Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for August 25, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


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Ask LGHL


Introducing ‘Ask LGHL,’ asking and answering questions throughout the football season
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

LGHL Asks: Are you worried about cornerback depth? Who joins Stroud at Heisman ceremony?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Gridiron


Nine Buckeyes named to Senior Bowl preseason watch list
Matt Parker, Lettermen Row

Pressure and opportunity: Ryan Day enters his most critical season at Ohio State (paywall)
Ari Wasserman, The Athletic

We’re listening, Luke...


WR videos: Hartline, Smith-Njigba, Harrison Jr., Egbuka, Fleming, Johnson, Ballard
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts

“Anything Below That Is Unacceptable”: Watch Ohio State Wideouts, Brian Hartline, Parker Fleming and Bradley Robinson Discuss Lofty Expectations for 2022 Season
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors

Practice Report: Buckeyes wide receivers enter season with massive expectations
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Kamryn Babb: Ohio State captain ‘confident’ in return, won’t need surgery (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes


How Ohio State’s Julian Fleming popped his shoulder back in and became a preseason scrimmage legend
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

“He’s Really the Best I’ve Been Around”: C.J. Stroud’s Football Intelligence, Mastery of Ohio State Offense Impressing Coaches in Camp
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

You’re Nuts: What Ohio State tradition are you most looking forward to coming back?
Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State’s Zach Harrison is only concerned about his own expectations: ‘I’m trying to be a game changer’
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Tim Walton Relishes Return to Ohio State in Coaching Role
Jack Emerson, Buckeye Sports Bulletin

There is a reason that she’s the best in the business! She knows what she’s talking about.


Why versatile captain Kourt Williams became leader in Buckeyes safeties room
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Denzel Burke Feeling More Confident Heading Into Year Two
Braden Moles, Buckeye Sports Bulletin

How Lathan Ransom went from Rose Bowl injury to camp standout in rapid time
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes

2022 Buckeyes in the NFL Fantasy Football Preview: Garrett Wilson
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Clark Kellogg ‘overwhelmed with gratitude’ at GCBLA induction
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

I too would like for Ohio State to pay for me to come and watch that game.

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Women’s Ice Hockey: Buckeyes Add Familiar Faces to Coaching Staff
Brett Price, The Lantern

Women’s Ice Hockey: Four Buckeyes To Compete at World Championships
Ohio State Athletics


Women’s Soccer: No. 20 Buckeyes Host No. 9 BYU in Home Opener Friday
Ohio State Athletics

Field Hockey: Bough, Goldean, Webster Are Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch
Ohio State Athletics

Women’s Volleyball: No. 7 Ohio State Opens Season Against No. 2 Texas at Home
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


My day job is covering this stuff, and even I am shocked by how poorly David Zaslav is running Warner Bros. Discovery.


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Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: 2022 Big Ten Previews — Iowa and Wisconsin
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

Who will emerge victorious in the Big Ten West this season?

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast ‘Hangout in the Holy Land’ is here! Join LGHL’s co-managing editor Gene Ross alongside his co-host Josh Dooley as they cover everything from football to basketball to recruiting and more!

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On this week’s episode, Gene and Josh continue their Big Ten previews with a look at Iowa and Wisconsin. Two teams that finished atop the standings in the West division last year, both programs had stellar defenses to go along with subpar offenses. Will it be more of the same for the Badgers and Hawkeyes this season, or will they finally figure out the forward pass? Plus, how do they stack up to their projected win totals on the DraftKings Sportsbook, with Iowa at 7.5 and Wisconsin at 8.5?

“Hangout in the Holy Land” is will be dropping one episode per week during the offseason, coming out every Wednesday (don’t hold us to that). Be sure to download and listen in wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple to let us know your thoughts and how we can make things even better!

You can also follow us on Twitter @HolyLandPod, where we will want to hear from you guys even more! If there’s anything you’d like us to talk about on the show, @ us and let us know!

As always, Go Bucks.


Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @HolyLandPod

Connect with Gene:
Twitter: @Gene_Ross23

Connect with Josh
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

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Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Bruce Thornton
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Andrew Jansen/News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK

Let’s talk about the only true point guard on the roster

As the basketball offseason continues and we move into the fall, Land-Grant Holy Land will put out basketball player and team previews. There will be two previews a week leading all the way into the start of the season, starting with player previews.

Last time to we talked about Roddy Gayle Jr. and what he can bring to the program as a freshman. This time, we are taking a look at fellow freshman and the only true point guard on the roster, Bruce Thornton.


Name: Bruce Thornton
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 205 pounds
High School: Milton High School
Class: Freshman
2021-22 stats: N/A

Caitlyn Jordan/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK
Outlook


Thornton is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound point guard from Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia. According to 247Sports, he is the 52nd ranked player in the 2022 class, the 10th ranked point guard in the country and the No. 1 player from the state of Georgia. Thornton was named the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year and is the second recruit in the class for the Buckeyes to receive that honor this year in their respective state (Brice Sensabaugh, Florida).

Sensabaugh has really taken over a lot of the individual hype as the 2022 class gets to Columbus, but for a large part of their recruitment, Thornton was the guy that Ohio State fans were most excited to see — and for good reason.

Here is the scouting report from 247 Sports recruiting analyst Brandon Jenkins, who also compared to Thornton to former Syracuse point guard Scoop Jardine:


This scouting report makes sense when you learn that Bruce Thornton Sr., Bruce’s father, played four seasons in the NFL after being a fourth round pick out of the University of Georgia. He might have the body of a football player, but Thornton Jr. is a hooper at heart.

Thornton is also the recruit that most people pointed to as the most college-ready player in the class. However, he talked about his first couple of weeks on campus being somewhat of a struggle.

“It was rough my first week getting my feet wet,” Thornton told Eleven Warriors in July. “But everybody comes together being very cohesive, connecting together. The bond is just great. I love my team no matter what. The season didn’t even start yet, but I already love them. I feel like we’ve got big things ahead of us.”

Thornton added, “The toughest part is just everyday consistency, making sure you go hard every single day. That’s a big main thing. But when you get your feet wet, you understand it’s a business. So, when you take it as a business, you have great success.”

Expectation


Thornton does not have the luxury that many other freshmen have in terms of development and starting off slow. The Buckeyes will need him to be productive from day one if they want to be successful, and especially when they head to Maui for the Maui Invitational.

He will likely be the starting point guard at some point this season, and there is a real good chance that he is the starting point guard from the very beginning. Anytime you have a true freshman running the show, there can be a learning curve. But Thornton has been praised for his flexibility and his game IQ, so he should be able to step in and learn as he goes.

Prediction


Thornton basically has the opportunity to play as much as he wants or earns. Guys like Isaac Likekele and Justice Sueing can play the one, but Thornton is the only true point guard on the roster, and there is a real scenario that he starts day one. Him playing anywhere from 20-30 or even around 32 minutes a game come in conference play is a real possibility. I would look more in the 24-28 minutes per game range since the Buckeyes are very deep and will try to tap into that depth. But there is no doubt, Buckeye fans will be seeing a lot of Thornton this season.

Highlights

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I have two great seats in section 13A row 9 for this awesome night game!

Message me for pricing and other details.

Thanks

Bonus - two hard copy commemorative tickets for your seats!

I dont have answers for the question for this yet but I am looking and hoping others may be more in the know. If others provide info for individual games or networks I will update this post for each game individually.

vs. Notre Dame Saturday, Sept. 3 7:30 p.m ABC Columbus, OH
ABC is available on HULU
vs. Arkansas State Saturday, Sept. 10 12 p.m. Big Ten Network Columbus, OH
vs. Toledo Saturday, Sept. 17 7 p.m. FOX Columbus, OH
vs. Wisconsin Saturday, Sept. 24 TBA ABC Columbus, OH
ABC is available on HULU
vs. Rutgers Saturday, Oct. 1 3:30 p.m. TBA Columbus, OH
at Michigan State Saturday, Oct. 8 TBA TBA East Lansing, MI
vs. Iowa Saturday, Oct. 22 TBA TBA Columbus, OH
at Penn State Saturday, Oct. 29 TBA TBA State College, PA
at Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 5 TBA TBA Evanston, IL
vs. Indiana Saturday, Nov. 12 TBA TBA Columbus, OH
at Maryland Saturday, Nov. 19 TBA TBA College Park, MD
vs. Michigan Saturday, Nov. 26 12 p.m. FOX Columbus, OH
TBD (Big Ten Championship) Saturday, Dec. 3 8 p.m. FOX Indianapolis, IN

LGHL Asks: Are you worried about cornerback depth? Who joins Stroud at Heisman ceremony?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.

Every day for the entirety of the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.

Last week, our friends at SBNation Reacts helped us run a survey to take the temperature of Buckeye Nation on two questions about the upcoming Ohio State football season. Here are the answers from LGHL readers.

Question 1: How concerned are you about the lack of cornerback depth in the Ohio State secondary?



Look, we all know that Ohio State fans don’t exactly have a reputation for being the most level-headed group of folks in the college football world. So, I was pleasantly surprised that the two extremes in the question’s continuum only totaled out at 18%.

Currently, there are only six scholarship corners on the Buckeye roster and a handful of safeties have been cross-training at the other secondary spot in order to provide some additional depth, should it become needed.

