B1G WBB Week 5: Corn, Injured Huskies and MACtion takes Maize & Blue
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

It was one of the final weeks of non-conference basketball and three games grabbed attention

The Big Ten conference saw all but one team hit double-digit games played in the 2022/23 campaign. While it’s still too early to tell how the conference competition is going to shake out, there was action worth noting. Conference games stayed close, like the Indiana Hoosiers winning close games against the Illinois Fighting Illini and Penn State Nittany Lions, but the final non-conference games of the regular season took the spotlight.

Here are the wins, a big loss, and all the corn you can handle, in the latest Big Ten WBB Weekly Update.

Iowa Wins Corn Cy-Hawk Series Event


Sure, everyone knows about The Game between Ohio State and Michigan and Texas vs. Oklahoma and the Red River Showdown grabs the collective attention. There’s a rivalry that goes deeper than all of those and it's corn that’s the motivating factor.

Between Iowa and Iowa State, every competition is a battle for Corn Cy-Hawk Series supremacy. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the then No. 16 Iowa Hawkeyes welcomed then No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones to Iowa City for the next installment of the fall athletics series.

With Iowa guard Caitlin Clark on one side and Iowa State guard/forward Ashley Joens on the other, it was a midweek heavyweight fight in NCAA women’s basketball.

The Hawkeyes got the better of the Cyclones, and they achieved the 70-57 win with defense, of all things. Iowa held Iowa State to only eight points in the third quarter, on 33.3% shooting.

In the first half, Clark primarily played facilitator — only scoring six points, but adding four assists and five rebounds.

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (left) defends guard Denae Fritz, with Stephanie Soares looking on in a game where two high-powered offenses leveraged defense.

Making the difference were bigs for the Hawkeyes: Monika Czinano and Addison O’Grady. Going up against 6-foot-6 center Stephanie Soares, the two Iowa players in the paint held Soares to five fewer points than her season average, scoring 11 points in the game.

While Clark ended the day leading Iowa with 19 points, Czinano’s consistent stellar play net the Hawkeyes 18 points and 10 rebounds in her second double-double of the season.

That’s all well and good on the basketball side, but after a swimming and diving win by the Cyclones on Dec. 9, Iowa State leads the Cy-Hawk series 11-6, with four remaining events netting the winning university two points per win. Iowa State’s going for their second back-to-back championship.

There’s a lot of corn on the line, folks.

Maryland Defeats UConn(ish)


Another big victory for the conference, in non-conference play, was a Sunday win for Diamond Miller and the Maryland Terrapins. It’s no easy task beating the UConn Huskies, but Sunday’s match-up left out a lot of the flair of the game with many UConn players injured.

Guard Paige Bueckers, who’s out all season with a knee injury. Also, the star leading the Huskies’ offensive power this year, guard Azzi Fudd, was also out after sustaining an injury. In addition, starting forward Dorka Juhasz, the Ohio State 2021 transfer, was out with a broken thumb.

Overall, UConn had seven healthy players, doing their own Rutgers impersonation.

Miller had the highlight three to ice the game in the fourth, but it was Abby Myers and Shyanne Sellers who led the way for Maryland. The two combined for 39 of the Terrapins' 85 points and added a combined 10 rebounds and nine assists.


Maryland’s win came three days after edging the Purdue Boilermakers 77-74, in an away game in Indiana. Beating a ranked team and a tough in-conference opponent It’s a strong bounce back though, injuries or not, for the Terps after losing their first conference game 90-67 to the inconsistent 2022-23 Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Battle of Toledo Goes to Rockets


The shock of the week came in Ann Arbor, Michigan when the Maize & Blue faced the MAC’s Toledo Rockets.

Entering the game 9-0, the Wolverines faced a Toledo team that’s no slouch. The Rockets were 6-2 coming into the game, with their only large loss of the season coming to the Duke Blue Devils, plus a narrow one-point defeat to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Even with a strong start to the year for Toledo, it’s a game Michigan’s expected to win.

Toledo came out of the gate, like a rocket, really. The Rockets scored 42 first-half points, keeping the home team to just 31 points. From there, Toledo played “hold onto the lead” basketball.


They did just that until 2:22 left in the fourth, when the Wolverines tied the game and went ahead two points. After trading small leads, the Rockets did what the Buckeyes did against the Spartans and got to the line, hitting their shots.

The Rockets shocked the conference, beating the Wolverines 71-68. They did it wearing blue and yellow too. Savage.

Way-Too-Early Standings

AP Poll


The Big Ten is tied with the Pac-12, with each conference having five teams in the top 25 and two in the top 10.

3 - Ohio State (NC)

4 - Indiana Hoosiers (NC)

12 - Iowa Hawkeyes (+4)

15 - Maryland Terrapins (+5)

19 - Michigan Wolverines (-5)

Games to Watch (non-OSU)


It’s a slow week for games to watch, with most sides playing smaller, regional, non-conference opponents. Illinois vs. Missouri is the highlight of the week, but Northern Iowa University almost beat then No. 7 ranked Iowa State on Nov. 17, so another game against a big Iowa team has small upset potential.

Sunday, Dec. 18

• Northern Iowa Panthers at No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes - 3:00 p.m. ET
• Illinois Fighting Illini at Missouri Tigers - 5:00 p.m. ET

Christmas Week Action


Catching up with the slow week of competitive games in week six will be rewarded in week seven. Going into the holidays, big games are on the horizon.

Ohio State heads to San Diego for the San Diego Invitational. They’ll face the USF Bulls and either the Oregon Ducks or Arkansas Razorbacks. Elsewhere, ranked games and match-ups featuring top conference sides line the week.

No. 19 Michigan State will face No. 7 North Carolina Tar Heels, who have Big Ten revenge on their mind after the Hoosiers took care of them in the ACC/B1G Challenge. No. 4 Indiana takes on the Butler Bulldogs and the No. 22 Kansas Jayhawks face the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

There won’t be any games from Dec. 23 to 27, so enjoy what you can as an early gift to yourself.

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You’re Nuts: Which non-CFP bowl game are you most looking forward to?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

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

The college football bowl season kicks off on Friday at 11:30 a.m. when Miami (OH) takes on UAB in the Bahamas Bowl. When the RedHawks take on the Blazers, it will be the first of over 40 bowl games this year. The final bowl game of the season will be the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where the winner of the Michigan/TCU semifinal will take on the winner of the Ohio State/Georgia semifinal.

Obviously the semifinals on New Year’s Eve will be the most anticipated bowl games of the year, since they’ll be the only bowl games before the title game that actually mean something. While earning a spot in some of the other New Year’s Six contests is a great thing for a college football program, a little of the luster has been taken off some of those bowl appearances with the emergence of players heading to the NFL and sitting out to protect their draft stock.

Not to say there isn’t some interesting matchups and entertainment to be found in those games — just look at the Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Utah last year. Even though the Buckeyes were without Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, we still saw a very fun game on New Year’s Day in Pasadena. We could get another fun one this year when Penn State takes on the Utes.

Today we want to know what non-CFP bowl game you are most looking forward to this year. There certainly are plenty of options to choose from on this year’s schedule. Maybe it’s another Big Ten team you want to see in action. Four other teams from Ohio are playing in bowls besides the Buckeyes this year. Or it could be a wild offensive shootout that looks like could be on tap in one of these games. The best part is there is no wrong answer!

Today’s question: What non-CFP bowl game are you most looking forward to this year?

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

Brett’s answer: The Alamo Bowl


While it hasn’t been officially announced yet, I’m assuming that Texas running back Bijan Robinson won’t play in this game, as the smart move would be to sit out the game and protect himself from injury ahead of April’s NFL Draft. Even with Robinson on the sidelines, I’m still looking forward to the game between Texas and Washington in San Antonio a couple days before the end of 2022.

One reason I’m excited for this game is because of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Indiana transfer has been great for the Huskies this year, throwing for over 4,300 yards and tossing 29 touchdowns. If Washington played even half their games before all the olds that are Heisman Trophy voters were already asleep, Penix would have made a strong case for being a finalist this year. Washington went from 4-8 last year under Jimmy Lake to 10-2 with Penix and new head coach Kalen DeBoer this year.

Another reason I’m excited to watch this game is to see how former Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers does in his final start before Arch Manning joins the Longhorns in January. Ewers has had an up-and-down college career so far, spending a year in Columbus before returning to the Lone Star State. Ewers was inconsistent at times, so he’ll need a strong performance to try and slow down the calls for Manning to start heading into the 2023 season. With Robinson likely not playing, it will give Ewers even more of an opportunity to impress.

Meredith’s answer: The Gator Bowl


I’m really excited about this year’s bowl schedule. There are so many intriguing games, particularly because the College Football Playoff field looks different than it has in previous seasons, and because there seems to be more parity in the sport which naturally leads to more exciting postseason matchups.

As an honorable mention for pure awkwardness, the Wasabi Fenway Bowl features Cincinnati vs. Louisville. As a reminder, Cincinnati just poached Scott Satterfield from the Cardinals after Luke Fickell left for Wisconsin.

In terms of other non-New Year’s Six bowls, I’m looking forward to Notre Dame vs. South Carolina in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Dec. 30. What’s so exciting about a pair of 8-4 teams, neither of whom are in the Big Ten and one of whom Ohio State already beat this season?

Primarily, these are two teams that didn’t just get hot at the end of the season — they sizzled. South Carolina finished the season with two, top-10 wins over Tennessee and Clemson, two teams playing each other in the Orange Bowl. The Irish, meanwhile, won five-straight at the end of the season before falling to USC in the regular season finale. That streak also included a victory over Clemson.

It’s been an exciting ride watching Marcus Freeman in his first season as head coach with Notre Dame. He definitely struggled early (and it doesn’t help when your first game is on the road against your alma mater), but he’s pulled this Irish squad together and won the second half of the season.

Finally, congrats to Kansas on making their first bowl game since 2008.

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Game Gallery: No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Michigan State
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land

Land-Grant Holy Land expands their coverage of basketball with photos from the first Big Ten home game of the season.

The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team took to home court on Sunday, facing the Michigan State Spartans. Even though Michigan State lost three starters, including their top scorer and now WNBA player Nia Clouden, the Spartans weren’t going down without a fight.

To grow Land-Grant Holy Land’s coverage of Buckeyes women’s hoops, photographer Ben Cole got into the action to bring you photos from the 74-68 nail-biter of a victory for Ohio State.

