Play Like a Girl podcast: Heisman fashion (we’re not over it)
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Plus, is Joe Burrow attractive or ambitious?

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

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


Welcome back! This week is Meredith’s last show for a minute, so thanks to Alexis, Jami, Megan, Tia and Matt and everyone else involved in the pod!

On the show, Jami and Meredith discuss:

• Their Christmas movie list (and which movies they’re most likely to cry during, cough, “Muppets Christmas Carol”).
• The post-wisdom teeth extraction video about Joe Burrow
• Favorite Mike Leach moments
• Heisman fashion (Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud - just iconic)

Plus, Meredith apologizes to Jami for laughing at her when she said in late September that Caleb Williams would win the Heisman.


Contact Jami Jurich:
Twitter: @jamiurich

Contact Meredith Hein:
Twitter: @MeredithHein

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Ohio State men’s basketball vs. North Carolina: Game preview and prediction
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Buckeyes travel to New York City to take on North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic today.

After hosting Rutgers last Thursday, Ohio State will hit the road for the last time in 2022, traveling to New York City to take on North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic. This marks the eighth time the Buckeyes have played in the annual event, and the third time they have matched up with the Tar Heels in the classic.

Following a loss to Duke in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, Ohio State has won its last two games. The last time the Buckeyes were on the court, they opened up their Big Ten schedule with a thrilling 67-66 win over Rutgers. The game with the Scarlet Knights was a back-and-forth affair, with the contest being a one-possession game for the final 13 minutes.

In his first year at Ohio State after transferring from Wright State, Tanner Holden hit one of the most dramatic shots in school history, hitting a three-pointer as time expired to give the Buckeyes the win. The triple was the only basket of the game for Holden. The buzzer-beater was the first “walk-off winner” for Ohio State since Evan Turner’s three-pointer in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament against Michigan.

While Holden was massive at the end of the game, Zed Key was tremendous throughout the contest for the Buckeyes. The big man recorded a career-high with 22 points and tied a career-high with 14 rebounds. The double-double was the sixth of Key’s career, with four of them coming this season. Through nine games, Key is averaging 14.3 points per game, and 8.7 rebounds per game, with both averages leading the Buckeyes.

Ohio State was missing a couple of players against the Scarlet Knights, as Issac Likekele missed the game because he returned home to deal with a family emergency. Eugene Brown III hasn’t been able to play yet this season for the Buckeyes because of a concussion. With Likekele out of the lineup, Brice Sensabaugh started his first game of the season. The talented freshman scored 13 points against Rutgers and is second on the team with 14.1 points per game. Sensabaugh has hit half of the 36 three-pointers he has attempted this season.

Preview


Today Ohio State will make its first trip to Madison Square Garden since the 2018 Big Ten Tournament. The Buckeyes have played at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” 36 times, posting a 23-13 record. Two of those games have come against North Carolina, with the Tar Heels winning the 1946 National Semifinal game, as well as the 2009 2K Sports Classic. North Carolina is 12-3 all-time against Ohio State.

In the most recent meeting between the schools, Ohio State dominated the Tar Heels 74-49 in Chapel Hill in the 2019 ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Today’s game is the third time the schools have met in the CBS Sports Classic. North Carolina beat the Buckeyes in Chicago in the inaugural event back in 2014 and also won when the teams met again in 2017 in New Orleans.

Ohio State has won the last three games they have played in the CBS Sports Classic, and is 4-3 all-time, giving them the second-best record amongst the four teams that annually participate in the classic. The only team with a better CBS Sports Classic record than the Buckeyes is the Tar Heels. The last time Ohio State played in the event was in 2020 when they beat UCLA in Cleveland. Last year’s game against Kentucky was canceled because of COVID-19 issues. Kentucky went on to play the Tar Heels in Las Vegas, blowing out North Carolina 98-69.

Even though last year’s loss to Kentucky was disheartening for the Tar Heels and Hubert Davis, they didn’t let it define their season. Last season was Davis’ first season as head coach of his alma mater, replacing legendary coach Roy Williams. Davis and his team got better as the year went on, finding their groove in the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels not only ended the coaching career of Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski in the Final Four, North Carolina nearly won a national title, falling to Kansas 72-69 in the championship game.

North Carolina had a rough stretch of games that started out in Portland in the Phil Knight Invitational. After losing their first game of the season to Iowa State in the semifinals, the Tar Heels were outlasted by Alabama 103-101 in four overtimes in the consolation game. Just a few days later, North Carolina was downed 77-65 by Indiana in Bloomington in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, and in their first game in December they lost their ACC opener at Virginia Tech.

The Tar Heels have put an end to the four-game losing streak, winning their last two games. The most recent victory come on Tuesday night when they hammered The Citadel 100-67. North Carolina hit a season-high 15 three-pointers and recorded 24 assists on 32 field goals. Caleb Love led the team with 17 points in the game, while Northwestern transfer Pete Nance had 16 points.

There will be an entertaining battle down low today between Zed Key and Armando Bacot. The North Carolina center recorded his 55th career double-double on Tuesday, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Bacot now has 62 where he has pulled down at least 10 rebounds in a game. For the season, Bacot is averaging 16.4 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per game.

Bacot is second on the team in scoring, with Caleb Love averaging a team-high 18.0 points per game. It will be rare to see Love off the court during today’s game since he has played at least 30 minutes in all but one game this year. Love had one of the most ridiculous lines in the four-overtime loss to Alabama, with the guard playing 58 minutes in the game.

North Carolina has two other players averaging double figures in scoring this year. R.J. Davis is averaging 15.2 points per game, and Pete Nance is putting up 13.0 points per game. Rounding out the starting lineup is guard Leaky Black, who is averaging 31.5 minutes per game. The Tar Heels aren’t a very deep team, as they only have three other players who are averaging more than 10 minutes per game this season.

Prediction


After a stretch that saw them travel to Maui and then down to Durham for a showdown with Duke, Ohio State has been able to catch their breath a bit since they haven’t played a game in over a week. The Buckeyes do have to deal with not having a couple of key players in the lineup today, since Issac Likekele will miss his second straight game, and Eugene Brown III is still recovering from a concussion.

North Carolina has won the majority of matchups with Ohio State over the years, but the last time the teams met, the Buckeyes easily beat the Tar Heels on their own court. North Carolina is the one team in the CBS Sports Classic field that the Buckeyes have yet to defeat in the annual event. If there was ever a year to beat North Carolina in the event, this would be the year.

Even though the Tar Heels have some star power in Caleb Love and Armando Bacot, Ohio State feels like a more complete team right now. The Buckeyes have Zed Key to match up with Bacot, Justice Sueing to do a little bit of everything, fabulous freshmen Brice Sensabaugh and Bruce Thornton, as well as impactful transfers Sean McNeil and Tanner Holden.

This has all the makings of being a very entertaining game, as well as a matchup that we could see in the NCAA Tournament. Right now it feels like North Carolina is still trying to find their identity because of their limited bench, while Ohio State feels like a team that knows who they are. With veterans like Sueing and Key, the Buckeyes are able to put things together just a little better and squeeze out a win at Madison Square Garden.