We’ve also heard of some minor injuries to various CBs during fall camp, but based on media availabilities with players and coaches this week, it sounds like everybody should be ready to go for next Saturday’s matchup against No. 5 Notre Dame. Will they all be 100% healthy, probably not, but the fact that — as of now — it sounds like everybody will be on the field is a huge bonus for the Buckeyes.

The Domers have not exactly been an explosive passing team in recent years, although their best offensive weapon will likely be tight end Michael Mayer. However, the responsibility to cover him will probably fall on the defenses linebacker-safety hybrid Kourt Williams who also appears to finally be healthy heading into his third season in Columbus.

Question 2: Other than C.J. Stroud, which Buckeye has the best chance to be a Heisman Trophy finalist?



Jaxson Smith-Njigba is of course the right answer here as if someone other than the OSU quarterback is going to go to New York it is almost certainly going to be the most talented skill-position player on a team that will have the most talented offense and passing attack in the game. So, no arguments from me here.

However, I am intrigued by how many people think that TreVeyon Henderson has a shot at an invite. Don’t get me wrong, I would love for that to happen. Last season, after only his third collegiate game, I said that he reminded me of a mix of J.K. Dobbins, Ezekiel Elliott, and Maurice Clarett, pretty ridiculous, right?

Maybe, maybe not, but he is immensely talented, and I am very on board for him getting enough touches to warrant inclusion in the Heisman Trophy discussion. Under head coach Ryan Day, the OSU offense has been far more pass-heavy than it was during the bulk of Urban Meyer’s tenure. Despite Ohio State’s offense leading the country in yards and points, they ranked 47th nationally in rushing yards and 102nd in attempts — despite the fact that many second halves featured little to no passing.

So, if you were to tell me that I had a choice of guaranteeing that Henderson of JSN was invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony, I would take the running back every time. We know that with Stroud distributing the ball to Brian Hartline’s insane conglomeration of talent, the passing attack will continue to be electric this season, but if Henderson is one of the best players in the country this year, that means that the ground-game will have to take a gigantic step forward, and that can only be good for the overall healthy of the Ohio State offense and team as a whole.

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You’re Nuts: What Ohio State tradition are you most looking forward to coming back?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.

In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.

Today’s Question: What Ohio State gameday tradition are you most looking forward to coming back?

Jami’s Take: Singing “Carmen Ohio” at the end of football games


If you don’t get choked up every time you put your arms around the strangers who flank you to pour one out for our beloved alma mater, you are a soulless ghoul and I don’t care to know you.

This song nails the Buckeye experience. “With joy which death alone can still” — that’s the joy I felt when the Buckeyes won the National Championship. “How firm thy friendship” — that’s the feeling of reuniting with the besties for homecoming. “Time and change will surely show” – that’s how I feel walking down High Street and finding that I still love it even though they have demolished all my favorite bars (RIP Too’s, Chumley’s, and The O - gone too soon).

Part of what makes OSU such a magical place is that it’s so much bigger than any one graduate or game or season or graduating class. The history and tradition spans centuries, and it’s palpable during “Carmen.” We are the luckiest people in the world because we’re part of something so much bigger than ourselves, and we get to leave our mark on a place that is truly special – because those who came before us made it so. We get to celebrate that while standing next to the very people who became our people at OSU, who made us who we are while we all worked to make OSU what it can be. This is true no matter when or where you sing “Carmen.”

But there is something particularly special about singing it in The Shoe after a win. When you’re in college, a big football win feels like the most monumental thing in the world. Take down Michigan and it feels like you can fly. Knock off another Top-10 team, and you might as well have invented electricity.

I remember being in school and wishing time would stop in its tracks on game days. Sitting next to my best friends cheering the Buckeyes on to victory, I never wanted my time in college to end. I love the life I’ve built post-grad, but I still get nostalgic for Columbus on game day.

Never is campus more beautiful than in the heart of fall, with the changing leaves marking the passage of time, and “Carmen” so perfectly hones in on all the emotional layers that come with the feelings of change.

When I return to campus now, so much has changed. Parts of it are unrecognizable. But when I stand in the stadium and those bells start chiming after a football game, I am instantly 21 again, perfectly content with where I’m at in the moment and hopeful for everything to come. It is a warm hug from a place that will always feel like home.

Time and change will surely show, how right my answer, O-hi-o.

Matt’s Take: The Ramp Entrance


I know that when it comes to Ohio State Marching Band traditions, “Script Ohio” is the most obvious answer, and I love “Script One,” as any red-blooded Buckeye fan does. But for me, “The Ramp Entrance” is the thing that gets me most excited and emotional.

Perhaps it is because this is the first time that we see TBDITL in Ohio Stadium on each individual game day, or maybe it’s the sheer, regimented perfection of each intricate movement, but I regularly tear up when the drum line makes its way down the ramp on the north end of The Shoe; and then when the drum major runs through the tightly assembled columns and — after a signature backbend — signals for the awaiting phalanx to do what the song commands and drive down the field, I become a blubbering mess — much like I am even typing this out now.

The ramp entrance signifies the start of an event that millions of people build their entire weeks around, and to be fortunate enough to be in that glorious cathedral of college football on the banks of the Olentangy is an honor each and every time it happens. As the Pride of the Buckeyes makes its way onto the playing surface, that means that for the next three hours, you are in for something special.

The ramp entrance is like the anxiety-fueled moments as attendants corral horses into the starting gates before a Triple Crown race. The excitement, the nerves, the anticipation have been building; finally, the beloved, familiar traditions are underway, meaning that the action cannot be far behind.

There is a rising excitement about what is to come: It’s the fizz bubbling up in a bottle of champagne before the cork is finally popped; it’s the giddiness of a group of kids waiting not-so-patiently at the top of the stairs for their parents to let them open their presents on Christmas morning; it’s unbridled elation of seeing your loved one walk into the airport terminal after being gone for weeks.

The Ohio State University, its football team, and its marching band are obviously very important to all of us in Buckeye Nation, and nothing gets that pride, camaraderie, and nostalgia stirring in me like seeing 228 college students in faux-military regalia complete with scarlet and gray plumes systematically marching onto that football field.

I know people are more likely to side with Jami or to go with the incomparable “Script Ohio,” but for me, it has always been the ramp entrance. I mean, even this video that the marching band posted last week got me emotional. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go get my box of tissues.


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2022 Buckeyes in the NFL Fantasy Football Preview: Garrett Wilson
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Wilson has eyes on becoming the top target for his team’s young and potentially explosive offense.

Rookie wide receivers finding success in the NFL is not unheard of. Far from it, actually. But in recent years, a few special rookies have dominated both on the field and in fantasy football lineups. They now find themselves firmly inside the top-10 of players at their position.

Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings finished the 2020 season with 88 receptions for 1,400 yards and 7 TD, good for sixth in PPR points (WR position only). And in 2021, Ja’Marr Chase of the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals quickly became the alpha of an already-established receiving core, putting up totals of 81/1,455/13 (5th in PPR). These players are the most recent examples of what a talented wideout can do – at an early NFL age – when dropped into the right situation.


The New York Jets are hoping that they have created a similar situation — one that will be conducive to putting up big yardage and big point totals via their very young offensive core. It is certainly a gamble to count on a bunch of young pups, but the Jets are in rebuilding mode, and have had enough draft capital and salary cap space to take said risk(s).

They have (hopefully, for them) identified Zach Wilson as their franchise quarterback of the future, and brought in Garrett Wilson to potentially be his No. 1 option. If the young battery can develop chemistry quickly, the former Buckeye has all the skills and talent to become a big-time fantasy football asset.


Wilson spent much of his early Ohio State career in the slot before lining up primarily outside throughout the 2021 season. No matter where the Buckeyes put him, he excelled as a playmaker. The speed, the hands, the ability to make plays after the catch — all facets of his game were dialed in, and continued to improve over the course of three seasons in Columbus. But his size (or lack thereof) was a question mark for some debating his NFL potential.

In my humble opinion, Wilson put size concerns to rest in 2021 by regularly creating separation and coming down with contested catches. The footwork and the route running are always a work(s) in progress – even for veteran wideouts – so he is not a finished product, but the Jets saw very few holes in his game, leading to Wilson becoming the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. And the team certainly did not spend such a high pick to have the rookie sit and develop slowly. Unless he is a catastrophic bust (fat chance), Wilson will be thrown quickly into the fire. I expect him to perform well, and there is a realistic scenario in which he becomes the team’s go-to receiver.

Versatility will likely be key for Wilson, as the Jets have a bit of a funky WR depth chart. The team drafted Elijah Moore last year, and he performed well as a second-round draft pick. The 5-foot-10, 180 pounder is currently a projected starter. Same goes for Corey Davis, a former high draft pick who signed with New York as a free agent. He has thus far failed to reach his ceiling, but is a big-bodied pass catcher at 6-foot-3, 210. Braxton Berrios and Denzel Mims are the backups and near-copies of Moore and Davis, but the group as a whole is largely unproven.

Whereas the incumbent four fit some sort of mold, the 6-foot, 185 pound Wilson falls somewhere in the middle. He is nowhere near the size of those possession guys, but plays much larger than the slot-only receivers. The Jets should be able to move this former Buckeye all around the field, similar to how Ohio State used him in certain matchups.

