Ohio State football: Urban Meyer makes waves, Buckeyes wearing LeBron James cleats, JK Dobbins to start - Landof10.com
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Ohio State football: Urban Meyer makes waves, Buckeyes wearing LeBron James cleats, JK Dobbins to start
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, ...
Highlights from Urban Meyer's coaches show247Sports
Urban Meyer driven 'insane' by Herman, Muschamp blaming inherited playersCBSSports.com

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Sam Hubbard is Ohio State’s key to winning the line of scrimmage against Oklahoma
Geoff Hammersley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


He had to make adjustments to become a defensive line star for the Buckeyes. Now, Hubbard is the key to stopping the Sooners, and Orlando Brown at the line.

Hubbard grew up a Buckeyes fan; he and his family went to a couple of Ohio State games every year. “I never thought I’d have an opportunity to play there,” he says. “I couldn’t resist it.”

— Sam Hubbard, in an article by Andy Staples and Bruce Feldman on the importance of the line of scrimmage in the OSU-OU game | Sports Illustrated


Those who win the line of scrimmage, win the game. The Ohio State Buckeyes-Oklahoma Sooners may very well follow that saying, as the Buckeyes defensive lineman Sam Hubbard goes up against the Sooners’ offensive tackle Orlando Brown.

To get to this point in time, both stars had to make changes before even setting foot on campus.

In an article by Andy Staples and Bruce Feldman of Sports Illustrated, For Hubbard, he was set on pursuing lacrosse in college, and was committed to going to Notre Dame to do just that. However, when Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes came knocking, Hubbard, who went to OSU football games growing up, couldn’t pass on the opportunity. But, that was the easy part.

On the Buckeyes 2014 title run, Hubbard was a redshirt—and in the process, was shifted around to offensive and defensive positions. Hubbard got bigger (he walked into OSU at 215 pounds) since his arrival, and now is the one fighting through offensive lines to get tackles and sacks.

This weekend, Hubbard will have to go through Brown if he wants to get a sack on Baker Mayfield.

The story of how Brown became one of the best offensive tackles is a story in itself. Brown’s father played in the NFL, and the younger Brown weighed 450 lbs in the eighth grade. In the article, Orlando described himself as a “couch kid” growing up, playing video games and not being all that active, however, when he went to Oklahoma and was redshirted, that changed.

To get to the top of their respective positions, it took time, dedication and willpower to make the changes to their bodies (and mind). We’ll see all that work come to blows on Saturday night inside The Horseshoe.

“Before he was the Hoosiers’ head coach, Wilson served under Stoops on his offensive staff.”

— Morgan Moriarty on Kevin Wilson facing another one of his former teams | SB Nation


It is only Week 2, and OSU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson is already facing his second team that he has connections to. Last week it was Indiana Hoosiers; this week it’s Oklahoma.

On the Wilson-timeline though, Oklahoma came before Indiana. Before Wilson became the head coach for the Hoosiers, he was a coordinator under Sooners’ head coach Bob Stoops. In fact, he was one of the best coordinators in the country—and was part of, arguably, the best Sooners team since the inception of the Big 12.

Wilson was co-OC from 2002-05, and the OC from 2006-10 for Stoops. In that time span, OU went to the BCS national title game three times. In the time that Wilson was the outright OC, the Sooners won four Big 12 championships.

The 2008 Sooners has been regarded as one of the best offensive teams in the Big 12’s history, scoring a whopping 716 points, a number that is second most in FBS history. Nine times during that season the Sooners scored 50+ points. In the Big 12 Championship Game against Missouri, the Sooners dropped 62 points on the Tigers. Their season high scoring output was 65 points against a then-No. 2 Texas Tech squad. However, Meyer’s Florida Gators held that vaunted team to a season-low 14 points in the BCS title game.

Now he’ll face his former team in one of the pivotal games of this young college football season. If it’s like last week, expect the Buckeyes to be collecting a bundle of yards in the air and on the ground.

“Ohio State versus Oklahoma. Buckeyes versus Sooners. The Horseshoe versus the Sooner Schooner. The Block O versus ... well, the Block O”

— Ryan McGee on the similarities of the Buckeyes and Sooners | ESPN.com


We already touched on the similar stars on the line of scrimmage, and how OU has been a power in the beginning part of the 2000s. But, when you look at the whole picture, the Sooners and Buckeyes aren’t just similar in those two recent categories; in fact, they’ve been similar for quite a while.

ESPN’s Ryan McGee went on a little road trip, and determined that even though OSU and OU are 969 miles apart, both programs are closer than that. In the article, two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin said that the two schools seemed pretty close, as they both are neck-and-neck in the record books.

McGee even went on to ask if this game has the feeling of a rivalry. Especially when you consider the previous meetings in 1977 and 1983, with the former being a game-winning field goal for OU inside The ‘Shoe, both teams have been college football powers that rarely meet.

It’s a long read that gets the insights of people who know the programs best, and is almost like a virtual field trip.

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Ohio State-Oklahoma brings loaded visitors list to Buckeyes' campus - Landof10.com
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Ohio State-Oklahoma brings loaded visitors list to Buckeyes' campus
Landof10.com
Ohio State is welcoming in Oklahoma on Saturday night for a major matchup of Top 5 college football programs. As the season's first marquee game on the Buckeyes home schedule, the Ohio State coaching staff also will welcome dozens of the country's top ...
Kurelic: OL looking for good one at OSU Saturday; commitments?247Sports

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Despite the miles between them, Oklahoma and Ohio State are closer than you'd think - ESPN
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Despite the miles between them, Oklahoma and Ohio State are closer than you'd think
ESPN
Ohio State versus Oklahoma. Buckeyes versus Sooners. The Horseshoe versus the Sooner Schooner. The Block O versus ... well, the Block O. This Saturday these two teams will share a football field for only the fourth time. If one were to scribble out a ...
OU GAMEDAY: 5 things to watch against the BuckeyesNorman Transcript
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Battle 'lines' are drawn: Buckeyes vs. Sooners will be decided up frontMansfield News Journal
Washington Post -Landof10.com
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Ohio State’s clash with Oklahoma is the best college football betting lines Week 2 has to offer
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes host the Sooners in what undoubtedly is the best game this week involving a Big Ten team.

