The Clash In C’bus
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo Credit: @CFBONFOX

After a Covid ravaged season in 2020, the Buckeyes will host their first home game of the season against an Oregon team that squeaked by Fresno State in week 1. The Buckeyes on the other hand utilized Coach Days’ knack for engineering second half adjustments to defeat Minnesota on the road by double-digits. This game was supposed to be the second leg of a home-and-home but with Covid, both parties were restricted to only conference games during the regular season.

In a showdown between two of Nike’s favorites teams in terms of uniform combinations, the 3rd ranked Buckeyes will face the 12th ranked Ducks at home. Will there be a special jersey combination for this week? While it is doubtful, one could hope but this game will be a spectacle to see from start to finish.

Both teams are 1-0 and are looking to make it to 2-0, but both are young and are unproven at this post of the 2021 season. Both teams must figure it out quickly on defense because both offenses have talent that could put up points in a hurry.

Ohio State has a new toy at QB in CJ Stroud, a redshirt freshman. They have stars that share the backfield with him in Miyann “Chop” Williams, Master Teague III, Treyveon Henderson, and Evan Pryor (who we didn’t see yet). They have a wall of pancake with Petit-Frere, Munford, Miller or Wypler (if Miller cannot go), Johnson Jr and Jones. Beyond the line, WR’s Olave, Wilson, Smith-Njigba, and TE Ruckert are the available pass catchers.

For Oregon, Anthony Johnson is their starting QB and he has CJ Verdell and Travis Dye to form a trio of game breaking speedsters in the backfield. On the perimeter he has Johnny Johnson and Micah Pittman to throw to. Oregon has a three new starters along the offensive line and with Penei Sewell departing for the draft, they sit 52nd overall in sacks allowed per NCAA.com, giving up 3 sacks for a total loss of 11 yards.

On defense, the Buckeyes started slow but the defense is young and inexperienced, and we’re also without a few starters at cornerback. No excuses but they’re still green. Linebacker is the same but the trenches contain the difference-makers. Smith, Harrison, Vincent, and Garrett are the disrupters that have yet to make it to the opposing quarterback consistently. They have one sack from the group but they could feast in week two.

Oregon will return their two players at corner in DJ James and Jamal Hill. They have McKinley and Stephens and that adds more depth to the secondary. The talent in the front seven is young but there are questions and rumors about who is available and who isn’t. Kayvon Thibodeaux, a presumptive first round talent and #1 overall NFL prospect siffeeed a sprained ankle and might now suit up in week two. Justin Flowe has fans panicking over rumors that he broke his foot and is out for the season.

Here are my five bold prediction for Saturday:

1. CJ Stroud will have at least 210 yards passing with at least 3 TD’s.
2. Williams has another 100 yard rushing game with other backs chipping in for a 190+ yard 2 TD day.
3. Defense shuts Oregon down on offense and holds them to under 20 points.
4. Buckeyes gather a fumble, an interception, at least 2 sacks, and a defensive score.
5. Ruckert-focused game plan with at least 4 catches, 45 yards and a score.

Final Score: 45-17

#GoBucks




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Play Like a Girl Podcast: Post-loss therapy session
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

Let’s talk about it. We’ll feel better.

On LGHL’s Play Like a Girl podcast, Megan and Meredith talk everything from Ohio State sports to advocacy for women in sports and all the happenings in between.

Check out the podcast below, and make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:


Welcome back! In this week’s very sad edition of the Play Like a Girl podcast, Megan and Meredith talk Ohio State’s week two loss to Oregon, including quashing the hate on redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud, and questioning where Kerry Coombs and the defense stand now.

However, as depressing as the loss may have been, the Buckeyes are not out of the picture just yet. The Big Ten is still wide open — but the conference might present a tougher road than we’d initially thought.

The pair also talk Buckeyes across the NFL, including a spectacular loss from Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a much more positive start from Justin Fields.


Contact Megan Husslein
Twitter: @meganhusslein

Contact Meredith Hein
Twitter: @MeredithHein

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for September 14, 2021
Gene Ross 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

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

On the Gridiron


Josh Proctor out for the season with fractured leg
- Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

What Josh Proctor’s season-ending injury means for Ohio State’s secondary ($$)
- Stephen Means, Cleveland.com

Speaking of Buckeye injuries, this sucks.


Buckeye Defense Searching For Identity: ‘We have to do things differently’
- Tony Gerdeman, Buckeye Scoop

Ryan Day says Buckeyes can't overreact to Oregon loss
- Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

Just some Buckeyes talkin’ shop. (Also, start Justin Fields @ Bears)


Ohio State’s historic passing day was not enough in loss to Oregon
- Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Four Buckeyes who impressed in otherwise ugly loss to Oregon
- Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Ohio State’s Sept. 25 Game Against Akron Set For 7:30 P.M. Kickoff
- Andrew Lind, Sports Illustrated

Justin Fields scores first NFL touchdown, Terry McLaurin makes sick catch
- Matt Gutridge, Eleven Warriors

This is very cool.

On the Hardwood


Column: Write off Seth Towns at your own risk
- Connor Lemons, LGHL

‘The right way’: Ohio State’s Cedric Russell refuses to take the easy path
- Adam Jardy, BuckeyeXtra

Outside The Shoe and Schott


Ohio State women’s volleyball ranks No. 3 in the nation!


OSU field hockey goalie Aaliyah Hernandez named B1G DPOW


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Basketball Buckeyes hit the recruiting trail
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Ohio State basketball head coach Chris Holtmann and his coaching staff were active on the recruiting front Monday and will not be slowing down anytime soon.

This weekend was not kind to Buckeye Nation as the Ohio State football team fell to Oregon Saturday for the program’s first (and hopefully, only) loss of the season. While the football team will be focused on fixing the weekend’s mistakes, Chris Holtmann and the Ohio State basketball program are hitting the recruiting trail head-first. In case you missed the Buckeyes making the recruiting headlines Monday, no need to worry as Land-Grant Holy Land has you covered.

Holtmann and Ohio State visit with 2022 three-star PF


Ohio State and the basketball Buckeyes have been incredibly successful in recruiting the 2022 class. Currently, the team sits atop of the 247Sports Team Rankings with four verbal commitments, and they are trying to add at least one more member to that class.

It appears the Buckeyes may have found their desired final piece of the puzzle in three-star power forward Brice Sensabaugh. The Orlando, Florida native is schedule to take an official visit with Ohio State later this week, but Holtmann and Ohio State couldn’t wait that long as the staff traveled to the Sunshine State to visit with him on Monday.


Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 240-pounds, Sensabuagh projects as either a shooting guard or small forward at the collegiate level. However, as Ohio State already holds three commitments from guards in the class, the Buckeyes will likely be recruiting him as a forward.

Ohio State is rather new to Sensabuagh’s recruitment, as they only offered him in late August. However, they have made their interest apparent as of recent and one would have to think they are making a solid impression.