If Zach Wilson progresses after a long offseason spent hunting cougars, it will go a long way in boosting the fantasy potential of the individual weapons around him. The team brass certainly wouldn’t mind either, but this is a fantasy football preview, not an AFC East preview. Wilson (Garrett, from here on out) has by far the highest upside of the skill position players, and should be taken as the first Jet off the board. Moore has PPR potential, the young NY running backs are skilled, and the team has nearly a dozen tight end options, but Wilson is the elite prospect you want to target in drafts.

Some prognosticators have suggested that the Jets are an up-and-coming team to watch out for. With just one winning record in their last 11 seasons, I’ll believe it when I see it. As such, the team could find itself behind often, and throwing the ball with regularity. Their young QB struggled at times as a rookie, but he has a cannon of an arm and love to extend plays. That is where Wilson comes in. If he is able to pick things up quickly, I don’t see any reason why he would be unable to rise up the depth chart. From there, it will be about using his skills and athleticism to hopefully become the next Ja’Marr Chase.

Wilson currently has an ADP outside the top 100, and is barely being looked at as a top-50 WR option. Target him earlier in fantasy drafts. Because it might take time to find his footing in the NFL, but I just can’t imagine him ever being a bust... at least not due to his talent, or lack thereof. If Wilson struggles, I would guess that it is a result of QB play.

That being said, PPR points might be hard to come by, so don’t go nuts. Draft him knowing that he is a much better dynasty pick than he is a 2022 certainty. But I will definitely be taking into account upside when I target Wilson in my own fantasy drafts. I would rather pick up the former Buckeye two rounds too early, as opposed to sitting on his ADP and hoping I get lucky. Wilson has fantasy stud potential, it’s a matter of whether or not things come together for he and his other young teammates.

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Another pair of blue-chip prospects will attend Ohio State’s season opener
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ian Moore | Mick Walker, 247Sports

The Buckeyes are set to welcome two more highly-coveted prospects in Columbus early next month for the battle with the Irish.

As Week 1 inches closer, the list of visitors for the Buckeyes contest against Notre Dame continues to grow daily. On Tuesday, a new pair of prospects revealed there intentions to be in Columbus for the top five showdown. Plus, a former Buckeye quarterback discusses the pipeline with Ohio State and his alma mater.

Moore, Smith to attend season opener


In less than two weeks, the Buckeyes are set to host a loaded list of prospects inside of Ohio Stadium when the program clashes with the Irish. According to a tweet from Bucknuts, 2024 four-star interior offensive lineman Ian Moore of New Palestine (IN) will be among the many visitors next Saturday.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pounder has over 20 offers as a prospect thus far including a scholarship opportunity from Ohio State, who offered the Indiana standout back in June. Among other programs in pursuit of the Top 100 prospect include Cincinnati, Florida State, Iowa, Louisville, Miami (FL), Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and more.

Joining Moore in Columbus in just a couple of weeks is also the No. 9 running back in the country in the 247Sports rankings, according to Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts. That prospect is none other than 2024 four-star running back Corey Smith of Catholic Memorial (WI).

While Smith is the No. 9 running back on 247Sports, he is the consensus No. 10 prospect overall. The Waukesha native also slots in as a Top 200 prospect, No. 184 overall, and is the second highest graded player from Wisconsin.

Ohio State has yet to offer the dual-sport athlete (track and field), but Smith has landed offers from over double digit programs including Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Jones talks OSU-Glenville pipeline


After a brief hiatus between the two parties, it looks as if the alma mater that has sent numerous prospects to Columbus in previous years could be getting back to their old ways. Glenville (OH) has seen Christian Bryant, Cardale Jones, Marshon Lattimore, Troy Smith, Donte Whitner, Chris Worley, and many others in the past go from Tarblooder to Buckeye.

Now, Ohio State is back in pursuit of prospects from the Cleveland area high school and even landed their first pledge from Glenville since the 2014 recruiting class when 2023 four-star linebacker Arvell Reese announced his pledge to the Buckeyes earlier this month catching the attention of the aforementioned Cardale Jones.

“I think (OSU re-establishing the pipeline is) great because Glenville always has some great athletes. They’re known for players that have come to Ohio State and have done some big things for the program,” Jones told Eleven Warriors.

The former national championship winning quarterback continued by stating, “Hopefully that pipeline opens back up. I know they have another two or three kids that they’re recruiting. One already has an offer, so hopefully, after they go through the recruiting process and weigh out their options and what’s important to them, Ohio State is their top decision.”

One prospect in specific the Buckeyes would like to add to the fold from Glenville is 2024 four-star cornerback Bryce West. The Cleveland native, who unsurprisingly already has an offer from Ohio State, is currently pegged as the No. 2 player in the state for next years class and has multiple predictions in favor of the Buckeyes landing his coveted pledge.

Quick Hits

• Numerous Ohio State targets will kickoff their high school season this Friday including 2024 four-star running back Stacy Gage of Wharton (FL). The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder attended IMG Academy (FL) last season before transferring to become a member of the Wildcats.

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for August 24, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


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Ask LGHL


Introducing ‘Ask LGHL,’ asking and answering questions throughout the football season
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ask LGHL: How will 4-2-5 defense stack up against power run teams?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Gridiron


Early bowl predictions expect Buckeyes to be national-title contenders
Matt Parker, Lettermen Row

Mandel’s Big Ten predictions: It’s Ohio State ... and everyone else (paywall)
Stuart Mandel, The Athletic

Videos: Walton, Eliano, Burke, Johnson, Martinez, Ransom, Proctor, McCalister, Hickman, Williams
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts


Jim Knowles Wants to Limit Rotation on Back End of the Buckeye Defense, but Says Ohio State Has “More Depth Here than I’ve Had in the Past”
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

Ohio State: Denzel Burke has ‘no doubt’ about health of secondary
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Buckeyes confident ‘banged up’ cornerbacks room will be at full strength for opener
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Tanner McCalister says Ohio State football’s defense is “pretty close” but still has to go prove it
Stephen Means, cleveland.com


Knowles on why he doesn’t rotate much in back 7 | ‘Reviving the Silver Bullet culture’
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts

Ohio State’s young corners gained experience as Buckeyes work back to ‘full strength’
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

What’s up with Ohio State football’s Denzel Burke, Cam Brown, Jordan Hancock and health at cornerback?
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

A look back at Ohio State’s 2023 commits in Week 1 prep kickoffs
Caleb Houser, Land-Grant Holy Land

Danny coming in hot with his always-insightful analysis.


Buckeyes Defensive Line Depth Looks to Prove Dividends in 2022
Casey Smith, The Lantern

C.J. Stroud making small steps to reach huge 2022 Ohio State goals (paywall)
Jeremy Birmingham, Dotting the Eye

You’re Nuts: Which unranked team will finish highest in the final college football AP Poll
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Legendary golfer and Ohio State alumni Tom Weiskopf passes away at age 79
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ryan Day, Chris Holtmann embrace changing landscape at Ohio State’s ‘The Foundation’ event
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

And now for something completely different...


I can’t wait for this show.


Continue reading...

Ask LGHL: How will 4-2-5 defense stack up against power run teams?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.

Every day for the entirety of the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.

Question: Two people essentially asked the same question, so I put them together for today’s article.


So, to me, this is the biggest question for defense coming into the season. As I said in yesterday’s “Ask LGHL” column, stats never really tell the full story of what a team is. In 2021, the OSU defense ranked a rather respectable 28th nationally against the run, and a putrid 96th versus the pass.

However, both of those rankings were colored by the fact that the Ohio State offense was by far the most prolific in the country and therefore opposing offenses had to turn to the air in order to play catch up. So, while the Buckeyes were pretty bad against the pass, perhaps they weren’t as bad as the stats suggest; and conversely, in my opinion, they were not in the top 25% of rushing defenses in college football last year, no matter what the numbers tell you.

The biggest issue for the Buckeyes’ rush defense in 2021 wasn’t what they did against the majority of their opponents, instead, it was what they specifically did against the best rushing teams on the schedule, and even more importantly what how they stacked up on no-doubt, short-yardage rushing downs.

I’m not going to relitigate the performances against Oregon and TTUN’s rushing attack from last year, because at this point, it’s just throwing salt into wounds that have nearly been healed by the dawning of a new season. However, I can’t do this article without looking at some pretty telling statistics.

Last year, Ohio State allowed 77 conversions on 183 third-down plays (42.08&), 10 first downs on 21 fourth-down attempts (47.62%), and 36 scores (31 touchdowns and five field goals) in 42 red zone trips (85.71%). Those totals ranked 13th, 8th, and 12th in the Big Ten respectively last season.

Those aren’t bad numbers, they are horrifically revolting numbers for anyone who cares about Ohio State football, quality defensive execution, and the sanity of everyone within Buckeye Nation. In all of those situations last year, as a fan, it felt like a foregone conclusion that the OSU defense would not only bend, but it would break and shatter into a bazillion little parts that no one would know how to reassemble, because they really weren’t sure of how it was supposed to look in the first place.

But as I said yesterday, I trust new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles when he talks about how quickly the Bucks are picking up his scheme, how tough they are practicing, and how he is dedicated to playing the best players the bulk of the time.


