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Google Ohio State football: Examining Buckeyes' playoff position; Dante Booker cleared to practice...

Ohio State football: Examining Buckeyes' playoff position; Dante Booker cleared to practice - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football: Examining Buckeyes' playoff position; Dante Booker cleared to practice
Landof10.com
Ohio State football is the No. 1 topic in Wake Up Sloopy every day — but we cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Ohio State football, recruiting, ...
Michigan rivalry is in Urban Meyer's blood, 'It's in your DNA'247Sports
Urban Updates: Linebacker Dante Booker Will Be Cleared To PlayScout

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Google A healthy Keita Bates-Diop only means good things for Buckeyes - The Athletic

A healthy Keita Bates-Diop only means good things for Buckeyes - The Athletic
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


A healthy Keita Bates-Diop only means good things for Buckeyes
The Athletic
When Keita Bates-Diop twice tried and failed to play through a stress fracture in his left leg last season, his coach had a foreshadowing of what was coming. Not everything that was coming, in retrospect, but at least the ups and downs of the next ...
Ohio State basketball routs Northeastern 80-55 as Buckeyes head into rough stretch of the schedulecleveland.com
Buckeyes Roundball Roundup: Two more (cupcake) wins to start 4-0Waiting For Next Year
BuckeyeXtra Basketball podcast: Buckeyes prepare for brutal stretch of gamesThe Columbus Dispatch

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LGHL Can Ohio State come away with another quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class?

Can Ohio State come away with another quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class?
Geoff Hammersley
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


34210387550_6acb6f87ca_o.0.jpg

There is still plenty of time left before National Signing Day 2018.

We are now halfway through Michigan week. In just a few short days, the Ohio State Buckeyes will be taking the field at ‘The Big House’ in Ann Arbor. It’s definitely a game OSU has been focused on since before the season started.

Something else the Buckeyes are constantly (and perpetually) focusing on: recruiting.

While the Scarlet and Gray don’t have any more home games to impress potential commits, the product that is seen on the field and in the classroom speaks volumes. Ohio State is still No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings, but they still can find a way into the playoffs with a little help.

On the personnel side, 19 Buckeyes will witness ‘The Game’ for the final time as a player, with quarterback J.T. Barrett being one of those 19 members. He’s been the QB for what seems like a lifetime. (And that’s 100 percent okay with me.)

It’s bittersweet, but as this class of Buckeyes leave for the next endeavor, a new class of Buckeyes will come in. Who’s in the class isn’t set in stone just yet.

An interest


Right now, the 2018 recruiting class has one QB in dual-threat and four-star commit Emory Jones. However, the Alabama Crimson Tide are doing what they can to bring Jones to Tuscaloosa. On Nov. 11, the Franklin, GA native made an unofficial visit to Auburn, Alabama’s fiercest rival, according to 247sports.

Will Jones stay in the class? Time will tell. However, that hasn’t stopped others from weighing in on their interest of the Buckeyes.

On Tuesday evening, Bill Kurelic of 247sports’ Ohio State site, Bucknuts, wrote about Adrian Martinez (Fresno, CA/Clovis West) and his interest in being a Buckeye. Martinez made an official visit on Nov. 11, and took in the Michigan State game—a game that the Buckeyes won by 45 points.

According to Kurelic, Martinez said he still has interest in Ohio State. At the moment, though, the California native is committed to the Tennessee Volunteers; he’s been committed to the program since May 12. However, Butch Jones was still the head coach of Tennessee when he committed. That’s not the case now, as Jones was relieved of his duties on Nov. 12.

In the same article, though, Martinez reaffirmed his commitment to the Volunteer program, and will see how the coaching change plays out. But with other schools still in contact with the four-star QB, anything can happen—especially with Tennessee trying to turn the tide after firing Jones.

Not far behind Emory Jones in the 247sports composite rankings, Martinez is considered the seventh best dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 class. In the talent-rich state of California, he ranks No. 20 overall.

And an award finalist


Ohio State commit and four-star inside linebacker Teradja Mitchell (Virginia Beach, VA/Bishop Sullivan) was named a finalist for the High School Butkus Award. The award, named after football legend Dick Butkus, is given to the best linebacker.

The four other finalist include a couple of OSU targets. Palaie Gaoteote and Solomon Tuliaupupu join Mitchell for a chance to be crowned the best LB on the high school circuit. Notre Dame commit Matthew Bauer and USC verbal commit Bo Calvert round out the five finalists.