Here’s some of the action in the first game gallery of the season:

Connect with Ben Cole:


Instagram: @BenColeImaging
Twitter: @BenColeImaging
Website: www.bencoleimaging.com

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for December 13, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Brooke LaValley-The Columbus Dispatch

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

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

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

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


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On the Gridiron


Five Buckeyes earn AP All-American honors
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Marvin Harrison Jr. now Ohio State football’s first consensus All-American receiver since 1995
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

You’re Nuts: Which position should Ohio State upgrade through the transfer portal?
Gene Ross and Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land


Film Preview: What makes Georgia’s defense so difficult for opposing offenses to break down?
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land

Five Thoughts on Georgia as Buckeyes prepare for Peach Bowl test (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes

By the Numbers: Comparing Ohio State and Georgia
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

Ohio State seeks 30-Year revenge win vs. Georgia
Michel Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land

Five Questions as Buckeyes dig into Peach Bowl practices (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Six Georgia Players Ohio State Will Need to Game Plan for in the Peach Bowl
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

Love seeing good dudes doing good things!


What promotion of Keenan Bailey to tight ends coach means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Column: Bad faith media members used Ohio State’s injury disclosure policy as a weapon to attack Smith-Njigba
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

We’ll talk about this later: There’s more to life than being ridiculously good looking (or good at football)
Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Ohio State’s Cotie McMahon wins Big Ten Freshman of the Week
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State men’s basketball moves up to No. 23 in newest AP Poll
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land

Watch Chris Holtmann’s press conference as he previews North Carolina:


Without Isaac Likekele, Ohio State ironman Bruce Thornton soldiers on
Adam Jasrdy, The Columbus Dispatch

Game Notes: No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball survives Michigan State
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Column: Two years after collapsing mid-game, Keyontae Johnson’s comeback is the best story in college basketball
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Wrestling: No. 3 Ohio State Downs Kent State 32-9
Robbie Mackinnon, The Lantern

Men’s Swimming and Diving: Five Buckeyes to Compete at FINA World Championships
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


What the hell is Zaslav doing over there?


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Silver Bullets Podcast: Ohio State awards and B1G bowls
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

Buckeye honores, coaching news, and the non-OSU slate of postseason games.


With a couple of weeks left before Ohio State takes on Georgia in the College Football Playoff, there is a lot of activity throughout college football, particularly when it comes to transfer portal news, recruiting, and (of course) awards season. This week’s discussion begins with a little OSU coaching news, but then we quickly pivot into talks about Ohio State All-American selections, C.J. Stroud’s finish in the Heisman Trophy race, invitations to postseason all-star games, and the like.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is getting some much deserved love on the postseason All-America lists even if he was a snub for two trophies — one he should have won and one for which he should have at least been in the conversation, according to one of our hosts. Meanwhile, there’s also some love for Ohio State’s offensive line, but not as much as there probably should be for linebacker Tommy Eichenberg.

After our conversation about the coaching staff and Buckeye honors, we dove into our walk through the other Big Ten bowl games. There’s a lot of uncertainty these days with bowl season. When you factor in coaching changes, opt-outs, and the transfer portal, it’s hard to even begin to dissect how a game might unfold.

Those aren’t the only factors that make bowl season less desirable than it once was. What’s up with the names of these games? You could at least figure out the line of business of most of the sponsors in the past, but good luck with it in this group of bowls.

We went game by game, chronologically, to talk about each match-up as best we could. We also touched on the news of Mississippi State coach Mike Leach’s health and the impact that could have on the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois. By the time this podcast reaches you, things could have changed, as there was still a lot of uncertainty as the time we sat down to record this show.

We’ll be off next week, returning Dec. 27 to preview the big match-up with the Georgia Bulldogs in the Peach Bowl. In the meantime, feel free to reach out with your feedback and questions below in the comments section or send us an email. Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share.

Thanks for listening!

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Ohio State offers handful of Maryland teammates
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


2024 CB Ify Obidegwu | 247Sports

Ohio State offered four teammates from St. Francis Academy in Maryland on Monday, while Auburn tries to flip a current Buckeye CB commit.

With a break between now and New Years Eve, the Ohio State football team will be hard at work preparing for its matchup versus Georgia in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. The extra time will give the Ohio State coaching staff more flexibility in recruiting as well. The staff will be traveling across the country in efforts to close out its 2023 class, but also to get a head start in recruiting future classes.

Ohio State offers four Maryland teammates


Ohio State traveled to Maryland on Monday, and the day ended with safeties coach Perry Eliano offering four different recruits from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, MD. Two of the DB’s are in the 2024 class, and the other two are in the 2025 class.

Four-star CB Ify Obidegwu


Class: 2024
Hometown: Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy
Size: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds
Recruiting Interests: Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Tennessee, Oregon, USC, Pitt, Kansas, Ohio State, etc.

Three-star S Edrees Farooq


Class: 2024
Hometown: Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy
Size: 6-foot, 185 pounds
Recruiting Interests: Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee, West Virginia, USC, Cincinnati, Arizona, Arkansas, Ohio State, etc.

CB Blake Woodby


Class: 2025
Hometown: Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy
Size: 5-foot-11, 180 pounds
Recruiting Interests: Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Georgia, USC, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Ohio State, etc.

CB Kevyn Humes


Class: 2025
Hometown: Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy
Size: 5-foot-10, 150 pounds
Recruiting Interests: Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Ohio State

Five-star DE commits to Alabama


Ohio State has been recruiting 2023 five-star defensive end Keon Keeley (Tampa, FL / Berkeley Prep) ever since he decommitted from Notre Dame on Aug. 17. The Buckeyes were not alone in their pursuits, although their efforts did put them in the thick of things with Alabama and Florida.

Keeley took multiple visits to Ohio State following his decommitment from the Irish, including two in September for the Notre Dame game and then again when Ohio State played host to Wisconsin. Following the visits Ohio State seemed legitimized themselves as contenders but Alabama never stopped its pursuit.

In October, the Crimson Tide hosted Keeley on an official visit and seemingly cemented themselves as the favorites again. Both Ohio State and Alabama sent their coaching staffs in to visit him in the last few weeks, but on Monday Keeley ended his recruitment, officially committing to Alabama.


Keeley was not the only five-star DE Ohio State has targeted down the stretch in this class. Ohio State has also been heavily involved with five-star DE’s Damon Wilson and Matayo Uiagalelei.

Wilson has set a commitment date for Dec. 21, and Ohio State and Georgia are the favorites in this one. Georgia has gained a lot of traction in Wilson’s recruitment as of late, but his interest in Ohio State never wavered.

Georgia will likely win out for Wilson, but the Buckeyes are also still in play for the aforementioned Uiagalelei. The five-star has set a final three of Ohio State, Oregon and USC but will wait until Signing Day to make it official.

Ohio State has long been viewed as the favorites to land Uiagalelei, but USC has made a very strong push for him in the last couple months. Oregon has also made a strong push but the tea leaves currently show this one coming down to USC and Ohio State.

Quick Hits

• Chad Simmons of on3.com Tweeted Monday that Auburn is trying to flip current Ohio State 2023 four-star cornerback commit Kayin Lee. The blue-chip prospect committed to Ohio State on June 27, but he took an official visit to Auburn on Dec. 2. Losing Lee would be a big blow to this Ohio State class, but the Buckeyes also hold commitments from fellow 2023 CBs Calvin Simpson-Hunt and Jermaine Mathews.

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Column: Bad faith media members used Ohio State’s injury disclosure policy as a weapon to attack Smith-Njigba
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports

How the well-intentioned policy blew up in JSN’s face.

It is an unfortunate byproduct of the media environment that we now find ourselves in that gossip has essentially replaced journalism, narratives have replaced news, conjecture has replaced confirmation, virality has replaced veracity, and hot takes have replaced headlines,

In an era in which a single statement can morph from an uninformed message board post into a multi-media cycle talking point from presumably credible pundits, anything that gets clicks or engagement becomes a self-fulfilling story based solely on the number of people willing to parrot it without giving it the consideration or due diligence that it so obviously requires.

This, of course, isn’t new; we have seen this painfully destructive phenomenon play itself out for decades on cable news networks covering everything from politics to entertainment to sports. However, as Ohio State fans, we are — once again — seeing it hit home with an unsuspecting player stuck in the center; only this time, it is due — at least in part — to the well-meaning, but short-sighted actions of his coach and his program.

I understand why Ryan Day has essentially closed ranks around injuries within his program, not only does it provide a strategic and tactical advantage to not disclose injuries to the public, keeping your opponent in the dark about what they might see on the field in any given game. But also, having learned lessons from the pandemic, keeping the medical information of students private is certainly something to be championed.

Under Urban Meyer, the Buckeye football program was remarkably lax when it came to discussing injuries, a fact that was no doubt appreciated by journalists and fans alike. However, since Day took over, there has been a progressive reversal in the opposite direction, each year seeing the head coach become more tight-lipped on the topic, to the point where during this past regular season, even the OSU coach himself admitted that he needed to do a better job of accurately communicating the status of players ahead of games.

There are obviously basic informational reasons for football programs to be somewhat open about injury statuses, but those are mostly unsubstantial reasons — giving beat writers information for stories or assuaging fans' curiosity. Of course, as more and more states (including Ohio on Jan. 1, 2023) legalize sports gambling, there could be calls for a uniform injury report standard like that seen in the NFL, but those considerations are neither here, nor there at this point.

How the policy of Day’s program has had the most negative impact has been on display in recent weeks with the unwarranted controversy over Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s decision not to play in the College Football Playoff. What began as entitled and unhinged “fans” voicing displeasure and conspiracy theories on social media and message boards became a national point of conversation when CBSSports and SiriusXM’s Danny Kanell popped off on Twitter and ESPN’s Todd McShay cited “NFL scouts” in claiming that the wide receiver is unequivocally healthy enough to play in New Year’s Eve’s Sugar Bowl, but has opted not to play solely to protect his draft potential.

These asinine comments were not only refuted by legitimate journalists, including The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, but Smith-Njigba’s father took exception to them as well, providing — for the first time — any substantive information about his son’s rehabilitation process.


I don’t want to spend too much time on either Kanell or McShay’s insulting audacity and lack of journalistic ethics or rigor, but anyone who has paid attention to Smith-Njigba this season knows that after getting hurt in the season opener against Notre Dame, he attempted to come back and play two weeks later against Toledo — certainly not a team you would be rushing back to play against if you preferred to sit out the entire year as Kanell accused Smith-Njigba of doing.