So, without having seen the defense yet, or how the individual personnel have responded to the change in defensive leadership, perhaps the most instructive thing for how the Buckeye defense will do against running teams this year is looking at Knowles’ Oklahoma State defense last season.

Of course, the running prowess of Big 12 teams will differ significantly from those that the real OSU will face in the Big Ten, and there are innumerable variables that make a true apples-to-apples comparison impossible, but I do think that there is enough meat on the bones to be information.

For example, Baylor led the Big 12 in rushing last year averaging 219.71 yards per game, which was good for 10th nationally. Because the Cowboys and Bears met in the conference title game, the two teams met twice during the season. In the teams’ first meeting in early October, OSU won 24-14 and gave up to 205.1 yards on the ground. However, two months later, the Bears edged out the Pokes 21-16, but only rushed for 62 total yards.

Oklahoma State’s next game was in the Fiesta Bowl — coincidentally enough — against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. ND only ran for 144 yards per last season (83rd nationally), but in the bowl game only wracked up 42 yards on the ground. Knowles’ defense was definitely playing its best football, especially against the run, at the end of the season.

The Oklahoma State defense faced three other rushing offenses in the top 40 last season in Texas, TCU, and Oklahoma. The Cowboys’ held Texas’ 26th-ranked rushing offense to 138 yards, the No. 30 Horned Frogs to 133, and 40th-ranked Oklahoma to 189 rushing yards; all below their season averages.

In terms of the high-value situations that Ohio State failed in last year, Oklahoma State led the Big 12 in third-down conversations allowed at 28.64% (59 of 206) and fourth-down conversions at 29.63% (8 of 27). While the Cowboys were sixth in red zone conversions at 87.5%, they allowed the fewest trips in the league (32) and gave up the fewest TDs (18) in the Big 12 last year.

So, if the past is prologue and how Knowles’ 2021 Oklahoma State defense can serve as a blueprint for his 2022 Ohio State squad, then I feel pretty comfortable in saying that the Buckeyes will be better against the best rushing teams that they face this season.

Continue reading...

You’re Nuts: Which unranked team will finish highest in the final college football AP Poll
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

Last week the college football preseason AP Top 25 rankings were released. There was no surprise at the top with Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia taking the top three spots of the rankings. Four Big Ten teams were included in the rankings, while the SEC placed the most teams in the initial rankings, with six teams among the top 25.

Every year there are teams ranked in the preseason top 25 that underperform and finish the season outside the top 25. There are also a few teams that surprise the “experts” and work their way into the top 25 by the end of the year. Last year, Iowa State started the year ranked seventh in the country before posting a 7-6 season and finishing the year unranked. On the other end of the spectrum, Michigan was in the “others receiving votes” section before going on a run that saw them win the Big Ten and claim a spot in the College Football Playoff.

While we could try and identify which team is going to underperform this year, instead we’ll look for the team we think could surprise and go from unranked at the start of the season to ranked in the final AP Poll. There are plenty of interesting options that are outside the top 25 to start the season.

Today’s question: Which unranked team will finish highest in the final AP college football poll?

We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.

Brett’s answer: Minnesota


The Golden Gophers don’t exactly have a great track record of season-long success, finishing the season ranked just three times since the 1999 season. At least P.J. Fleck does have one strong season in recent memory, with Minnesota’s 11-2 season in 2019 resulting in the Golden Gophers being ranked 10th in the final AP poll.

There are a number of reasons why I am optimistic about Minnesota this year. First is the return of running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener against Ohio State last year. Ibrahim cracked 1,000 yards in 2018, as well as in a seven-game season in 2020. Before suffering the achilles injury against the Buckeyes, Ibrahim had rushed for 163 yards on 30 carries.

Not only do the Golden Gophers have Ibrahim returning, Tanner Morgan is back for his 36th year at quarterback. Morgan will be trying to recapture some of the magic from 2019 when he threw 30 touchdowns. Joining Morgan in returning is wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell, as well as stellar center John Michael Schmitz. Fleck hit the transfer market to beef up the offensive line, bringing in Quinn Carroll from Notre Dame and Michigan’s Chuck Filiaga.

Another reason I like Minnesota’s chances to have a strong season is their manageable schedule. The Golden Gophers have a non-conference schedule that consists of New Mexico State, Western Illinois, and Colorado, which should allow Fleck’s squad to head into Big Ten play with a 3-0 record. Minnesota does have tough road games at Michigan State, Penn State, and Wisconsin, but it’s not like those contests aren’t unwinnable. I really could see the Golden Gophers being in contention to win the Big Ten West and finish the season with at least 10 wins.

Meredith’s answer: Air Force


I’m going to step outside of the Big Ten for this one (even though there are plenty of in-conference programs, including Minnesota, who got snubbed by not making it into the preseason AP Poll), and am going to go with the Air Force Falcons.

Air Force is one of just six FBS programs favored to win all their games. The Falcons are in good company, as the other five programs are all ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll (Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Utah and Oklahoma).

Sure, being favored to win all your games is very different from the season over-under, but it’s absolutely an indicator. While it seems unlikely that the Falcons will go undefeated, the favored status shows that the potential is there. In June, the over-under for Air Force was just 8.5 wins, which feels absurdly low.

The Falcons finished last season 10-3 with losses to Mountain West champ Utah State, a ranked San Diego State and rival Army. They also wrapped the season with a bowl game win over Louisville.

I could sit here and regale you with facts about the mental toughness of the Air Force football team (my husband and I have a running bet on when during each game the commentators will share a graphic about the daily schedule of the Air Force cadets), but suffice to say the Falcons will keep things close and the games will be over in about two hours.

Now we all just have to bear watching the triple option.

Continue reading...

Legendary golfer and Ohio State alumni Tom Weiskopf passes away at age 79
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by David Cannon/R&A/R&A via Getty Images

Weiskopf was a giant in the game of golf and will be fondly remembered.

The golfing world lost a giant on Sunday with the passing of Tom Weiskopf. Weiskopf passed away at the age of 79 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Weiskopf was a 16-time winner on the PGA Tour and finished runner up at The Masters four times, never winning the tournament. Weiskopf also accumulated 28 total professional golf wins.

“He had a helluva career,” said his good friend Tony Jacklin. “He was unfortunate that he ran into (Jack) Nicklaus so often. He held Jack in such high regard.”

Weiskopf was born in Massillon Ohio and attended high school at Benedictine High School in Cleveland and then attended The Ohio State University. He turned pro in 1964. In addition to his four runner-up finishes at The Masters, Weiskopf won the Open Championship in 1973 at Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland and his four-round score of 12-under par matched the then Open Championship scoring record set by Arnold Palmer in 1962.

Weiskopf was also well known for making sure he had a life outside of golf.

“I didn’t really have the passion or the effort that I wanted to put into it, and everyone kept pushing me to put into it. Golf was more a means to an end for me. It was a way to give my family the best possible life they could have. Hunting and fishing and the outdoors was more important to me. Getting the grand slam of sheep was more important. That’s why I gave up a Ryder Cup one year so I could get my grand slam,” Weiskopf explained to Golfweek in an interview in 2020.

Weiskopf is one of the golfers that, as well respected as he was with fans and spectators, he was even more respected by other great golfers and his peers.

“Definitely,” Johnny Miller said when asked if Weiskopf deserved to be enshrined in the World Golf Hall of Fame. “A lot of guys get into the Hall, but they were never the best, just the body of work was Hall of Fame worthy. But when you have a run like Tom had (in 1973), there’s two ways of looking at greatness, it’s not just always being consistently good but there’s some point in your career where you might have been the best in the world. That’s big to me.”

The PGA Tour released this statement on Sunday:

“The PGA TOUR is saddened at the passing of Tom Weiskopf, a towering figure in the game of golf not only during his playing career but through his accomplished work in the broadcast booth and golf course design business,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Tom is leaving behind a lasting legacy in golf. The beautiful swing he showcased during his 16 career PGA TOUR victories is still being emulated today, while his golf courses remain as testaments to his love for the game. Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with the entire Weiskopf family during this time.”

Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest golfers of all time, battled with Weiskopf plenty of times and Weiskopf was one of the top guys to challenge Nicklaus over the years.

“Tom Weiskopf had as much talent as any player I’ve ever seen play the TOUR,” Nicklaus told Golf Channel.

He finished with 68 top three finishes on the PGA Tour.

In addition to his golfing career, Weiskopf is known as one of the most renown course designers in the history of golf. Here are some of the courses that Weiskopf designed or co-designed:

• Troon North Golf Club
• Loch Lomond Golf Club
• Catamount Ranch and Club
• Double Eagle
• Mira Vista Country Club
• Forest Highlands
• Lahontan Golf Club
• The Olympic Club
• The Ridge at Castle Pines North
• Shanty Creek Resort
• Quail Hollow Country Club
• Snake River Sporting Club
• Castiglion Del Bosco
• The Rim Golf Club
• Silverleaf Club
• Estancia El Terron Mendiolaza
• Frost Creek
• Bloody Point
• Black Desert Resort

In a weird connection to current times, Weiskopf’s first event as a pro and his last win as a pro was at the Western Open — now known as the BMW Championship — which was the tournament the Tour was conducting when news of Weiskopf’s passing arose.