Sensabuagh does not have any Crystal Ball predictions as of yet, but he has already taken official visits with Georgia Tech and Alabama. Including his upcoming Ohio State visit, he will be left with two remaining official visits if he so chooses. At this point, it appears Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia Tech are the three teams atop of his recruitment. If Ohio State can impress him this weekend, they may be able to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

Sensabuagh is the No. 164 overall prospect in his recruiting class, and is the No. 41 SF. He is also the No. 24 player from the talent-rich state of Florida.

Basketball Buckeyes schedule more visits


As was already mentioned, Ohio State’s basketball program will be playing host to Sensabuagh later this week. However, the team isn’t stopping there and will soon be meeting with even more recruits. According to Jake Weingarten of stockrisers.com, the short list of these upcoming visits can be found below:

Five-star SF Mackenzie Mgbako


Class: 2023
Hometown: Gladstone, NJ / Gill St. Bernard S School
Size: 6-foot-7, 185-pounds
Offers: Duke, North Carolina, UConn, UCLA, George Washington, LSU, Oklahoma State, Ohio State

Five-star CG Simeon Wilcher


Class: 2023
Hometown: Roselle, NJ / Roselle Catholic
Size: 6-foot-4, 185-pounds
Offers: North Carolina, UConn, DePaul, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Kansas, UCLA, Miami, Oregon, Iowa, Ohio State

CG Damone King


Class: 2024
Hometown: Louisville, KY / Dupont Manual
Size: 6-foot-1
Offers: N/A

Quick Hits

• 2022 Penn State quarterback commit Drew Allar admitted that Ohio State has increased their efforts in flipping his commitment, but says he has not changed his mind and is remaining committed to Penn State.

• Ohio State also offered a pair of 2023 defensive linemen Monday night. Both Kayden McDonald and Isaiah Neal took to Twitter Monday night to show off their offers.

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Column: Mapping out the rest of Ohio State’s season following Oregon loss
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

Putting the loss against the Ducks behind us, let’s take a look at who the Buckeyes have to beat the rest of the year.

Alright, everyone. Have we finished giving everyone around us the silent treatment, done brewing angry tears in our eyes, and finally accepted what happened on Saturday? No? Me neither. However, it is time to move forward and focus on what the rest of the season holds for the Buckeyes. Let’s take a look at the remaining opponents Ohio State needs to beat in order to get back into the CFP conversation.

Ohio State should be very happy with who they have lined up the next few weeks. Tulsa lost their first game of the year to FCS opponent UC Davis. They bounced back in a respectable loss to Oklahoma St., but still— a loss is a loss. Now they are coming to the ‘Shoe against an angry Buckeye team? I would say the home team has the advantage.

Akron should be a blowout, no question. They have lost by 50 and 21 points their last two games. The latter was against Temple, who got demolished by RUTGERS the week before. Enough said. Speaking of the Scarlet Knights, I truly don’t expect a complete blowout. So far, they’ve beaten Ohio University and Syracuse while looking a little sloppy. Greg Schiano has built up this program, but it should still be a fairly easy dub for the Buckeyes, as I’m sure Ohio State won’t let their mistakes slide.

Maryland will be an interesting one, with Taulia Tagovailoa leading the Terps to a 2-0 record so far, with a nice W against West Virginia, and a soul-crushing shutout against Howard. The junior QB has over 600 yards to open the season, and I am curious to see how Ohio State’s defense plans to defend him. Maryland has had some penalty struggles, so it’ll be a good game in a few weeks, with both teams having time to clean up some mistakes. I still got the Bucks pulling ahead, though.

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Week 7 was a highly anticipated matchup against Indiana, but not so much after getting pummeled by Iowa. The Hosiers bounced back against Idaho, but they got Cincinnati on the slate for this weekend. I’ll make my final determination after that game, but I feel like I’ve seen enough— Michael Penix Jr. is having a little bit of a slow start which is hurting their offense. I expect Ohio State to capitalize on this one.

Penn State. Halloween. Home game. I CAN’T WAIT. This is going to be a phenomenal game, and I fully believe that James Franklin will bring a prepared team. The Nittany Lions have beaten Wisconsin in exciting fashion, and Ball State. Nothing too impressive from them so far, but the way they gutted it out against Wisconsin is to be noted. Buckle up.

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska and Purdue shouldn’t cause worry. The Cornhuskers lost to Illinois, but QB Adrian Martinez is a running threat, which I would hope Ohio State can stop by the time we face them. Purdue has a couple of wins under their belt, but a big game against Notre Dame this Saturday. However, I think these are both average teams that OSU will beat. Michigan St. opened up with a nice win against Northwestern to start the season, and look pretty good. The Spartans’ RB Kenneth Walker III is definitely someone to watch out for, as he exploded for 264 yards in that game. Another good running back against a struggling Ohio State defense— we shall see.

Junfu Han via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Last but not least, TTUN. At TTUN. *ichigan routed a struggling Washington team this past weekend as a result of a good RB combo, strong defense, and some trickery on special teams. Harbaugh is getting creative on the hot seat, and he will not go down without a fight in the most critical game of his career at this school. Ohio State can take advantage of *ichigan’s lack of passing on offense, and go off on their own offense. Best game of the year. November 27. LET’S GET HYPED FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON!

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Ohio State’s defensive line has greatly underperformed
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC

The Buckeyes have a laundry list of issues following their loss to Oregon.

You know how people say it’s impossible to choose a favorite child, or even their favorite pizza? You love all your kids, and pizza is always good. Well, choosing our biggest positional disappointment from an Ohio State defense that has woefully underperformed is kind of like the opposite of that. I’m disappointed in the whole thing — there are no favorites. The secondary has been the only pleasant surprise, but I think it’s fair to say that there are glaring weaknesses in that unit as well (cough, a certain safety, cough).

While I am optimistic that the players and coaches can turn it around, I won’t put a guarantee on it. To me, the improvement needs to flow from front to back, so I am singling out the defensive line as my biggest disappointment thus far.

Unlike the linebackers and the defensive backs, we didn’t have many concerns about the big guys up front… initially at least. The Buckeyes return a ton of experience on the line and were supposed to be led by preseason award and All-American candidates such as Zach Harrison and Haskell Garrett. Through two games, those two players have produced one memorable play – the same play – and not much else. As the unit projected to lead this defense, the front four has failed to hold up their end of the deal.

It has only been two games, but the defensive line has fallen well short of expectations. I would argue that they are actually the poorest performing unit — by a mile. The run defense is what jumps out most to me, with regards to their dismal display thus far. Ohio State opponents have rushed for an average of 236 yards per game, on 5.4 yards per carry. The numbers would be even worse had Mo Ibrahim not been injured during the OSU’s opener at Minnesota. Teams are running the ball at-will against the Buckeyes, and opposing running backs have found the endzone six times already.

The run defense (or lack thereof) is a result of multiple failures, but the guys up front are literally the first line of defense. They have gotten no push at the line of scrimmage, and they are being bullied by the opposition. Tommy Togiai is missed, but I did not anticipate his physicality being missed this much. Haskell Garrett and Taron Vincent are talented as hell, and they are physically imposing dudes, but the middle of the line has been stood up far too often. And don’t get me started on the perimeter!