ESPN BPI: Ohio State 59.2%
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: CBS

LGHL score prediction: Ohio State 74, North Carolina 70

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No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball uses second half comeback to blow out Albany 82-57
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State University athletic department

Buckeyes avoid an upset but still tame the Great Danes in final non-conference home game of the season

It was a festive, yuletide feeling inside the Schottenstein Center leading into Friday night’s Ohio State women’s basketball game. With Christmas music blaring and fake snow graphics donning the video board, the Buckeyes welcomed UAlbany for the last Ohio State home game until New Year’s Eve. Even though the Great Danes gave the home team a challenge, Ohio State wasn’t in the giving spirit, beating the Great Danes 82-57.

Although the Buckeyes had a positive result, a negative was the continued absence of guard Jacy Sheldon. During pregame warm-ups, Sheldon stood off-court not putting pressure on her right leg, on crutches. In past games, the guard wore a smaller boot without the crutches, a troubling sign for Sheldon who’s currently week-to-week according to head coach Kevin McGuff.

The Buckeyes had a challenge ahead of them, against a University at Albany team who plays the Princeton offensive system. In other words, they play with a lot of off-the-ball movement, multiple on and off-the-ball screens, and work to exploit mismatches.

Stepping up early though Friday night was forward Cotie McMahon. The Dayton-area freshman scored the first nine points for Ohio State, and 11 in the quarter.

Defensively, a team that’s struggled in half-court defense this year played a good first quarter, forcing six turnovers. Part of those turnovers though was the Great Danes making poor passes and turning the ball over needlessly. The Scarlet & Gray went into the second quarter up 21-12, but Albany wouldn’t be down for long.

It took almost three minutes for Ohio State to score a point in the second half, Instead, Albany created open looks in the halfcourt, and cut a nine-point deficit into a three-point lead.

Part of that deficit cut came from poor shooting for the home team. Ohio State missed their first five shots from deep. Combine that with the Great Danes isolating, hitting shots, and getting a few lucky bounces and a comfortable first quarter turned into a considerably less comfortable second.

Getting the Scarlet & Gray back into the lead was McMahon. After guard Taylor Mikesell hit a game-tying three going into the second-quarter media timeout, McMahon scored the next five points. Going into the locker room with Ohio State up 34-31, McMahon scored 17 points and had four rebounds. She was the difference for the Buckeyes between going into the third quarter either up or down.

The last time the Buckeyes played a team from the America East, Ohio State came out in the second half and held the New Hampshire Wildcats to seven points in two quarters. The Scarlet & Gray hoped for another turnaround against the Danes.

While the Buckeyes didn’t hold the Danes to seven second-half points, they came out with renewed focus in the second half on defense. Ohio State held UAlbany to 12 points in the quarter and played more sound offense.

It started right away with McMahon, who seems to have a knack for starting halves strong. The forward hit a layup, grabbed a steal in the Buckeyes' offensive zone, and found Mikesell for the layup. All within 15 seconds.

McMahon started a third quarter where Ohio State scored 25 points, and leading the way was guard Madison Greene. The Pickerington, Ohio native kept calm even as the Scarlet & Gray were underperforming. In the quarter she scored seven and added three steals.

Ohio State had trouble guarding one player on UAlbany, Swedish forward Helene Haegerstrand. The 6-foot-1 playmaker was strong in the paint, scoring six of her 21 points in the third.

Even so, coach McGuff bounced back from a tough first half and entered the fourth quarter up 59-43, with one quarter left to build some consistency.

Although she started the game slowly, Mikesell grew the lead quickly in the fourth quarter. The guard hit two threes in the first 2:30 of the quarter, plus a fast break layup to get Ohio State into a more comfortable 24-point lead.

From there, Ohio State kept the momentum and replaces starters with bench players for the remaining four minutes of the game. Part of that bench was forward Eboni Walker, who played more minutes with forward Rebeka Mikulášiková having an off night, scoring four points total.

Walker had six points, three rebounds and two steals for her most productive game as an upperclassmen transfer from Syracuse University.

The Buckeyes pulled away, ultimately coming away with a 82-57 victory.

McMahon Tear Continues

For the third game in a row, the Buckeyes’ highly-ranked freshman recruit had a game. McMahon bested her career high on offense, scoring 24 points. They mostly came from making aggressive moves to the basket and drawing fouls, creating extra point opportunities.

It was an all-around impact though for the forward. McMahon always stayed busy on defense, getting back on to cover, going after steals on the floor, and covering space on the court with her speed.

Quiet Game for Top Scorers


Entering Friday, Mikesell and Mikulášiková averaged 36.1 combined points per game for the Buckeyes. Against UAlbany, the two couldn’t find their shooting in the game. For Mikesell, who made one first-half three, the shots from beyond the arc weren’t falling, with one even creating a rare shot that didn’t touch close to the rim, sailing out of bounds.

The two had nine combined points at the end of the third quarter.

Instead of a big game by two Buckeyes, all nine players got onto the scoresheet. McMahon’s 22 points were the outlier in a game where everyone had to provide something offensively.

What’s Next


The Scarlet and Gray have off until Sunday, when they travel west to San Diego, California. On the schedule are two games in two days at the San Diego Invitational. Up first, on Dec. 20, is a match-up against the USF Bulls, at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Depending on the results of Tuesday’s 1 p.m. ET game between the No. 16 Oregon Ducks and Arkansas Razorbacks, the Buckeyes will play one of the two teams on Dec. 21.

Then comes a break for Ohio State until Dec. 28, when they travel to the Chicagoland area to face the Northwestern Wildcats.

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You’re Nuts: Is Purdue the best college basketball team in the country?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The Boilers are ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll once again, and they visit the Buckeyes in three weeks.

Listen, folks. Many people have called us haters. That we “don’t know ball.” Many people have called us idiots and other vile names on the internet — namely, Rutgers and Wisconsin fans — and it was probably warranted! This week, we’re putting our hater hats on and questioning the legitimacy of yet another Big Ten giant — Purdue.

But first, a recap.


Last week, Connor and Justin debated whether USC and UCLA joining the Big Ten in 2024 was good for the Big Ten from a basketball standpoint. Overwhelmingly, the people sided with Justin, agreeing that it’s a good thing that these two west coast powers are joining the Big Ten. The Kent State kid picked up a whopping 73% of the vote. That means Justin’s long-overdue comeback is finally complete.

After 79 weeks:

Connor- 33
Justin- 33
Other- 9

(There have been four ties)


As previously stated, the No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers (10-0, 2-0) are looking down on everyone from the top spot in the AP Poll for the second year in a row — they were No. 1 for one week last season, too. But are the Boilermakers really the best team in the country? That is this week’s discussion.

Today’s question: Is Purdue the best team in the country?

Connor: No

Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

This is a very, very good Purdue team — much better than I gave them credit for at the beginning of the season. Through 10 games, pretty much all of the concerns people had with this Purdue team (that was picked to finish fifth in the conference) have been addressed.

Can Zach Edey stay out of foul trouble and play enough minutes to really dominate games? Well, he’s averaging nearly 32 minutes per game and is scoring 22 points per night to go along with 13.7 rebounds.

Will Purdue produce a few complementary scorers to ensure that teams can’t sell out against Edey? Freshman guards Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith are averaging 22.4 points per game combined thus far, plus an assist-to-turnover ratio of better than 2:1. Smith is also shooting 43% from three.

Can they play enough defense to overcome possible slow offensive nights? Right now, they’re the No. 28 defense according to KenPom.