Continue reading...

A look back at Ohio State’s 2023 commits in Week 1 prep kickoffs
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



Looking at several of the Buckeyes’ 2023 commits and how they fared in the first week of their seasons.

It’s no secret that Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class is home to some of the top high school players in the country regardless of position. Each year the Buckeyes bring in elite players on both sides of the ball, and it’s a direct correlation to their success on the field each season.

With high school football kicking off last week for several states across the country, here’s a look at how a couple of the 2023 commits fared in their season openers, and also a glimpse into some of the incredible statistics put up by some of the more well-known players in this current cycle.

Brandon Inniss - Wide Receiver


The top ranked player in Ohio State’s class currently, Brandon Inniss doesn’t need much of an introduction. The American Heritage product is a phenom on the 7-on-7 circuit during the summer months, and he picked up right where he left off this past Saturday night on the field for his prep program.

Scoring on the first play from scrimmage to start the game, Inniss additionally put up a stat line that most players only dream of. In total, Inniss had six receptions for 221 yards, two touchdowns, and racked up over 260 all-purpose yards in a 38-20 victory.

The No. 22 player nationally, Inniss is the fourth raked receiver in the class and the fifth best player from Florida per the 247Sports Composite.

Carnell Tate - Wide Receiver


When discussing the receiver position, Carnell Tate has been a popular name when talking about Ohio State recruiting in the 2023 cycle. From the many twists and turns of his recruitment ending up with his eventual commitment, Tate always seemed destined for the Buckeyes, and he was all too obvious a counterpart to fellow receiver commit and the aforementioned Inniss.

The two are very close, and as you can tell from the image atop of this piece, they’re not shy about hiding their friendship. One of the cooler aspects to the kickoff of high school football last week for Ohio State was not only seeing Inniss score on the first play of scrimmage for his prep team, but Tate too took the opening kick 98 yards for a touchdown to open his game the night before, and the two players certainly enjoyed “twinning” with each other again.

The No. 58 player nationally, Tate is the 11th best receiver in the class and the 13th best player in Florida per the 247Sports Composite. Behind his hot start, IMG Academy rolled to a week one 41-3 victory.

Joshua Padilla - Offensive Line


The most tenured member of Ohio State’s 2023 class, Huber Heights Wayne product Joshua Padilla and the Warriors kicked off their season on Thursday of last week against the Cincinnati area Fairfield Indians. A tough loss for Padilla and Wayne, not all on Thursday was negative as Joshua put on a show in the trenches and gave great insight to what the Buckeyes are getting.

The No. 187 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, Padilla is listed as an interior lineman and will likely play there at the next level too, but currently lines up outside at tackle for his prep program. Showing what he can do in both the run game and in pass protection, Buckeye fans should be excited with his trajectory by time he arrives in Columbus, and all of the continued improvements he will make once under the leadership of position coach, Justin Frye.

The Warriors will look to bounce back this week against Reynoldsburg in another non-conference match-up.

Malik Hartford - Defensive Back


Maybe the shot heard around the world this past weekend, Ohio State commit Malik Hartford has been all over the social media world with one of his plays from Friday night.

A big win over Cincinnati’s St. Xavier, Hartford and his Lakota West squad came back from a 13-0 deficit at half time to beat St. X in one of the more impressive upset wins across the state of Ohio for week one.

The play that is being most talked about from this game though however is Hartford’s hit over the middle of the field, when he struck a St. X receiver after making a catch in the last drive of the game. Hartford’s hit was flagged for targeting, but this type of blow shows just how physical Malik is on the back end of the defense at his safety position and clearly he has no issues with coming downhill.

The No. 163 player nationally, Hartford is the ninth best safety in the country per the 247Sports Composite and one of three safeties in Ohio State’s 2023 class.


Continue reading...

Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for August 23, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

Ask LGHL


Introducing ‘Ask LGHL,’ asking and answering questions throughout the football season
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ask LGHL: Will the Ohio State defense be respectable this year?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Gridiron


An absolutely terrible story.


Ohio State captain Babb suffers injury setback
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

Five Buckeyes named to 2022 preseason AP All-American teams
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Ohio State Could Use Chip Trayanum in Dual Role at Running Back and Linebacker, but Dallan Hayden Coming on Strong After Injury to Evan Pryor
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

OSU’s Stroud, Bama’s Young preseason Heisman favorites (paywall)
The Athletic Staff

Ryan Day, Jim Knowles Press Conference:


Three Takeaways as Ryan Day evaluates Ohio State training camp
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Ohio State football cornerbacks expected to be ‘full strength’ for Notre Dame
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

Ohio State coach Ryan Day reaffirms standard on transfer portal (paywall)
Matt Parker, Lettermen Row

Interesting.... very, very interesting...


You’re Nuts: Biggest surprises out of preseason camp thus far
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State’s Defense Further Along than Jim Knowles Expected
Braden Moles, Buckeye Sports Bulletin

Practice Report: Confident Buckeyes making progress toward season-opening showdown (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Kyle McCord’s Improvement Since Last Year Is “Night and Day” as Ohio State Backup Quarterback Maintains “The Mindset of Being the Starter
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors


Ohio State football’s Cody Simon healthier than ever and still ready to lead the linebacker room
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

B1G Thoughts: 10 interesting storylines for the upcoming season
Jordan Williams, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Watch OSU’s Chris Holtmann speak at NIL even
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Ohio State men’s hockey to take on Michigan in Cleveland
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch


Track & Field: Joseph Announces Track & Field, Cross Country Staff
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Soccer: Buckeye Trio Makes B1G Watch List
Ohio State Athletics

Ohio State women’s volleyball’s ‘tired of nice,’ no longer satisfied with Sweet 16 finishes
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

And now for something completely different...


Why is this so terrifying?


Continue reading...

AKAK said:

Login to view embedded media
In case anyone thought for one second that the Democrats were still looking out for working people.

I mean, there's buying votes and then there's buying votes.

Ah, yes, nothing like some plainly lawless behavior for people to respond, "well, he means well that nice old man in dotage" - well he doesn't mean well, he's subsidizing the nomenklatura.

Click to expand...

Biden is just another politician that George Soros carries around in his pocket, like so many nickels and dimes

THE BEST CONTEST ON THE INTERNET IS BACK!!!!!

Once again, this will be a simple contest to participate in. Each week I will list all of the underdogs in the Div 1-A games that I see a point-spread for at the beginning of the week. Each person may pick 1 and only 1 team each week; just post your pick in this thread.

You must pick your team before the kickoff of your game. It isn't mandatory to make a pick every week, but if you don't, you obviously can't earn any points that week.

If your team wins, you are awarded the amount of points that they were assigned in the spread; if they lose you get 0 points. So it's riskier to pick Little-Sisters-of-the-Poor +47 when they play Texas Tech, but you get a ton of points if they win, as opposed to getting only a couple of points when you pick a close game.

Once I post the point spreads inside this thread, they are locked for purposes of this contest. Only the spreads listed in this thread will be used to award points.

The entire season-long contest will exist in this one thread. Each week I will post the points for that week and the season-to-date totals. Whoever has the most points after the Conference Championship Games in December will be declared the winner, and will receive ¤25,000 Sportsbook "cash".

There will be a separate contest in December for Bowl game upsets.

2005 winner: @AkronBuckeye (64 points)
2006 winner: @briegg (64 points)
2007 winner: @MolGenBuckeye (83.5 points)
2008 winner: @osugrad21 (63.5 points)
2009 winner: @NFBuck (85 points)
2010 winner: @LightningRod (69.5 points)
2011 winner: @sears3820 (74 points)
2012 winner: @OSUsushichic (51 points)
2013 winner: @FCollinsBuckeye (64 points)
2014 winner: @808 Buck (78.5 points)
2015 winner: @Wadcutter (64 points)
2016 winner: @BB73 (87.5 points)
2017 winner: @BB73 (65.5 points, only 2-time winner)
2018 winner: @UrbanBuckeye (64.5 points)
2019 winner: @LovelandBuckeye (new record of 103.5 points)
2020 winner: @buckeyemania11 (63 points, short season)
2021 winner: @gracelhink (75.5 points)
2022 winner: @Honor&Glory (91.5 points)

This post will get the new picks and current standings updated each week. There will also be a post with that info near the end of the thread.

