th overall prospect out of the state of Texas.


Backup Plans?:


Most experts have pegged Jeffrey Okudah, a 5-star safety from the class of 2017 to eventually end up in the Buckeyes record recruiting class. While I still think that will happen, the Buckeyes are making contingency plans in case Okudah decides to sign elsewhere.



Xavier McKinney is a 4-star safety from Roswell, Georgia. He is a heavy Clemson lean, and right now 86% of all crystal ball predictions in favor him signing with the Tigers. McKinney is the 10th rated Safety in the class of 2017. This is certainly one to watch closely, as the recruitment of Jeffrey Okudah continues on.

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5-star WR Trevon Grimes commits to Ohio State
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


BOOOOOOOOM!

Adding one elite wideout to an already stellar recruiting class is good. But you know what’s better? Adding another one at the same dang time.

That’s exactly what Ohio State did today. As if four-star WR Tyjon Lindsey’s commitment wasn’t enough, the Buckeyes picked up yet another elite pass catcher, as five-star wideout Trevon Grimes also announced he’s heading to Columbus to play for the Buckeyes.

Grimes, a 6’3, 202 pounder from St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida (the same school that produced the Bosa brothers, and is becoming a bit of an Ohio State pipeline), was wanted by virtually everybody in college football. Rated as the 15th best player in the country by the 247Sports Composite, the third best player in Florida and the 3rd best wideout, Grimes had reported offers from Florida, Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, LSU and more.

Paired with Lindsey, Ohio State now has an improve inside-outside combo at wideout, and could get even more dangerous if the Buckeyes add a third pass catcher to this class.

Ohio State now has 18 commitments in the class of 2017, and additional space should be very tight. It’s currently ranked the top class in the country, and has a very good chance to stay that way.

You can check out Grimes in action below:

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5-star WR Tyjon Lindsey commits to Ohio State over Nebraska
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State’s 2017 loaded class just got even more so.

Ohio State already had the best 2017 recruiting class in the country. Now, it just got even better. Again.

Tyjon Lindsey, a 5-star WR out of Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, NV has announced he has committed to Ohio State. Lindsey marks the 17th commitment in Ohio State’s 2017 class.

Lindsey, an electric playmaker, is 5’9, 161 pounds, and is one of the most highly regarded slot WR prospects in the country. He stands as the 24th best player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, the fifth best WR in his class, and the best player in Nevada.

The Buckeyes have now secured the commitment of the three best players in Nevada, all teammates at Bishop Gorman (QB Tate Martell and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett).

Virtually every top program offered Lindsey, including Alabama, USC and Oregon. Ohio State was considered a favorite through much of the recruiting process, with Nebraska, USC, UCLA and Oregon considered the other top contenders.

You can see more of what Lindsey brings to the table from this highlight video below:

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BM5: OSU injury update; Lindsey a lock? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BM5: OSU injury update; Lindsey a lock?
247Sports
Has Ohio State been relatively fortunate on the injury front through the first two weeks of training camp? Is five-star wide receiver recruit Tyjon Lindsey a lock to pick the Buckeyes later today? Steve Helwagen joins Dave Biddle to discuss that and ...
10-Star Monday – Grimes and Lindsey commit to Ohio StateThe Buckeye Battle Cry
5-star Ohio State target set to commitLand-Grant Holy Land
Tyjon Lindsey, Trevon Grimes set to announce: Is Ohio State on the verge of a huge recruiting week?cleveland.com
Corn Nation -Eleven Warriors -BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription)
all 17 news articles »

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Buckeyes embracing perceived underdog role - The Fan
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes embracing perceived underdog role
The Fan
The Ohio State University football team will never be an underdog in the truest sense of the word. Unlike last season when the Buckeyes entered as the prohibitive favorite to win it all, expectations are a bit tempered coming into this season. Oklahoma ...
Ohio State football: Watch Buckeyes assistant Zach Smith mic'd up at practicecleveland.com
Where did Ohio's AP poll voters place the Buckeyes?247Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes No. 6 in AP preseason pollDayton Daily News
Grand Island Independent -Campus Insiders -Columbus Dispatch
all 58 news articles »

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Buckeye coach, Haskins getting their predictions in on 5-star? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeye coach, Haskins getting their predictions in on 5-star?
247Sports
The expectation is that Lindsey will announce a commitment to the Buckeyes over Nebraska, USC, Notre Dame and many others across the country who also offered Lindsey a scholarship. Lindsey is a 5-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite. He is the ...