That would have been a poor and dramatic ending, so yes, let me vent on the defensive ends as well. I am still only focusing on the run defense here… Containment, especially against teams that give you option looks and use pulling guards on perimeter runs, is of the utmost importance. Ohio State players and coaches have failed – egregiously – to contain anything. That was on full display against Oregon, as the Ducks got to the outside with ease. The left side was especially vulnerable.

The lack of containment can also be attributed to coaching. Kerry Coombs and Al Washington have failed their players, but Larry Johnson might also deserve some of the blame… or is it simply that his experienced unit has failed to execute?

Against Oregon, the Buckeyes clearly failed to set the edge. If Zach Harrison, Tyreke Smith, and others regularly attacked the mesh point due to coaches’ orders, so be it. However, at some point, you have to catch on to what the other team is doing. Far too often, I saw ends collapsing the middle with their heads down. After a billion read option plays and outside runs, maybe sit home and read the play? Players with multiple years of starting experience need to rely on feel an instinct at some point, and the defensive ends did neither against Oregon… or their instincts were all wrong.

The pass rush as a whole has been abysmal so far in 2021. It was not a whole lot better in 2020, but the Buckeyes did seem to create consistent pressure last season — they just didn’t get home as often as we would have liked. Through two games this year? The pressure is non-existent. Harrison has one strip sack, but he has been a ghost otherwise. He is a preseason award nominee and potential first-round draft pick. Tyreke Smith has been equally unproductive. You don’t expect sacks from the interior, but they need to be able to collapse the pocket. Again, we have seen none of that through two games.

If the linebackers are going to struggle all year, this defensive line needs to make up for their lack of experience. Those linebackers need reps to improve, but what is the excuse up front? They have all the reps you could ask for. They also have uber-recruits sitting on the bench. If the poor performance continues, those guys need to be on the field.

To me, the defensive line is a unit Ohio State should have been able to rely on — similar to the wide receivers. Not to say that the talent level is the same, but Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are going to be security blankets and lifesavers at some point. The defensive line should help keep this defensive afloat while young guys get experience. So far, they have been bullied. That isn’t coaching. That is nastiness and want-to. The guys up front on defense don’t seem to have a lot of either right now. Here’s hoping they get their swagger back against inferior opponents, because the Buckeyes will need them to turn this thing around.

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247 Profile
Hudl



Height 6-1
Weight 160
High School Dupont Manual
City Louisville, KY
Class of 2024

We are planning a couples' night out and decided on Columbus as it is more central to Youngstown, Cincinnati, Lima, and Dayton. It has been close to 10 years since I have been in Cbus.

Where is a good location for hotel, entertainment, etc. for a 35 and older crowd? Is it the Arena District?

We clocked in at #49 in the new rankings this morning. Since they expanded the detailed rankings beyond 50, we were always in the 51-56. We've been banging our head against that top-50 wall for twenty-five years. I still think the size of our freshman classes disproportionately hurts us with their formula. And not just to game the rankings, but we should not be having 7K freshman classes. Bring it back to the 6K where it was a decade ago.

In the B1G, we're 5th (tied with Purdue):
NU 9
TSUN 23
Wiscy 42
Illinois 47

Corn brings up the rear at 136. The next lowest two B1G schools are Iowa and Sparty at 83. Interestingly, Okie is 127, which lends some credence to rumors that Tejas pitched themselves and Okie to the B1G first and were quietly turned away due to OU's academic standing.

Alabama by the way is 148 (literally tied with their branch campus at Birmingham), so please stop the nonsense about Flutie Effects and "athletics is the front porch of the university."

Ohio State is 17th among public universities. We generally are in or near the top 10 in more grad/faculty/research oriented rankings. But when almost every U of Cal campus gets into the top 50 in this formula, it skews things unfavorably for us. I'd put Minnesota over several of those UC campuses also.

In Ohio, it's:
Case 42
Ohio State 49
Fredo drops out of the top 100 at 103
Dayton 127
Juggalo 148 (I seem to have remembered them having some momentum here. No longer the #HottestCollegeInAmerica?

Bucks vs Ducks - 2021 Edition.

247 Profile
Rivals Profile

Height 6-10
Weight 175
High School Brewster Academy
City Wolfeboro, NH
Class of 2023

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Week 3

Thursday, Sept. 16

Ohio at Louisiana | 8 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Sept. 17

UCF at Louisville | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Maryland at Illinois | 9 p.m. | FS1

Saturday, Sept. 18

Eastern Michigan at UMass
Chattanooga at Kentucky | 12 p.m. | SEC Network+/ESPN+
Southeast Missouri State at Missouri | 12 p.m. | SEC Network+/ESPN+
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee | 12 p.m. | | SEC Network+/ESPN+
New Mexico at Texas A&M | 12 p.m. | SEC Network
Michigan State at Miami | 12 p.m. | ABC or ESPN
Western Michigan at Pitt | 12 p.m. | ESPN3
Albany at Syracuse | 12 p.m. | ACC Network
Boston College at Temple | 12 p.m. | ESPN2 or ESPNU
Virginia Tech at West Virginia | 12 p.m. | FS1
Cincinnati at Indiana | 12 p.m. | ABC or ESPN
Northern Illinois at Michigan | 12 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Nebraska at Oklahoma | 12 p.m. | FOX
UConn at Army | 12 p.m. | CBSSN
Coastal Carolina at Buffalo | 12 p.m.
Minnesota at Colorado | 1 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
Nevada at Kansas State | 2:05 p.m. | ESPN+
Purdue at Notre Dame | 2:30 p.m. | NBC
Alabama at Florida | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
SMU at Louisiana Tech | 3:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Georgia Tech at Clemson | 3:30 p.m. | ABC or ESPN
Florida State at Wake Forest | 3:30 p.m. | ABC or ESPN
Kent State at Iowa | 3:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Tulsa at Ohio State | 3:30 p.m. | FS1
Delaware at Rutgers | 3:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Baylor at Kansas | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Long Island University at Miami (Ohio) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Bryant at Akron | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN3
Elon at Appalachian State | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Idaho at Oregon State | 3:30 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
USC at Washington State | 3:30 p.m. | FOX
Georgia Southern at Arkansas | 4 p.m. | SEC Network
Mississippi State at Memphis | 4 p.m. | ESPN2
Ball State at Wyoming | 4 p.m. | Stadium
Northwestern at Duke | 4 p.m. | ACC Network
Colorado State at Toledo | 4 p.m. | ESPNU
Sacramento State at Cal | 4 p.m. | Stadium
Arkansas State at Washington | 4:15 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
Murray State at Bowling Green | 5 p.m. | ESPN3
Middle Tennessee at UTSA | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Fordham at FAU | 6 p.m. | ESPN3
Old Dominion at Liberty | 6 p.m. | ESPN3
East Carolina at Marshall | 6 p.m. | CBSSN
South Carolina at Georgia | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Charlotte at Georgia State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
FIU at Texas Tech | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Troy at Southern Miss | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Grambling at Houston | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Florida A&M at South Florida | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Incarnate Word at Texas State | 7 p.m. | ESPN3
Utah at San Diego State | 7 p.m. | CBSSN
Auburn at Penn State | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
Central Michigan at LSU | 7:30 p.m. | SEC Network
Furman at NC State | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN3
Virginia at North Carolina | 7:30 p.m. | ACC Network
UAB at North Texas | 7:30 p.m. | Stadium
Stony Brook at Oregon | 7:30 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
Utah State at Air Force | 7:30 p.m. | FS2
Tulane at Ole Miss | 8 p.m. | ESPN2
Stanford at Vanderbilt | 8 p.m. | ESPNU
South Carolina State at New Mexico State | 8 p.m. | Bally Sports AZ/Flo Sports
Rice at Texas | 8 p.m. | Longhorn Network
Jackson State at UL Monroe | 8 p.m. | ESPN3
Alcorn State at South Alabama | 8 p.m. | ESPN3
Oklahoma State at Boise State | 9 p.m. | FS1
Northern Arizona at Arizona | 10 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
Arizona State at BYU | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN
Iowa State at UNLV | 10:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Fresno State at UCLA | 10:45 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
San Jose State at Hawai'i | 12:30 a.m. Sunday | FS1