The issue is, a lot of this may not be sustainable. Right now, Purdue is shooting just a hair under 34% as a team from three-point land — 10th in the Big Ten. That’s not a horrid number, but it’s not good, and it’s certainly not indicative of a team that may be the best in the nation. I think the Boilermakers are playing above their actual level right now, and the shooting numbers might not improve — that’s bad for Purdue and bad for Edey.

I’m also skeptical that guys like Loyer, Smith, and even Edey himself can keep up this unbelievable pace. The freshmen are going to hit bumps — they always do. When this happens, defenses will shrink and Edey will have much less space to work with. He’ll be forced to take some heavily contested shots, or kick it back out. Since the success of this team entirely hinges on him, that’s important.


Some recent results are also concerning. Going to overtime against Nebraska as the No. 1 team in the country? Beating a one-win Florida State team by 10 points? Purdue was playing with fire on the road against two bad teams and luckily didn’t get burnt either time.

I think Purdue is the favorite to win the Big Ten right now, but I wouldn’t say they’re anywhere near a “heavy” favorite. UConn is rolling on all cylinders, Houston has only lost one game (against an elite opponent), and Alabama is just scratching the surface of what they could become. While they’ve earned the No. 1 spot for now, I don’t think Purdue is the best basketball team in the country.

The really fun question is, when Purdue visits Columbus on January 5, how much will the Boilermakers be favored by?

Justin: Yes

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

I’m back baby. Also pretty inevitable I will lose this lead (tie but to me, it is a lead) pretty soon. But nevertheless, here we are.

This week, I am going out on a limb and I am going to say that the No. 1 team in the country is the No. 1 team in the country. Call me crazy.

It has been a very weird season in the college hoops world in general. No one has been able to stay at the top of the mountain and the team that started at the top of the mountain isn’t even ranked anymore (looking at you North Carolina).

Purdue has moved all the way from their preseason ranking of No. 24 to now No. 1 in the country after their 10-0 start. The Boilermakers have risen to the cream of the crop after just one month basically and have convincing wins over Gonzaga and Duke by 20.

One thing going for the Boilermakers is they have the best player in the country right now in Zach Edey. Edey is averaging 22 points per game and 13.7 rebounds per game while shooting 60 percent from the field. He had 31 and 22 in one game. Granted against Minnesota but still.


And as everyone predicted, they have two of the best freshman in the country right now. Fletcher Loyer is averaging 13 points per game and Braden Smith is averaging 9.3 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assists per game. Caleb Furst and Ethan Morton have played great ball and after missing all of last season with an injury, Trey Kaufman-Renn has bounced back in a big way. And of course, always trust in Matt Painter.

It can also basically be assumed that they will win every game at Mackey Arena because that is just what they do. One of the toughest places to play in the country and is not a place many teams are able to come into and win.

And they have proven they can win the close ones. They beat Nebraska in overtime and beat Florida State after playing a close game most of the way through. They have blown out Gonzaga and Duke. They got it all.

And hopefully, they are 13-0 when they come to Columbus on Jan. 5.

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Forgotten Buckeyes, Special Edition: Jamaal Brown
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State Athletics / ohiostatebuckeyes.com

LGHL’s recent summer staple ‘Forgotten Buckeyes’ is back — for at least one week, and with one very special edition.

I will try to keep the intro relatively short for this one: Forgotten Buckeyes is an ongoing series which highlights and remembers certain underappreciated Buckeyes from some time ago. Those who may have been forgotten since they last donned the scarlet and gray. Other OSU fans and media types have taken a similar approach to recognition, but this is my personal way of paying homage to those who left an indelible mark at Ohio State.


This time around, I wanted to show appreciation and a fond remembrance for a certain OSU legend who is, unfortunately, no longer with us. This man sadly passed a month ago, and his passing had an oddly profound affect on me. He was one of the first Buckeyes I remember seeing in-person — and just rooting for. He wasn’t the star of his teams or the most exciting player in the world, but that didn’t matter to me. I liked his game, I liked his effort, and I liked watching him play basketball in St. John Arena.

And I like that I still have memories of attending his games with my old man. My dad and I have attended fewer and fewer Ohio State games together as we’ve both gotten older, and most of them I couldn’t tell you a single thing about. But I’ll never forget the games I watched with him in St. John — as a kid, no less! Nowadays, I can’t even tell you what I had for breakfast, but I somehow remember a vengeful Eric Montross in 1992. I remember watching Jimmy Jackson for the first time, and thinking he was the next Michael Jordan.

And I remember former OSU guard Jamaal Brown. So without further ado...


Having moved from New Jersey to Texas, Jamaal Brown was a long way from Columbus (OH) when Ohio State staffers first became familiar with the future basketball team captain. Familiarity soon developed into something more, and the rest – as they say – is history. But this relationship between player and program did not start out as some traditional recruiting courtship.

It was actually Brown who contacted OSU first, sending a letter to the legendary Gary Williams and his assistant at the time, coach-turned-analyst Fran Frischilla. He (Brown) was an under-the-radar TX hooper and high jumper, looking to get noticed, and recruiting was just a tad different in the late 1980’s. So he did what sounded reasonable at the time: took his game and his personality to coaches, as opposed to waiting around for blind luck to potentially dictate his future. And boy, did Brown’s effort and tenacity work out well for all.

That signature effort and tenacity also led to Brown’s suboptimal first appearance in front of Williams. In a humorous turn of events, the former Ohio State head coach attended a game with Frischilla – to observe Brown up close and in-person – and proceeded to watch his future guard foul out in 10 minutes. Talk about first impressions...

But despite that rather inauspicious performance, OSU maintained interest, and eventually fought off the defending NCAA champs (the ’88 Kansas Jayhawks, AKA Danny and the Miracles) for Brown’s services. He joined a recruiting class which included Chris Jent, forming the early core of what would become a very special and inarguably successful group of Buckeye ballers.

Brown joined Ohio State’s program for the 1988-89 season, and absolutely hit the ground running. He immediately earned a role in Williams’ starting backcourt, alongside super bucket-getter Jay Burson. With Perry Carter and Jerry Francis also packing an offensive punch, Brown was not asked to score much — and he never did, really. But he had all the tools, played team ball, and more importantly, began to establish himself as a rugged defender.

The Buckeyes began their ’88-89 season 17-6, earning a top-20 ranking along the way. However, Burson suffered a near-paralyzing neck injury in mid-February, halting the team’s momentum and more significantly, jeopardizing his own playing career. He was able to bounce back and eventually play 34 games for the CBA’s Columbus Horizon, but his presence was sorely missed by the scarlet and gray. OSU sputtered to a 19-15 record overall, missing out on an NCAA Tournament bid. That would be the only season – of his four spent in Columbus – in which Brown did not go dancing in March.

As a sophomore, Brown and his teammates were joined by Jim Jackson. Hailing from Toledo (OH), this incoming freshman was viewed as a can’t-miss prospect, and it’s fair to say that he panned out quite well. Jackson immediately replaced the scoring of Burson, rounding out a talented Ohio State roster. Now coached by Randy Ayers, the Buckeyes finished ’89-90 with a 17-13 record, reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

They lost to the eventual champions in UNLV, but Brown helped keep the game close with his typical hard-nosed defense. He also added 11 points and seven rebounds, matching the offensive output of the Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Jackson). Onward and upward, OSU – and Brown – continued to improve, making a deep run in the tournament during each of the next two seasons.