Last week ATS: 9-9 (2-3 National, 7-6 B1G)

It’s hard to complain about MC&J’s start to this year’s Big Ten picks. Even though the week finished just a game over .500, that’s a solid start. I guess I must be the expert on Illinois football now after hitting the score of the Ball State-Illinois game on the nose. Then again I probably shouldn’t be bragging about knowing a lot about Illinois football.

If you missed this week’s national picks, shame on you! There’s still time to atone for your sins though, as you can find them here.

B1G games (All games Saturday unless otherwise noted):


Ohio v. Purdue (-4) - Friday 9/8 8:00 PM EST - FS1

Had it not been for Lamar Jackson, Purdue would have scored an upset over Louisville to start the season. The Boilermakers held the lead into the fourth quarter before the Cardinals took the lead for good behind nearly 500 total yards from Jackson. The close loss should give Purdue some confidence heading into their first game in West Lafayette under new head coach Jeff Brohm.

Ohio got little resistance from Hampton in the season opener, easily dispatching the Pirates 59-0. It’s no secret the Bobcats will look to establish the run against the Boilermakers, as evidenced by the seven rushing touchdowns Ohio racked up in the season opener.

Frank Solich’s team will come into West Lafayette and give the Boilermakers a test, but in the end Purdue’s passing attack will be just a little too much for Ohio to keep up with.

Purdue 31, Ohio 23

Cincinnati v. No. 8 Michigan (-35) - 12:00 PM EST - ABC

The Luke Fickell era isn’t exactly getting off to the smoothest of starts in Cincinnati. Even though the Bearcats won their season opener, they looked pretty terrible in the 26-14 win over an Austin Peay team that has now lost 28 straight games. Now the former Ohio State defensive coordinator has to take his team to Ann Arbor.

Aside from a couple interceptions by Wilson Speight that were returned for touchdowns, Michigan looked very impressive against Florida. Even though they lost 10 starters, Michigan’s defense dominated the Gators. It’s hard to imagine Cincinnati’s offense having much success against the Wolverine defense after the Bearcats struggled against Austin Peay.

I have a feeling Jim Harbaugh is going to take out some pent up frustration on Fickell. After seeing little go right in his first two contests against the Buckeyes, Harbaugh might try and send a message to Urban Meyer with a blowout of his former coordinator.

Michigan 48, Cincinnati 10

Florida Atlantic v. Wisconsin (-32.5) - 12:00 PM EST - Big Ten Network

Can you really blame Florida Atlantic if they get rolled by the Badgers on Saturday? With Hurricane Irma bearing down on South Florida, it’ll be completely understandable if the minds of Florida Atlantic’s players and coaches are elsewhere.

Even if a hurricane wasn’t on the minds of the Owls, I still don’t think they would stand much of a chance in Madison. Wisconsin has to be licking their chops after seeing FAU give up over 400 yards on the ground to Navy. The Badgers not only put up big numbers on the ground, but they also get another strong game from tight end Troy Fumagalli in the easy win.

Wisconsin 51, Florida Atlantic 14

Northwestern (-3) v. Duke - 12:00 PM EST - ESPNU

The Brain Bowl could be one of the sneaky good games of the weekend. Northwestern struggled with Nevada in the first week, but Clayton Thorson at least was able to put up some big numbers, throwing for 352 yards and two touchdowns. On the other side, Duke had no problem with North Carolina Central in their season opener, winning 60-7.

I have no doubts that Duke is going to give Northwestern a very tough game in Durham, but I have a little more faith of the experienced combination of Thorson and running back Justin Jackson to handle everything the Blue Devils throw at them. The game is tight in the fourth quarter, but Northwestern ends up winning by a touchdown.

Northwestern 27, Duke 20

Iowa (-3) v. Iowa State - 12:00 PM EST - ESPN2

Is there really any better way to start a college football Saturday than with El Assico? Probably. This game has been up doing shots of crappy vodka and bonging beers in the parking lot since sunrise, so you know it is going to be spectacularly drunk. The Hawkeyes know how to handle their liquor better than the Cyclones and win their third straight in Ames.

Iowa 21, Iowa State 13

Pittsburgh v. No. 4 Penn State (-21.5) - 3:30 PM EST - ABC

Pitt has to be very worried heading into Happy Valley this weekend. The Panthers needed double overtime to get past Youngstown State on Saturday, and if Pitt plays anything close to how they played against the Penguins, Penn State will score an easy win.

The Nittany Lions were very impressive with a shutout win over Akron to open up the season. After rushing for 130 yards and five touchdowns last year in the loss to Pitt, Saquon Barkley is even better this year. The junior running back rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns against the Zips.

Penn State has been craving revenge since last year’s 42-39 loss in Pittsburgh. The Panthers don’t have Nathan Peterman and James Conner to lean on this year, which allows Penn State to score another easy home win.

Penn State 45, Pittsburgh 17

Indiana (-3) v. Virginia - 3:30 PM EST - ESPNU

Even though they lost handily, Indiana was able to at least gain some confidence on offense with how they were able to pass the football against Ohio State. If the Hoosiers are able to mix in at least a semblance of a run game, they’ll be a tough out for any team that plays them the rest of the year.