Bishop Sullivan got in on the social media game, and tweeted out their support for their star.


Congratulations to Teradja M. for being one of the 2017 High School Finalists for the Butkus Award! The winners will be announced on or before December 6th. #CRUpride pic.twitter.com/Q5g9OPiFgm

— Bishop Sullivan (@BpSullivanCHS) November 20, 2017​

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Google Barrett: Buckeyes' best? - Sharonherald

Barrett: Buckeyes' best? - Sharonherald
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Barrett: Buckeyes' best?
Sharonherald
8 Buckeyes to have any shot at getting back to the playoffs, he will tie Art Schlichter for most quarterback wins in school history. Barrett passed 4-year starter Schlichter this season in career passing yards, and holds school records for passing ...
Michigan rivalry is in Urban Meyer's blood, 'It's in your DNA'247Sports
Urban Updates: Linebacker Dante Booker Will Be Cleared To PlayScout

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Google Buckeyes stay at No. 9 in CFP rankings; how is OSU affected? - 247Sports

Buckeyes stay at No. 9 in CFP rankings; how is OSU affected? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes stay at No. 9 in CFP rankings; how is OSU affected?
247Sports
It really looks like if the Buckeyes win out -- including next week in the Big Ten championship game over a top-5 Wisconsin squad -- OSU will make the College Football Playoff. And I fully thought they were out of the hunt after losing by 31 to Iowa ...

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Google Potential Playoff spot can wait, Ohio State tackles Michigan first - USA TODAY

Potential Playoff spot can wait, Ohio State tackles Michigan first - USA TODAY
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Potential Playoff spot can wait, Ohio State tackles Michigan first
USA TODAY
The Buckeyes' mission, should they choose to accept it — and they really have no choice — is to focus on the responsibility at hand, a task made simpler by the next opponent. The game matters even when it doesn't; the rivalry would define each ...

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Google Wrestling: Buckeyes prevail against Kent State and Cleveland State in Thanksgiving...

Wrestling: Buckeyes prevail against Kent State and Cleveland State in Thanksgiving Throwdown meet - OSU - The Lantern
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Wrestling: Buckeyes prevail against Kent State and Cleveland State in Thanksgiving Throwdown meet
OSU - The Lantern
His match ended with a pin victory against Kent State redshirt junior Devin Nye at the 3:39 mark. His brother, heavyweight redshirt freshman Kevin Snyder, wrested the final match of the day for the Buckeyes and won with a 20-5 technical fall versus ...

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Google BuckeyeXtra Basketball podcast: Buckeyes prepare for brutal stretch of games - The Columbus...

BuckeyeXtra Basketball podcast: Buckeyes prepare for brutal stretch of games - The Columbus Dispatch
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BuckeyeXtra Basketball podcast: Buckeyes prepare for brutal stretch of games
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State Buckeyes forward Keita Bates-Diop (33) fights for a rebound with Northeastern Huskies guard Bolden Brace (2) during the second half of a NCAA men's college basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Northeastern Huskies on ...
Buckeyes Roundball Roundup: Two more (cupcake) wins to start 4-0Waiting For Next Year
In-State Quarterback Mark Waid Discusses Visit While Linebacker Commit Teradja Mitchell Named Butkus FinalistEleven Warriors

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Google OSU Notebook: Buckeyes' practice squad sports UM colors - Toledo Blade

OSU Notebook: Buckeyes' practice squad sports UM colors - Toledo Blade
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OSU Notebook: Buckeyes' practice squad sports UM colors
Toledo Blade
As the Buckeyes walked into their practice facility from the adjoining outdoor fields, a crop of unmistakable helmets made their way toward the Block-O at midfield. Among the traditional silver helmets were the maize-and-blue winged helmets of Michigan ...
Ohio State football: Stopping the run will be key for Buckeyes against WolverinesAkron Beacon Journal
Ohio State football: Could Buckeyes chase Jim Harbaugh back to NFL?Landof10.com
Michigan Football: Breaking down the Ohio State BuckeyesGBMWolverine
cleveland.com -USA TODAY -247Sports
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Google Kurelic: 2018 QB talks Buckeye situation; recruit on The Game - 247Sports

Kurelic: 2018 QB talks Buckeye situation; recruit on The Game - 247Sports
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Kurelic: 2018 QB talks Buckeye situation; recruit on The Game
247Sports
1) The Buckeyes have a commitment from quarterback Emory Jones who made his Ohio State official visit when the Buckeyes hosted Penn State. However, Jones did not shut down his recruitment at that time so the staff has been recruiting other 2018 ...