Brown produced his most impactful scoring season as junior, pouring in 12 points per game during the ’90-91 campaign. A modest number for some, but Brown had the scoring gene — it came down to whether or not he chose (or was asked) to use it. He did so in January, tallying a career-high 29 points in Assembly Hall, and helping to knock off the third-ranked Indiana Hoosiers. He also splashed a team-high 34 three-pointers throughout the course of the season, flashing characteristics of the modern 3-and-D archetype.

The “D” referenced above stands for defense, which was always Brown’s calling card. He regularly drew the opponent’s toughest backcourt matchup, and at a minimum, made them experience 25+ minutes of frustration (Brown averaged 26.5 minutes/gm for his collegiate career). He displayed those impressive defensive chops during the second round of the ’91 tourney, when Ohio State defeated Georgia Tech in the round of 32. Brown put handcuffs on All-American guard Kenny Anderson, leading to an 8-for-28 shooting night from the latter.

The Buckeyes eventually fell in the Sweet 16, but Brown and his teammates had found something special. They finished the ’90-91 season with an outstanding 27-4 record — a win total which would not be topped until Thad Matta’s 2006-07 squad finished with 35.

A senior for the ‘92-93 season, Brown was named a captain, and again helped lead a very talented and successful team. Having earned the nickname “Mr. Dependable” from his coaches and teammates, the fourth-year stalwart provided his trademark defense and leadership, in addition to 9.9 PPG and 3.0 rebounds. The Buckeyes were loaded with experience, added transfer big man Lawrence Funderburke, and made a run to the Elite Eight. They unfortunately lost an overtime heartbreaker to TTUN (yes, that one), ending the OSU careers of Brown, Jent, Jackson, and others.

During Brown’s four years in Columbus, Ohio State won 89 games. He started 126 in total, averaging 9.0 points per. His teams experienced a great deal of postseason success, and Brown was one of their most consistent contributors. #30 did a little bit of everything, and became a beloved teammate along the way.

I was unfortunately unable to find much regarding Brown’s post-playing career, only that he was back in Texas at the time of his unfortunate passing on November 14. But you don’t have to look far to find an outpouring of love and appreciation from those who knew the former Buckeye, which goes to show just how special he was.

Rest In Peace, Jamaal Brown. You will be missed.

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Which Buckeye will win Offensive Rookie of the Year?
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

It’s a shame there can’t be a tie.

Buckeyes aren’t just good at Ohio State; once they go pro, they dominate in the NFL, too! Especially this new generation of Buckeyes — the receiving duo of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are doing amazing, as we all suspected they would be.

The only problem is, there can only be ONE Offensive Rookie of the Year. Who will it be?

Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images

At the moment, Wilson currently has the best odds to win out of all the rookies. As a Jets fan, I can attest more to his success rather than Olave’s, because I watch Wilson every week. It doesn’t matter who the quarterback has been, he has put the team on his back and carried them to victory.

Wilson has quickly become WR1 on the Jets’ offense. He has adjusted rather seamlessly to the NFL, and is a lot tougher than I thought he would be. No hate on the man, but he is a bit small and therefore I thought he would be fragile. That is definitely not the case, as he takes big hits each week and pops right back up.

On the season, he has 868 yards on 63 receptions and four touchdowns. He is averaging 13.8 yards per catch. That’s pretty dang good! His total yards are good for 16th best in the league. When you think about all of the great receivers in the NFL and the yards they’re racking up each game, it’s impressive to see Wilson right there with them.

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Wow, I knew Olave was doing well, but I didn’t know just how well. In fact, his stats are almost identical to Wilson’s. He has 887 yards, good for 12th best in the league, on 60 receptions and three touchdowns. He is also averaging 14.8 yards per catch. Both receiver’s stats are just phenomenal for first-year players.

Olave is also WR1 on the Saints, as Michael Thomas has been injured for the majority of the year. The second-leading receiver on the team is Jarvis Landry, and he only has 272 yards. It is impressive how well Olave has been doing considering the quarterbacks that have been throwing to him. Jameis Winston struggled and Andy Dalton hasn’t done much better. I’m sure that both Olave and Wilson wish they had Justin Fields throwing to them again!

The Saints have a star running back in Alvin Kamara, and he is relied heavily upon in the run and passing game. Otherwise, Olave makes up the majority of New Orleans’ pass attack. Without him, they would be struggling more than they already are. He has been showing all season long why he is so important to this team.

It is so difficult to decide which Buckeye receiver should win OROY. They are pretty much in identical situations by being on mediocre teams (except I would argue that the Jets are better than mediocre), quickly become WR1 and finding success while doing so. Their stats and importance to their teams are also both the same. I know the title of this column was “Which Buckeye will win Offensive Rookie of the Year?” but I honestly don’t have an answer for you.

Obviously, I’d be happy with either, but let’s circle back in a couple of weeks.

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Three early bowl games to watch this weekend
CMinnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

College Football Bowl Season begins this weekend

Let’s face it — the college football season always goes by way too fast, and then we have months of incessant longing for anything related to the sport. And while the early college football bowls may not necessarily rank among the best games, it is important to remember the alternatives at this time of year — watching Harry and Marv suffer countless fatal injuries in “Home Alone” for the umpteenth time? Or watching a rerun of “Elf”? Don’t be a cotton headed ninny muggins! Turn on some college football!

The lovely Mrs. Minnich and I have our usual errands to run and tasks to complete for the holidays on Saturday morning, but below are Three Early Bowl Games To Watch this coming Saturday, beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET...

1. The Wasabi Fenway Bowl (Cincinnati at Louisville), 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN

This game offers plenty of intrigue, as Cincinnati lost their head coach Luke Fickell to Wisconsin, leaving former Ohio State assistant and current Cincinnati secondary coach/special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs to serve as the interim head coach in the Bearcats’ bowl preparations. While Coombs on the sideline is always entertaining, that is not where the intrigue comes in.

Cincinnati, looking for a permanent head coach, hired Scott Satterfield... from Louisville. So the Cardinals will be facing their former head coach, in the inaugural Wasabi Fenway Bowl. Cincinnati and Louisville have not faced each other since the 2013 season, and the weather forecast for the game is projecting to be a crisp 39 degrees at kickoff.

2. The SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl (Florida at #14 Oregon State), 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

This bowl game will mark the first time that these two teams have ever faced each other. Florida is coming off a 6-6 season under first-year head coach Billy Napier, while Oregon State comes in as a 10 point favorite by the oddsmakers, as the Beavers had a surprisingly quiet but solid 9-3 season in 2022.

Florida is also handicapped by the number of players who have already opted out for the 2023 NFL Draft, such as quarterback Anthony Richardson, as well as their top backup quarterback Jalen Kitna being dismissed from school after a recent arrest. This means former Ohio State quarterback Jack Miller is in line to get his first start in this bowl game, so here is an opportunity for Ohio State fans to see what might have been had Miller stuck around Columbus.

3. The New Mexico Bowl (SMU at BYU), 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC

Two 7-5 teams squaring off for an evening bowl game on ABC, and it is not the first time that these two teams have played in a bowl game. Back in 1980, BYU defeated SMU in The Holiday Bowl 46-45, with the Cougars rallying behind the passing of Jim McMahon, defeating the Pony Excess Express led by Eric Dickerson and Craig James.

While this game does not have the same type of name-recognition players in it as that 1980 game, both teams average better than 30 points a game. It truly could come down to whichever team has the ball last. SMU is the slight favorite by the oddsmakers, with a -3.5 point spread.