Why is a moderator sending me conduct warnings? I would like him to share for this forum exactly why I am being warned? Literally everyone in the thread is venting extreme frustration and it seems certain posters are being singled out. If I broke any rules, show the proof here

So this is something I see more and more people speak about given the prevalence of the topic and pending legality across many states.

I started to move away from fantasy football into single game betting about 3 years ago. The time I spent between 3 fantasy teams I dedicated to stats and film study for the teams I would lay money on. For me at least, its paid off alright.

So far this year I'm 3 for 4

-Bought a half point and took Minny to cover at 14.5.
-Took Bama to cover against Miami
-Georgia and Clemson can fuck off, took the over.
-Took the under in the chik-fil-A kickoff.

Put in tOSU to cover at 14 against the Ducks.
Took the Rams to cover at 7 against CHI.

Use this as your thread to share info, insight, what games and teams you're taking, if not outright brag about your sports and betting prescience.

Buckeye football with fans in the stands is back. Enjoy.

Still have Louisville vs. Ole Miss tonight, but here’s the upcoming week.

Week 2
Friday, Sept. 10

Kansas at Coastal Carolina | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2
North Carolina A&T at Duke | 8 p.m. | ACC Network
North Dakota at Utah State | 9 p.m. | CBSSN
UTEP at Boise State | 9:30 p.m. | FS1

Saturday, Sept. 11

Illinois at Virginia | 11 a.m. | ACC Network
Western Kentucky at Army | 11:30 a.m. | CBSSN
VMI at Kent State | 11:30 a.m. | ESPN3
Alabama State at Auburn | 12 p.m. | SEC Network
South Carolina at East Carolina | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
Pitt at Tennessee | 12 p.m. | ESPN
Kennesaw State at Georgia Tech | 12 p.m. | ESPN3
Norfolk State at Wake Forest | 12 p.m. | ACC Network Extra
Youngstown State at Michigan State | 12 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Miami (Ohio) at Minnesota | 12 p.m. | ESPNU
Indiana State at Northwestern | 12 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Oregon at Ohio State | 12 p.m. | FOX
Tulsa at Oklahoma State | 12 p.m. | FS1
Florida at South Florida | 1 p.m. | ABC
Tulane vs. Morgan State (in Birmingham, AL) | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Wyoming at Northern Illinois | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Middle Tennessee at Virginia Tech | 2 p.m. | ACC Network Extra
Rutgers at Syracuse | 2 p.m. | ACC Network
Duquesne at Ohio | 2 p.m. | ESPN3
Toledo at Notre Dame | 2:30 p.m. | Peacock
Purdue at UConn | 3 p.m. | CBSSN
Robert Morris at Central Michigan | 3 p.m. | ESPN3
UAB at Georgia | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Texas A&M vs. Colorado (in Denver) | 3:30 p.m. | FOX
Buffalo at Nebraska | 3:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Ball State at Penn State | 3:30 p.m. | FS1
Cal at TCU | 3:30 p.m. | ESPNU
Temple at Akron | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Murray State at Cincinnati | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Air Force at Navy | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
Georgia Southern at FAU | 3:30 p.m. | Stadium
Boston College at UMass | 3:30 p.m. | FloSports
Mercer at Alabama | 4 p.m. | SEC Network
South Alabama at Bowling Green | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Iowa at Iowa State | 4:30 p.m. | ABC
South Carolina State at Clemson | 5 p.m. | ACC Network
Long Island University at West Virginia | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Illinois State at Western Michigan | 5 p.m. | ESPN3
Gardner-Webb at Charlotte | 6 p.m. | ESPN3
Lamar at UTSA | 6 p.m. | ESPN3
Portland State at Washington State | 6 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
North Carolina Central at Marshall | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Houston at Rice | 6:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Bethune-Cookman at UCF | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Western Carolina at Oklahoma | 7 p.m. | PPV
Texas at Arkansas | 7 p.m. | ESPN
NC State at Mississippi State | 7 p.m. | ESPN2
Texas State at FIU | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
SE Louisiana at Louisiana Tech | 7 p.m. | ESPN3
North Texas at SMU | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Hampton at Old Dominion | 7 p.m. | ESPN3
Grambling at Southern Miss | 7 p.m. | ESPN3
Eastern Kentucky at Louisville | 7 p.m. | ACC Network Extra
Appalachian State at Miami | 7 p.m. | ESPNU
Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin | 7 p.m. | FS1
Liberty at Troy | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Texas Southern at Baylor | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Southern Illinois at Kansas State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Stephen F. Austin at Texas Tech | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Memphis at Arkansas State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Nicholls at Louisiana | 7 p.m. | ESPN3
New Mexico State at New Mexico | 7 p.m. | Stadium
Missouri at Kentucky | 7:30 p.m. | SEC Network
Austin Peay at Ole Miss | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+/SEC Network+
Georgia State at North Carolina | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN3
Idaho at Indiana | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Howard at Maryland | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
McNeese at LSU | 8 p.m. | ESPN+/SEC Network+
Jacksonville State at Florida State | 8 p.m. | ACC Network
Washington at Michigan | 8 p.m. | ABC
Vanderbilt at Colorado State | 10 p.m. | CBSSN
San Diego State at Arizona | 10 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
Cal Poly at Fresno State | 10:05 p.m. | CW59
Utah at BYU | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN
Stanford at USC | 10:30 p.m. | FOX
UNLV at Arizona State | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Idaho State at Nevada | 10:30 p.m. | Stadium
Hawai'i at Oregon State | 11 p.m. | FS1

For talking about which teams might, should, and won’t make the grade as the 4 playoff teams this year.