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Ohio State professor reflects on her passion for comic books: BTN LiveBIG
BTN.com Live Big Staff via Big Ten Network

To call Caitlin McGurk's life cartoonish would be music to her ears.

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5-star Ohio State target set to commit
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Are the Buckeyes on commitment watch?

Urban Meyer and the Ohio State coaching staff have done a more than stellar job tracking down top high school talent since arriving in Columbus. While they have locked up elite class after elite class, their present efforts on the recruiting trail could end up not only being one of the best in 2017, but ever.

With 16 commitments and the top overall class in the country already under their belt, Meyer and crew are just hours away from potentially adding another huge piece to their class of 2017 recruiting puzzle.

Monday morning, longtime OSU target Tyjon Lindsey (Las Vegas, NV / Bishop Gorman) will shut his recruitment down and announce his verbal commitment to a college of his choice. With well over 20 offers on the table from programs such as Alabama, Nebraska, Notre Dame and USC, the 5-foot-9 California native is thought as a lock to join his good friend Tate Martell as a future Buckeye.

Considered the fifth wide receiver, and 24th overall prospect in the class of 2017, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, the shifty Lindsey has accounted for 2,000 receiving yards and 33 total touchdowns over the last two seasons on the high school level.

Will Tyjon Lindsey commit to Ohio State or will he shock the world and verbally commit to another program? You won’t have to wait much longer to find out. Stick with Land-Grant Holy Land for the latest.

Buckeyes offer 2017 DB


Before you commit to a college program they have to offer you a scholarship first. Ohio State did just that over the weekend.

On Sunday evening, four-star safety Xavier McKinney (Roswell, GA / Roswell) took to his Twitter page to announce that the Buckeyes are the latest to offer him a chance to attend their University.


Always looking to add talent to the Silver Bullets, the Buckeyes will mix it up with some of the best in college football for McKinney’s pledge. Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame and Oklahoma are just a few of the schools to offer the 6-foot-1, 192-pound standout a full-ride scholarship.

Quick Hits

• Three-star 2018 defensive end Alex Reigelsperger (Dayton, OH / Wayne) plans to visit Ohio State this football season for their game against arch rival Michigan. Reigelsperger has yet to receive an offer from Ohio State, but currently holds scholarships from Kentucky, Iowa, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and many others.
• According to Rivals, class of 2018 defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. (Ft.Lauderdale, FL / St.Thomas Aquinas), the son of former NFL defensive back Asante Samuel, has Florida State, Ohio State, Auburn and South Carolina as his current favorites.

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Where did Ohio's AP poll voters place the Buckeyes? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Where did Ohio's AP poll voters place the Buckeyes?
247Sports
Of Ohio State, he wrote, “If these callow Buckeyes learn to tie their shoes and play well with others, look out. Urban Meyer calls the youngest team in the nation “as talented a group top to bottom as we've had.” One voter who made his ballot public ...
Ohio State Buckeyes No. 6 in AP preseason pollDayton Daily News
College football | Ohio State ranked No.6 in AP pollColumbus Dispatch
Ohio State Ranked No. 6 in 2016 Preseason Associated Press PollEleven Warriors
Scout -cleveland.com -Big Ten Network -NCAA College Football - Associated Press
all 63 news articles »

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Mac said:

Let me know what you think of Madden after you play it for a while

Click to expand...