The receiver had two catches in that game before having to exit due to injury, and then didn’t play again for five weeks, when he tried to come back against Iowa on Oct. 22. Again, he had one catch and quickly exited the game, never to return to the field as a Buckeye again. It was shortly after that game that it was reported that his father said that Nov. 26’s game against Michigan was the “best-case scenario” for Smith-Njigba’s return... clearly this was not the best-case scenario.

As we sit here now, the Iowa game was just over seven weeks ago and the CFP semifinal in two and a half weeks is still very much in the recovery period for severe hamstring injuries.

But, instead of doing actual reporting on how bad Smith-Njigba’s injury is — at best — McShay laundered talking points from an indeterminant number of NFL scouts who almost certainly had ulterior motives in speaking to him, or — at worst — made it all up either for clicks or out of animus.

However, it is not just the likely factual inaccuracies and complete lack of consideration or nuance that McShay and Kanell approached the story with (which is becoming increasingly emblematic of how they and their colleagues across the sports media landscape operate), but what is even more frustrating and damaging is the obvious biases and venom that they directed at a player who tried to come back from this injury twice before very clearly being unable to even walk without pain. Watch that video and read those tweets again. Why do they sound like they are personally offended by JSN’s decision?

I am not a doctor, nor do I have insight into Smith-Njigba’s specific injury situation, but neither do McShay, Kannel, or even Brugler for that matter. While the former two’s lack of journalistic ethics or objectivity would still be a problem no matter the circumstance, I do think that Day’s refusal to provide even the most basic of details about players’ injuries exacerbated the situation to where Smith-Njigba became an easy target for talking heads looking to gin up attention for themselves.

Because Ohio State still has never confirmed what Smith-Njigba’s injury actually is, there’s been no ability for the public or media to accurately ascertain what the realistic expectations were for his return. So instead, it became a constant guessing game about when JSN might come back; could it be this week? Will it be for The Game? What about the playoff?

By not providing details or a realistic timetable, it allowed people to create their own narratives in their heads about what was and wasn’t going on, leading them to often have wholly outsized expectations about what was happening behind the scenes. We saw this on Twitter and message boards with fans discussing the possibility of the receiver returning on a nearly weekly basis.

However, when the reality of the situation proved to be nowhere close to what many had hoped and/or imagined, it soured some on Smith-Njigba — through no fault of his own. That rancor began to percolate as the regular season finale approached and reached a boiling point when JSN announced that he was going to focus his recovery efforts on prepping for the NFL Draft.

Whether pundits like Kanell and McShay already had their targets set on Smith-Njigba, or they picked up on the storyline from the darker corners of the Ohio State interwebz we’ll never know, but they certainly capitalized on the most selfish and cynical pockets of college football fandom by throwing raw meat into a cage populated with people who were already predisposed to think of players as entertainment products rather than human beings.

Neither Kanell’s argument that JSN wanted to skip the entire season, nor McShay’s claim that he is healthy enough to play were ever made in good faith. Both were either concern-trolling to create a bigger platform for their reductive views on how college athletes should be able to exercise autonomy over their bodies, lives, and careers, or they are simply so addicted to the rush that social media engagement or being at the center of a controversial storyline that they never considered the real-life implications that their statements could have.

I feel fairly confident that in their heart of hearts, neither Kanell, nor McShay has any actual idea about what’s going on with Smith-Njigba’s injury, but they are more than comfortable enough spouting off for kicks and giggles, knowing full well that what they say has an impact on how players are perceived, both by fans and people inside the game.

Either the pair — and others who made similar comments — never considered that they could be unfairly damaging Jaxon’s future, or they didn’t care; both would be egregious, but the latter would be unforgivable.

Some of these same people (looking at you McShay) attempted to do the same thing to Justin Fields following the 2020 season. They carried water for similar “unnamed NFL sources” who allegedly claimed that the greatest quarterback in Ohio State history was a poor leader, “didn’t love football,” wasn’t smart enough to play QB at the NFL level, and other obviously bullshit talking points designed to hurt his draft stock for one reason or another; and it very well might have had an impact since Fields dropped out of the top 10.

Justin Fields didn’t deserve that then, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba doesn’t deserve it now.


Earlier in the season, I made a case that perhaps all of the players getting hurt for the Buckeyes — and the programs’ reticence to discuss them — was actually part of a bigger plan to get guys healthy for the biggest games of the season. That clearly did not turn out to be accurate, as the injury issues proved to be a problem all season.

However, injuries happen in football, that’s a part of the game that to a certain extent is not only unavoidable but also inevitable. But what is avoidable and absolutely didn’t have to happen is Ohio State keeping things so buttoned up that it blew up in their faces and potentially hurt the NFL career of one of their most talented players in recent memory.

Gossip-mongering media members are undoubtedly the bad guys here, but I hope — in addition to a lot of on-field lessons — that Day and the program realize that protecting their injured players is about more than just keeping everything private. Sometimes, providing information that the player is comfortable sharing can actually save them more headaches than it causes.

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Game Notes: No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball survives Michigan State
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land

The Buckeyes struggled offensively but still pulled away with their first home conference win of the season

Until Sunday, the Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team won every game by double-digits. Against the Michigan State Spartans, the game started strong in the Buckeyes’ favor but it was anyone’s game until the final seconds.

Here are notes from the 74-68 win, including an update on guard Jacy Sheldon.

Weird Win


Overall, the Buckeyes win felt weird. So far in the 2022-23 season, it’s been a few big runs, a lot of frustrating press against the opposition, and a mostly comfortable win at the sound of the final buzzer. Sunday was different.

Ohio State was up and down in their shooting, scoring 29 of their 74 points in the first quarter and never hitting 20 points a quarter in the three quarters that followed. Even then, the Buckeyes were more efficient in shooting, 41.7% to 40.9%.

All game it felt like the Buckeyes were turning the ball over (20 on the day), but still forced 22 against Sparty.

It’s a win that Ohio State needed, really. Even going down against teams like Tennessee and Louisville, they surged back to win. A close game puts things into perspective.

“We showed really good competitive character,” said McGuff. “We have a lot to work on, it’s nice to be able to do it off of a win, but there’s a lot of areas we got to improve.”

Not only perspective, but the game, even with its flaws and areas of improvement, is a positive this early in the season.

“You want to have that adversity,” said guard Taylor Mikesell. “It would be wrong if we were in our March form right now, so there’s always going to be some growing pains and adversity that might stump us at times but I’m happy with how we fought tonight.”

Taylor Thierry Leads NCAA


Last season, head coach Kevin McGuff didn't put a ceiling on the future of forward Taylor Thierry’s abilities. Often lauded as the most athletic player on the court, Thierry started her freshman 21/22 season on the bench, but turned into an integral seventh player on the court, often impacting the game defensively over scoring. An offseason in college can make all the difference.

Today, Thierry leads the NCAA in field goal percentage, hitting 73% of her 74 shots on the season. On Sunday, Thierry led the way for the second time this season in scoring, but did it through another game of making high-percentage shots, hitting 76.9% of her shots.

Thierry led all players on the court with 21 points, with one three snuck in that total for good measure. The forward found space and charged the basket with confidence, opting for her underhand layup more often than not and grabbing nine rebounds, one away from her first career double-double.

When the Spartans fought back, and the Buckeyes had trouble buying a bucket, it was Thierry breaking the deadlock. In the first quarter, Michigan State got within two points, after an early back-and-forth between the two teams. Thierry scored six of the final 10 points of the quarter, extending the first-quarter lead to 12.

Then, in the third quarter, a fast break by Thierry stopped a nine-point Michigan State run. After the game, Thierry picked up another dub chain for her efforts.

Madison Greene Free Throw Dominance


Between the two teams on Sunday, 40 fouls were called. Michigan State had 22 of those personal fouls, and 12 fouls went against Buckeyes’ guard Madison Greene. Starting for her third game in a row, Greene scored 15 points but grabbed 12 of them from the free throw line.

Greene had six in the first quarter alone, in a game where Ohio State took advantage of a quick whistle reflex by officials. In the bonus, Greene charged the rim and genuinely frustrated defenders into fouls.


On the day, Greene had another strong performance. Even though Greene had more turnovers than any other game this season, giving the ball up four times, the guard more than made up for it with five steals and five assists, including a no-look pass at the buzzer, finding Thierry under the basket for a buzzer-beating layup.

Cotie McMahon on the Precipice


In match-ups where the Buckeyes were down or fighting in closer games, freshman forward Cotie McMahon’s taken a bench seat to allow experience to right the Scarlet and Gray’s ship. Sunday, McMahon played a game that allowed her to be the one on the court for the final minutes of the game, as the Spartans battled.

McMahon got the game going from the tip, going at the basket, missing a layup but getting her own rebound-induced second-chance attempt. Overall, McMahon’s scoring hit eight points, but each one had highlight reel potential.


The Dayton, Ohio forward played eight minutes of the final quarter, when the Buckeyes needed performances. McMahon provided one outside of scoring.

It’s hit or miss if Ohio State wins the rebounding game, currently sitting at a +0.7 margin. Going into the halftime locker room, Michigan State was up eight rebounds but McMahon helped change the script.

The Buckeyes outrebounded Sparty 25-15 in the second half, and McMahon grabbed six of her 10 rebounds on the day in the fourth quarter. There’s still plenty of time for McMahon’s offensive game to find its mark, but overall the top-25 recruit in the nation is growing into her role as a future leader with the Scarlet & Gray.

Struggling Deep


What stood out in the Buckeyes' scoring was shooting three-point attempts. The way Ohio State played wasn’t in line what coach McGuff wants to see, including getting good chances from deep.

“We had some great stretches where we were really good, then we would get away from execution, and moving the ball,” said McGuff. “We have to be able to sustain who we are for longer stretches.”

The Buckeyes had 22 shots from deep, making only six. Outside of two from forward Rebeka Mikulášiková to start the third quarter, there never seemed to be a string of them to rip the motivation away from the opposition.

From the starting group, Mikesell went 2-for-9 and Greene and McMahon each attempted a shot from behind the arc but missed. Ohio State shot 38% from deep going into the game against Michigan State. If they shot even that, it’d be six more points on the board and potentially not having to hold on tight at the end of the game.

Part of that was extra attention on Mikesell by the high-pressured Spartans' defense often double-teaming her from deep. However, more passing and patient offensive build-up in the half-court can also give other players open looks.