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Heads up… getting spam messages to my BP Inbox. Looks like users registering and then spamming.

https://buckeyeplanet.com/forum/members/adriehara52.30998/

Not sure how wide spread it is, but if they’ve found a way to automate the messaging once authenticated, you may want to get in front of it.

Happy Holidays BP Staff.

Game Preview: No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Albany
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 look for a great end to their 2022-23 regular season home non-conference schedule against the Great Danes.

The Ohio State women’s basketball team returns to non-conference play on Friday, this time facing another team from the America East conference. Another because Ohio State faced a side from the same East Coast conference last week.

On Dec. 8, the University of New Hampshire Wildcats came to Columbus and played in front of 4,000 Columbus City School students. Friday’s game will be a different challenge, playing the University of Albany — a team near the top of the conference.

This will be Ohio State’s last non-conference home game of the regular season. With a trip to San Diego on the horizon, there’s a chance Albany could make the game more interesting than some other home non-conference opponents.

Preview


Albany isn’t from a major conference, but they’re the third 2022 NCAA Tournament team to face the Buckeyes this season. While the Tennessee Volunteers and Louisville Cardinals made it there based on strong conference schedules and feature top recruits, the Great Danes made it through winning their conference tournament.

Even though the No. 16 Great Danes lost to No. 1 ranked Louisville Cardinals in the first round of last year’s tournament, Albany isn’t a team that avoids a challenge. Within the America East conference, Albany is in high regard, voted the top team in the America East preseason poll.

This year, Albany’s faces two ACC teams in their non-conference schedule, already playing one of them against the Boston College Eagles — the same Eagles Ohio State beat in their second game of the season. Boston College got the best of Albany, winning 74-62, but competing with ACC teams is no small feat.

If the Buckeyes are focused on a trip to San Diego, California, and a potential match-up against the No. 16 Oregon Ducks, Albany can take advantage of lulls in Ohio State’s energy. The Great Danes can do that because of their team’s foundation.

“One thing about them is they have a lot of older kids, they’re really experienced,” said Buckeyes’ head coach Kevin McGuff. “They execute a lot of stuff on offense, a lot of Princeton stuff that’s not easy to guard.”

Although they sit at 6-6, Albany is a team that’s competed all season through a list of early injuries. Mainly junior guard Kayla Cooper. A 2021-22 Second Team All-American East honoree, and 2022-23 Preseason All-Conference Team selection, Cooper’s just made it back to the court on Wednesday, in a 47-46 win against Stonehill College.

Cooper was second on the Danes last season in scoring, averaging 11.2 points per game and was a force on the boards. The 6-foot guard grabbed 237 rebounds on the season, leading Albany and the third most in the conference.

The guard played 17 minutes in her season debut, off the bench. There’s no word on if Cooper’s next minutes will be in the starting lineup.

Photo by Michelle Hutchins/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Ellen Hahne (10) in the 2022 NCAA tournament. It’s unsure if the impact guard will play Friday, due to illness.

Another potential absence from the starting lineup is guard Ellen Hahne. The Swedish Wake Forest transfer has had a strong third season with the Great Danes. In 11 straight starts, Hahne averages a team high in 14.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Unfortunately for Albany, Hahne missed practice on Tuesday with an undisclosed illness, missing the game against Stonehill. If Hahne plays, she provides an attacker on offense who can exploit a half court defense who’s struggled once teams got past the Ohio State full court press.

Projected Starters

Lineup notes

• The Buckeyes still have five players who average double-digit points, but guard Taylor Mikesell has passed forward Rebeka Mikulášiková with 18.9 points per game, compared to 17.2 for the forward.
• A start Friday, and guard Madison Greene moves ahead of injured Jacy Sheldon in starts this season with six.
• Forward/guard Taylor Thierry’s 27 offensive rebounds is seventh best in the Big Ten so far this season.

Lineup notes

• Joining Cooper on the American East Preseason All-Conference Team is forward Helene Haegerstrand. The Swedish forward averages 12.3 points per game and has six blocks on the season.
• Redshirt junior Morgan Haney hails from Piqua, Ohio — north of Dayton — which means there will be a strong away support for the Great Danes.
• Guard Grace Heeps leads the team in defensive rebounds with 53, showing strong movement into the paint to grab boards as a guard.

Preview


The Buckeyes could be surprised by the Great Danes, but it doesn’t seem likely. While Albany is returning their strongest names from illness and injury, Ohio State is also an experienced team. All throughout the early season, the Scarlet & Gray have shown that even when they have a down quarter or two, they have the ability to flip a switch and take over a game.

Ohio State will have a strong crowd behind them on a Friday night, and it’ll propel the Buckeyes in their final home game until New Year’s Eve.

A player to watch is Taylor Thierry. Sure, Thierry’s been a solid performer all season, but Thierry is close to her first double-double. That could happen against the Great Danes who are out rebounded this season by 0.5 boards per game.

Albany can keep the game close, but won’t be able to compete against No. 3 Ohio State for 40 minutes.

How to Watch


Date: Friday, Dec. 16, 2022
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: Schottenstein Center - Columbus, Ohio
Stream: B1G+

LGHL Prediction: 91-54 Ohio State Buckeyes

Jacy Sheldon Injury Watch


A question entering every game now is “will Jacy Sheldon play?”

That’s unlikely Friday for a couple reasons. First, Sheldon didn’t practice on Wednesday, with everyone else on the roster practicing during media availability. Second, even if healthy enough, there isn’t high reward for the risk of having Sheldon play against the Great Danes.

With that said, there’s not much of a drop with guard Madison Greene in Sheldon’s place. While Sheldon’s six steals per game average can’t be beat by anyone in the NCAA, Greene still plays sound defense on the full and half court.

Offensively, Greene has 58 assists this season — 31 in her five starts, compared to 16 for Sheldon. So, while the same intensity rushing the opponent is missing with Sheldon, the Buckeyes are benefiting offensively.

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for December 16, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

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

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

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


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

On the Gridiron


Ohio State will be much closer to 100 percent vs. Georgia than Buckeyes have been in some time
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

How injuries impacted Buckeyes, could change Peach Bowl (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Peach Bowl Film Preview: Don’t underestimate Stetson Bennett, Georgia’s passing game
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land

Getting those pretty gray sleeves for the playoff.


Film Study: Georgia’s Tight End-Centric Offense Will Provide a Unique Challenge in the CFP Semifinal
Kyle Jones, Eleven Warriors

Buckeyes CB Cameron Brown healthy after being sidelined by stinger
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

Marvin Harrison Jr. Says “I Deserved to Win” Biletnikoff Award, Calls Unanimous All-American Selection “One of My Greatest Accomplishments”
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

#DevelopedHere


Ohio State’s Dawand Jones, Cameron Brown accept invitations to postseason bowls
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

New Ohio State tight Ends Coach Keenan Bailey Lauded for Work Ethic, Going Above and Beyond to Help Players
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

MC&J: Picks against the spread for the first 12 games of college football’s bowl season
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


No real scandals, but a weird week of Buckeye controversies
David M Wheeler, Land-Grant Holy Land

Buckeyes trying to stay sharp during nine-day layoff before UNC game
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

Hear the latest from the women’s basketball team ahead of Friday’s game:


Buckeye women’s basketball off-court chemistry leading successful season start
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

OSU’s Sean McNeil’s dad recovering after mid-game heart attack at Duke
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Women’s Ice Hockey: No. 1 Ohio State Travels East to Play No. 10 Cornell
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Ice Hockey: No. 14 Buckeyes Set for Home-and-Home Series with BG Falcons
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


I’m going to need to read this before I see the movie.