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Google Ohio State football: Stopping the run will be key for Buckeyes against Wolverines - Akron...

Ohio State football: Stopping the run will be key for Buckeyes against Wolverines - Akron Beacon Journal
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Ohio State football: Stopping the run will be key for Buckeyes against Wolverines
Akron Beacon Journal
Even though Michigan's offense has struggled against good teams, Urban Meyer said he “absolutely” expects its offense to bounce back against the Buckeyes. “That's the history of this game,” Meyer said. “Both teams play their best.” The Wolverines were ...
U of M still unsure of QB against BuckeyesWTVB

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Google OSU Notebook: Buckeyes' practice squad sports UM colors - Toledo Blade

OSU Notebook: Buckeyes' practice squad sports UM colors - Toledo Blade
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


OSU Notebook: Buckeyes' practice squad sports UM colors
Toledo Blade
As the Buckeyes walked into their practice facility from the adjoining outdoor fields, a crop of unmistakable helmets made their way toward the Block-O at midfield. Among the traditional silver helmets were the maize-and-blue winged helmets of Michigan ...
Ohio State football: Could Buckeyes chase Jim Harbaugh back to NFL?Landof10.com
Michigan Football: Breaking down the Ohio State BuckeyesGBMWolverine
Ohio State football: Stopping the run will be key for Buckeyes against WolverinesAkron Beacon Journal
cleveland.com -247Sports -MyDaytonDailyNews
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LGHL Ohio State sits at No. 9 in latest College Football Playoff rankings

Ohio State sits at No. 9 in latest College Football Playoff rankings
Chuck McKeever
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Screen_Shot_2017_11_21_at_6.13.21_PM.0.png

The Buckeyes: still mathematically in contention!

Rumors of Ohio State's demise have, it seems, been greatly exaggerated.

The Buckeyes—on the heels of a few very interesting weeks in college football—have climbed back to No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings, and while they'll need some help to have a shot at a spot in the final four, they're not out of it yet.

As of this week's new rankings, the top four teams remain Alabama, Clemson, Miami (FL), and Oklahoma, respectively. But there's plenty of room for advancement within those ranks for the teams on the outside looking in. Georgia (No. 7) will still play the winner of Alabama-Auburn (No. 6) in the SEC Championship Game, leading to all kinds of chaos potential. Miami and Clemson will meet for the ACC title in a few weeks, meaning one of them will fall out of contention. (If you're a Buckeye fan, pull for Alabama and Miami to make unblemished runs of it.)

In Big Ten news, unbeaten Wisconsin is also hanging out just outside the top spots at No. 5. They'll be just about guaranteed a playoff spot if they can upset Ohio State in a few weeks, provided the Buckeyes make a clean getaway from Ann Arbor on Saturday; meanwhile, Ohio State's hopes hinge on a few specific scenarios that won't matter a bit if they can't string together back-to-back wins to close out the schedule. (A little help from Stanford in felling No. 8 Notre Dame wouldn't hurt, either.)

The full rankings are below. Does Ohio State have a prayer?

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Google Ohio State: 2 more wins and Buckeyes deserve to be in College Football Playoff - Landof10.com

Ohio State: 2 more wins and Buckeyes deserve to be in College Football Playoff - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State: 2 more wins and Buckeyes deserve to be in College Football Playoff
Landof10.com
After treading water and dodging puddles for a week, the Buckeyes have reached their final examinations. They're two weeks, two tests and 2 wins from potentially returning to the College Football Playoff — and deep down, they always knew it would come ...
Ohio State's CFP Ranking And What It Means For The BuckeyesScout
Reassessing the College Football Playoff picture heading into a pivotal Week 13Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State has the third-best odds to win the College Football playoff; what does it mean?WKYC-TV

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Google Buckeyes stay at No. 9 in playoff ranking - Dayton Daily News

Buckeyes stay at No. 9 in playoff ranking - Dayton Daily News
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Buckeyes stay at No. 9 in playoff ranking
Dayton Daily News
Ohio State against Michigan State on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. David Jablonski/Staff. COLUMBUS. The Ohio State Buckeyes will have to jump five teams in the next two weeks to land in the College Football Playoff for the third ...


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LGHL 'The Spot' helped define Ohio State's 2016 season

'The Spot' helped define Ohio State's 2016 season
Ian Cuevas
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


usa_today_9731497.0.jpg

Though the end of the season didn’t go as planned, the Buckeyes made some memories in The Game.