Taylor Mikesell Ices the Victory


Even if shooting from deep was tough for Mikesell, in the highest-pressure moments of the last 23 seconds of the game, Mikesell was the difference. In the bonus, Sparty sent Mikesell to the line for four free throws. The graduate senior transfer from Oregon hit all four, putting Ohio State up four points with 15 seconds remaining.

“She has nerves of steel, said McGuff. “It’s great to have her on our side.”

Mikesell still had 16 points on the day, plus a season-high seven rebounds. Even if the three isn’t falling for the guard, Mikesell’s always making a game-changing impact for the Buckeyes.

Jacy Sheldon Status Updated


A name left off the roster for Sunday’s win was guard Jacy Sheldon. Out with a lower leg injury, Sheldon had to sit on the sidelines and cheer for her team instead of forcing rebounds and making shots.

Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land
Jacy Sheldon, middle, sits with a boot on her leg watching the Ohio State game against Michigan State.

Sheldon missed two games before going down to then-No. 18 Louisville and playing over 30 minutes. It felt like Sheldon was going to sit out some of the easier games for Ohio State and then possibly take the court for games like Sunday, but it didn’t come to fruition.

After the game, coach McGuff changed her status from day-to-day to week-to-week, not giving a timeline on the guard’s return.

It’s early in the season, with plenty of time for Sheldon to heal. For now, it looks like the Buckeyes aren’t taking any chances with the unanimous First Team All-B1G star.

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You’re Nuts: Which position should Ohio State upgrade through the transfer portal?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There are no shortage of players taking advantage of college football’s free agency.

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

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

This week’s topic: Which position should Ohio State upgrade through the transfer portal?

Josh’s Take


Tis the season, Gene — and no, I am not talking about the Christmas season. Nor am I referring to wonderful holidays such as Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or even Boxing Day. No sir.

I am talking about Transfer Portal SZN in the world of college football — the annual celebration of J.T Daniels finding a new school at which to crash and burn as an average quarterback. It is an exciting period for those who favor new opportunities and limited commitment, while at the same time being a source of nerves and frustration for others.

Over 1,000 players from across both FBS and FCS have entered the transfer portal since it officially opened on Dec. 5, and that is likely just the tip of the iceberg. We will see dozens more throw their proverbial hat(s) in the ring as bowl games come and go, and future coaching staffs begin to take shape. With limited transfer restrictions in place and NIL money being thrown about, CFB has essentially adopted professional free agency, emboldening players to jump ship at breakneck speed. This new system also allows for on-the-fly roster construction or destruction, as fans (and coaches, for that matter) are left hoping that their favorite team can hang onto key players at key positions.

In the past, a powerhouse such as Ohio State could sit by idly and watch a backup or two head off in search of greener pastures. No harm, no foul; Joe Schmoe likely would not have developed into a major contributor in Columbus. That is simply not the case anymore, as players are leaving even the most prestigious programs – and starting roles behind – to “chase the bag” or enjoy mountaintop views elsewhere.

Looking through a more positive lens: transfer rules and regulations allow for the immediate plugging of roster holes — as opposed to traditional recruiting and player development. Taking advantage of the portal means finding a potential shortcut to the top, and we have seen schools like Michigan State and USC experience great success by acting in a very aggressive manner. More power to them, even if their chosen approach is not something I am quite comfortable with as an OSU fan. But alas, the Buckeyes must adapt to survive. So which holes should they look to fill via transfer?

Assuming C.J. Stroud does not have an evil twin brother playing elsewhere, I believe Ohio State needs to reinforce the support beams. I am talking either interior line, tight end, maybe secondary — positions which may not receive the most hype or attention, but that are integral to the foundation and success of Ryan Day’s team as a whole. While I would not be upset with the program bringing in a star running back or wide receiver, neither position is considered one of need. However, others I did specifically mention either lack experience or failed to meet expectations this season. Or last season. And maybe even the season before that. So enough beating around the bush, Gene, the Buckeyes need secondary help!

OSU has struggled in recent years to slow down teams with a legitimate passing attack. You know it, I know it, the coaches and players know it. I am not sure why, but I would like it fixed. ASAP. Because Ohio State used to have a secondary unit known as BIA; Now you could just call them TOAST. The DB group (corners specifically) held back what could have been a special defense this year, and in my opinion, severely limited what Jim Knowles would have otherwise been able to cook up in pressure and blitz packages. The need starts at corner, but I would welcome a cover safety to replace Tanner McCalister.

I still have hope that cornerback Denzel Burke will revert back to his 2021 form, but he has not been the same player in 2022. Cam Brown will be moving on after battling through injury for most of his career. JK Johnson, Jordan Hancock, and Jyaire Brown all have potential, but lack quality reps. Not great, Bob. There is not a CB currently on this roster who Buckeye fans should have a ton of confidence in, and that needs to change. Maybe it does so internally. I am not giving up on Tim Walton as a coach, and we have seen flashes of borderline brilliance from Burke. But a “Help Wanted: Experience a must” sign outside of the Woody would not hurt my feelings.

In addition to CB, a cover safety should also be on the shopping list for OSU. McCalister, while perhaps not the flashiest playmaker in the world, was incredibly steady as both a safety and a coach on the field. His experience and knowledge of Knowles’ defense will be missed. Listed behind him on the depth chart is Cam Martinez, and if you watched the Michigan game, you know why I am concerned. The Buckeyes cannot and should not ignore this position if an opportunity presents itself.

There you have it. I would only like Ohio State to replace most of its secondary. And if Lathan Ransom chooses to pursue his NFL dream, then I will go into hibernation after the CFP, and hopefully awake to a spring roster loaded with experience in the secondary. It is an absolute must for Day and his staff, that they go out and get proven veterans to defend the pass. Otherwise, I don’t think we will ever see the full potential of a Knowles defense, and that would be a damn shame.

Gene’s Take


Unlike my counterpart, I have given up on Tim Walton after a miserable season for Ohio State’s corners — one wherein the new position coach was gifted a freshman All-American in Burke, a sturdy veteran in Brown and a handful of young four and five-star talents, all of which played terribly this season. That being said, bringing in a proven commodity who got some real coaching elsewhere certainly couldn’t hurt, and as I mentioned in my ‘big names to watch in the portal’ piece last week, there are some really good options out there.

With Josh already taking care of the secondary, I instead will look to offensive side of the football. We know the talent and depth Ohio State has at wide receiver, with both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka both returning to Columbus next season with even more coming behind them. The running back room should be in great shape as well, and there will be a healthy QB competition between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown with C.J. Stroud off to the NFL. With the skill positions all accounted for, I’m turning my attention to the offensive line.

The big guys up front for the Buckeyes this season were solid, especially in pass protection, but Justin Frye’s unit will be losing a lot of talent this offseason. Both starting tackles in Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones are almost certainly off to the NFL Draft, and center Luke Wypler has been getting some draft buzz as well after a strong 2022 campaign. Matthew Jones is eligible to enter the Draft as well, but after an injury-plagued season, you’d have to imagine he will return for another year.

This means Ohio State could be looking at replacing at least two or three starters along the offensive line, including both starting tackles. The only surefire returnee for next year is guard Donovan Jackson, and with Frye’s predecessor Greg Studrawa whiffing on the recruiting trail more often than not, there isn’t a whole bunch of top-end talent to fill out the group. It’s easy to project Josh Fryar as a starter next season after his production as a backup this year, but that still leaves two open spots, assuming Matt Jones returns and is healthy enough to contribute.

There are a number of offensive line options out there, and as I mentioned in my aforementioned transfer portal piece, a guy like Myles Hinton out of Stanford could come in and start right away as a one-year gap player before your young guys are ready to shoulder the load. It wouldn’t be the first time Ohio State has looked to the portal to fill a need up front, and it worked pretty darn well the last time when the Buckeyes brought in Josh Jackson as a one-year starter at guard.

Sure, there are some young guys who could step up next season that are already on the roster, including the likes of Tegra Tshabola, Zen Michalski and Enokk Vimahi, but it couldn’t hurt to add another experienced player to the mix at such an important position.

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Ohio State’s Cotie McMahon wins Big Ten Freshman of the Week
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land

The Ohioan pulls in her first Freshman of the Week honor after two strong performances, and Taylor Thierry makes Honor Roll

Monday, the Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team stayed put in the AP Poll at No. 3, but still received recognition they haven’t earned in almost three years. The Big Ten conference awarded Forward Cotie McMahon won her first B1G Freshman of the Year honor.

McMahon’s started every game this season for the Scarlet & Gray, but week four was her best. In games against the New Hampshire Wildcats and Michigan State Spartans, McMahon averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals per game.

Against the Wildcats, McMahon scored a team, and career, high 20 points alongside five steals and four assists. At the start of the second half, McMahon opened up the first 3:04 of the third quarter with four of those five steals, on her way to 10 points in the game.

In the Buckeyes’ first Big Ten home game of the season, McMahon continued that strong play, opening the game up with two points, two rebounds, and a steal in the first 0:40 of the game. McMahon grabbed 10 rebounds on the day, with eight points.

Both performances aren’t too surprising for the Ohioan from Centerville. McMahon’s played with intensity all season, helping on the defensive press and showing speed that can cover the court quicker than almost anybody in the arena.

The two games are a shift for McMahon, who over the past couple of weeks has been sat by head coach Kevin McGuff, opting for more experience on the court in close games against the Louisville Cardinals and Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Even then, McGuff’s always applauded the freshman forward for her ability and how McMahon will be a leader for the Buckeyes for years to come.

Sunday, McMahon showed that ability to lead the team, playing eight minutes of the final quarter against a surging Spartans team. Michigan State cut a once 18-point lead down to two points with 18 seconds remaining and McGuff kept McMahon on the court, with short substitutions for free throw shooting purposes.

McMahon grabbed six of her 10 rebounds in that fourth quarter, making an impact when Ohio State needed it most. On the season, McMahon averages 9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game.

The B1G Freshman of the Week award hasn’t been awarded to the program since Feb. 17, 2020, when then-freshman Madison Greene won the award for the Scarlet & Gray.

Elsewhere in the weekly conference awards was another forward: Taylor Thierry. The sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio won a spot on the Big Ten’s Weekly Honor Roll after averaging 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds on 77.3% shooting in the two wins, plus nine rebounds to go with 21 points on Sunday.

Thierry currently leads the country in field goal percentage with an astounding 73%.