PICKS for WEEK 14 - Final Week

Pick just one underdog team from the right column to win outright - you get nothing by picking a favorite that covers the spread. Home teams are in CAPS.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

BUFFALO..............13.5....akron
UTSA..................8.5....north texas
usc.....in Vegas......2.5....utah

SATURDAY, NOV. 26

tcu..at JerryWorld....2.5....kansas st
toledo...in Detroit...1.5....ohio
TROY..................8.5....coastal carolina
georgia..in ATL......18.5....lsu
BOISE.................3.5....fresno st
TULANE................3.5....ucf
clemson...Charlotte...7.5....north carolina
ttun......in Indy....16.5....purdue

FINAL STANDINGS

Honor&Glory............91.5 (not a record, and no asterisk needed)
TomateauxQGumbeaux.....72.5
Steve19................62.5
zbuck..................57
thackattack............56
Kevin..................54
brodybuck21............52.5
DaddyBigBucks..........50
BB73...................49.5
Bborg140...............47.5
TDunk..................46
Fungo Squiggly.........44
TooTall................42
HineyBuck..............40.5
CMic...................39.5
BuckeyeNation27........38.5
Buckeye doc............37.5
Wingate1217............36.5
Captain Buckeye........36.5
808 Buck...............35
TampaBuckeyes..........34
muffler dragon.........34
dozenmonkeyz...........33
tOSURox................32.5
jake...................30.5
buckeyeskickbuttocks...28
Bestbuck36.............28
MD Buckeye.............28
WoodyWorshiper.........28
Akron-Buck.............26
gmen6981...............25.5
buckeyemania11.........25
BuckTwenty.............24.5
malibuspeedrace........24
Drubuck................24
AuTx Buckeye...........23.5
Mike80.................23.5
wolves2002.............23
Zurp...................22.5
buckeyboy..............21.5
jakenick06.............21.5
Illini Dylan...........21
ScriptOhio.............19.5
osugrad21..............18
Akron-Buck.............14.5
LovelandBuckeye........14.5
gregorylee.............13.5
NFBuck.................12.5
FCollinsBuckeye........12.5
Wadcutter..............11
Abenaki.................9.5
gracelhink..............7.5
NCBuckeye86.............6.5
twister55...............4.5
Beano Cook..............4.5

If you think an error has been made, please send BB73 a PM.

How about it, real football starts this Saturday:

Week 0
Saturday, Aug. 27

Austin Peay at Western Kentucky | 12 p.m. | CBSSN
Nebraska vs. Northwestern (Dublin, Ireland) | 12:30 p.m. | FOX
Idaho State at UNLV | 3:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Stephen F. Austin vs. Jacksonville State (Montgomery, Alabama) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
UConn at Utah State | 4 p.m. | FS1
Wyoming at Illinois | 4 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Duquesne at Florida State | 5 p.m. | ACC Network
Charlotte at Florida Atlantic | 7 p.m. | CBSSN
Howard vs. Alabama State (Atlanta) | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Morehead State at Mercer | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Florida A&M at North Carolina | 8:15 p.m. | ACC Network
North Texas at UTEP | 9 p.m. | Stadium
Nevada at New Mexico State | 10 p.m. | ESPN2
Vanderbilt at Hawai'i | 10:30 p.m. | CBSSN

Silver Bullets Podcast: 2022 Big Ten East Predictions
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

More Ohio State preseason camp news (including some unfortunate injuries) and how we think the East will play out.


As we head into “Week 0,” it’s time for the last of our predictions shows as Chip Minnich and I run through how we see the Big Ten East shaking out at season’s end. We see Ohio State’s division very similarly, but we still walk through our reasons for where we slot each team and discuss which teams could perform a little better or possibly a little worse in 2022.

Before we get to our predictions on how the East will finish up, we discuss some of the other pressing Buckeye news, including some unfortunate injuries from preseason camp, namely the loss of Evan Pryor for the entire 2022 season. We were also extremely bummed to hear that Kamryn Babb is once again dealing with a medical setback, but at least there’s some hope that he might see the field in a few weeks.

With Pryor’s injury, there was a new face in the running backs room this week. We talk about that a little and discuss the “official” Buckeyes who have had their black helmet stripes removed since our show last week. One of them was a running back, so that couldn’t have been better timed.

We also touched on the five Associated Press preseason All-Americans from Ohio State, who are all on the offensive side of the ball. There was a mild surprise or two but no shocks, and the added bonus is that the defense can play with an even bigger chip on its shoulder this season.

Finally, we talked a little bit about the new Big Ten media deal that’s been in the news recently and how that could affect expansion. We know there are rumblings about Oregon, but who else makes sense? We weighed in with our thoughts on that.

We hope you enjoy our takes on the B1G East and we welcome your thoughts. Hit us up on Twitter (@SilvrBulletsPod) or email us, and let us know where you’ve got the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Penn State Nittany Lions, Maryland Terrapins, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and Indiana Hoosiers.

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2025 RB set to set to attend Ohio State-Notre Dame
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Buckeyes continue to add to the visitor list for its home opener versus the Fighting Irish.

Ohio State is just weeks from taking the field, and much of the talk surrounding the football program revolves around the home opener versus Notre Dame and the current members of the team. However, recruiting never stops for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. In case you missed the Buckeyes making the recruiting headlines Monday, Land-Grant Holy Land has you covered.

2025 RB to visit Ohio State


The Buckeyes home opener versus Notre Dame will create an electric atmosphere in ‘The Shoe.’ Hundreds of thousands of fans will fill Ohio Stadium, but they will not be alone, as the Buckeyes have a ridiculously long list of recruits set to visit for the game and the team appears to be adding to the list daily.

The newest recruit to add their name to list is 2025 running back Gideon Davidson of Lynchburg, VA (Liberty Christian Academy.)


Davidson was one of many recruits to visit Ohio State in June for a summer recruiting camp, and he left the camp with a scholarship offer from Tony Alford and the Buckeyes. When speaking with Cleveland.com following the offer, Davidson had the following to say:


Being in the 2025 class, Davidson will likely see an uptick in his recruitment soon. However, that isn’t to say his recruitment has been slow to this point. He holds close to a dozen offers from the likes of Louisville, Penn State, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee, Oregon and Miami.

Sept. 3 will be Davidson’s first time experiencing the Ohio State in-game atmosphere, and it will be one that is tough for him to forget. It will also give coach Alford and the rest of the coaching staff another opportunity to see if Davidson is someone they want to bring into the program and if so, sell him on it.

The Buckeyes will continue to add to next Saturday’s visitor list and Land-Grant Holy Land will continue to update you as we learn more.

Quick Hits

• Ohio State learned one of its defensive end targets committed elsewhere. Unsurprisingly, 2023 four-star DE Jalen Thompson chose Michigan State over the likes of Ohio State and Cincinnati. Defensive end is one of the positions the Buckeyes are prioritizing to close out this year’s class, and is still recruiting the likes of five-stars Keon Keeley, Damon Wilson and Matayo Uiagalelei and four-stars Desmond Umeozulu, Kayden McDonald and Jordan Hall.

• 247Sports updated its recruiting rankings for the 2023 men’s basketball class, and Ohio State is now the No. 4 class. All but one of the four Ohio State commits saw a change in their rankings. Four-star small forward Scotty Middleton saw his ranking fall to No. 35 from No. 34 and four-star center Austin Parks fell to No. 109 from No. 105. Four-star power forward Devin Royal jumped to No. 61 from No. 73. Four-star shooting guard George Washington III was the lone Ohio State commit to not see a movement in his ranking, staying at No. 60.

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Ask LGHL: Will the Ohio State defense be respectable this year?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC

You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.

Every day for the entirety of the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.

Question:


Obviously, the answer to this question is going to largely depend on your definition of “respectable.” Last year, Ohio State’s total defense came in at 59th nationally (scoring was 38th, rushing was 28th, passing was 96th). I would say that at least the rushing defense — and perhaps even scoring — were respectable, with total defense straddling the line between middling and disappointing; obviously, that passing defense was beyond redeemable.

However, for me, whether or not the defense is “respectable” or not has little to do with its numbers, so if the Buckeye D ends up nicely sliding back 10 spots in the national rankings, but they are somehow more consistent in short-yardage situations and are better at preventing long passing plays (they were 119th nationally in plays giving up 10 yards or more through the air), then I will be relatively happy.

But let’s be honest, the bulk of the success of the 2022 Ohio State football Buckeyes will depend on whether or not C.J. Stroud and the offense can approach the highs of their 2021 performance, in which the unit was the most prolific offense in the country both in terms of yards and points.

However, as historic as the unit was last year, its performance wasn’t enough to get the team a win over its rival, a conference title, a berth in the College Football Playoff, or a national championship. So, if OSU wants to achieve any — or all — of those goals in this new season, there will absolutely need to be a return to respectability for the defense; and fortunately, I think Jim Knowles and the fresh-faced defensive coaching staff can make that happen.

On Monday, head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Knowles met with the media following practice as the team transitions from its camp mindset to more of an in-season approach to practice and preparation. Day said that he anticipated that the defensive secondary should be at “full strength” for the season opener against Notre Dame on Sept. 2, which should go a long way to starting the season off on the right foot.

But as Knowles got more into specifics about his side of the ball, I think a clearer picture of what to expect came into focus, perhaps not in his still muddy schematic approach and nomenclature, but at least in philosophy.

Knowles said that he had been able to install roughly 75% of his defense during camp, which was more than he had anticipated. He noted that you never want to put everything in before the season in order to continue to present fresh looks to opponents throughout the season.

The new coordinator attributed the rapid installation to just how quickly the defensive players were able to pick things up. He said that “they want to be great,” and trust me, Jim, we want them to be great as well.

While Knowles is a bit of a bon vivant, he has never struck me as someone who is prone to hyperbole or blowing smoke for smoke-blowing’s sake. So, for him to say that his squad’s ability to mentally retain the schematic information has been impressive, I believe him, and that excites me.