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Buck Off Podcast: Ohio State’s NIL issues, coach promotions, and other news around the program
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 Ben Jackson/Getty Images

We’re not pocket watching, but Ohio State being broke is not what we thought we’d be talking about today.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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


On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” I’m joined by Jordan Williams to discuss Ohio State’s biggest stories from the week, and get into why Ohio State is not dead because their NIL Foundation.

We start the show with a long discussion about what Keenan Bailey’s promotion means for the offensive coaching staff. This conversation gets into the offensive coordinator vacancy and the likely internal promotion. We also talk about how the coaching profession is not the easiest to navigate for anyone involved.

Then we get into a talk about Ohio State’s NIL “issues” and why they are overblown. We talk about the teams who have shelled out money, and why when Ohio State loses a recruit to Georgia – or similar programs – it might not be entirely because of money. This also leads to discussing how Ohio State is just operating differently.

Next, we look at the recruiting momentum on the trail starting with Ohio State’s 2023 quarterback. Brian Hartline also landed another five-star, which might not even be classified as newsworthy at this point.

Then, to close out the show, we get into some other news, starting with the Treveyon Henderson injury impact. After that we discuss transfer targets, All-Americans, and Todd McShay being incredibly bad at his job.


Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod

Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB

Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330

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Ohio State offers another top transfer portal offensive tackle, checks in on in-state 2024 edge rusher
Caleb Houser 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 are putting forth every effort to add a transfer portal offensive tackle.

Buckeyes take a second look at portal offensive linemen


In yesterday’s edition of State Secrets, one of the major topics of discussion was Ohio State’s interest in the transfer portal. Mainly for positions of need more than anything else, these players have to fit the culture the Buckeyes have established as well, and certainly the staff is all in on trying to bring them in. Offering an offensive tackle on Wednesday, the coaching staff once again extended an offer to another lineman that has his sights set on a new home.

On the receiving end of the latest offer, Jeremiah Byers of UTEP took to his Twitter account to share the latest update in his recruitment since entering the portal. The Austin, Texas native has really seen his options blow up as of late with programs such as Oregon, Oklahoma, Missouri, Penn State, Florida State, Miami, and more throw their name into the mix by offering.

With Ohio State now in the fold, the Buckeyes have made it more than clear they are wanting to bring in a top offensive tackle for the 2023 campaign. Like any other recruit, the goal now is to get them on campus even with their busy schedule due to the College Football Playoff.

A 6-foot-6, 290 pound tackle, Byers is working through this process fairly quickly, as just last weekend he took an official visit to Florida State and has other visits in the works since entering the portal the first week of December. Position coach Justin Frye will have some work to do, but here’s to hoping the Buckeyes can land at least one of these big time offensive tackles looking for new schools.

Checking in on top in-state products


Even with eyes focused on the upcoming contest with Georgia, recruiting has to take priority for this staff considering how quickly the 2023 class will be coming to a close. In addition, the future cycles of 2024 and beyond are already being built by Ohio State’s efforts, which are off to a great start. The Buckeyes were on the road once again on Thursday as they continue pitching why Columbus is the place to be.

Making a stop in Cincinnati, running back coach Tony Alford checked in at Cincinnati Taft High School to visit in-state edge rusher, Elias Rudolph. A 6-foot-4. 220 pound four-star, Rudolph is no stranger to Ohio State recruiting, as he’s already long been a major priority defensive target for the coaching staff in the 2024 class. The No. 116 player nationally, Elias is also the 11th best player at his position and the third best player in Ohio all per the 247Sports Composite.

Being an in-state product, certainly Ohio State is thought of to be the favorite in his recruitment, and with one prediction already in their favor on the 247Sports Crystal Ball feature, the staff has to be feeling good, but there’s plenty of work to do still. With nearly 20 other offers to his name, Rudolph will be pursed heavily until his decision is final but this is yet another edge rusher the Buckeyes need to keep at home for the next three to four years.


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Bucketheads Podcast: Ohio State takes down Rutgers in completely normal circumstances
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

No controversy at all. Plus, North Carolina looms for the Buckeyes this weekend.

‘Bucketheads’ is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.

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


On the 57th episode of Bucketheads, we break down the Buckeyes' controversial win over Rutgers and why it is not going to be overturned by the Big Ten. Hint: Because that doesn’t make sense. What went right and what wrong for the Buckeyes on the way to their last-second buzzer-beating win?

Plus, an update on the AP Poll and the start that the Big Ten has had. We talk about Purdue, Maryland, and of course, Penn State.

Also, a quick North Carolina preview and why this game is so darn difficult to make predictions for. Is it time for North Carolina to truly panic or are they talented enough to figure this thing out?

Make sure to like and subscribe to the podcast.


Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGHL

Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor

Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba

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Buckeye women’s basketball off-court chemistry leading successful season start
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 two moments that show the team’s connection, from the Ohio State players themselves

Entering 2021/22, there weren’t a lot of expectations for the Ohio State women’s basketball team, at least from outside of the program. That side went on to win a Big Ten regular season co-championship and was a couple of possessions away from a run into the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.

Now the Buckeyes, with a similar roster, are off to a 10-0 start that features two wins against ranked teams, two conference wins, and a No. 3 AP Poll national ranking. The difference is an off-court connection that’s turned teammates into family members.

“People will stay here hours, to five hours, after practice in the locker room hanging out,” said redshirt junior guard, and team leader, Rikki Harris. “We hang out so much outside of the gym and we don’t have problems with each other. We’re completely honest with each other, so it keeps us respectful to each other because no matter what you do, someone’s going to be honest with you.”

All teams connect in some way, but Harris knows more than many on the roster about how things can be different. Ohio State entered last season losing two starters to the transfer portal, that’s after the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the Buckeyes' postseason run of 2020, and self-imposed sanctions for team violations kept Ohio State out of the postseason in 2021.

In past seasons, there would be a handful of players who were close, and then smaller groups outside of the larger group. The past two years it's different, and it goes back to respect.

“We respect each other’s game,” said Harris. “We all know that nobody’s talking down on anybody, everybody be like, ‘you can do whatever you can do,’ and we do it.”

A newer part of the chemistry is freshman Cotie McMahon. Although she joined Ohio State in the Jan. 2022 semester, McMahon hasn’t played in a competitive game with the Buckeyes until this season.

After a strong NCAA debut with 10 points and two steals against the then No. 5 ranked Tennessee Volunteers, McMahon’s had some up-and-down games. The learning curve of a talented freshman gets the same respect as a veteran like senior guard Jacy Sheldon.

The Buckeyes know McMahon’s talent and even if she shoots and misses, her teammates want her to continue playing her game. That game’s already showing signs of improvement, with Harris citing McMahon’s early intensity needed a slight step back.

Since making adjustments, McMahon had a two-game week scoring a combined 28 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and six steals. It won her the B1G Freshman of the Week award.

For the first-year Buckeye basketball player, two moments stick out to her that show that team bond.