Virginia will be better in Bronco Mendenhall’s second season, but they don’t quite have the horses to keep up with the Hoosiers. Safety Quin Blanding is one of the best safeties in the country and will make some plays for Virginia, but he doesn’t have quite enough help to slow down Richard Lagow and company.

Indiana 38, Virginia 24

Western Michigan v. Michigan State (-7.5) - 3:30 PM EST - Big Ten Network

Michigan State didn’t have as much trouble in their season opener against Bowling Green, and now the Spartans get to host another team that should be in the mix in the MAC title race. If Michigan State can get the balance they showed throughout the year that they showed against Bowling Green, with over 200 yards rushing and 250 yards passing, the Spartans will be a tough out in any game they play this year.

Western Michigan hung with USC until the end in their season opener, but I’m wondering how much gas is left in the tank for a second tough road game in a row. Even though the Broncos don’t have to travel nearly as far this week, they show some of the effects of what last week’s game against the Trojans did to them.

Michigan State 30, Western Michigan 14

Eastern Michigan v. Rutgers (-5.5) - 3:30 PM EST - Big Ten Network

Rutgers and Chris Ash can haz win?

Rutgers 33, Eastern Michigan 21

Nebraska v. Oregon (-13.5) - 4:30 PM EST - FOX

I’m not exactly sure what to think of this Nebraska team after the first game of the season. While I think Arkansas State is better than many think, there’s still no excuse for Mike Riley’s team not doing a better job closing out last week’s game in Lincoln.

After looking like a total mess last year, Oregon is going to be a lot better under Willie Taggert this year, as evidenced by their season opener, where the Ducks rolled up over 700 yards. Royce Freeman rushed for four touchdowns in the win, and Nebraska will see a steady diet of the talented running back on Saturday afternoon.

I know it’s a pretty big spread for Oregon to cover, but I’m just not seeing Nebraska being able to match what the Ducks put up on the scoreboard. The Cornhuskers might hang around for a bit, but Oregon pulls away in the second half at Autzen.

Oregon 54, Nebraska 35

Western Kentucky (-7) v. Illinois - 8:00 PM EST - Big Ten Network

I know Illinois is terrible, but I am skeptical if they are so bad they should be seven-point underdogs at home to Western Kentucky. I’m not saying the Fighting Illini win, but they don’t lose by more than a touchdown.

Western Kentucky 31, Illinois 27

Minnesota v. Oregon State (-2) - 10:00 PM EST - FS1

Is Tracy Claeys still coaching Minnesota? You might think so if you watched the listless 17-7 win by the Golden Gophers over Buffalo last week. The good news is Minnesota has a little more time to get comfortable with P.J. Fleck’s system before conference play starts.

Oregon State has looked pretty awful to start the season as well, first getting smashed by Colorado State in the season opener, and last week the Beavers barely squeaked by Portland State. Through two games this season Oregon State is allowing 241 yards per game on the ground, which is why I think Minnesota gets the road win in Corvallis on Saturday night.

Minnesota 24, Oregon State 17

No. 5 Oklahoma v. No. 2 Ohio State (-7.5) - 7:30 PM EST - ABC

What a showdown this is going to be on under the lights on Saturday night inside Ohio Stadium. After a rare start to the season on the road, the Buckeyes will play their first game this year at home, and there is no doubt Columbus will be rocking. Even though whoever ends up losing this game won’t be knocked out of the College Football Playoff race, the losing squad will essentially have to be perfect the rest of the way.

The Buckeyes certainly weren’t perfect in the first half last week against Indiana, but Ohio State was able to figure things out at halftime and put the Hoosiers away in the second half. J.K. Dobbins was the story of Ohio State’s season opener, breaking Maurice Clarett’s school record for rushing yards by a freshman in a debut. The Buckeye running game will get an even bigger boost with the return of Mike Weber. While Dobbins will get the start, Weber will see some time after recovering from the hamstring injury that kept him out of last Thursday’s game.

Want to slow down Oklahoma? Get in Baker Mayfield’s face. That formula worked very well for Ohio State last year in Norman, and it’s hard to see it not working again this year, especially with the Sooners losing a lot of key offensive contributors to the NFL after last year. Ohio State’s defensive line showed the chaos they were capable of in the victory over Indiana last year, but the Buckeyes might have a little harder time getting to Mayfield than they had getting to Richard Lagow, as Oklahoma has one of the best offensive lines in the country.

The Sooners were able to get their feet under them in life without Samaje Perine, Joe Mixon, and Dede Westbrook in the season opener against UTEP, but Ohio State is no UTEP. Also, this is Lincoln Riley’s first road game as head coach, and while Riley is going to have a long career as a head coach, Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes will hand Riley his first loss.

The Ohio State passing game might not see J.T. Barrett hit as many long touchdown passes as they did last week, but they show more signs of progression from last year under new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. Oklahoma will likely go on to win the Big 12 again this year, but much like in Norman, Ohio State is just a step above the Sooners.

Ohio State 44, Oklahoma 31

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Buckeyes Make the Cut for Top-Ranked Wrestler David Carr - Eleven Warriors
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Buckeyes Make the Cut for Top-Ranked Wrestler David Carr
Eleven Warriors
The Iowa State legacy is a high priority for Buckeye coach Tom Ryan, who wants to keep the hottest in-state prospects at home whenever possible. Carr will visit Columbus this weekend, and will visit his father Nate Carr's alma mater in Ames in two ...

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I Got Five on it: Ohio State grounds Oklahoma into dust
Colton Denning via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


J.T. Barrett, Mike Weber, and J.K. Dobbins will bludgeon your defense, AT THE SAME DAMN TIME.