So You Drafted A Buckeye: Josh Myers
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

The second Buckeye drafted in the second round, Myers was taken 62nd overall and he was drafted by the Packers. After Corey Linsley left for the Chargers, the Packers have replaced him with another Buckeye in Myers. Myers is a tough one and is very durable. We saw the impact of him being lost for a short time and it wasn’t pretty. Being like the rock on the offensive line, he brings experience that could translate instantly in the NFL.

Making calls at the next level would be tough for a rookie who is unfamiliar with the system but Bakhtiari will welcome him in and mentor him along the way. Like in Werner’s situation, he goes into an ideal situation to where he could also contribute right away. He has the tools and the knowledge to succeed but he would need to study the playbook and get stronger. Either way, his potential speaks for itself. He finds himself in an ideal situation that could blossom into a long career.




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So You Drafted A Buckeye: Pete Werner
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Pete Werner was the first Buckeye defender taken in the second round. Werner was taken 60th overall by the New Orleans Saints joining former Buckeye Marshon Lattimore. Werner, a four star recruit according to 24/7 was an Inside Linebacker prospect that bloomed into a Swiss Army knife on defense. A linebacker with good coverage skills that could also blitz when called upon. Let’s say he’s in good company with him lining up alongside Demario Davis.

Werner is a gamer that will be asked to cover TE’s and if needed receivers. He won’t be asked to start but the current group aside from Davis leaves a lot to be desired. Werner is a sure tackler, but he does try to get that big hit in from time to time but when he makes contact, he shifts momentum fast. He sometimes takes risks on defense as well as bad angles but under the tutelage of Cameron, Davis and Lattimore, he will get right. Either way, he is a competitor and he should be able to secure a decent role on this aging defense.




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So You Drafted A Buckeye: Justin Fields
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

After an unceremonious pre-draft thrashing, Justin Fields slipped past QB-needy teams like the Panthers and the Broncos, and found himself donning a Bears hat. From being the clear-cut QB2, to getting drafted QB4, he lands in Chicago and behind newly signed Andy Dalton to begin his career. Dalton is on his third team after beginning his career in Cincinnati, a single season in Dallas, and now Chicago. Can Fields come in and contribute immediately? Or will he have to grind it out and wait for his time like Mahomes?

All the talk and the doubt have fueled him up to this point. He will let his play do the talking and I personally think he will reverse the QB trend in the NFL. Fields brings immediate competition for Dalton. Enough to be worried about but not until he dissects the playbook and learns the system. He brings toughness and that feistiness you like to see in a quarterback that coincidentally slipped in the draft. A huge chip lays squarely on his shoulders and he wouldn’t want it any other way. Beware. For the teams that passed on him, I feel like this gem will make teams regret it.




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Fandom Origins: RJ Tongohan
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Fans often are so attached to teams and this fan is definitely addicted to anything Ohio State, but would it be crazy to know that I wasn’t always an Ohio State fans? Would it shock you to know that little detail about me, a writer that has been following and writing about Ohio State? Well believe it and here is my comic book-ish origin story for those who have followed me and have enjoyed my fan perspective content over the years.

So to set the stage, I was born and raised in Guam, a U.S. territory located in the Pacific Ocean. I was raised on basketball and knew little about football. The only teams I knew of were the Cowboys and the Dolphins in the NFL. I joined the military in 2005 and I became a Broncos fan by default when watching a Chargers/Broncos game on Turkey Day while attending tech school for my job in the Air Force. He was a Chargers fans and being me, I picked the other team and rolled with it.

Fast forward to my first duty stationed or base, I was stationed at Nebraska in December 2005 and I knew nothing about college football. The husker fans around me were annoying and I watched college football casually but I had no favorite team. Now after watching on and off, I tuned into an Ohio State game in 2006 and I was hooked on them instantly. #10, #7, #28, #33 and #2 reeled me in and that is how I developed my affinity for Ohio State everything.

The offense dazzled. I remember watching Troy Smith slinging and running it, Ted Ginn Jr’s electric skills every time he touched the ball and Beanie Wells dashing past and running over TTUN defenders. The defense was a forced to be reckoned with with stalwarts like James Laurinaitus being involved in every defensive play and Malcolm Jenkins shutting one half of the field down as a shutdown corner.

These are my fondest moments as a fan and it came with its highs and lows. Highs were defeating TTUN consistently, a streak that has few blemishes. I didn’t live through the Cooper years but I did my research and I pray I never see times like those. Demolishing Clemson last year was also another awesome moment and obviously the crowned jewel was winning it all in 2014.

The lows? I’ll start with 2011’s Fickell season and the last loss at the hands of TTUN. There were also the losses to LSU and Florida in the championship games. Add the Bama loss and the Clemson shutout to that, but it has never stopped me from switching teams.

I have been writing for five years and I have stayed loyal to a smaller, lesser known company in the Men Of The Scarlet And Gray or MOTSAG. I sometimes wish for an opportunity to join the ranks of a bigger company but it is unlikely and I’m okay with that. I cannot wait to see what is in store for me and the future but it’s been awesome and I’ve met some cool people on the way. Here’s to more content and I hope you enjoyed this little spin. Look for all my companions to follow suit.

#GoBucks





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You’re Nuts: What is the best Columbus pizza for game-night dining?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Rob Hardin / Columbus Alive 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 is the best Columbus pizza for game night eating?


Matt and Jami were both huge fans of the dearly departed, south campus institution Catfish Biff’s. So if the pandemic hadn’t stolen them from us, at least one of them would have chosen the Biff’s.

Also, if you haven’t already, you need to pick up this generation’s seminal non-fiction tome “Columbus Pizza: A Slice of History” by Jim Ellison.

Jami’s Take: Tommy’s Pizza on Lane


It’s Game Day in Columbus, and you know what that means — you need to order the perfect game day pizza to feed your crew tonight. But which pizza place should you choose? Matt and I have you covered.

I’d like to take a moment to memorialize the late, great Catfish Biff’s, which Matt and I agree was the greatest pizza place to ever grace Columbus with its presence. Since our beloved Biff’s was a heartbreaking pandemic casualty, if you’re looking for game day pizza, there are only two remaining acceptable answers: Adriatico’s on South Campus and Tommy’s on Lane, depending on your geography.

If your reaction - like Matt’s - to reading that was “Jami, you’re wrong,” first of all, no I am not. I’m never wrong, and I have lived in both Chicago and New York, so I’m certainly never wrong about pizza. Matt, on the other hand, called Tommy’s “overrated” and “a generic knockoff of Donato’s” because he apparently lacks all taste. Arguably, he should be disqualified for even having an opinion on this topic if he can’t differentiate between Tommy’s - the pizza of the gods - and Donato’s - a fine option if cheap pitchers are what you’re really there for.

Adriatico’s and Tommy’s serve up two very different pizzas, but unfortunately, only one can be the best. Let’s see how they stack up in a variety of categories.

Value

I did the math - Tommy’s will cost you about $1.08 for each inch of pizza (it costs $16.25 for a large, 15” pizza). Adriatico’s, on the other hand, will run you about $1.03 per inch ($18.49 for a large 18” pizza). Adriatico’s also offers you more toppings and better sizing options (Tommy’s caps out at a 15” pizza, while Adriatico’s serves an 18”x24” Buckeye-size which is great for parties like the kind you might have on gameday). Each additional topping costs a little more at Adriatico’s than it does at Tommy’s, but overall, Adriatico’s has the better value.