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Film Preview: What makes Georgia’s defense so difficult for opposing offenses to breakdown?
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ohio State will need to execute at a high level to make plays against Georgia’s defense.

Since the Georgia Bulldogs hired Kirby Smart as their head coach, they have found success on the back of their dominant defenses. This year has been no different, even with an expected drop off with many players leaving for the NFL. Despite the turnover, Georgia has found success.

In their biggest games of the year, Georgia has limited explosive offenses across the country, including Tennessee and Oregon, and have taken care of almost every team they’ve lined up across from. Throughout the season this defense has evolved to make up for personnel being injured, but they have made it work in a variety of ways.

Georgia has done this through a dominant defensive line led by Jalen Carter, who has returned from injury in recent weeks. In the secondary, cornerbacks Kelee Ringo and Kamari Lassiter steal the show with a pair of talented safeties behind them. From a talent standpoint, there is not be a group with more in the country on that side of the ball.

Ohio State will need to execute their gameplan, but the real test is going to be how the Buckeyes prepare for the moment. That is one place where the Bulldogs have won games from the start. If the Buckeyes can’t match the psychological aspects of this game, the Dogs could take control early — and with this talented defense, not relinquish that control until the end of the game.

Pressure


Georgia has one of the worst sack percentages in college football, getting to the QB on 5.52 percent of drop backs. This number has improved since Carter’s return, and Georgia has also brought more pressure from the second level compared to recent years. The combination of blitz packages and having one of the best interior pass rushers has netted significantly better results in recent weeks.

On the year, they have over 200 quarterback pressures and the per game numbers have increased since Carter’s return from injury. Georgia relies on their four man rush on most passing situations, choosing to keep the players behind in coverage. When they do blitz, they come fast and hard, giving the quarterback little time to throw.

As we can see in the play below, Tennessee is running their quick passing game to get the five yards needed. They protect against the pressure well, but even when Georgia’s defense did not get home, the result of the play was a rushed incompletion.


The main reason Georgia does not rely on bringing additional pressure from the second level is the interior pass rush. Interior pressure has been a common theme for Smart’s Georgia defenses, and this is one of the hardest things for a quarterback to face. With dominant edge rushers, players are able to step up and maneuver around, but when the pressure comes from the inside, the defender ends up in the quarterbacks lap before he can do anything about it.

This happened to Hendon Hooker quite a few times against Georgia, most notably on the safety that was overturned. Carter is lined up in a 2i alignment, meaning he is over the guard shaded slightly inside the to A-Gap. Tennessee keeps the back in to help and release. Carter’s rush starts with a Bull Rush that gets the guard off balance. Once the back escapes out, Carter uses a Push-Pull move and ragdolls the Tennessee guard.

With the man-coverage behind the rush, Hooker makes a late decision and this allows Carter to get home.


The Georgia pass rush is complementary to their man-coverage, and when the secondary covers well downfield, the four man rush is able to create pressure forcing hurried throws. When they need to they are prepared to bring the blitz, but the gamble has bit them before.

Ohio State will need to have a great day protecting Stroud, and the likes of Donovan Jackson and whoever ends up suiting up at right guard will have their work cut out for them. If they’re not up to the task, there a plenty of games to look back on for what the outcome would most likely be.

Run Defense


Georgia's has the No. 1 ranked rush defense in yards per game, and is No. 5 overall in yards per rush. Ryan Day’s goal will be to remain balanced, but teams have struggled to find any semblance of a run game against this team. This starts up front again, as the Georgia defensive line leads the way in the Bulldogs’ rush defense. Their athleticism and strength allows them to eat up blockers, clearing space for the linebackers to flow freely.

Against Kentucky, Georgia had one of their least successful games against the run from a per rush standpoint — and still only gave up 89 yards. In the play below, Kentucky is in Ohio State’s worst situation with a 3rd-and-1. Georgia’s goal with their defensive linemen is to cross the face of the blocker in front of them. By doing this, it takes away the running backs front side running lane. After they cross the face, the next goal is to get up field forcing the running back to make a decision.

Kentucky gets to the second level on the front side of the play, but the defensive line forces this back into the linebacker who is unblocked, resulting in a short yardage stand for the Dogs.


Where teams have found success on occasion against Georgia’s defense running the ball is with slight misdirections. Kentucky uses a Pin-and-Pull blocking scheme here to run their Wide toss. As we saw in the last play, Georgia is trying to cross the face of the down blocking defenders.

The reason this play works for Kentucky is because to the right side both players follow the Kentucky linemen down. On the left side of the offensive line, both players get walled off by down blocking linemen. The tight end is responsible for getting up to the second level, and the pulling guard impedes the defensive end getting back in the play. Ohio State runs this concept regularly. Georgia will either have to change tendencies or rely on their linebackers to beat the blocks.


There are no guarantees for having success against Georgia from a run game standpoint — many teams have tried. The goal will be to have success in the run game in key situations and keep Georgia off balance. If Ohio State finds some big plays and is able to get Georgia off balance, this is where they can find some big plays.

Coverage


In coverage, Georgia is by far at their best when they are playing man-to-man. This allows them to bring four, and they are confident that the windows will make quarterbacks make bad decisions. In the videos up in the pressure section, Georgia was in man-coverage and that is why their defense is at its most dynamic when they can play their base coverage.

Against Tennessee, Georgia thrived in man-coverage and were physical against the Tennessee receivers. Against the slot receiver, the nickel corner is playing a catch technique, meaning he is letting the defender get into him so he can get his hands on him. Once the receiver shows where he is going, the defender is able to stay in phase and breaks up the pass.

Ohio State will need to win one-on-one matchups and play hard through the catch. Georgia competes for every ball, so the Buckeyes will have to as well.


Georgia plays man with two-high safeties, which creates a different look for opposing quarterbacks. If opponents run shallow routes, the safeties have the freedom to come down. If teams run deep, they are capable of covering downfield. The issue for Georgia that arises in this coverage is the fact that there is no help in the middle of the field. One linebacker has the tight end and the other has the running back in coverage.

This allows Tennessee’s receiver to find space for an easy completion, and turn a short route into a big gain.


Ohio State will need to do their best to win their one-on-one matchups, and when they have an opportunity make a play after the catch. Georgia mixes in zone coverages on occasion, but this was more the case against mobile quarterbacks. They will do this to throw off the timing of opposing quarterbacks.

Against LSU, Georgia gave up more big plays than usual, and the mixtures of coverages really put the Bulldogs in a bind at times. The Buckeyes should expect to see more man-coverage with one or two high safety looks. But if they do see a zone, there will be opportunities for some big window throws.

LSU was able to hit on some big plays against Georgia’s zone because of the threat of their quarterback to run. Keeping eyes in the backfield was a detriment here, and LSU’s receiver was able to cross the field into wide open space for the catch. A missed tackle leads to a long touchdown.


Ohio State has the talent on offense to challenge Georgia’s defense, but they will need to get out of their comfort zone at times. Ryan Day has routinely forced being balanced, running the ball when teams expect it and doing the same in throwing situations. Avoiding tendencies and attacking Georgia with intent in both the run game and passing game will not be easy, but the effort has to be there.

For Ohio State to be successful passing the ball, the Buckeyes will need to limit the four man rush. If they are successful, it will make Georgia choose between defending downfield comfortably with seven defenders or bringing extra bodies to throw off timing. Stroud has not been great against the blitz this year, so I expect to see the Bulldogs bring pressure early. If the Buckeyes can hit on some plays downfield this will open up the rest of the offense.

In the run game, misdirection with the offensive linemen and blocking with the receivers will need to be an emphasis. The plays to Xavier Johnson and Egbuka coming in motion are actually plays that can keep Georgia off balance. Seeing how Pin-and-Pull blocking schemes have worked because they attack Georgia’s tendencies, seeing these more will mean the Buckeyes saw what we did today.

This is no small task, but the Buckeyes are a capable, talented football team. They need to be willing to take some risks. Of all the teams this season, Ohio State has three players capable of winning man-to-man matchups against Georgia. Even though most of the country gives Ohio State no chance, if the Buckeyes execute, anything can happen.

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Bucks dont play again till Sat vs unranked UNC. 3pm on CBS

Ohio State men’s basketball moves up to No. 23 in newest AP Poll
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Buckeyes jumped a few spots after a not at all controversial win over Rutgers last week.

Following their buzzer-beating 67-66 win over Rutgers last week, Ohio State (7-2, 1-0) jumped from No. 25 to No. 23 in the Associated Press Top-25 Poll this week.

The No. 23 Buckeyes had an 11-point lead at one point but couldn’t hold it, finding themselves behind in the final minute of play Thursday night at home. But after a Caleb McConnell missed free throw kept the deficit at two points with seven seconds remaining, Tanner Holden knocked down the game-winning three-pointer from just in front of the Ohio State bench as the buzzer went off for a walk-off win.


The following day, the Big Ten Conference released a statement that Holden’s bucket should not have counted — instead, the play should have been blown dead the moment Holden caught the ball, because he stepped out of bounds on his own accord and then came back in and was the next person to touch the ball. By rule, the ball should have been given back to Rutgers with 0.5 seconds remaining, with the Scarlet Knights up two points. But hey, no takebacks!

With last week’s top team (Houston) losing, the Purdue Boilermakers (10-0, 2-0) moved into the top spot in the AP Poll once again. Matt Painter’s squad also occupied the No. 1 spot last December for one week before losing to Rutgers.

The top five is rounded out by Virginia, UConn, Alabama, and Houston.

Aside from No. 23 Ohio State and No. 1 Purdue, four other Big Ten teams were ranked this week. They are: No. 14 Indiana, No. 18 Illinois, No. 20 Maryland, and No. 22 Wisconsin.

Iowa and Michigan State both received votes in the poll, but were left out of the top-25.

You can check out the full poll here.

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Ohio State seeks 30-Year revenge win vs. Georgia
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Photo by Scott Halleran/Allsport/Getty Images

The Buckeyes and Bulldogs were much different programs than they are today when they met for the first time in 1993.

Ohio State and Georgia have only met once before on the football field, which seems incredible for two such storied programs. When the teams meet on Dec. 31 in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Peach Bowl, it will be one day shy of 30 years since the first meeting, and both programs are in much different places today than they were at that time.