Welcome to I Got Five on it, where last week I wondered how J.K. Dobbins would do in his first collegiate game (pretty well, it turns out), waxed poetic about the depth of the defensive line (they are the truth), proclaimed that Robert Landers is on the verge on stardom (IT SHOULD HAVE COUNTED), and other fun things.

This week, I’m back with five more things to watch for, as the Oklahoma Sooners come to Columbus for a top-five showdown with Ohio State, this time with significantly less quotable material from their backup quarterback:

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oops

As fate would have it, OU hasn’t lost since then —their 11-game win streak is the nation’s longest— and they’re looking to avenge the loss that ultimately cost them a shot at last year’s College Football Playoff.

All-World quarterback Baker Mayfield is back in Norman, and if his opening line versus UTEP last week is any indication —19-20 passing, 329 yards and three touchdowns— OU’s offense will be as explosive as ever, despite the loss of Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine, and Dede Westbrook.

The biggest news for OU this offseason was legendary Head Coach Bob Stoops’ decision to retire, seemingly out of nowhere. Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley takes over, and if you ask Urban Meyer, not much is going to change. Riley passed his first test in the Sooners 56-7 win over the Miners, but facing a No. 2 ranked Meyer team on the road is a hell of a task in your second game as a Head Coach.

With all that in mind, here are five things to watch for as Ohio State takes on Oklahoma:

Triple up


Noah Brown’s four touchdowns got all the headlines last year, but where Ohio State really torched OU was on the ground. The Buckeyes rolled up 291 yards rushing, using a inside-outside attack with Curtis Samuel, Mike Weber, and J.T. Barrett all getting in on the fun:



Samuel’s no longer a Buckeye, but J.K. Dobbins already looks like That Dude™, and with Weber’s return from injury, plus Barrett’s ability to bludgeon when needed, Ohio State might have the most devastating three-headed ground attack since Dugtrio:


Ohio State used RUN THE DANG BALL. It’s super effective!

Dobbins will start, but it will be interesting to see how Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson divies up carries early on. How often will Dobbins and Weber be on the field at the same time? Will Weber be used more in short yardage situations? Either way, their contrasting running styles give Ohio State the ability to attack OU on the ground in different ways. If the Buckeyes build a lead into the second half, expect them to wear down the Sooners’ defense just like they did last year.

Separation anxiety


Success running the ball will be key because duh, obviously, but also because it looks like #Zone6 still enjoys feeling defensive backs attached to their hips way too much. Buckeye receivers had a tough time shaking coverage in the first half last week, which was a story we saw far too often last season.

Things opened up in the second half as the Buckeyes worked the middle of the field to create mismatches, and give their top-notch athletes needed room to use their speed.



Generating deep passing plays is still an issue, but a ‘throw the ball to the really fast dude and let him run’ strategy isn’t the worst fallback option.

OU has some nice pieces in its secondary, but it shouldn’t be impossible for Ohio State receivers to find adequate room, especially if the run game is working well. If they’re able to do so, this offense can reach the next level its been grasping at for the past two seasons.

Record setter


King of Touchdowns, J.T. Barrett

In case you weren’t aware, J.T. Barrett is three touchdowns away from breaking Drew Brees’ conference record for career touchdowns responsible for. Disregarding how Big Ten it is to have a touchdown record from the 1990’s still standing, it’s going to be a great moment for the Barrett, and the program.

Weber’s return probably means less of Barrett’s running the ball (praying hands emoji), but if the run game opens up enough for the receivers, he has a good chance at breaking the record through the air against an OU defense he threw four touchdowns on last year.

Barring injury, Barrett is going to end up responsible for 135 or so touchdowns in his career by the end of the season, and there isn’t anyone in the Big Ten at the moment who will make a run at that new mark. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing with Barrett, but he’s undoubtedly had a hell of a career in Columbus, with possibly the best yet to come.

In the middle


Indiana’s decision to throw the ball almost exclusively outside the numbers and disregard the run, left Ohio State’s linebackers and safeties without the opportunity to make a lot of plays. That won’t be the case against OU.

The Sooners thrive in the middle of the field, and the biggest matchup of the game might be how Ohio State defends tight end/wide receiver/cyborg Mark Andrews:


Andrews is every talking head’s NFL Draft cliche about modern tight ends come to life. He’s too big for defensive backs, too fast for linebackers, and has plenty of athleticism. It’s not like Ohio State is at a lack for athletes at either position, but limiting Andrews’ production is probably priority number one, at least through the air.

31-0


Yeah, I know that you’re sick of seeing it. Ohio State’s goose egg in last year’s playoff semifinal became a running meme that continued last week when Clemson’s marching band threw down this vicious tomahawk dunk on the Buckeyes, and got a good laugh from us in the process. Despite dropping 49 points against Indiana, a primetime matchup with OU is the perfect setting to put what happened against Clemson to rest.

(Also, controversial take: If you’re still upset at people making fun of Ohio State getting pantsed on a national stage, maybe college football isn’t for you ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

Based off the IU game, passing the ball is still a work in progress. There are options at receiver, but is there a deep threat? Has Barrett’s accuracy downfield improved? Do we really know about the offensive line yet? What will happen when they play a top-flight defense?

We’ve seen this before. Once upon a time, Ohio State couldn’t win big games, until they did. They couldn’t hang with SEC Speed™ until they could. Until Ohio State’s offense shows up against a top-tier opponent, the memory of their dud against Clemson will stick in the public’s eye. A good performance tomorrow from Barrett and co. won’t change what happened against the Tigers, but it’s a great opportunity to put it in the rear view for good.

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Ohio State-Oklahoma is one of the most talent-rich games of the 2017 season
Kyle Sumner McKinnon via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Quite a few NFL prospects will take the field Saturday night in Columbus.