First, the Scarlet and Gray’s trip to Louisville, Ky to face the then No. 18 ranked Louisville Cardinals. In that game, Harris went off. Playing through a cold that Harris said post-game didn’t allow her to breathe, on a night where she didn’t expect to get many minutes, Harris grabbed 10 rebounds and six assists. Part of a 14-point comeback, and a 19-point win.


The other moment came four days later, in the Buckeyes’ first conference game of the season. Against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Ohio State had a rough offensive game. Although the Scarlet & Gray bested the Scarlet Knights by 12 points, only six players scored points, and four were held to single digits. Of Ohio State’s 82 points, 61 came from guard Taylor Mikesell and forward Rebeka Mikulášiková.

Mikesell’s 30 and Mikulášiková’s team-high 31 pushed the Buckeyes to their first conference win of the season, on the road against a rebuilding, but still tough and proud, Rutgers side. Both games made an impact on McMahon.

“It just kind of makes you realize, nobody on this team is selfish, everyone is here for each other,” said McMahon. “We support each other tremendously. Just to see that first hand, it really makes you feel good and it motivates you to kind of give your shirt off to each other on the team.”

Ohio State takes that respect, trust, and family mentality into their last, and toughest, non-conference week of the regular season. After a home game on Friday against the University of Albany, the Buckeyes travel to San Diego, California for a two-day in-season invitational tournament.

On the first day, Ohio State faces the USF Bulls. Depending on the results from the two initial tournament games, the Buckeyes could face either the No. 16 Oregon Ducks or Arkansas Razorbacks. McMahon and Harris made it clear who they want to play in the second game, and it goes back to supporting their teammates.

“I just want to play Oregon,” said McMahon, confidently.

It’s not for the chance to play another ranked side and potentially bolster their resume. It’s for Mikesell. The Northeast Ohio guard transferred to the Buckeyes from the Ducks prior to the 21/22 season. Last season, Mikesell eluded to a tough season in Oregon where her minutes were cut, limiting the impact of a First Team All-B1G guard.

“She (Mikesell) hasn’t gotten to play them yet since she left,” said Harris. “I know that’d be a big one for her.”

McMahon added after Harris, “to make a statement.”

It’s all about the family, to the Buckeyes.

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MC&J: Picks against the spread for the first 12 games of college football’s bowl season
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 Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Bowl season kicks off on Friday morning with the Bahamas Bowl.

Season ATS: 96-105-5 (48-55-2 National, 48-49-3 B1G)


Unlike last year, this year MC&J is heading into bowl season with a record under .500. Luckily there are over 40 bowl games this year, giving us plenty of opportunities to move to the winning side for the season. This will be the first of four MC&J bowl picks articles over the next couple weeks.

Bowl games 12/16 - 12/21:


(All lines courtesy of Draftkings Sportsbook.)

Bahamas Bowl: Miami (OH) v. UAB (-11) - Friday 12/16 11:30 a.m. - ESPN

Can we go back to the Bahamas Bowl being sponsored by Popeyes? How much fun would it be if any points scored were as random as ordering at Popeyes? Maybe you get a couple extra points on a touchdown. Or instead of field goal points you get safety points. Just chalk it up to Popeyes being Popeyes.

Last year Miami earned their first bowl win since 2010 when they beat North Texas 27-14. It is going to be really tough for the RedHawks to make it two in a row since they are taking on a UAB team that has one of the best running backs in the country. DeWayne McBride ran for 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns this year. McBride rushed for 200 yards in three games this year, including 272 yards in the 37-27 win over Louisiana Tech to close out the regular season. The Blazers are better on both sides of the football.

UAB 34, Miami (OH) 20


Cure Bowl: No. 25 UTSA v. No. 24 Troy (-2) - Friday 12/16 3:00 p.m. - ESPN

After a warmup with the Bahamas Bowl, we get a really good matchup in the Cure Bowl, with the Conference USA champs taking on the winners of the Sun Belt. UTSA will be looking for their second straight 12-2 season, while Troy is enjoying their first winning season since 2018.

The strategies in this game will be a little different, as UTSA is all gas and no brakes on offense, while Troy has a defense that is only giving up 17.5 points per game. The Trojans have found a bit of rhythm on offense of late, scoring at least 34 points in each of their last three games.

Last year the Roadrunners lost the Frisco Bowl to San Diego State. I think this year Jeff Traylor’s team caps off the year with their first bowl win in school history. Quarterback Frank Harris and favorite traget Zakhari Franklin are just a little too much for Troy in this game.

UTSA 38, Troy 27


Fenway Bowl: Cincinnati v. Louisville (-1) - Saturday 12/17 11:00 p.m. - ESPN

I’m not gonna lie, I hate pretty much everything Boston. As a Yankees fan, I think Fenway Park is a dump. If you can’t have a bowl game without having both sidelines on the same side of the field then you don’t get to have a bowl game. Nobody is going to shed any tears over Boston not getting a bowl game.

This game was already looking spicy when the matchup was announced since this marks the first time since 2013 that the Keg of Nails has been up for grabs. Things got even hotter when it was announced that Cincinnati was hiring Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield to replace Luke Fickell, who was hired as Wisconsin’s new head coach. Former Ohio State assistant Kerry Coombs will be Cincinnati’s interim coach in this game. Louisville will be coached by a man who knows plenty about winning in Boston, former Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch.

Not only will Louisville have an interim head coach, they’ll also be without quarterback Malik Cunningham and leading wide receiver Tyler Hudson, as both have opted out of this game after declaring for the NFL Draft. The Cardinals aren’t quite the same team without the dynamic Cunningham. It feels like the Bearcats care a little more about this game, and will rally around Coombs before Satterfield takes over.

Cincinnati 28, Louisville 20


Las Vegas Bowl: Florida v. No. 14 Oregon State (-10) - Saturday 12/17 2:30 p.m. - ESPN

Florida beat Utah in Gainesville to start the year, then didn’t do much else, finishing the regular season with a 6-6 record. A mediocre Gator squad has gotten even worse heading into this game, as quarterback Anthony Richardson has opted out of playing after declaring for the NFL Draft. Starting for Florida in Las Vegas will be Ohio State transfer Jack Miller III.

Oregon State quietly had a good 9-3 season, with their losses coming to USC, Utah, and Washington. The Beavers closed out the regular season with a dramatic comeback win over Oregon in the Civl War. Running back Damien Martinez is just 30 yards away from 1,000 yards for the season.

The Gators lost to Vanderbilt this year. That should tell you just how much work Billy Napier has to do if he wants to get Florida back to respectability. I can’t see a short-handed Gators team keeping it close against an Oregon State squad looking for their first 10-win season since 2006.

Oregon State 33, Florida 17


LA Bowl: Washington State v. Fresno State (-3.5) - Saturday 12/17 3:30 p.m. - ABC

It’s obvious how different of a team Fresno State is when quarterback Jake Haener is healthy. Haener missed a game at Boise State earlier in the year and the Bulldogs lost 40-20. Fresno State returned to Boise with Haener for the Mountain West Championship Game and beat the Broncos 28-16.

Cameron Ward was really good in his first season in Pullman, passing for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. Former Wisconsin running back Nakia Watson also made an impact in his first year with the Cougars, rushing for 736 yards and eight touchdowns.

After losing four straight games to fall to 1-4 to start the season, the Bulldogs have won eight straight games. Fresno State has been really good in bowls lately, winning their last three dating back to 2017. Haener and running back Jordan Mims are going to be a little too much for Washington State to handle.