The morning of the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 1993 dawned on an Ohio State team finishing its best season to date under John Cooper, who had taken over in 1988. Two losses (to Wisconsin and Illinois) and a tie would bring out the Buckeye fans’ torches and pitchforks these days. But we were mostly numb in 1993 after a 13-13 tie at home against Michigan. I was there that day, and although Ohio State came back from 13-3 down — thanks in large part to a missed PAT by Michigan — it did not feel like “one of our greatest wins ever,” as stated by then-OSU president E. Gordon Gee.

But I will admit, it was much better than the 31-3 loss I attended in Ann Arbor the previous year, when Desmond Howard did the Heisman pose. Failures against Michigan and in bowl games were far too common in the Cooper era, and now we’re living in a time when two consecutive losses to the Wolverines seems both surreal and unacceptable to many fans.

Georgia was also a different program at the end of the 1992 season. The Bulldogs tied Florida for first in the SEC East that season after finishing no better than fourth in the conference (pre-divisions) their first three seasons under coach Ray Goff. Georgia entered the game at 9-2, with losses at home to Tennessee and in the annual Florida rivalry game.

This year’s Bulldogs are 13-0, coming off last year’s national championship, have won 15 consecutive games and 31 of their last 32 contests. The teams enter the upcoming Peach Bowl with a Heisman finalist at quarterback on both sides.

On New Year’s Day 1993, it was the running backs who were the focus of everyone. Garrison Hearst finished third in the Heisman Trophy race that year behind winner Gino Torretta and runner-up Marshall Faulk.

Ohio State’s big offensive weapon was running back Robert Smith, who returned to the team after sitting out the 1991 season following a dispute with offensive coordinator Elliott Uzelac. Smith switched to a track scholarship for a season after he and Uzelac famously butted heads over practice time requirements vs. classes, but the star running back returned and was part of an incredible stable of rushers in 1992 that included a freshman named Eddie George.

As expected, the running backs were the stars of that 1993 meeting. Hearst ran for 163 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Smith carried 25 times for 112 yards and two scores. The running backs mainly canceled each other out.

Where Georgia had a decided advantage that day was at quarterback. Eric Zeier completed 21-of-31 passes for 242 yards. Most of the damage was done by receiver Andre Hastings, who caught eight passes for 113 yards against a secondary that included current OSU cornerbacks coach Tim Walton.

On the other side, Ohio State had Kirk Herbstreit at quarterback. Herby was more of an option-style running QB, and when called upon in that Citrus Bowl, things didn’t go well. Herbstreit completed just eight of his 24 attempts for 110 yards on the day. Still, the game was evenly played between two teams that had similar records. It was anyone’s game well into the fourth quarter when Ohio State was in position to take the lead.

However, as with many of Cooper’s teams, things went wrong at the exact wrong moment. Deep in Georgia territory, Herbstreit and fullback Jeff Cothran ran into each other in the backfield and the ball came out. Georgia’s Travis Jones recovered, and Zeier capitalized on the momentum, driving the Bulldogs down the field for the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run by Frank Harvey.

The Bulldogs won, 21-14.

So many things about the end of that game seem antiquated today. C.J. Stroud threw more passes at Northwestern (26) — despite the gale force winds in Evanston — than Herbstreit attempted in that Citrus Bowl (24). The running play with the game-changing fumble came on a third-and-11 situation at the Georgia 16, and it’s difficult to imagine a Ryan Day offense going to a rushing play under those conditions, despite Herbstreit’s obvious struggles on the day. Stroud has attempted fewer than those 24 Herbstreit throws in that game twice this season, but he left the game after building a huge lead in both — against Arkansas State and Rutgers.

Similarly, don’t expect a running back this year to tote the rock 25 or more times in this game, although it’s at least possible. No Georgia back has carried more than 20 times in a game this season. Ohio State has had several backs reach the 20-carry mark, and Miyan Williams and Dallan Hayden have eclipsed 25 each once, but both were largely due to a lack of other options.

Williams’ season high of 26 carries came in that Northwestern wind game with TreVeyon Henderson out. Hayden carried a season-high 27 times at Maryland with both Williams and Henderson injured and the Buckeyes struggling to throw, but able to run at will (Hayden ran for 146 yards that day).

That 1992 meeting was ultimately a fairly forgettable bowl game for Ohio State fans. Aside from the loss, there weren’t a lot of big plays by the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s longest play was 45 yards on a pass play from Herbstreit to Smith, but the longest OSU running play was 18 yards (by Herbstreit). Hastings’ longest play went 38 yards and Hearst broke off a 34-yard run for the Bulldogs. It seems like the 2022 meeting should have more explosive plays at least.

Georgia is a consensus favorite to win on Dec. 31, and has earned that distinction over the past two seasons. But, after meeting as decent teams on the first day of 1993, Ohio State has a chance to avenge a 30-year-old loss at a time when both of these legendary college football programs are in the top tier of the sport.

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It's all over the news.

https://arstechnica.com/science/202...gh-by-us-scientists-boosts-clean-power-hopes/

We’ll talk about this later: There’s more to life than being ridiculously good looking (or good at football)
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Your dose of lighthearted takes from this week’s happenings.

The Heisman Trophy presentation is always a spectacle — particularly, for the fashion choices of the finalists. It’s a preview for what’s to come on the NFL Draft red carpet, and an incredible highlight of what happens when high fashion meets incredible athleticism with just a touch (maybe more) of the swagger that only comes from someone who can wear something so daring with full confidence, because heck yes, they’re pulling it off.

And for these folks, to quote Derek Zoolander, there is more to life than being ridiculously good looking, because they also happen to be really good at football.


In a time when name, image and likeness give players opportunities to build their brands with style, it’s interesting to see where some of the top players in the country are taking things.

So without further ado, let’s award the Heisman for most stylish finalist.

4. Stetson Bennett IV

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps he was also in town for an interview with Goldman Sachs and only had room for one suit in his carryon, but the stylings from the Georgia quarterback left something to be desired. The fresh cuts on his face from the SEC Championship game gave Bennett a tough edge, but everything else — from his tame haircut to dark suit to a demeanor that all-too-clearly said he already knew he lost — made Bennett fade into the background compared to the others sharing the stage.

3. Max Duggan

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Altogether, the TCU quarterback’s style reminded me of a teen going to prom. From the floppy hair to the classic cut, windowpane suit and tie in the color of his alma mater. Sure, it would be a good look for senior prom, but this is the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City. Which is something the other two folks on the stage took very seriously.

2. C.J. Stroud

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Okay, to be clear, the gap between Stroud and the No. 1 spot was slimmer than slim, while the gap between Stroud and Duggan was Grand Canyon-esque. Let’s just say it: Stroud. Has. Style. His three-piece, scarlet suit with subtle gray window panes was perfectly paired with his simple pocket square. However, the piece de resistance of the ensemble was his No. 7 bling worn over a simple dark tie and white button down.

1. Caleb Williams

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

When we’re talking high fashion, it was going to be hard to beat Caleb Williams’ Adidas x Gucci collab suit. The cut was pretty old school, but hey, that’s fashion when what’s old is new again. With the sizable lapels and wide cut, the double-breasted suit featured the Adidas logo and token stripes up the sides of the suit, as well as Gucci branding. The plaid design softly alluded to USC’s colors. The slim tie and simple shirt tied things together tastefully.

However, someone probably should have reminded Williams to cut the tags off his sleeves.

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Column: Two years after collapsing mid-game, Keyontae Johnson’s comeback is the best story in college basketball
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Two years after collapsing on the court, Johnson is tormenting opposing teams like he never left.

Amid a chaotic first month of college basketball this season, there’s been one story that’s somehow flown under the radar completely that deserves a bit more press. Louisville’s futility, Texas’ resurgence, Bill Self’s suspension, and North Carolina’s rapid fall from grace have all been major storylines during a hectic first few weeks of the season. There’s been little stability in the overall balance of power in college basketball, and the top-10 teams in the AP Poll is shuffling weekly.

But perhaps the best story of this college basketball season has somehow fallen by the wayside.

Exactly two years ago on Dec. 12, 2020, pre-season SEC Player of the Year Keyontae Johnson had just completed an alley-oop dunk to give Florida an 11-3 lead over No. 20 Florida State 3:37 into the game. On his way back up the court, Johnson collapsed and fell face-first into the hardwood as he went into cardiac arrest. Play was halted and Johnson was stretchered off the court and quickly taken to a Tallahassee hospital. Florida State offered to call off the game, but the Gators, tears in their eyes, wanted to see it through.

They were outscored 42-24 the rest of the first half and eventually lost the game 83-71 — although the importance of the game paled in comparison to the larger, more important issue at hand.


At the hospital, Johnson was placed into a medically-induced coma, where he stayed for one week. With increased brain activity, he was eventually lifted from the coma and put out a video thanking everyone for their prayers and well wishes. On Dec. 20, 2020, Johnson was diagnosed with myocarditis — a heart condition that involves inflammation and weakening of the heart muscle. Johnson was ill with COVID-19 earlier that year, and the heart condition is often linked to the virus, but it’s impossible to know if Johnson had myocarditis before he contracted COVID-19 or not.


Regardless, Johnson did not play for the remaining 20 games of the season, nor did he play at all during the 2021-2022 season. He continued to visit with doctors and cardiologists to learn more about his health and if he could ever play basketball again. For those two seasons, the Florida men’s basketball program left one of their 13 scholarships open for Johnson while he recovered. He quickly became “Coach Key” on the bench, and was an integral part of the program despite not being able to compete.


This past May, after the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season, Johnson entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal in hopes of playing one more season once he was medically cleared to play. Several programs pursued Johnson despite the haziness of his medical status, including Memphis, Nebraska, and Kansas State. In August, Johnson was cleared to return and chose to transfer to Kansas State and play under new head coach Jerome Tang.

The 56 year-old Tang, who spent 19 seasons as an assistant at Baylor from 2003-2022, made Kansas State his first career head coaching job in March. Johnson was one of the first players he recruited to his program.

“Today is great day to be a Wildcat! We are just so excited to welcome Keyontae and his family to K-State,” said Tang. “He is a gifted player and a winner who brings significant experience to our team after playing in one of the toughest leagues in the country while at Florida. Beyond that, we think Keyontae is just a perfect fit with the guys we already have in the program. We can’t wait to get him to Manhattan and introduce him to Wildcat Nation!”

After the resignation of longtime head coach Bruce Weber, Kansas State’s leading scorer from a year ago — Nijel Pack — transferred to the University of Miami. Replacing Pack’s 17.4 PPG and elite three-point shooting was always going to be a struggle, but new coaches — first-time coaches especially — aren’t expected to do much in year one. With so many unknowns, Kansas State was picked to finish last in the Big 12 this season.