There’s more on the line than just a W when No. 5 Oklahoma squares off with No. 2 Ohio State Saturday night.

Okay, I lied about that. But there is something you should be paying closer attention to; the future NFL players actually on the field.

No, seriously. This weekend’s matchup is one of the most talent-rich college football games of the year. The Sooners v. Buckeyes 2017-edition is filled with future first-round picks and pro-caliber players.

So who do you have to keep an eye out for? Let’s take a look (hint, there are a lot of Buckeyes).

Oklahoma

Baker Mayfield


The Sooners’ fiery leader at quarterback has placed in the top four of Heisman Trophy voting both of his years in Norman and could take home the hardware as a senior. Last season was Mayfield’s best to date, completing 71 percent of his passes for 3,965 yards with 40 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Orlando Brown


Already seen as one of the premier offensive linemen in the 2018 draft class, the 6-foot-8, 360-pound Brown won’t be hard to spot in Ohio Stadium. He’s the son of a former NFL offensive tackle and routinely bulldozes defenders. OSU’s stacked defensive line should be a fun test for Brown.

Mark Andrews


Despite compiling 14 touchdowns over the past two years, Andrews hasn’t been a major focal point for Oklahoma. He’s still a mismatch for opposing defenses and could be the first tight end off the board in the 2018 NFL Draft. Andrews got off to a fantastic start Week 1, hauling in seven receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown.

Jordan Thomas


A four year-starter, Thomas is one of the top cornerbacks in the country. He can take away an opponent’s No. 1 receiving threat and blanket an entire side of the field. After recording 17 pass-breakups in 2016, it’s safe to say Thomas could be a real problem on Saturday.

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo


In his first season as a starter in 2016, Okoronkwo tallied 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles. He’s a disruptive force off the edge and it looks like he’ll be even better this year after his one sack, two tackle for a loss performance against UTEP last week.

Steven Parker


The glue guy of Mike Stoops’ defense, Parker has the prototypical NFL frame and playmaking ability needed to really thrive at the next level. He’s a two-year starter and will be the best safety on the field Saturday night.

Ohio State

J.T. Barrett


His future as a quarterback will be debated all season long; we know this. But Barrett’s dominance at OSU is undeniable. He’s 27–4 as a starter and is primed to break multiple records, including Drew Brees’ career Big Ten touchdown mark. Rarely does Barrett shrink in big games and with Oklahoma on the docket, we should see No. 16 at his best.

Mike Weber


Freshman phenom J.K. Dobbins may be getting all the headlines lately, but he’s not leaving college anytime soon. Now that Mike Weber guy? The first OSU freshman running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards? He good. Weber will be back splitting carries with Dobbins after a nagging hamstring injury forced him to sit out Week 1.

Marcus Baugh


No Buckeye gets overlooked more often than Baugh. Is that because OSU barely ever uses tight ends in the passing game? Probably. While he doesn’t possess the physical tools or playmaking ability of someone like Mark Andrews, Baugh can definitely play. He’s sneaky athletic, a solid blocker and has a knack for finding open pockets in coverage. He would’ve scored a touchdown last week if not for a J.T. Barrett overthrow.

Billy Price


The anchor of OSU’s offensive line, Price moved from guard to center this offseason and fared well in Bloomington. He made a great decision to stick around another year in college to refine his game and it seems to be really paying off. What Price lacks in size he makes up for in technique, versatility, and leadership.

Jamarco Jones


Yes, Billy Price is indeed the anchor of the Buckeyes O-line, however, Jamarco Jones isn’t too far off. He’s grown a lot in recent years and has worked hard to get stronger with a more fluid weight distribution. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will likely match up with Jones at least a few times (strictly for our enjoyment, of course).

Jerome Baker


Had the rules permitted, Baker would’ve bolted for the NFL when last season ended. He’s an absolute freak athlete with potential through the roof. Baker finished 2016 second on the team in tackles, second in tackles for a loss, and third in sacks. Not to mention two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against…

Sam Hubbard


A surefire draft pick had he elected to leave for the pros as a junior, Hubbard instead chose to stay in Columbus and refine his game. He’s hasn’t quite lived up to expectations as a Buckeye, but Hubbard’s athleticism, skill and motor are why he remains so dangerous coming off the line.

Jalyn Holmes


Hats off to the player that gets drafted without ever starting a game in college. Well, Holmes might end up being that player, as he totaled 8.5 sacks in 2016 coming off the bench. His stock will improve with another productive season.

Tyquan Lewis


Why did Tyquan Lewis, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year that led one of the best D-lines in the country in sacks for a second straight season, decide to stay in school for his senior year? He has his reasons. Regardless, Lewis’ two sacks in Week One say more than enough and speak to the type of player the Buckeyes get back for a final go-round.

Chris Worley


With the likes of Raekwon McMillan, Darron Lee, Joshua Perry, and Ryan Shazier long gone in the NFL, Chris Worley has carried the linebacker torch at OSU. He’s shifted from the outside to the inside with McMillan out of the picture, and could enjoy a career-high in tackles this year.

Denzel Ward


Another platoon swap in the Buckeyes secondary left potential future first-round pick Denzel Ward as the only experienced cornerback on the roster. He has enough on his plate this season as the leader of a defensive back group that was searching for answers after being thoroughly humbled by Indiana.

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First Sooners-Buckeyes Meeting in 1977 Resulted in “The Kick” - kfor.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


First Sooners-Buckeyes Meeting in 1977 Resulted in “The Kick”
kfor.com
Uwe von Schamann kicked a 41-yard field goal with 3 seconds to play to lead OU to the win over the Buckeyes. It's a play that's still known as simply "The Kick," and it's had a lasting impact in the minds and hearts of Sooner fans and for von Schamann.