For the past two seasons, it has felt as though Ohio State’s defense was out in the cul-de-sac playing a game of two-hand-touch following a very heavy Thanksgiving dinner with the full effects of tryptophan starting to set in. There never appeared to be a fully formed structure to anything that they were attempting to do, and everyone seemed to be either a step or two behind or completely out of position.

I don’t think that that is going to happen this season. Will they be perfect? Of course not. Will it take time for the defense to fully adjust to the new system and how offenses will attack it? Of course, but I am not going into the season expecting Buckeye defenders to be out-prepared, out-coached, and out-schemed like I have been recently; a huge step towards respectability, in my opinion.

Another thing that Knowles discussed in his press availability on Monday was that while he was comfortable with defensive line coach Larry Johnson rotating players across the front as he always has, when it comes to the linebackers and (especially the) secondary, he wants the top guys to get the bulk of the action.

Admittedly, some young guys were forced into action at LB and DB in 2021 far sooner than they ever should have been; in some cases that worked out for the best (Denzel Burke, Steele Chambers, Tyleik Williams) and in other cases it didn’t (I’m not going to call guys out here, especially since some of them are no longer with the program), but beyond those situations, the previous coaching staff seemed insistent that they mirror Johnson’s philosophy and get as many guys into the game as possible, whether they were ready or not.

Often that put guys who had no business playing competitive snaps on the field in situations that they just weren’t ready for, and that is far more the coaches’ fault than the players’.

Knowles said on Monday that it is vital for the best defensive backs to be in the game in order for them to “see everything” from the back of the D. He mentioned that he will run multiple defensive sets with multiple personnel packages depending on the situation, but at this point, it is clear that Knowles believes in having his best players on the field far more often than not.

Do all of these things guarantee a return to respectability for the Buckeye defense? Again, no they do not, but they absolutely make me feel better about its chances than I would have had the previous defensive regime remained in power.

Throughout his entire career, Jim Knowles has been known as a thinking man’s defensive coordinator, so if he is impressed with his new players’ comprehension of his defensive schemes, that can only be a good thing. And, if he is committed to sticking with the most prepared and talented players for the majority of the defense’s meaningful snaps, then I don’t know how much more I can ask for in righting the wrongs of the previous defensive staff.

So, to answer your question, @DCinLF, I do truly believe that the Buckeye defense will be respectable this year, and — given how much talent they have accumulated in recent years — I actually think that they have the potential to be much more than respectable to boot.

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You’re Nuts: Biggest surprises out of preseason camp thus far
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

No, Ohio State has not replaced C.J. Stroud at quarterback or started running the wishbone offense.

Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.

In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.

This week’s topic:

Josh’s Take


Last week, when Gene and I waxed poetic about early fall practice overreactions, I found it to be quite easy. The Buckeyes were barely a week into camp, players were ramping up, coaches were experimenting, and rotations were fast and furious. Not difficult to draw conclusions — right, wrong, or completely absurd. To a certain extent, all of those things still ring true.

But now, with less than two weeks until kickoff against Notre Dame, players are a little more dialed in, the experiments are being kept to a minimum, and the rotations are a tad bit shorter. As a result, we are beginning to get a better idea of what this Ohio State team will look like on Sept. 3, and Gene, I have to say: the surprises have been few and far between for me.

Miyan Williams has not overtaken TreVeyon Henderson for the starting running back role, Gee Scott is not suddenly projected to catch 50 balls as OSU changes the way in which they utilize the tight end, and there are few underclassmen penciled in as starters on the defense — those would be huge surprises. And we just have not seen or heard anything like that. It is probably a good thing though, because if C.J Stroud was on the bench and/or Mitch Rossi was starting at left tackle, those types of surprises would spell doom for the 2022 season.

All of that being said, certain personnel decisions being made on the defensive side have piqued my interest. I am very intrigued by all of the safety options Ohio State suddenly has. From Bryson Shaw and (thankfully) Ronnie Hickman as the only viable options, to Hickman, Proctor, McCallister, Martinez, Williams, etc. The Buckeyes are seemingly loaded at that position. And at linebacker – a position of weakness in 2021 – the staff now has more options than they do spots available. The entire back half of the defense could look different from game to game, or even quarter to quarter, but my biggest surprise has actually been up front(ish). You will see why I added the -ish.

When Jim Knowles was first announced as the new defensive coordinator and we started to learn more about his scheme and the available personnel, I just assumed that Zach Harrison and Jack Sawyer were candidates 1A and 1B for the Leo (now Jack) position. The player in this position is more or less a stand-up rusher, with the ability to drop back in certain situations — up front(ish). A check goes next to the pass-rushing element, and while it wasn’t pretty, we also Harrison and Sawyer drop into coverage a time or two last season. Decision made, right? Apparently not...

From the sounds of it, Sawyer is absolutely the top candidate to man the Jack position, but Harrison does not appear to be part of that equation. He (Harrison) seems destined for a traditional defensive end role, while Sawyer has been working with Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Palaie Gaoteote. Those two names certainly surprised me, but if variety is the spice of life, I guess it makes sense. Now we’ll get to see if Knowles’ confidence in their ability is going to pay off.

Jean-Baptiste has experienced little success as a traditional DE, but it dawned on me that he was recruited as an outside linebacker. Perhaps he will be more comfortable in a dual role, where is able to use his speed and agility as an asset, as opposed to being consistently out-muscled on the defensive line. He has the body type, and if he is able to learn the intricacies of the position, he could be the team’s rangiest option.

As for Gaoteote, his name came out of deep, deep left field. Listed at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, with only 2.5 career sacks, he does not fit the description of a pass rusher-type player. However, prior to being injured at USC, he did rack up 96 tackles and 7.5 TFL in 15 games for the Trojans. He has unfortunately dealt with bad luck and bad timing since then, but the talent is still there. Having a full offseason in Columbus might give him the edge as OSU’s potential 3rd down or coverage Jack.

There is still time before the showdown with Marcus Freeman and his Fighting Irish, so I assume that Ohio State will continue to tinker and rotate up until the last minute. In the end, I believe Sawyer will be the primary Jack, but I am now more intrigued that ever by the potential backups. JJB and Gaoteote were not guys I had pegged as major contributors in this new-look defense, but here’s hoping the trio of Buckeyes can bring the ruckus against ND and all season long.

Gene’s Take


As Josh said, there haven’t been all too many big surprises out of Ohio State camp this season. There have been the newsworthy stories here and there, from Evan Pryor going down with a season-ending injury to a kicker practicing at cornerback, but as we get closer and closer to Sept. 3, the Buckeyes haven't announced or showed us anything to really truly earth-shattering or game-changing. C.J. Stroud and the offense is expected to keep on rolling, Jim Knowles continues to try and put together Ohio State’s first competent defense in years, and everything is business as usual.

The one ‘surprise’ for me are a couple of the players named captains a little over a week ago. At the top, you have some obvious honorees including Stroud, Eichenberg and Babb. Stroud is entering the 2022 campaign as the Heisman Trophy favorite and the projected No 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, his captaincy was a given. Eichenberg really came on late for the Buckeyes last season in a much maligned linebacker room, and returns for a fourth year expected to be one of the anchors of that group. Babb, the recipient of this year’s “Block O” jersey, has had an unimaginable stretch of poor injury luck, but has remained a phenomenal teammate and leader from the sidelines.

Cade Stover is another guy whose name isn’t a huge surprise to see on the list of captains. A player whose truly done it all for Ohio State, Stover has moved back and forth from offense to defense without a single complaint to fill whatever role the Buckeyes need of him. After some time at defensive end and linebacker, Stover this year will be expected to lead Ohio State’s group of tight ends. The fourth-year man made five catches for 76 yards in 2021, and Ryan Day singled him out as someone who had an “unbelievable summer” heading into the new campaign.

The two biggest surprises to me are Tyler Friday and Kourt Williams, both for different reasons.

Kourt Williams is a player I’ve always liked, and one whose skillset really interests me. Recruited as a linebacker back in the 2020 class, Williams — listed at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds — is an incredible athlete, and has actually been working out with the safeties. He is someone who could play a valuable role as a safety in the box or at the ‘bullet’ position. Williams has also reportedly been one of the hardest working players on the team, and for a defense that could really use a spark, maybe he could pay dividends for the unit in 2022. His being named a captain leads me to believe we will see way more of Williams on the field this season, which would be a great thing for Knowles’ group.

Friday is the bigger surprise of the two. Despite heading into his fifth year with the program, the defensive end has started only five games in Columbus while appear in 26 games total. His best season came in 2019, wherein he totaled eight total tackles with three for loss and a pair of sacks — including a sack of Trevor Lawrence in the Fiesta Bowl against Clemson. Friday missed all of the 2021 season with a torn ACL, but clearly he is a guy the coaching staff believes can make an impact this year even coming off a major injury. We haven’t quite seen all that much from Friday on the field, but I am intrigued by what he can possibly bring to the table as one of the team’s six captains.

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B1G Thoughts: 10 interesting storylines for the upcoming season
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Week 0 is here. These are the 10 things I will be paying close attention to throughout the season.

Every Monday after the Big Ten slate of games, I will be bringing you some B1G thoughts on everything that happened! This will include analysis, stats, key players, moments, and maybe a joke or two. Be sure to check out the I-70 Football Show in the Land-Grant Holy Land podcast feed for more in-depth analysis and to preview the next week of B1G games.