Instead, the Wildcats have started the season 9-1 and have received votes in the AP Poll in back-to-back weeks now. Even more impressive is that Johnson, who was unable to play for two seasons, is leading the charge. The 23-year old, 6-foot-6 forward is averaging a career-high 17.2 points per game this season, and has been the Wildcats’ leading scorer in five of their 10 games. He’s also averaging a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game, and is shooting 48% from three-point range. On top of that, he’s playing 32 minutes per game — second on the team, and the highest mark of his career.

After Kansas State’s first win of the season, a 93-59 blowout of Texas Rio-Grande Valley on Nov. 7, Tang said he was happiest for the group of players he was able to assemble for this season’s team, many of whom took “tough roads” to get there. But he was especially emotional for Johnson, who waited two long years to have a second opportunity.

“I told the guys, whether you played well or didn’t play well, played a lot or didn’t play, nobody should be unhappy tonight because Keyontae Johnson played a basketball game — a real game, an NCAA basketball game — for the first time in two years,” Tang told the Topeka Capital-Journal after the game. “There are several guys on the team that had some tough roads to get here, and this is a second opportunity for them, so we just have to be really excited about that.

Johnson’s comeback has helped propel Tang’s first Kansas State team from expected doormat to a sudden NCAA Tournament contender. Granted, the Wildcats haven’t ran a gauntlet of tough games thus far, but they have notched wins over LSU, Wichita State, and Nevada. Time will tell if K-State is legit with Big 12 play starting at the end of the month, but for now “Coach Key” and his Wildcats are racking up non-conference wins left and right, are 9-1, and sit just on the outskirts of the AP Top-25.

For Johnson specifically, the fifth-year senior is currently setting several career-highs in several stat categories, and is in the mix for Big 12 Player of the Year after missing two seasons of basketball activities. His 17.2 points per game currently ranks third in the Big 12, his 6.7 rebounds is seventh, his 81.4% free throw mark is tenth, and his 48% three-point percentage is sixth in the Big 12.


It’s possible that, once Big 12 play starts, Kansas State will fall back to earth and the Wildcats won’t get much media attention for the final few months of the season. But if Johnson’s Wildcats don’t make the NCAA Tournament, or if they do in fact finish in last place in the Big 12, it won’t be for a lack of trying on his part.

I don’t think anyone except Keyontae himself could have expected him to return from such a long break from physical activity and resume being such a productive college basketball player at the highest level. Regardless of where his season goes from here, it seemed important to take a minute today — on the two year anniversary of the day Johnson almost lost his life — to recognize his amazing journey and perseverance.

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I-70 Football Podcast: It’s Award Season
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

It’s officially award season! conference and national awards, as well as All-American honors, have been announced.

Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s I-70 podcast. On this show, we talk about all things Big Ten football and basketball. After every week of action, we will get you caught up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players that you should be paying attention to in the next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:


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The season is over, and there is a lull between bowl games as teams get an extra week to prepare. The break is filled with awards, as every conference and major media outlet announces their post-season honorees. In this episode of the I-70 Football Podcast, Dante and Jordan discuss the various awards and All-American honors bestowed upon the best players in the Big Ten.

Before the awards conversation, the guys discuss the latest news around the Big Ten, including updates on the coaching carousel. New Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell will have to hit the transfer portal for his future quarterback, as current Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz entered his name into the portal. He may not struggle to find one after he hired Phil Longo, former University of North Carolina offensive coordinator, to the same role.

Purdue needs a new coach, as Jeff Brohm has been hired at his alma mater, Louisville, with a seven-year $36 million contract. Lastly, Ohio State needs a new offensive coordinator as Kevin Wilson accepted a head coaching position at Tulsa. The expectation is they will hire from within. Keenan Bailey has already been announced as the tight ends coach.

The Big Ten announced its postseason awards and all-conference teams. The guys have no issues with most of the award recipients, but Jordan does not agree with Jack Campbell as the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year or Defensive Player of the Year. Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenberg finished with five fewer tackles, but had 19 more solo tackles as well as more sacks and more tackles for loss. Campbell came into the season with a well-known name, but Tommy had the better season and should be honored instead.

The Big Ten was full of talented players this year, leading the country in All-American honors. The B1G has 13 players voted to one of the All-American teams, with a few more left to be announced. Blake Corum, Marvin Harrison Jr., Paris Johnson Jr., Olu Oluwatimi, Peter Skoronski, Jack Campbell, and Devon Witherspoon are all in line for consensus or unanimous All-American honors.

In their pitstops, Jordan admits to his college football addiction as he is dealing with withdrawal and trying to remember what he likes outside of college football. Dante is ready for the holiday season to end so he can stop driving all over Ohio to see friends and family.


Connect with us on Twitter:

Jordan: @JordanW330

Dante: @DanteM10216

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Four-star DL and Ohio State target sets his commitment date
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Damon Wilson | 247Sports

A longtime target for Larry Johnson will decide between the Buckeyes and Bulldogs in less than two weeks.

As the Buckeyes begin game prep for Georgia, they will soon learn their fate for a top defensive end prospect they are battling the Bulldogs for. Plus, Ohio State played host to one of the top in-state targets for 2024 this past weekend.

Wilson sets commitment date


It’s been a long, hard fought battle between Ohio State and Georgia for 2023 four-star defensive end Damon Wilson of Venice (FL) and now the Buckeyes are aware of when they will learn the decision from the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder.

According to Chad Simmons of On3, Wilson has set an announcement date for Dec. 21 in which he will reveal his pick of Ohio State or Georgia. While the Buckeyes currently read as the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite, it’s the Bulldogs that seem to have the traction in this race.

Defensive line coach Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes put together a valiant effort with Wilson. However, it’s seemed as if Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have weathered the storm. Yes, Ohio State has over a week to try to pull this one back in their favor, but that outcome looks bleak.

With Wilson expected to pick the Bulldogs, it means Ohio State will have lost out on another top edge rusher in the 2023 class. Wilson currently grades as a Top 15 prospect in the class and the second best edge defender overall behind Keon Keeley — another major Buckeye target.

Buckeyes host Marshall for bowl practice


When it comes to the 2024 class in Ohio, there is an argument to be made that none is more important for the Buckeyes than four-star running back Jordan Marshall of Archbishop Moeller (OH). Especially when considering that Ohio State could very well come away empty handed at the position in the 2023 class.

According to Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors, Ohio State had the luxury of welcoming Marshall to campus this weekend to check out a bowl practice on Saturday. The visit allows Marshall to continue to build his relationship with Ohio State who is unquestionably putting a full court press on for the Cincinnati standout.

Marshall, who picked up an offer from Ohio State back in June, currently slots just outside of the Top 100 prospects in next years cycle. The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder also slots in as the 8th highest graded running back in the class and the second best prospect that the state of Ohio has to offer.

Quick Hits

• Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and safeties coach Perry Eliano were in New Jersey on Friday to visit with 2023 four-star safety Jayden Bonsu of St. Peters Prep (NJ). The Hillside native and soon-to-be Buckeye currently grades as the fourth best player from New Jersey in the class.
• With questions surrounding his pledge to Ohio State, 2023 four-star cornerback Kayin Lee of Cedar Grove (GA) certainly didn’t give Buckeye fans reason to calm those concerns this weekend. Lee, an All-American Bowl selection, was seen decked out in Auburn gear for his state championship contest — a program still heavily pursuing the blue-chip defensive back.

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No.3 Ohio State pulls out a close victory 74-68 to Michigan State
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land

Buckeyes bend but don’t break in their first Big Ten home game of the season

The Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team opened up home conference play Sunday, welcoming the Michigan State Spartans to the Schottenstein Center. After a stretch of seven days where the Scarlet & Gray won both games, but had their up and down moments, a home conference game brought a chance to get back to playing a consistent 40 minutes to go 10-0. In a game where no team put up their best performance, Ohio State pulled off their closest win of the year 74-68.

Missing for the third game in a row was guard Jacy Sheldon. After sitting out of games against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and New Hampshire Wildcats this week, with a day-to-day lower leg injury, the rest wasn’t enough to allow the point guard to take the court.

Instead, guard Madison Greene started her third game in a row for the Buckeyes, against a Michigan State team working on incorporating new talent.

From the jump, Scarlet & Gray forward Cotie McMahon looked like a player wanting a big game on a big stage. After an initial Spartans miss, McMahon ran the floor, attacking the rim and missing the layup. The miss didn’t matter though, because McMahon grabbed her own layup rebound and hit the follow-up layup.

Seconds later, McMahon did the work on the other side of the court, leaping high off the floor to grab a Sunday afternoon steal like an NFL wide receiver.

Michigan State pressed the Buckeyes but Ohio State didn’t have issues early getting out of the defensive set. Instead, the Spartans left the paint open and quick passing allowed the Buckeyes to find shooters.

Benefiting from the coverage early was guard Taylor Mikesell. The Northeast Ohioan scored eight points early off two made threes and her favorite attacking the basket move of the teardrop layup.

There were four lead changes early, but the Buckeyes led Sparty 17-13 at the media timeout. Overall in the first quarter, there were 12 fouls called, seven going to Michigan State. That put a top performer from each team into foul trouble early. Both Ohio State’s forward Rebeka Mikulášiková and Michigan guard Matilda Ekh on the bench in the first 10 minutes.

Even so, out of the media timeout the game went the Buckeyes way. The Buckeyes scored 12 of the final 15 points of the quarter, with Greene scoring six from the foul line.

Then, in the second quarter, shooting got tough for the Buckeyes. In the first five minutes of the quarter, the Scarlet & Gray scored one point, on a free throw by Mikulášiková, who head coach Kevin McGuff opted to bring back into the game with two fouls.

Luckily for coach McGuff’s side, Michigan State struggled themselves but scored eight, bringing the Ohio State lead down to five. It took 6:54 before the Buckeyes hit a basket from the run of play, with a Greene steal and Mikesell layup getting Ohio State on the board.

From there, the Buckeyes went streaking. Less than a minute after being up five, Ohio State had three steals overall and stretched the lead to 11, forcing a timeout by the visitors.

After an 0-for-8 shooting start to the second quarter, Ohio State hit five of their last seven to keep a double-digit lead, heading into the locker room up 42-32.