Edge: Adriatico’s

Taste

This is all a matter of personal preference. The crust is the center of attention at Adriatico’s, but that means the flavor of the pizza is largely … bready, whereas Tommy’s flavors all come together into one cohesive pizza. I also prefer Tommy’s sauce and feel they have a better cheese-to-sauce-to-crust ratio.

Edge: Tommy’s

Crust

I personally prefer Tommy’s crust because I like a thinner, crunchier crust on my pizza. But at Adriatico’s, the crust really is the star of the show - it’s perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. That I tend to prefer thin crust pizza but still find myself dreaming about the pillowy goodness of Adriatico’s was enough for me to give them the edge. Tommy’s does a great crust if the thinner, crunchier crust is your thing. Adriatico’s does a great crust even if a doughy crust isn’t your thing.

Edge: Adriatico’s.

Toppings

Adriatico’s offers more variety by way of toppings, but in my experience, Tommy’s does a better job of nailing the ratio. If your heart is really set on putting turkey on your pizza (an option at Adriatico’s but not at Tommy’s), that’s not on Tommy. That’s on you for ruining your pizza. Tommy’s earns extra points in my book for their pepperoni. This might be a hot take, but Adriatico’s pepperoni doesn’t do it for me. Yes, I know it’s huge. I don’t want one giant pepperoni - I want lots of little pepperoni so they don’t slide off with one bite. The best pepperoni is the kind that curls up in the oven to form a small bowl - the ends get crispy and the grease sort of pools in the peps. Tommy’s is doing this all right, and Adriatico’s is a completely fine second.

Edge: Tommy’s

Ease of ordering

Both Tommy’s and Adriatico’s offer dine-in, pick-up, and delivery, but Adriatico’s doesn’t yet offer online ordering. You have to - gasp - pick up the phone and speak to a human (the horror!). Adriatico’s also charges a $2.00 delivery fee. Tommy’s, on the other hand, offers easy online ordering through DoorDash without any delivery fee or price markups on the menu. You can call if you prefer that, but I’m guessing most people don’t prefer that. They also have more than one location, which gives them a slightly wider delivery area.

To any college kids reading this - this is your friendly reminder to tip your delivery people. I know you’re broke. That’s not an excuse not to tip. Seriously. Scrounge up an extra $1 each among your friends to pay this person who is running around serving you food in your drunkenness.

Edge: Tommy’s

Overall winner: Tommy’s

Based on my very scientific analysis of these two very delightful pizza places, Tommy’s is the way to go. From easy ordering to taste you’ll dream about years after you leave Columbus, this is your best bet for all your game day pizza needs.

Matt’s Take:


According to the renowned pizza experts at Slice, Columbus style pizza is described as, “Columbus-style pies are built upon an ultra-thin crust that’s usually crispy, closer to a cracker than the typical pizza base. The toppings go all the way up to the very edge to maximize the real estate for the toppings. After baking, it’s cut into squares, rather than triangles.”

While it is similar in style to that of the St. Louis pie, Columbus style pizza uses more traditional pizza cheeses (mozzarella and parmesan) than our brethren in the Arch City do. Columbus pizza and Chicago thin-crust are very similar.

Now, as someone who hasn’t lived in Ohio in over 17 years, I can tell you that while there is certainly good pizza in other parts of the country, there is nothing like a good thin-and-crispy crust, Columbus-style large pizza that you can house in one sitting without ever realizing that you’ve had more than a couple of pieces.

Now, Tommy’s certainly falls into the Columbus style category, and were my dad to be writing this article, he might be inclined to agree with Jami, as he grew up one block away from the original Tommy’s location at the corner of Hamilton and Livingston. But, my dad’s not writing this article, and I have better taste than he does anyway (and obviously than Jami as well).

Being the elder statesman of LGHL, many of the on-campus pizza options have changed since I was in school, but I did always enjoy a good dose of Adriatico’s, especially when I was an R.A. or working for the Student Activities office, because you could order a Buckeye Pizza for an event and feed like 20 people for $12 on Tuesday nights. It was the Ohio State equivalent of feeding 4,000 people with a few loaves and fishes; a south campus miracle.

But, if we are talking about the quintessential pizza for an OSU game day, Adriatico’s is out, because it just doesn’t meet the qualifications of a Columbus-style pizza. Sorry, guys.

That also means that familiar brands like Pizza Hut, Dominos, Papa Johns, Gumbys (is Gumbys still a thing on campus?), Hounddogs’ (is Hounddogs’ still a thing on campus?), and others are out as well.

So, that brings us to three Columbus-style staples, the aforementioned Tommy’s, the OG Columbus-style pizza Massey’s, and the preeminent representative of the style, Donato’s. I’m clearly not going with Tommy’s, or that would defeat the purpose of this article, and to be honest, it is my personal least favorite of these three.

So, the question is, do I go with the virtual inventor of the Columbus-style in Massey’s or do a go with the ever-growing behemoth in Donato’s? Both are childhood favorites of mine; Massey’s with the added crunch and texture of the extra seasoning on top and their impossibly long and thin slices. Donato’s with their nearly perfect, thin pepperoni that curl up with a delectable crispness on the edges.

Having lived in the south for over 15 years, when I took a friend who was never much of a pizza fan before to Columbus and fed them Donato’s, they responded that it was like they put crack on pizza. That seems like a fairly ringing endorsement.

However, living in Florida, Donato’s is creeping down into the Sunshine State, in fact, they have a franchise about 45 minutes away from me; close enough to go get it when I’m craving it, but not close enough for delivery — a blessing and a curse. They thing is, it’s not exactly the same. The crust is a little too thick to be authentic Donato’s. Everything else tastes the same (although I think they need to leave the pies in the oven a little longer to get that perfect crispness), but it still isn’t the perfect Donato’s experience.

Massey’s on the other hand only has 15 locations and they are all in Central Ohio, making it the type of pizza that seems built for an Ohio State football viewing party.

But, if I’m being honest, Donato’s is still it for me. I know it’s cliche, but there’s a reason that McDonald’s bought them (and them sold them back to the original owners) and that they are expanding nationwide; they are just the best Columbus style pizza out there.

So, I might be a square (cut), but I am riding Donato’s for game night; but you better not eat my corner pieces, damnit.

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Bold Predictions: C.J. Stroud finds the end zone often in his first start as Ohio State’s quarterback
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

C.J. Stroud throwing four touchdowns, Jeremy Ruckert catching five passes, and a number of other bold predictions for tonight’s game against Minnesota.

Prior to each Ohio State game this year, LGHL is going to bring you some “bold predictions”. This will include somewhere around five predictions for the game, whether it be passing yards, points scored, sacks, or a number of other things that we could see happening during the game.