It's fun seeing the new players, and some of the presentation is better, but I'm struggling to believe I'll play it long term.

Buckeyes offer 2017 Georgia defensive back - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes offer 2017 Georgia defensive back
247Sports
What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Buckeyes newsletter now! The 6-foot-1 and 192-pound McKinney has a list of offers than in addition to Ohio State includes Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, ...


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Ohio State to Wear Chic Harley Era Uniforms Nov. 5 Against ... - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State to Wear Chic Harley Era Uniforms Nov. 5 Against ...
Eleven Warriors
Ohio State is set to wear its 1916 Chic Harley era uniforms for its Nov. 5 night game against Nebraska, as confirmed via season tickets that began arriving to ...

and more »

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The Football Fever: Buckeyes 6th in AP preseason poll - ABC6OnYourSide.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


The Football Fever: Buckeyes 6th in AP preseason poll
ABC6OnYourSide.com
COLUMBUS -- in a way, the 2016 season will pick up where 2015 left off: Alabama is No. 1, and Clemson is No. 2. The Buckeyes are 6th with Michigan 7th. Michigan State now a perennial top 15 team at no. 12 and Iowa 17th. The defending national ...
Buckeyes make AP top 25WDTN
Ohio State Buckeyes ranked sixth in AP Top 25 preseason pollMyDaytonDailyNews
Preseason AP Top 25 poll: Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma top first 2016 rankingsCBS sports.com (blog)
NCAA College Football - Associated Press
all 138 news articles »

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College Football Rankings: No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes - - Campus Insiders
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


College Football Rankings: No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes -
Campus Insiders
The college football rankings countdown from Campus Insiders slates the Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 6. Here are five things that matter heading into Buckeyes' ...
Meyer has big holes to fill as Buckeyes begin 2016 campaign ...Defiance Crescent News (subscription)
Bucknuts 90: Ten-star week ahead? - Ohio State Football - 247Sports247Sports
The Hurry Up: Underrated Columbus Running Back Sets Official ...Eleven Warriors

all 4 news articles »

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I'll be getting this by way of a friend getting it. There's a feature on Xbox One called "Home Xbox". Basically, if you have a relative or a good friend who plays Xbox, you can share each other's Xbox, and you'll get all of their games that are digitally downloaded, and they'll get all of yours. Now, my buddy and I split the cost of games 50/50, instead of paying $65.

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Ohio State paces four Big Ten teams ranked in preseason AP Poll
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

Ohio State and Michigan are the popular pick to take the Big Ten in 2016, and the preseason AP poll voters agree. The Buckeyes and the Wolverines pace the Big Ten in the publication’s preseason poll, released Sunday, coming in at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. Reigning Big Ten champ Michigan State checks in at No. 12 and Iowa at No. 17, giving the conference four teams in the poll, the same number it has in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll. Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin all are receiving votes, with the latter garnering the most (42). Check out the

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Future Ohio State football assistant coach?

Buckeyes make AP top 25 - WDTN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes make AP top 25
WDTN
ASSOCIATED PRESS- Defending national champion Alabama is No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 as the Crimson Tide attempts to win a fifth title in eight seasons. Coach Nick Saban's Tide received 33 of 61 first-place votes from the media ...
Ohio State Buckeyes ranked sixth in AP Top 25 preseason pollMyDaytonDailyNews
Ohio State ranked No. 6 in first AP Poll of 2016Land-Grant Holy Land

all 120 news articles »

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Buckeyes Past and Present React to Ohio State Wrestler Kyle Snyder Winning Gold Medal at Rio Olympics - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes Past and Present React to Ohio State Wrestler Kyle Snyder Winning Gold Medal at Rio Olympics
Eleven Warriors
The 20-year-old and current Ohio State Buckeye became the youngest American wrestler to win a gold medal Sunday, defeating Khetag Gazyumov of Azerbaijan 2-1 in a closely contested match. Snyder's victory puts a cap on an amazing year — he won the ...
Olympics | Ohio State's Kyle Snyder wins wrestling gold for USColumbus Dispatch
Ohio State wrestler wins Olympic goldWHIO
Kyle Snyder achieves his Olympic dreams in RioOSU - The Lantern
College Spun -247Sports
all 48 news articles »

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Kyle Snyder: Olympic Champion
Garth via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

In September, 2015, Steve Snyder was pensive as he headed to a celebratory dinner with family. Still a little stunned by what his 19 year old son had just accomplished, he could not help but fret for the future.