“It's a highlight. It's a controversial play, and something that was a defining moment in our season. The play could've gone either way. It could have been a defining moment either way. The work that went in behind it on both sides of the ball, whether you're on their side or our side, whatever type of work you put into it -- that was a defining moment in the game.”

- Billy Price via Bill Landis, Cleveland.com


Everyone remembers last season’s edition of The Game. Ohio State and Michigan were both ranked in the top three in the country and played a close game wire-to-wire until overtime was forced - incredibly, the first overtime series history. And in double overtime, Ohio State would face a fourth-and-one from Michigan’s 16-yard line.

The rest is history.

J.T. Barrett would just edge over the first down marker, and after a close review, “The Spot” was, in fact, good. One play later, Curtis Samuel raced into the endzone to give the Buckeyes a walk-off win over Michigan.

That fourth down play helped define the 2016 season for Ohio State, with all the ups and downs the Buckeyes faced. The late-season loss to Penn State, and then the eventual win over Michigan helped push Urban Meyer’s team into the College Football Playoff. Now Ohio State is in a similar position and a spot in the Big Ten championship locked up.

Will the Buckeyes make some more memories in Ann Arbor?

“The Buckeyes have already clinched the East, but if they lose in Ann Arbor to rival Michigan on Saturday and then beat the Badgers to win the conference championship game, the Big Ten might be left out entirely.”

- Heather Dinich, ESPN


Heather Dinich of ESPN went through the dream and nightmare scenarios for each Power Five conference and the Big Ten’s scenarios are pretty clear-cut. The dream scenario would be for Wisconsin to win out the remaining schedule and be included in the top four for the College Football Playoff. That would mean defeating Minnesota and then Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. The nightmare scenario has Ohio State losing to Michigan (nightmare indeed) and proceeding to the Big Ten championship game and upsetting an unbeaten Wisconsin team that is already on the fringe of the playoffs.

Of course, these two situations also don’t show another outcome - both Ohio State and Wisconsin win out to the Big Ten championship game and then the Buckeyes defeat the Badgers. They would still need some outside help, which is why this isn’t the dream scenario for the Big Ten, but Ohio State could certainly greatly improve their resume for the College Football Playoff.

“Michigan's best receivers this season have been tight ends. But when Ward is out covering a receiver, the guy he'll likely be assigned to most often is Peoples-Jones.”

- Tim Bielek, Cleveland.com


The Game is just days away and Tim Bielek looked at a key matchup for Saturday’s game: Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward against Michigan wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. The 6-foot-2 receiver provides plenty of headaches when it comes to mismatches with the small secondary that the Buckeyes have, but Ward could have the speed to make up for it as Peoples-Jones isn’t known for his burst. And to add to that, the Wolverines have struggled throwing the ball - especially to the wide outs. The best receivers on the team are tight ends, but Peoples-Jones is capable of making big plays as seen against Wisconsin and Air Force.

On the season, Peoples-Jones has only 16 catches for 219 yards but does have three touchdowns to his name. Meanwhile, Ward has been the Buckeyes’ best defensive back this year and has played well when it counts. He blocked a punt against Penn State to help spark a comeback, and also has an interception as well. This matchup could help define how well the game goes for either team and will be one to watch.

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Google Ohio State recruiting: Talking Tyreke Smith, Buckeyes impressing 2020 prospects - Landof10.com

Ohio State recruiting: Talking Tyreke Smith, Buckeyes impressing 2020 prospects - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State recruiting: Talking Tyreke Smith, Buckeyes impressing 2020 prospects
Landof10.com
Smith, Ohio's top 2018 defensive lineman, visited Ohio State on the weekend of Oct. 28 for an official visit with the Buckeyes. He spent a lot of time with Larry Johnson and Urban Meyer, working to develop the relationship with each that had sort of ...
Buckeyes Roundball Roundup: Two more (cupcake) wins to start 4-0Waiting For Next Year
Basketball Buckeyes' schedule toughens starting with PK80 InvitationalMarion Star
BuckeyeXtra Basketball podcast: Buckeyes prepare for brutal stretch of gamesThe Columbus Dispatch

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Google Pain of losing to Buckeyes doesn't subside for Wolverines - Toledo Blade