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

C.J. Stroud will at least throw as many touchdown passes as Justin Fields did in his first start at Ohio State


When Justin Fields opened up his Ohio State career against Florida Atlantic in 2019, the Georgia transfer threw four touchdown passes against the Owls. Expect Stroud to at least match Fields’ debut total, and maybe even get to five touchdown passes, which is how many Dwayne Haskins threw in the season opener against Bowling Green in 2018.

It certainly makes things easier that Stroud has an insane collection of receivers to work with. Stroud is going to try and spread the football around, which will help to boost his touchdown totals not only tonight, but throughout the season. You have to figure that Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson will each haul in a touchdown pass, and smart money would be on Jeremy Ruckert catching one for a score inside the red zone. That just leaves one more touchdown that Stroud has to throw, and with guys like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Julian Fleming, and Emeka Egbuka, it shouldn’t be hard to connect with at least one of them for a score.

Jeremy Ruckert will catch at least five passes

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

This number might sound a little high considering how Ohio State has sparingly used their tight ends over the last few decades, but look into it more and it makes a little more sense. Jeremy Ruckert has had three games over the last two years where he has caught at four passes in a game. One of those games was the 2019 season opener against Florida Atlantic, where two of those receptions were touchdowns.

There’s no doubt that Minnesota is going to be keyed in to trying to slow down the ridiculous collection of talent that Ohio State has at wide receiver. The Golden Gophers can’t cover everyone, which should leave players like Ruckert open. Also, Ruckert should provide a bit of a security blanket for Stroud if things start to breakdown in the pocket. When it doubt throw it to the man who has caught about everything thrown his way during his time in the scarlet and gray.

Ohio State will intercept at least two passes


The pressure that Ohio State will put on Tanner Morgan will force the Minnesota quarterback to make some risky decisions. This will backfire against an opportunistic defense that will be looking to reassert their dominance after some shaky performances in 2020. Even with their struggles last year, the Buckeyes did intercept seven passes in eight games.

It also will help that Ohio State should be up by a couple scores in the second half, which will lead to the Golden Gophers throwing the football a little more than they would like to. As time in the game goes on and the clock dwindles, Minnesota will get more desperate, meaning Morgan will make some more suspect decisions that Ohio State will take advantage of.

Mohamed Ibrahim will record his ninth straight 100-yard rushing game

Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images

The Minnesota running back is one of the best backs in the country. Add in an experienced offensive line and it’s easy to see why Minnesota will want to hand the football off to Ibrahim early and often. With his usage rate, it might not seem like cracking triple digits is all that bold of a prediction. The reason that could make this a little spicy is because Ohio State has some of the best athletes in the country and is usually rather stingy against the run.

Ohio State has to replace all their starters at linebackers, which could lead to some miscues early in the season. While the Buckeyes will have an upgrade at one of the linebacker positions since they won’t have Tuf Borland and his snow plow speed at linebacker, there will still be some growing pains amongst the new starters.

A lot of the damage Ibrahim will do on the ground against Ohio State will come earlier in the game. As the game moves along, the Buckeyes will tighten up their run defense as they become more familiar with what Ibrahim and the Golden Gophers will throw at them. Also, Ohio State should extend the lead in the second half, which will make Minnesota rely more on the pass than the run.

Ohio State will score at least 50 points for the third time in four season openers under Ryan Day


I know it’s hard to put a whole lot of stock in 2020, but Minnesota did allow Michigan to score 49 points in their season opener in Minneapolis. Yes, that Michigan team that lost four of their next five games. While the Golden Gophers are definitely more experienced on defense this year, Ohio State has a lot more to offer than anyone Minnesota saw in 2020.

With Oregon on deck for next Saturday in Columbus, Ryan Day is going to want to send a message out west to the Ducks. Don’t expect Ohio State to take their foot of the gas pedal tonight, as with a new quarterback Ohio State is going to want to give C.J. Stroud and the rest of the offense as much confidence as they can going into the home opener against Oregon next week.

Even though this will undoubtedly be the toughest opponent Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have seen in a season opener during his time as a head coach (interim coaching duties from 2018 included), don’t expect the Golden Gophers to be able to keep Ohio State off the scoreboard. If Stroud throws at least four touchdown passes as predicted earlier, it shouldn’t be out of the question for the Buckeyes to find 22 points (assuming all extra points are converted) in other aspects of the game.

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LGHL’s 2021 Ohio State and college football season predictions
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Set Number: X163093 TK1

Our staff predicted every thing for the Buckeyes, the Big Ten Conference, and college football as a whole.

As the Ohio State football team prepares to embark on the 2021 college football season your favorite Ohio State SB Nation blog, no, not that one... not that one either... the other one. No, I’m talking about Land-Grant Holy Land. To get ready for the season, our panel of experts refuses to be silenced by the inevitable shaming at the hands of Freezing Cold Takes, and is putting their collective knowledge where their typing fingers are.

Fifteen LGHL writers and editors have made predictions about the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Big Ten Conference, and college football as a whole. Let us know who you are — and aren’t — agreeing with in the comments below. And don’t worry, we will be revisiting these come season’s end.

If you want to see how some of our returning LGHL prognosticators did in the 2020 season, check out the results from last season’s predictions.


Who will lead Ohio State in rushing yardage this season?



True freshman TreVeyon Henderson the clear leader in this predictions category.


Who will lead Ohio State in rushing TDs this season?



Despite Henderson taking the lead in the yardage question, veteran Master Teague is the presumptive leader in TDs. Henderson and Miyan Williams are close behind.


Will the coaching staff #FreeDemario this season?



I will never..... EVER..... give up on this. How dare you, person who is certainly not me who asked this question.


Who will lead Ohio State in receiving yardage this season?



No surprise here, Chris Olave leads the way with 60% of the vote, with Garrett Wilson close behind at 40%.


Who will lead Ohio State in receiving TDs this season?



Same thing as the question above.


C.J. Stroud Passing Stats Predictions


While there is some variance amongst the responses, most everyone is in the same, general range.


How many passing yards will Quinn Ewers have?


Not gonna lie, a lot more zeros in these predictions than I was expecting, but I respect Dante for going big. It’s a longshot, but if it hits, he’s gonna look like a genius.


Who will lead Ohio State in tackles this season?


Come on, Chris. Pick one. If Simon or Young ends up leading the team, you’re only getting half credit when we tally this stuff up.


Who will lead Ohio State in sacks this season?



Zach Harrison leading in a big way here. I hope 2/3s of us are right!


Who will lead Ohio State in interceptions this season?



Sevyn Banks and Lathan Ransom in the lead here, which makes sense.


How many combined punts and field goal attempts will Ohio State have this season?


This is the one that I am by far the most invested in.


Which true freshman will end up having the biggest impact this season and why?


I expected a little more for Henderson in here, but I love that there are so many optionsand that all are legitimately viable.


Which Buckeye that nobody is talking about will step up to make the biggest impact (non-freshman edition)?


Apparently the mileage on “that nobody is talking about” will vary, but good options, nonetheless.


Which player and brand will end up being the most ubiquitous example of the new NIL rules during the season?

I won’t list all of these, but I will share some of my favorites.