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Muskegon (MI)
Ht: 6'5"
Wt: 320 lbs
Class: 2019 (High School)

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East Kentwood (Grand Rapids, MI)
Ht: 6'6"
Wt: 285 lbs
Class: 2019 (High School)

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LordJeffBuck said:

MI OT/DT Logan Brown (247 rankings: 4*, .9653, #11 OT, #96 overall)

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Ohio State goes to enemy territory, offers multiple Michigan OTs
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes are looking to plant flags in rival quarters.

The Buckeyes have easily a top game not only for their personal season this weekend, but in all of college football for the year. A top ten matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners at home brings Ohio State football back to the Horseshoe, and with it a seemingly never-ending star-studded list of recruits who will be on hand to see the electricity within Ohio Stadium come tomorrow night. While recruiting may take a little bit of a backseat to Oklahoma this week, Thursday proved to be different as the recruiting trail was hotter than ever.

Another move into Michigan?


One of the greatest rivalries in all of sports is Ohio State versus Michigan. However, Michigan hasn’t beaten the Buckeyes in 2,112 days. In a rivalry that has completely been owned by Ohio State since the turn of the century, Urban Meyer will look to continue that tradition with another win this coming November. Until then, Ohio State will do their best to recruit for the future, and what better place to do so than in the land of your most hated rival?

Yesterday, 2019 offensive tackle Logan Brown (Grand Rapids, MI/East Kentwood) took to twitter to announce that he had received his latest offer from The Ohio State University. A monster-sized product standing at 6'6, 285 pounds, Brown clearly not only looks the part, but can surely play the part as well. Ranked as the seventh-best tackle in the country for the 2019 class, Brown is also the third-best prospect in all of Michigan for 2019. With a whole two years left of prep football to be played, it’s truly scary to think what improvements Brown can still make.


Currently, the East Kentwood Falcon possesses 17 offers from the likes of Michigan, Alabama, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and most recently, Ohio State. With the thought that the in-state star is leaning towards the Wolverines, now is a perfect time for the Buckeyes and Urban Meyer to swoop in and get into the mix. Beating Michigan on the field is wonderful, but it’s even better if you can do it with players who are from the very state. Will Brown be the next? Only time will tell.

Bradford lands OSU offer


Let’s stay in the state up north and talk about another prospect who received good news concerning Ohio State yesterday. Again, it can’t be overstated how dominant Ohio State has been in its rivalry versus Michigan in the last 15 years. With only two losses coming since 2001, it’s pretty easy to see who truly has the upper hand in this war.

Make your way to Muskegon, Michigan, home to the state power Big Reds coached by legendary head coach Shane Fairfield, and you will find not only some of Michigan’s best high school players, but really, some of the best prep players in the entire Midwest. From a team that has no shortage of talent, 2019 offensive tackle Anthony Bradford was the second at the position in Michigan to have an offer extended his way from the Buckeyes on Thursday.


At 6'5, 320 pounds, Bradford is a top-40 tackle in the country and also the ninth-best prospect in the very deep Michigan class of 2019. With seven offers from the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Ohio State, it’s only a matter of time before more come beckoning on the prized recruit’s door. With Muskegon being a dominant run team, Ohio State has to love what they see on Bradford’s film as a run blocker. The success the Buckeyes have had on the ground in the Meyer era is no secret and it’s due to a great line in front of the stellar backs in Columbus. Can Ohio State and Meyer strike gold in Michigan for another to bolster the trenches?

A look into the future


When you hear the term “Cadillac Position” in regards to Ohio State, you think of the running back spot. However, with the way Urban Meyer and his staff have recruited and developed their players since day one, any position on the field can be considered the prize. On defense though, the cornerback spot has been a serious moneymaker for the Buckeyes and their players, literally. With the past two NFL Drafts seemingly belonging to the Ohio State secondary, it’s easy to see why top recruits continue to choose the Buckeyes each and every cycle that comes through. With the 2018 class sure to be the exact same, it’s a great time not only for the fans, but the players themselves, as the formula for success is pretty simple. Work hard, become a starting Ohio State corner, and it’s onto the big stage.


With so much success at one spot, position coach Kerry Coombs may be looking to the future, as yesterday an offer was sent to 2020 stud Keshawn Lawrence (Nashville, Tennessee/Ensworth). Lawrence has yet to own a 247Sports ranking due to his class, but being a high school sophomore and already standing at 6'2, 185 pounds, there’s no question why Ohio State came knocking at the door.

With tall, lengthy corners with great coverage skills being a serious need in the league, Lawrence’s size not only fits that bill, but also makes him a great size for safety if he ever switches positions. An athlete with the ability to do both nonetheless is a huge asset to have and the Buckeyes being all-in so early may just help solidify a relationship before Keshawn decides on a school in the coming years.

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OU GAMEDAY: 5 things to watch against the Buckeyes - Norman Transcript
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


OU GAMEDAY: 5 things to watch against the Buckeyes
Norman Transcript
OU's defense would prefer to keep the entire Buckeye offense quiet, but big performances from the backs, Barrett's arm and Barrett's legs simultaneously is a disastrous recipe. “We approach every quarterback differently,” OU linebacker Ogbonnia ...
Everything you need to know about Oklahoma-Ohio StateESPN
OU Football: Sooners, Buckeyes gear up for trench battleTimes Record
No. 5 Sooners face first test in visit to No. 2 BuckeyesWashington Post
The Morning Sun -Quad City Times
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Huge Week 2 for Buckeyes, Irish - The Hillsdale Daily News
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Huge Week 2 for Buckeyes, Irish
The Hillsdale Daily News
If you thought Week 1 of college football season was fun, just wait until you see the slate of games in Week 2. Over Labor Day weekend, we were treated to Michigan-Florida and Alabama-Florida State. This Saturday is even better, with matchups like ...
Irish look to remain perfect against Buckeyes on Ohio tripObserver Online

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I have extra tickets for the OU game if anyone is interested. They are all in C deck and in the North end zone in (2) sec 7 , 2&2 in sec 5. bought them through OSU bought have up graded to six together so my family can sit as a group. Will be flying into Ohio on Friday . Will check for any PM's,thanks.