Pain of losing to Buckeyes doesn't subside for Wolverines - Toledo Blade
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Pain of losing to Buckeyes doesn't subside for Wolverines
Toledo Blade
If one needs a visual definition, look no further than a picture of an Ohio State or Michigan fan after losing The Game. Broken hearts have been as indelible as jubilation in this 120-year rivalry. It's been one-sided this millennium, with Ohio State ...
Ohio State football: Could Buckeyes chase Jim Harbaugh back to NFL?Landof10.com
Michigan Football: Breaking down the Ohio State BuckeyesGBMWolverine
Who will be Ohio State's most important player vs. Michigan? Buckeyes football analysiscleveland.com
MyDaytonDailyNews -247Sports -COED (blog)
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BTN Audio: Listen to your Big Ten coach’s Week 13 teleconference

Audio: Listen to your Big Ten coach’s Week 13 teleconference
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

Each Tuesday morning during the Big Ten football season, the 14 Big Ten football coaches hold a Big Ten teleconference with reporters from around the country. We post the audio for each segment of the call here.Filed under: Audio Tagged: Teleconferences
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Google Ohio State football: Could Buckeyes chase Jim Harbaugh back to NFL? - Landof10.com

Ohio State football: Could Buckeyes chase Jim Harbaugh back to NFL? - Landof10.com
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Ohio State football: Could Buckeyes chase Jim Harbaugh back to NFL?
Landof10.com
All week long, our Land of 10 reporters following the Buckeyes will address pressing questions on the minds of the Ohio State fan base with our new daily feature. To ask Austin Ward a question, follow along on Twitter and suggest a topic right here.
Michigan Football: Breaking down the Ohio State BuckeyesGBMWolverine
Who will be Ohio State's most important player vs. Michigan? Buckeyes football analysiscleveland.com
Looking back at Ohio State coach Urban Meyer's five wins vs. MichiganMyDaytonDailyNews
247Sports -COED (blog) -Land-Grant Holy Land
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Google Jones, Proctor lead OSU commits with big playoff game numbers - 247Sports

Jones, Proctor lead OSU commits with big playoff game numbers - 247Sports
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Jones, Proctor lead OSU commits with big playoff game numbers
247Sports
After every weekend during the football season Bucknuts wraps up the weekend that was in high school football in Ohio and elsewhere, focusing on those who will continue their careers playing for the Buckeyes. Over the weekend a number of the future ...


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It's all so clear.

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By HINYG8 on 10:28:49 11/21/17

Some days roll or grind by in anticipation of a different day. It's funny how life does that....the days leading up to Christmas, a vacation, or a celebration just crawl by like the good stuff will never arrive. Days spent agonizing over a tough day ahead rush by, seeming to shrink too rapidly, eating up the buffer in time from a dreaded moment. Consider that weekend before finals week...whoosh. Or the week before a medical procedure of some other heavy moment.....zoom... the days rush by.

Those 'other days' grind or fly by, unremarkable, almost wasted in the preview and then the wake of those bigger days. Isn't that strange how some days become so remarkable that they overshadow the others?

There is just ONE day that renders the days before it into both FAST and SLOW. A day that creates a mixed dynamic of hope and excitement mingled with concern and worry. One day that somehow mutes the 'other days' as both agonizing slow AND intimidatingly fast.

And in that fantastically complicated blur of 'other days' that are somehow both up and down leading to kickoff there is one thing that become abundantly clear:

It's so clear we need to beat Xichigan.

Its the one crazy beautiful bouquet of a day built on both excitement and worry. It's a cocktail of waking up realizing we didn't study for a final that is hours away mixed with the joy of knowing the family and friends will all gather today in good health to celebrate a happy occasion... could be a great day, could be a very bad day.

It is truly complicated, and it dwarfs the 'other days'. It even renders some notable days into 'other days'. For example: Thanksgiving is great...but it has become an appetizer to the real feast.

So as we, the fans, tick these other days off in anticipation of THE GAME...the team itself is milking every moment of these somehow lessor, largely blurred days. While we are pins, needles, and butterflies this week - while today and then tomorrow muddle by for us in a cacophony of white noise and both fast and slow (and a whole lot of lets get to it): the team is grinding.

We wish this week forward while the team is hoping to have MORE ticks today to look at more film, to run one more rep, to get one more look at the plan. To have one more huddle to get organized and to be certain. As we blur..they focus. They focus until it all becomes so clear:

It's so clear we need to beat Xichigan.

So here it comes..the day that manages to blur so many other days throughout the year. The team working to be clear before kickoff so we can all be clear when THE GAME is over. This week is about clarity..for the team, and for us...not just for the day, but for all the 'other days' until the next time we line up and beat blue again.