Connor Lemons: Dawand Jones and Buckeye Donuts.

Shane Bailey: Dawand Jones definitely needs a Big Thanos clothing line; although I’m sure Marvel would take issue with that. If no Big and Tall stores have reached out to Dawand yet they are missing out on a huge opportunity.

Gene Ross: Miyan Williams doing a meatball/pork chop ad for a restaurant.

Chris Renne: The OL, people love their linemen and we’re going to see a lot of group opportunities as well as individual. Plus the OL are crafty dudes who will find some great opportunities.


If no games are canceled, what will Ohio State’s regular season record be?


David and Josh, please report to my office immediately.


What will the score of the Ohio State vs. Michigan game be?


Apropos of nothing, don’t forget that you can purchase our “Hang 100 on ‘Em” t-shirt here and have it in plenty of time for this year’s edition of The Game.


Please list your predicted order of finish in the Big Ten East (Top to Bottom)


I would have been pretty upset if anyone had gone off the map with their Big Ten East pick, to be honest.


Please list your predicted order of finish in the Big Ten West (Top to Bottom)


Lots of Badger love here at LGHL.


Who is your Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year?


We might be homers, but five of the last nine people to win this award have been Ohio State quarterbacks, so it seems like a good bet to go with Stroud.


Who is your Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year?


Who is your Big Ten Coach of the Year?


Of course we all wanted to pick Ryan Day, but we’ve been burnt too many times before.


What is your boldest, most out-of-left-field prediction for Ohio State this season?


What is your boldest, most out-of-left-field prediction for college football this season (non-Ohio State version)?


Lots of folks down on Bama, huh?


Who wins the Heisman Trophy?


Two people picked running backs? What decade are you living in, guys?


Will Ohio State have a Heisman finalist(s)? If so, who?


It’s ok, you can say it. We’re homers.


College Football Playoff Seeding Predictions


I’ll take my chances with these lists.


Who is your National Champion?


What do you want? I told you we were homers.

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Minnesota Defensive Player to Watch: Linebacker Jack Gibbens
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Jack Gibbens is wearing new colors, but will look to make a similar impact for the Golden Gophers | Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images

Minnesota had a rough 2020, exacerbated by their issues on defense. A small-school transfer should play a pivotal role in helping to turn the unit around this season.

Minnesota is not expected to be a defensive juggernaut. Let’s get that out of the way first. I could pick and choose stats all day long, but a few jumped out to me from their 2020 season: 206.7 opponent rushing yards/gm (99th in the county), 4.00% sack rate (114th), and 64.06% opponent completion percentage (92nd). On paper, you’re basically telling me they struggle to stop the run, they don’t pressure the quarterback, and the opponent is able to complete a high percentage of their passes due to said lack of pressure.

In reality, the 2020 version of the Golden Gophers lost a lot of talent from their 2019 defense (recurring theme for Minnesota). Antoine Winfield Jr. was an All-World defensive back, and Carter Coughlin could get after the quarterback. Similar to the offense, Minnesota’s defense was attempting to fill major holes from the previous season, and went up against a pandemic during an effort to do so. I am still not intimidated by what they do have coming back in 2021, but there are some good players on that side of the ball.

Guys like Coney Durr and Jordan Howden are returning starters in Minnesota’s secondary, and they will be tasked with trying to stop Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and others… average DBs, so don’t count on them being able to shut down Ohio State’s passing attack.

Boye Mafe is a breakout candidate at defensive end, but his production has not yet matched the hype. Eight sacks in 29 games (1/4 of which came against Illinois last year) means he is a capable pass rusher — not Lawrence Taylor. Additionally, P.J. Fleck brought in transfers to try and give his defense a much-needed boost, including former Clemson defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney. One of those transfers — and the player on Minnesota’s defense who could have a big impact on the unit as a whole — is newcomer Jack Gibbens.

Gibbens is a graduate transfer from Abilene Christian, and he may end up “quarterbacking” the Golden Gophers defense. He brings a ton of experience to a unit that struggled last year, and looks the part of a solid Big Ten linebacker. He also has the instincts and the intelligence to anchor a defense, as evidenced by his inclusion among the 2020 Campbell Trophy finalists. The Campbell Trophy has been nicknamed the “Academic Heisman,” and is open to FBS, FCS, and lower-division athletes. Gibbens has enough brain and brawn so that he should not be overwhelmed by his transition to the Big Ten.


Gibbens played four years at Abilene Christian, starting his final three. He somewhat surprisingly never earned all-conference honors (only Honorable Mention in 2018), but was productive nonetheless. He racked up 104 tackles as a junior in 2019, and totaled 22.5 tackles for loss, including seven sacks, and five interceptions during his time as a starter. He is coming off of a strong overall season in 2020 as well, albeit one that was shortened due to the pandemic. In six games, he accumulated 49 tackles, to go with 4.5 TFL, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and one forced fumble. He was a force all over the field, and will bring some serious thump for the Golden Gophers.

The former Wildcat is 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds of bad intentions. He is one of, if not the biggest, linebackers on Minnesota’s team. Not that size is everything at the linebacker position, especially when going up against modern offenses, but Gibbens is no small dude. He has the ability to lay out a Buckeye ball carrier if the opportunity arises. Furthermore, he has played in certain pass-rushing packages during his career, so he could be used to create pressure on C.J. Stroud with a timely blitz. He is not a blazer (4.7+ speed), but at his size, all he needs is the element of surprise.

It is difficult to be too intimidated by, or concerned with, any player from a defense that performed so poorly last year, however, Joe Rossi’s unit has experienced plenty of success since he was named the interim defensive coordinator in 2018. He will also have the benefit of a traditional offseason. Sure, the talent was at a higher level in 2019, when they ranked tenth in total defense, but it’s not as if the Minnesota coaches abandoned the scheme(s) they had success with. They just lost talent… and a lot of it.

Gibbens brings a certain maturity to the Minnesota defense, and he is a proven playmaker. If he can direct traffic in the middle of the field, the Gophers’ experienced secondary stands a better chance of keeping the Ohio State wide receivers in-check. If the secondary holds its own, Mafe will have more time to penetrate the line of scrimmage. OSU has not had the luxury of their own defense being directed by a field general recently (or at least not a good one), but Minnesota might have an impact leader in Gibbens.

Gibbens’ role is still up in the air, so identifying him as a player to watch out for is a bit risky. However, if you look back at what Minnesota did on defense last year, should we feel confident about anybody else outside of perhaps Mafe? Remember, Mafe will be going against Thayer Munford, Nicholas Petit-Frere, or Dawand Jones — not Illinois. Even if Gibbens is part of a rotation, he is already more experienced (and I would say more proven, despite the level of competition) than his peers.

Minnesota’s defense should be improved in 2021… they almost have to be. Much like Oho State, they were breaking in a lot of new starters and were forced to deal with unusual circumstances last year. I still like the Buckeyes to put up 35 plus, but keep an eye on Gibbens. He could bring a much-needed stability to their linebacker rotation, and his presence should be a positive for the Golden Gophers.

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