Ohio State to wear LeBron James cleats in clash vs. Oklahoma - ESPN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State to wear LeBron James cleats in clash vs. Oklahoma
ESPN
Several OSU players wore Lebron Soldier X cleats in last season's game against Michigan. The announcement came Thursday, days before the Buckeyes' top-five matchup with the Sooners, in which Ohio State will host quite a few top recruiting targets.
Ohio State wearing custom new LeBron James cleats for Oklahoma game: Buckeyes football newscleveland.com

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Buckeye related Crystal Ball picks: Like, love, or leave them - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeye related Crystal Ball picks: Like, love, or leave them
247Sports
Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Buckeyes newsletter now! Today I do the same with five more top Ohio State related recruits. Be sure to enjoy VIP access to Bucknuts.com with our 7-day Free trial offer. DL Jowon ...

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Barrett, Buckeyes out to build resume against Sooners again - FOXSports.com
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Barrett, Buckeyes out to build resume against Sooners again
FOXSports.com
Oklahoma at Ohio State. The second-ranked Buckeyes host No. 5 Oklahoma for the first time in 40 years in a matchup of two of the all-time winningest programs and 2017 College Football Playoff hopefuls. J.T. Barrett threw four touchdowns in a 45-24 win ...

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


Buckeyes offer Tennessee defensive back
247Sports
What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Buckeyes newsletter now! In addition to Ohio State, Lawrence has a list of offers that includes Tennessee, LSU, Georgia Tech and Memphis. The 6-foot ...


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Togiai: 'Ohio State is definitely at the top;' Sooners invade - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Togiai: 'Ohio State is definitely at the top;' Sooners invade
247Sports
I'll probably decide after the season.” But could a spectacular visit with the Buckeyes change Togiai's thinking and he perhaps commit this weekend? “Unless I was really completely blown away I would not think so,” Togiai said. “(But) Ohio State is ...

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Ensworth (Nashville, TN)
Ht: 6'2"
Wt: 183 lbs
Class: 2020 (High School)

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Ohio State will see Jowon Briggs for Oklahoma game, more visitor updates for big weekend - Landof10.com
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Ohio State will see Jowon Briggs for Oklahoma game, more visitor updates for big weekend
Landof10.com
Walnut Hills (Cincinnati) 4-star defensive tackle Jowon Briggs, a 2019 prospect and perhaps Ohio's best at the position regardless of class, told Land of 10 on Wednesday night that he's heading to Columbus to watch the Buckeyes on Saturday night.


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Ohio State’s cornerbacks are hoping to build off their season opening performance
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Denzel Ward and the rest of the Buckeye cornerbacks will have their hands full trying to slow down the Oklahoma passing attack.

“When you play corner, it’s not the five you made that stick out, it’s the two you missed. That’s the position. If you don’t like it, go play something else. Around here, the standard is you don’t allow catches.”

-Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano via Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch


Early on against Indiana it looked like Ohio State might be in for a bit of a rude awakening if they thought they wouldn’t miss cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore. The Hoosiers utilized some quick throws which allowed Indiana quarterback Richard Lagow to get into an early rhythm and give the Hoosiers a lead. The Buckeyes were able to make some adjustments, moving from man-to-man coverage to a zone, which slowed Indiana down and let the Buckeyes take control of the game in the second half.

With Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma coming to town, Ohio State can’t afford any early lapses in coverage or the Sooners might put the Buckeyes in a hole they can’t dig out of. Last year in Norman, Ohio State’s secondary found a lot of success in shutting down Mayfield and the rest of the Oklahoma attack, intercepting two passes and holding Mayfield to just 226 yards through the air.

There are plenty of differences between how Indiana tried to attack the Buckeyes and how Oklahoma will. Indiana tried to use short passes to not only offset Ohio State’s talented defensive line, but also to allow the Hoosiers to create some tempo. Oklahoma has one of the best offensive lines in the country, which will see them try and mix in more of the run game than Indiana did. Ohio State’s cornerbacks will be forced to hold their coverage longer in this game than they did against the Hoosiers, which will give the Buckeyes an even better idea of what they have in the secondary as they try and replace Conley and Lattimore.

“I mean, he walked in as a grown man. I wasn’t surprised at all. I kind of tempered my emotions with you guys early on, because we have seen that since spring practice. He had a hell of a camp.”

-Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on running back J.K. Dobbins via Paul Myerberg, USA Today


What a luxury it is to be Ohio State. Just a couple hours before Ohio State’s season opener against Indiana last week it was announced that true freshman running back J.K. Dobbins would start due to a hamstring injury that Mike Weber was dealing with. For most teams this would be a big loss, especially considering Weber rushed for over 1,000 yards as a redshirt freshman last year. For the Buckeyes, the injury just gave Ohio State fans an early look at their running back of the future.

Dobbins impressed in his Ohio State debut, with his 182 rushing yards, breaking Maurice Clarett’s school record for rushing yards by a true freshman in his debut. Now with Weber returning for this week’s clash with Oklahoma, the Buckeyes will be even stronger in the backfield.

The two running backs complement each other nicely, with Weber giving Ohio State a more physical runner in the backfield, while Dobbins is a more speedy and shifty running back. Not only does the addition of Dobbins into the backfield allow J.T. Barrett to not have to carry the football so much, but it could help Weber as well if Meyer splits carries between the two, subjecting Weber to less contact and allowing the sophomore to stay fresher later in the season. If the Sooners aren’t able to find a way to slow down the duo, it could make for a long night for the Oklahoma defense inside Ohio Stadium on Saturday night.