As a newly crowned World Wrestling Champion in Las Vegas, Kyle Snyder now faced the pressure that comes with a title in a year long run up to the Olympics, and dad Steve knew it. With more dread than joy in his voice, Steve concluded, “we all have to process what this is about.”


Kyle Snyder. Courtesy, wrestlingisbest.com


The year that followed was eventful: a convincing loss to menacing Russian Anzor Boltukaev in January preceded a joyous NCAA triumph in Madison Square Garden. Then a comeback win against reigning Olympic champ Jake Varner in the Olympic Trials preceded a close loss in Germany to Khetag Gazyumov, the man Snyder has just vanquished in the biggest match of Snyder’s young life.

2-1.

In becoming the youngest Olympic champ in American history (besting Henry Cejudo by a few months), Snyder showed the same things that has propelled his success: the ability to experiment and learn from defeat, the ability to out process an opponent’s thinking in the heat of battle and a motor that just never stops as those of opponents sputter.

The bout with Gazyumov was tense, power packed and strategic. No takedown was earned, yet Snyder struck when he could, resulting in a first point pushout, and backed out of danger when the single leg was not there. Kyle took heed of a warning, avoided the shot clock and earned the Olympic winner by putting his opponent on the clock.

The action was furious and maddening as the seconds ticked away. Everyone panicked except a 20 year old from Woodbine, MD.

It has been a wild year for Kyle Snyder–the highs were epically high. The lows were few and far between, almost like whispers of doubt and dread. But while hey caused anxiety among critics and those close to Kyle, the champ himself never let them factor into his focus on the mission.

Steve, the wait and weight are done and gone. Rest easy. Lightly lies the crown.




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AP Poll: Buckeyes start 2016 season at No. 6 - 10TV
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


AP Poll: Buckeyes start 2016 season at No. 6
10TV
The Associated Press has released its preseason and the Buckeyes are starting out at No. 6 going into 2016. Earlier this month, the Amway Coaches Poll placed Ohio State at No. 5. Much like the coaches poll, the AP Poll has Alabama and Clemson starting ...
Ohio State Buckeyes No. 6 in AP preseason pollDayton Daily News
Buckeyes make AP top 25WDTN
Ohio State football | Buckeyes ranked No. 6 in AP pollColumbus Dispatch
MyDaytonDailyNews -247Sports -Eleven Warriors
all 125 news articles »

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Ohio State will only see a few strong rushing attacks in 2016
Chad Peltier via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Defensive line is one of Ohio State's biggest areas of concern for 2016, but at least they won't see too many elite run games.

A few weeks ago we identified the three most important statistics that would determine the Buckeyes' 2016 season. Those were defensive adjusted line yards (the defensive line's ability to stop the run), passing PPP+ (the passing game's ability to create explosive plays and be efficient per-snap), and defensive passing PPP+ (the secondary's ability to limit explosive plays in particular).

Those three statistics tie back to three position groups that experienced a great deal of personnel turnover -- and the receivers and secondary in particular are where experience seems to be the most important.

Last week we looked at the pass defenses the Buckeyes will face this season — half of their opponents had statistically elite secondaries last year — but this week we’ll look at the opposing rushing attacks that the defensive line will have to prepare for.