Congrats are in order. We have survived a long offseason unlike any we’ve ever seen. College football has the shortest season and the longest offseason, which usually leads to boredom and sadness. This offseason was different.

We had UCLA and USC sign up to join the Big Ten. The Big Ten signed a massive media rights deal, totaling $8 billion over seven years. We had Nick Saban versus Jimbo Fisher. The Big 12 hired a new commissioner and George Kliavkoff, the PAC 12 commissioner, hasn’t decided if he wants to go shopping in the Big 12 yet.


After the craziest offseason in recent memory — following last offseason’s shake-up with Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC and a major round of realignment that led to multiple Groups of 5 schools joining Power 5 conferences and FCS schools jumping to the FBS — we finally have football games to watch.

Last year, the Big Ten gave us storyline after storyline, The return of the Purdue Spoilermakers, Iowa’s insane turnover rate, Kenneth Walker III’s rise to stardom and Aidan Hutchinson’s Heisman campaign, culminating with Michigan breaking through against Ohio State to win the Big Ten and make the playoffs. It’s a new season with new possibilities. Here are the 10 storylines I’ll be paying the closest attention to.

Scott Frost’s buyout and Nebraska’s road to a bowl game


I am on record as the founder, president, and CEO of the fire Scott Frost club. In four years at Nebraska, Frost is 15-29 with zero bowl appearances. Last year they went 3-9, but convinced themselves and the country that they will be better this year after losing all nine games but one score or less. Instead of firing Frost, Nebraska lowered his salary to $4 million, and also gave themselves an out by agreeing to reduce his buyout from $15 million to $7.5 million if he is fired after Oct. 1. This essentially gives Nebraska a way to fire Frost mid-season if they get off to a slow start.

Frost fired his whole offensive staff and brings in replacements, including Mark Whipple from Pittsburgh to serve as offensive coordinator and Mickey Joseph from LSU as wide receivers coach. He also brought in Texas’ 2021 starting quarterback Casey Thompson, who he just announced as the starter for their Week 0 game in Dublin Ireland against Northwestern. Personally, anything less than an eight-win campaign would get Frost fired, but he will be at least hoping to win six games and make it to a bowl game for the first time as the Cornhusker’s head coach.

Michigan’s quarterback competition


Michigan had its best season under Harbaugh last year, going 11-1 in the regular season, beating Ohio State, winning the Big Ten, and gaining a playoff berth. They were led by a Heisman finalist and No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson and his running mate David Ojabo. Heading into 2022, Jim Harbaugh is tasked with replacing Hutchinson, Ojabo, Dax Hill, Hassan Haskins, and their offensive and defensive coordinators, to name a few. After losing all this talent, Michigan is facing an uphill battle, which makes the decision at quarterback more important.

In one corner there is Cade McNamara, the veteran who started last year and led Michigan through his poise and decision-making. McNamara is the prototypical game manager quarterback, with a high floor and low ceiling who rarely makes mistakes and always puts the team in the best position to win. In the other corner there is J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy, a former five-star quarterback, has all the talent in the world giving him the ability to make plays McNamara can only dream of. With that talent comes more explosiveness and more mistakes, such as the fumble that lost them in the Michigan State game.

McCarthy can raise the ceiling, but he hasn’t taken the job away from McNamara, and it’s hard to take the keys away from the guy who quarterbacked your best season. Harbaugh can’t risk getting this decision wrong, as it will make or break their season.

C.J. Stroud’s Heisman campaign


In 2021, C.J. Stroud stepped into the unenviable situation of replacing Buckeye legend Justin Fields. After a slow start, he dealt with backlash from fans asking for head coach Ryan Day to replace him with backup quarterback Kyle McCord. After a week off, Stroud came back and lit the nation on fire, finishing the season as a Heisman finalist with 4,435 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. He is entering 2022 as a consensus top-two quarterback in college football who many consider the projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Despite all the accolades, Stroud’s most important job is beating Michigan and leading Ohio State to the National Championship game. If he does that, he will be a Heisman finalist and has a chance to be Ohio State’s first Heisman trophy winner since Troy Smith in 2006. He will face tough competition in last year’s winner Bryce Young of Alabama. Winning on the field is always the goal, but I can’t wait to watch Stroud battle Young, Bijan Robinson of Texas, and his teammates Jaxon Smith-Njigba and TreVeyon Henderson for the Heisman trophy.

B1G Running Backs


The Big Ten has a stable of running backs, many of whom should be considered for the top five running backs in the nation. The top three running backs in most people’s opinions are Minnesota’s Mo Ibrahim, Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson, and Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen.

Ibrahim is a sixth-year senior who suffered a season-ending injury in game one after spending the entire game running all over Ohio State. Henderson and Allen are both true sophomores who won the starting job and put the country on notice that they are the future of the position. Some other backs of note are Illinois tandem Chase Brown and Josh McCray, while Penn State has former five-star and No. 1 back in the country Nick Singleton hoping to make a name for himself.

In the Big Ten, a running game is paramount and there is much worth watching this season.

Aidan O’Connell and Purdue’s second act


Aidan O’Connell and the Purdue Boilermakers are hoping to build off a solid 2021 campaign and win the Big Ten West. O’Connell has not gotten the attention he deserves heading into the 2022 season after passing for 3,700 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He’s being overshadowed by Alabama’s Bryce Young, Kentucky’s Will Levis, and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, but with a strong campaign, he has a chance to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

There is an uphill climb to replace star wide receiver David Bell and defensive end George Karloftis. Purdue hopes that O’Connell’s arm will be able to hide their deficiencies en route to winning the West.

Minnesota and the ‘Encore Four’


Minnesota, under head coach P.J. Fleck, has been close to a West championship multiple time, but have been stopped just short by rivals Wisconsin and Iowa. If they have any hope of a breakthrough, it will be this season on the backs of the ‘Encore Four’.

Sixth-year senior quarterback Tanner Morgan, running back Mo Ibrahim, offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz and wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell all decided to use their COVID waiver and come back for one final campaign. Morgan is being reunited with Kirk Ciarrocca, the offensive coordinator who helped him to the best season of his career, while Ibrahim is back and healthy. This quartet of players has led Minnesota to the threshold and hopes to finally get them to the top of the mountain in their final season of eligibility.

Taulia Tagovailoa and the return of Dontay Demus Jr.


Taulia Tagovailoa had a career year in 2021, throwing for 3,800 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Maryland’s offensive was explosive, but a key piece was missing as star receiver Dontay Demus Jr. was ruled out for the season after five games — in which he had a Big Ten-leading 507 yards. Despite missing over half of the season, he finished second on the team in receiving yards, proving hard to replace.

Maryland has arguably the second-best receiver corps in the Big Ten with Demus Jr. and Rakim Jarrett. If Taulia keeps improving, coupled with the return of Demus Jr., Maryland should have an offense that can hold up with the best in a shootout, and will be a nightmare for teams to play against. At a minimum, the Terrapins should be a bowl team, but behind this offense, the rest of the Big Ten is being put on notice.

Ohio States’ new-look defense


The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the season as one of the top teams in the country, and are expected to contend for the National Championship. They have Heisman contenders at quarterback, running back and wide receiver, and should repeat as the best offense in college football. With a team full of previous four and five-star players, the expectations are high, but they all depend on how well the new look defense performs.

After an abysmal 2021, the Buckeyes reorganized their defensive staff, bringing in Jim Knowles, Perry Eliano, and Tim Walton to serve as defensive coordinator, safeties coach, and defensive backs coach, respectively. Knowles is tasked with taking an underperforming defense filled with talent and turning them into a top-ten defense after one offseason on the job. The only thing holding Ohio State back is their defense, if that gets fixed, they should be the favorite to win their first national championship since 2014.

Battle of the Big Ten West


Last year the Big Ten West was a gauntlet that went into the final week of the season. Rivalry week was a fire with gasoline poured on it as three teams went into the final game with a realistic shot at winning the West, depending on how the games played out. This season should be the same with Iowa, Minnesota, Purdue, and Wisconsin all having realistic chances to win the division.

Wisconsin is the favorite, led by star running back Braelon Allen, but Iowa returns key defensive pieces such as linebacker Jack Campbell, who led the nation in tackles, and defensive back Riley Moss. Purdue hopes that Aidan O’Connell and Jeff Brohm can outscore the competition, while Minnesota’s super senior-laden group and tough defense hope to finally get a trip to Indy. Any team could lose on any given Saturday, making the race to the finish must-watch television.

Mel Tucker’s third year


After a tough first season that coincided with the pandemic, Mel Tucker and his Michigan State Spartans bounced back in a major way behind the play of transfer running back Kenneth Walker III and quarterback Payton Thorne. Walker is in the NFL now, and Tucker must find a way to replace him, hoping to do so with Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger and Colorado transfer Jarek Broussard.

Tucker has sped up Michigan State’s rebuild by hitting on the transfer portal, but that is a gift that eventually stops giving. Can Tucker continue his transfer portal magic and lead Michigan State to another 11-win season and a shot at dethroning Ohio State in route to Indianapolis? After securing a 10-year contract, it’s up to Tucker to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke and he can build a consistent winner in East Lansing.

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Class: 2023 (high school)
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