“We’re excited just because [Oklahoma’s offensive line is] hyped up as the No. 1 O-line and we’ve been hyped up as the best D-line for so long that it’s starting to get annoying. It’s time to prove it.”

-Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa via Colin Hass-Hill, The Lantern


What certainly won’t be annoying on Saturday night for fans of both schools is watching the matchup between Oklahoma’s offensive line and Ohio State’s defensive line. Oklahoma’s offensive line, which is led by junior tackle Orlando Brown, has started a combined 85 games in their careers, but will certainly face their toughest test when they try and slow down the Buckeye defensive line. Brown is ranked as one of the best tackles in the country, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him jump to the NFL after this season.

Ohio State’s defensive line has a number of players who will eventually make their way to the pros. The Buckeyes showed against Indiana the kind of disruption they are capable of causing, registering five sacks against the Hoosiers. Tyquan Lewis led the way with two sacks in the game, while Sam Hubbard, Nick Bosa, and Jashon Cornell each registered one.

Oklahoma’s offensive line might provide the toughest challenge for the Ohio State defensive line this year, but there is no question Oklahoma won’t see another team on their schedule with the depth Ohio State possesses on the defensive line. The difference in the game will likely hinge on if Ohio State can find their way through the Oklahoma offensive line to allow the Buckeyes to harass quarterback Baker Mayfield, much like the Buckeyes did last year in Norman.

STICK TO SPORTS

• Looking for something to do tomorrow night? Check out the Ohio Bacon Fest at the Columbus Commons.
• A Delta flight was able to get in and out of San Juan in under an hour, narrowly avoiding Hurricane Irma.
• The seventh season of HBO’s Veep will be the final season of the series.
• Red “It” balloons are freaking out the police in a tiny Pennsylvania town.
• Nothing says frat party like a staircase that is turned into an indoor waterfall.

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Florida Buckeyes are dealing with Hurricane Irma concerns - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Florida Buckeyes are dealing with Hurricane Irma concerns
247Sports
The Buckeyes certainly have their attention on the game with the Sooners on Saturday, but the potential devastation is hard not to think about, especially for those players who are from Florida and have family and friends in that part of the country ...

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Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews presents matchup issues for the Ohio State defense
Christopher Jason via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


After struggling against Indiana, Oklahoma will be another test for the Buckeye secondary.

Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews is one of the scarier matchups in college football and will produce a bevy of problems for an inexperienced Ohio State secondary, which allowed 420 yards on 42 completions against Richard Lagow and the Indiana Hoosiers.

In 27 career games, the 6’5, 254 lb seam-stretcher has reached the end zone a whopping 15 times and has averaged 16.5 yards per reception. After being sixth on the team in targets (28) in 2015, Andrews had the second most targets (49) last season — only trailing Biletnikoff Award winner Dede Westbrook (105). But with the departure of Westbrook, Joe Mixon and No. 2 wide receiver Geno Lewis (43 targets), the passing game will go through the tight end, and it looks like he’s more than ready for the heavy workload.

In Oklahoma’s first game of the season against UTEP, Andrews put up a career-high of 134 yards on a career-high seven receptions. He dominated the seams of the UTEP defense and put on a clinic after the catch. He is an excellent route runner and has the awareness to find the holes in the opposing defense.

His natural route running and football IQ was on display in last year’s matchup against the Buckeyes. Ohio State played man-coverage on the goal line with Damon Webb on Andrews. Webb expected a rub route, but Andrews’ precise route running completely lost Webb in the trash, resulting in an easy score.


Here’s Andrews out of the slot running a post pattern. He finds the soft spot in Ohio State’s middle zone coverage and sits between four defenders. He has a real knack for finding the soft spots in the defense.



"We just need to keep getting him the ball," Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield said. "He's going to make competitive plays, and obviously you want the football in his hands after the catch."

After the catch is where Andrews is most dangerous. His route running is what gives him separation against defenders, but what he does after the catch is extremely impressive for a guy of his stature.

Once again, Andrews lines up in the slot and completely fools the defense with his route running. He crosses the linebacker’s face, who then thinks Andrews is running a crossing pattern. The tight end then finds the hole in the middle of the field and the empty spot in the Miners’ zone. Mayfield hits him for an easy completion before Andrews makes multiple defenders miss en route to a big gain. Andrews is built like a tight end, but runs like a receiver — in the mold of New York Giants rookie Evan Engram.


It’s no secret that Andrews runs just about every single route out of the slot or on the line of scrimmage, but they use him extremely well in play action. Below, Andrews was lined up on the line of scrimmage. He engages with the end to sell the run, disengages and then sneaks behind the linebacker for the easy score. Everything Andrews does is with precision and he always does an excellent job at selling play action and/or his route to get open.




Overall, Mark Andrews is going to create serious matchup issues for Greg Schiano’s defense — especially if they don’t clean up their coverage issues in the middle of the field. There were at least two occasions against Indiana where the defense blew a coverage in the middle of the field, leaving a Hoosier receiver wide open. Andrews needs to be keyed on at all times and cannot be overlooked even for a minute. As shown above, he does a tremendous job of selling play action and takes advantage of overaggressive linebackers who aren’t sound in coverage. This will be a huge test for Chris Worley, the rest of the linebacking corp and Damon Webb at strong safety. It’ll be interesting to see if they’ll utilize bracket coverage on Andrews to limit his success in the seams.

Indiana provided an excellent test for the Ohio State defense and the 420 passing yards they allowed could be a blessing in disguise.

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