The Buckeyes face five top-40 rushing attacks this season: Bowling Green (?!), Oklahoma, Indiana, Nebraska, and Maryland. Let's break these down a little further:

Bowling Green's third-ranked rushing attack


Bowling Green surprisingly had the third-best rushing attack in the country last season, so the Buckeyes will be tested right out of the gate. The caveat here is that they also lost a lot of personnel over the offseason, including head coach Dino Babers.

First, starting running back Travis Greene, a nearly 1,300-yard rusher, is gone. But his replacement, senior backup Fred Coppet had nearly identical per-play effectiveness last year, averaging the same highlight yards per opportunity (5.3) and just 1% lower opportunity rate (42%). So personnel-wise, the Bowling Green attack shouldn't see much of a drop-off, and should be at least decently efficient, if not the most explosive rushing attack possible. Further, sophomore Matt Domer only had eight touches last year, but was incredibly explosive, averaging 14.6 highlight yards per opportunity. With personnel losses at quarerback and the top two wide receivers, it's possible that the Falcons rely more on the run at least early on.

The Oklahoma offensive jugernaut


The Buckeye defense will obviously have a lot to worry about in week three. Once you get past Heisman candidate Baker Mayfield at quarterback, there's the running back duo of Samaje Perine (the current record holder for rushing yards in a game), and the higher-rated recruit Joe Mixon.

While the duo combines for one of the best backfields in the country talent-wise, they had a few distinct weaknesses. First, they were "only" 28th in rushing S&P+ last year. This was primarily due to relatively poor efficiency, ranking 58th in rushing success rate. As Bill mentions,


It also doesn't help that the Sooners lose their top two offensive linemen, both All-Big 12 picks.

However, their danger comes from explosiveness. Perine and Mixon average 6.3 and 7 highlight yards per opportunity, so if they do reach the five yard marker, they often turn that run in to an explosive play. That's the big concern for Ohio State -- keeping the pair from hitting big running plays.

Nebraska loses its line


Nebraska should be set at skill positions -- both quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. and senior running back Terrell Newby are decent options for last year's 32nd-ranked rushing unit. Neither is particularly efficient nor explosive, but they got the job done enough.

That was mostly due to a great offensive line that was 29th in adjusted line yards and 12th in adjusted sack rate -- but unfortunately for Huskers fans, they lose three starters along that line. The Buckeye defensive line, on the other hand, will likely have its rotation down by the time they face the Huskers in the last third of the season.

Maryland had a top-15 rushing attack?


Even using regular old dummy stats -- rushing yards per game -- the Terrapins were 31st in rushing last season, so it shouldn't be that much of a surprise. In fact, they were 12th in average yards per rush. You may not have thought of Brandon Ross as a superstar back, but he nevertheless averaged 9.5 highlight yards per opportunity. What the Terrapins lacked in consistency and efficiency (they were just 43rd in rushing success rate), they more than made up for in explosiveness.

Ross is now gone, but there are options. The veteran is senior Wes Brown, but he had Ross's efficiency (just 38%), but not his explosiveness (just 3.4 highlight yards per opportunity). Without efficiency or explosiveness, the Terrapins might need a spark from sophomore Ty Johnson (averaged nine highlight yards per opportunity in limited action last year) and their quarterbacks, Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe, who were statistically among the most efficient and explosive runners on the team. Much like Oklahoma -- albeit with a distinct talent difference -- the concern for the Buckeyes will be the quarterback run game and the backs' explosiveness.

Overall, the schedule looks much more manageable when it comes to opposing running backs. There aren't many household names outside of the Oklahoma game, but there are a few sneaky-good rushing attacks in Indiana, Maryland, Bowling Green, and Nebraska.

Finally, they didn't make my arbitrary cut at the top-40 rushing S&P+ programs, but Penn State has both Saquon Barkley and top running back recruit Miles Sanders in Joe Morehead's new offense. If I had to guess, I'd put the Nittany Lions second to Oklahoma for best rushing attacks on the Buckeyes' 2016 schedule.

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