Carmen..no matter the result. We will remain Buckeyes in victory or defeat. But as this day blurs toward Saturday: Its all yielding to one thought: give them our best shot. They only have one clear path to victory: they can't beat us, they need us to lose. If we don't give them chances - they don't have a chance of their own.

JTB may have his detractors, but I don't think any other player has been such a sustained bellwether for the program. Whatever happens next..he's an all timer. But he still has a shot at true Valhalla ahead. You know Urban wants a shot to redeem the last 3 losses. There is no reason to give Jimmypants or the TSUN fan base hope for their future. There is a National Championship still on the table. There is just so much to play for, and THE GAME itself is enough to render this week into 'other days'. So as it all blurs toward game day:

It's so clear we need to beat Xichgian.

ohio-state-rushes-field-after-beating-michigan_1pqk2asj5c98g1pp0pxyizp4gk.jpg

LGHL J.T. Barrett was his efficient self in the final home game of his Ohio State career

J.T. Barrett was his efficient self in the final home game of his Ohio State career
Christopher Jason
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


usa_today_10422048.0.jpg

The Buckeye quarterback put on a show in The ‘Shoe for the final time.

J.T. Barrett had a prototypical J.T. Barrett game in his curtain call at the Horseshoe. The three-time captain was highly efficient in both the run game and the pass game, and orchestrated a beat down on the Illini in a little over a quarter and a half of action before handing the game over to the future of the program.

Barrett was poised throughout the matchup, taking what the defense gave him on the ground and through the air. He was masterful in the zone read and was able to go through his progressions when he dropped back to throw the ball. Even though Illinois is the worst team they’ve played this season, we are going to miss these types of games from the quarterback, where he had total control of the offense and made the players around him better.

  • Barrett’s numbers don’t jump off the chart, but just like the Michigan State game, he wasn’t asked to be the sole playmaker. Instead, he was asked to make the smart decision and exploit the Illini defense. Out of his eight incompletions, four of those were throw-aways and one was dropped.
  • I really enjoyed this wrinkle that Kevin Wilson called three times — all resulting in positive yardage. Parris Campbell came across the line of scrimmage in jet motion, forcing the man-corner to get stuck in the rubbish in the middle of the field, before Barrett hit Campbell on a bubble screen. The outside slot receiver ran a slant/pick pattern to disrupt the trailing defender, leaving Campbell open to make a play after the catch. This works well against man coverage, but expect Michigan to switch on the motion if they run this play next week.
  • After limited handoffs to the running backs in their upset loss against Iowa, Wilson has gotten the ball to Weber or Dobbins 50 times in less than eight full quarters of action. Dobbins has been his usual self, but Weber has been terrific — especially at the second level. Last season, Weber was known to be one shoestring tackle away from hitting the homerun, but in the last two games, Weber has been able to break that final tackle and take it to the house for six. Weber has racked up 270 yards on 20 carries in his prior two games. If I were a Vegas bookmaker, I would set pretty hefty odds that this was his final game in The ‘Shoe.
  • This has only been written 1,000 times, but Barrett is just so damn good at the zone read and that will be the most noticeable downgrade after his departure. It looks like he’s reading the end in slow-motion, before making his decision whether to keep the ball, or hand it off. Below is just another example of him putting on a clinic.
  • It probably wouldn’t have made a difference since the defense gave up 55 points, but not having Parris Campbell really hurt the offense in that loss against Iowa. He reminded fans throughout the afternoon that he’s the second most talented player on the offense and has the potential to make an electric play whenever the ball is in his hands. K.J. Hill, Johnnie Dixon and Austin Mack might be better pure receivers, but Campbell is excellent after the catch on the quick hitters — which really open up the run game and the intermediate/deep routes.
  • Barrett was taken out of the game late in the second quarter, but Urban Meyer put him back into the game after Dwayne Haskins led two negative drives -- the latter resulting in a fumble returned for a touchdown. It looked careless at the time, but sometimes you just have to chalk it up to a good play by the defender. Haskins held the ball properly, but the defender got his helmet on the ball, resulting in the forced fumble.
haskins_1.jpg

haskins_2.jpg

  • When Barrett came back in, he quickly got the Buckeyes into the end zone after an Illinois muffed punt. Wilson dialed up this creative throwback to the tight end, which started with Marcus Baugh delaying his route, then scooting to the other side of the wide open field. It was a great play design that took advantage of an over-aggressive defense.

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