Into the third quarter, the Buckeyes began hot, hitting two of their first four shots, with Mikulášiková hitting two early threes. Ohio State extended their lead to 18, but then went cold, hitting 1-of-6 and committing five turnovers. That let Michigan State back into the game, with the visitors going on a 9-0 run.

Also, the third quarter saw Spartans guard Deedee Hagemann, usually a starter at point guard, get her first minutes entering the third quarter. Hagemann made an impact, scoring five points and bringing energy to a Spartans team that needed it.

It became a game that the Buckeyes needed to claw back to stop any sort of Spartans momentum. They did it by taking advantage of the quick whistles of the officials. Ohio State attacked the basket, getting to the free throw line.

Greene led the way, scoring five points in the second half of the third quarter and making three shots from the free throw line.

Right before the end of the quarter though, it was a tough moment for Michigan State. Guard Gabby Elliott, who was tied for most points by a Spartan with 11, went down holding the back of her left thigh, right above her knee. It was a tense few minutes as no medical team came out from the arena, instead the Michigan State coaches and training staff helped Elliott walk off the court.

Entering the fourth quarter, Ohio State held a five-point lead and needed to hit shots to have a chance at keeping the Spartans at bay.

It didn’t begin that way, and the Buckeyes struggled, missing their first two shots. Michigan State brought the game within three, and Ohio State called a timeout with 7:33 remaining to pull out a conference win.

Ohio State felt like they’d start another streak of scoring, with Greene having to hurl a shot at the shot clock and McMahon grabbing the offensive rebound and layup, but Michigan State answered with a three to cut the Buckeyes lead to two, their closest game in the fourth quarter all season.

With less than a minute left, Michigan State called cut it to a one-point deficit. Ohio State got to the line, and Greene made one of two free throws to go up two, but Michigan State had possession and the chance to tie or go ahead with 32.8 seconds remaining.

On the play, out of the timeout, it was Hagemann who attacked the basket. There to stop a second-chance shot, also by Hagemann, was Thierry who blocked the attempt away.

Mikesell was fouled after the play, and in the bonus, Mikesell hit both free throws. On the defensive end though, they couldn’t stop Hagemann a third time, getting to the rim and landing the layup, going back within a possession.

The Buckeyes almost threw the ball away, trying to get it to Mikesell, but the guard caught the ball that went into the backcourt just before going out of bounds. Mikesell went to the line and again grabbed both free throws to push to a four-point lead.

Ohio State came away with the win, in a dangerously close win for the No. 3 Buckeyes, 74-68.

Keeping it Close


On Sunday more than any game this season, the Buckeyes felt a team breath down their necks. Michigan State wasn’t intimidated by a No. 3 in front of Ohio State’s name and had every chance of winning.

Even going up 18 points in the second, those game-changing runs for Ohio State were few and far between, even against a young Spartans team.

High Percentage Taylor Thierry


When Ohio State needed scoring, it was Thierry who was there consistently for the Buckeyes. The guard/forward led the home side in a tough shooting quarter with 15 points. Those shots, 12 of her 15 points, came from inside the paint. Thierry attacked the rim with a growing confidence, accounting for six of her eight first half shots.

Thierry also added an open three from the corner, showing the diversity that McGuff likes to see in his players.

In the second half, already at her career high of 15 points, Thierry got going early defensively, blocking a charging Ekh down the baseline. Thierry played a strong second half, adding six points and six rebounds on a career 21-point night.

What’s Next


After Sunday’s game, Ohio State takes three games off from conference play. It begins with the University of Albany on Friday, Dec. 16, then a trip to San Diego for two in-season tournament games.

On Dec. 20, the Buckeyes face the USF Bulls. The next day it’s either the No. 17 Oregon Ducks or Arkansas Razorbacks, depending on the outcome of their Dec. 20 match-up at the San Diego Invitational.

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what a game

NY Times Writer discovers a story about why the rivalry between Ohio state and Michigan is so intense. Fielding Yost is at the center, naturally:

https://www.nytimes.cf/2022/11/23/sports/ncaafootball/michigan-ohio-state-letters.html

Game Preview: No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Michigan State
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Buckeyes welcome Sparty to Columbus for the first conference home game of the early season

Preview


Entering this season, there was always going to be an identity crisis for the Spartans. Michigan State lost their star leading-scorer and team leader Nia Clouden. Also, their top rebounder in forward Tamara Farquhar and role-players Alisia Smith and Alyza Winston.

It was a team destined to fall into the hands of guard Matilda Ekh, a Swedish international who averaged 11.8 points per game, and guard DeeDee Hagemann. Both sophomores, they needed reinforcement for Michigan State to compete this season, and they got it in transfer guard Kamaria McDaniel.

McDaniel is no stranger to the Big Ten. The 5-foot-10 guard played with Penn State for three seasons to start her NCAA career, earning a spot on the Second Team All-B1G in 2020 after scoring the second highest points per game average in the conference with 19.8.

Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Kamaria McDaniel’s (5) leading the way for Michigan State, trying to replace lost scoring of now WNBA player Nia Clouden.

McDaniel then moved on to Baylor university. After two seasons, and one where she didn't play due to injury, McDaniel found her form again in the league where she started, leading the Spartans with 15 points per game.

Even with McDaniel, Ekh and Hagemann, it’s been an expectedly up and down start to the season. Michigan State started off impressive enough, winning their first six games, but once ranked opponents, the ACC/B1G Challenge and conference play began, it’s been four straight defeats.

Against then No. 5 Iowa State, with Ekh away on international duty, the Cyclones humbled Sparty 80-49 in the first of two Phil Knight Invitational games. In their second, three days later, Ekh returned and Michigan State looked disjointed but held their own against then No. 18 Oregon Ducks.

Something impressive from the Spartans against the Ducks, and something to look for on Sunday, was their passing out of the press. Oregon played a full court press, and forced only 10 turnovers against Michigan State on the day. Ohio State needs their press to hit the energy level needed to make it effective, as the last two games showed what happens when it’s flat.

Michigan State is no slouch in the turnover department either. Sparty sits second in forced turnovers in the conference. That means the Buckeyes can’t afford to lose possessions and give a Michigan State team who’s struggling to find consistent scoring the chance to get into a rhythm.

If guard Jacy Sheldon’s day-to-day lower leg injury allows her to play Sunday, there’s a better chance that the Buckeyes’ press — which is more dangerous than Oregon’s — makes an impact.

Projected Starters

Lineup Notes

• Cotie McMahon’s 20 points makes her the fifth Buckeye this season to lead the team in points.
• Taylor Mikesell leads the conference in three-pointers made this season with 30.
• If Sheldon returns, it’ll be only her second start in the last six Ohio State games.

Lineup Notes

• Forward Isa Alexander started her first game against Purdue on Monday, and averages 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
• Ekh and Hagemann are the only returning starters for the Spartans from last season.
• Junior Gabby Elliot transferred from Clemson this offseason, and has started all 10 games for Michigan State.

Prediction


The Ohio State Buckeyes are every bit of their No. 3 ranking when their defense is firing and causing mistakes. Michigan State’s new team chemistry is a perfect opponent to force the issue on the press. The Scarlet & Gray will have those chances Sunday, as long as they’re making good decisions shooting.

A first home Big Ten game feels like a similar game to facing a Tennessee Volunteers or Indiana Hoosiers. Head coach Kevin McGuff and Ohio State will look to play their game to get back on track of keeping their performances consistent.

Sheldon starts and plays her best game shooting deep, after starting the season 5-for-16 on three-point attempts. Also, fellow Central Ohioan, forward Cotie McMahon, will continue her strong second half from New Hampshire and show coach McGuff that she can stay on the floor and produce in big games.

McDaniel will have success attacking the basket, an area that Ohio State has been vulnerable this season. Even so, it’s going to be a game where the Buckeyes can force their game on the Spartans and grab their 10th double-digit victory margin in a row.

How to Watch


Date: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Where: Schottenstein Center - Columbus, Ohio
Television: Big Ten Network
Stream: Fox Sports with Big Ten Network subscription

LGHL Prediction: 89-74 Ohio State Buckeyes

Last Non-Conference Stretch


A win against Michigan State keeps the momentum going into the Buckeyes’ pre-Christmas trip to San Diego for a game against the USF Bulls, and a second against either the Oregon Ducks or Arkansas Razorbacks.

After Sunday, Ohio State doesn’t play another home conference game for 20 days, when they welcome the other Michigan team to Columbus on New Year’s Eve.

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Order your limited edition Brutus Then and Now bobblehead now!
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



Yes, the old Brutus might scare the children, but this is still a very cool bobblehead!

We Buckeye fans love our history, we love our traditions, and we love our mascot. So, when you put all of that love into one singular thing, what do you get? The new “Brutus Then and Now Bobblehead” from our fine friends at FOCO.

Normally, their “Then and Now” series takes a player from the past and pairs them with a modern star, but in this case, they are comparing the OG, 1965 Brutus Buckeye and placing him side-by-side with the version that we know and love today. While the original version of the humanoid, semi-poisonous nut might be enough to give small children nightmares, it is a beautiful ode to the past for the more seasoned fans amongst us.

This new bobblehead features both Brutuses in front of the north rotunda of the cathedral of college football Ohio Stadium. On the left is the original Brutus in black and white and on the left is the modern killer nut in full color.

Get your Brutus Then and Now bobbleheads here!



The “Brutus Then and Now Bobblehead” is available for pre-order now for $90, but hurry, because there will only be 222 versions of the 5-inch tall figure made, and you don’t want to miss this one.

FOCO has been killing it with Brutus bobbleheads this year. In October, to celebrate Halloween, the company released a “Phantom of the Opera-themed bobblehead featuring our boy Brutus in a picture-perfect Spooky Season costume. The company also released a Thanksgiving Day Parade-inspired Brutus bobblehead and a Brutus in Christmas pajamas in front of the fireplace bobblehead. Also, as over the summer, FOCO released very snazzy Brutus Buckeye Bighead.

In addition, FOCO just released a pair of bobbleheads to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ohio Stadium. One features Brutus, while the other shows Woody Hayes strutting above The Horseshoe. Also, OSU great Chris Olave got his own Gate Series bobblehead joining fellow former Buckeye greats Chase Young, Justin Fields, Cameron Heyward, Carlos Hyde, Joey Bosa, and Michael Thomas who had their boobleheads released in August.

As someone with a borderline unhealthy Ohio State bobblehead/collectible addiction, I can think of no better way to celebrate the holiday season than with one (or all) of these magnificent merchandising masterpieces.

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