Fresno State 30, Washington State 23


LendingTree Bowl: Rice v. Southern Miss (-6.5) - Saturday 12/17 5:45 p.m. - ESPN

There are always a few bowl games that look awful. This is one of those games. Rice is 5-7 and only here because they get good grades. Southern Miss had to win their final game of the regular season against Louisiana-Monroe to get to six wins.

One thing about Southern Miss, they covered a bunch of games this year, posting 8-9 wins ATS depending on what lines you had. If that wasn’t enough, they also have Frank Gore Jr. at running back. I’m confident the Golden Eagles can find success against a Rice defense that allowed 33 points per game this year.

Southern Miss 37, Rice 21


New Mexico Bowl: SMU (-3.5) v. BYU - Saturday 12/17 7:30 p.m. - ABC

This game feels like the first team to hit 50 points will win. Tanner Mordecai of SMU and BYU quarterback Jaren Hall each threw for over 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns this year. Mordecai won’t have his full arsenal of weapons though, as Rashee Rice has already declared for the NFL Draft and opted out of this game. Rice was four catches shy of 100 receptions for the season.

Even though there are questions as to whether Hall will be able to play because of injury, I like the Cougars in this game. While SMU is the flashier team, BYU feels like the tougher team. In a game where there will be a ton of points, I’ll gladly take a few with the team that plays at least a little bit of defense.

BYU 45, SMU 38


Frisco Bowl: North Texas v. Boise State (-10.5) - Saturday 12/17 9:15 p.m. - ESPN

I don’t really get North Texas. After making it to the Sun Belt title game, the Mean Green fired head coach Seth Littrell, who was 44-44 in seven seasons in Denton. The Frisco Bowl will be the sixth bowl game North Texas had made in that span. While the Mean Green haven’t won any of those bowl games, who do they think is going to do a better job?

Boise State might have lost to Fresno Stat in the Mountain West Championship Game, but the Broncos still finished the regular season with a 9-4 record. Taylen Green has done a solid job in replacing quarterback Hank Bachmeier. Expect George Holani to have a big game against a Mean Green defense that isn’t very mean. Boise State rolls over a North Texas team that will probably be a little lost without Littrell.

Boise State 41, North Texas 24


Myrtle Beach Bowl: Marshall (-10) v. UConn - Monday 12/19 2:30 p.m. - ESPN

Jim Mora Jr. has done a great job getting UConn to six wins. Prior to this year, the last time the Huskies won at least six games in a season was back in 2015 when Bob Diaco was head coach. That being said, I’m not dumb enough to pick the Huskies here. UConn still has a tough time getting much offense going, so a Marshall defense that allows less than 300 yards per game shouldn’t have much trouble keeping the Huskies off the scoreboard.

The Thundering Herd come to Myrtle Beach having won four straight games, and they had a huge upset early in the year when they beat Notre Dame in South Bend. Not only did Khalan Laborn rush for 1,423 yards and 16 touchdowns this year, Rasheen Ali returned for the last two games of the regular season. Ali ran for 1,400 yards and 23 touchdowns last year. The running game of the Thundering Herd is going to wear out UConn.

Marshall 27, UConn 10


Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Eastern Michigan v. San Jose State (-3.5) - Tuesday 12/20 3:30 p.m. - ESPN

We are living in a world where Eastern Michigan has won eight games in a season. The last time the Eagles won at least eight games in a season came back in 1986 when they won 10 games and the California Bowl. Eastern Michigan not only won at Arizona State, they won their last three games of the regular season. Samson Evans ran for 1,084 yards and 13 touchdowns this year to power the offense of the Eagles.

After transferring from Hawai’i following last season, Chevan Cordeiro was really good for the Spartans this year, throwing 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The issue with San Jose State’s offense is they have a hard time running the football, averaging just 92 yards per game on the ground.

Eastern Michigan just feels like a little more well-rounded team than San Jose State. The Eagles will be eager to snap a four-game bowl losing streak, as they still haven’t won a bowl game since 1986. Plus, Chris Creighton’s team is a little more familiar with playing on funky colored turf like they’ll see in Boise.

Eastern Michigan 24, San Jose State 20


Boca Raton Bowl: Liberty v. Toledo (-5) - Tuesday 12/20 7:30 p.m. - ESPN

Liberty lost head coach Hugh Freeze to Auburn, but is bringing in Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell. The Flames must have known Freeze was on the way out since they dropped their final three games of the regular season.

After closing out the regular season with two losses and limping into the MAC Championship Game, Toledo righted the ship a bit by beating Ohio 17-7 in Detroit. Quarterback DeQuan Finn hasn’t quite been as good as we saw when the Rockets took on the Buckeyes because he has been dealing with an ankle injury. Luckily Finn will have some time to rest his ankle before this game, and should be ready to showcase his skills before possibly hitting the transfer portal.

Toledo 37, Liberty 23


New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky v. South Alabama (-4.5) - 9:00 p.m. - ESPN

South Alabama lost just two games this year by a combined our points. The offense of the Jaguars had a great mix with quarterback Carter Bradley and 1,000-yard rusher La’Damian Webb. Not only has the South Alabama offense been good, the defense has been stout, giving up just over 300 yards per game.

At first it looked like Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed wouldn’t play in this game after entering the transfer portal. Then Reed changed his mind and withdrew his name, deciding to stay with the Hilltoppers. Even though Western Kentucky can put up plenty of points, the offense doesn’t seem quite as potent as they were with Bailey Zappe at quarterback. If you look at the wins by the Hilltoppers, most of their victories came against teams with losing records. South Alabama just feels like the right choice here.

South Alabama 38, Western Kentucky 27

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

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Peach Bowl Film Preview: Don’t underestimate Stetson Bennett, Georgia’s passing game
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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Stetson Bennett has been underrated his whole life, which has bled over to Georgia’s passing attack. Underestimating this attack would be a grave mistake for the Buckeyes.

The Georgia Bulldogs are a team built on the backs of five-star recruits, making them incredibly hard to underestimate. At one key position though, they have a constantly overlooked star who is the engine of the entire Georgia offense. That player is Stetson Bennett IV, the quarterback whose story has been told time and time again since he became entrenched as a starter.

Bennett’s pathway to get to where he’s at is part of why opposing fans still overlook the undersized signal-caller. Coming in at a generous 5-foot-11 and an even more generous 195 pounds. His size is not ideal. But he makes up for it with a natural ability to extend plays as well as surprising arm strength.

Georgia’s passing offense is not solely reliant on their unheralded quarterback. They have dynamic tight ends and receivers who do their job well. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has knack for drawing his players open with horizontal crosses and a play-action passing game. Once the group lulls opponents to sleep, they take shots downfield.

For Ohio State to limit the Bulldogs’ offense, containing Bennett to the pocket is the first place to start. If pressure is brought, making sure rush lanes are maintained is key. If the coverage downfield breaks down and the rush doesn’t get home – which has been a problem for the Buckeyes – Bennett has all the talent to beat them.


Downfield Passing

Georgia is not a dominant downfield passing team, and tries to get their receiving targets the balls on intermediate crossing routes. The few times they do throw down field, they find a lot of success. This is in large part due to Bennett’s arm talent, which is sneaky given his stature. Against teams that play man coverage, Georgia has been much more willing to take big shots downfield.

Tennessee plays man coverage in the same capacity as Ohio State. Georgia’s plan of attack was to challenge the Volunteer defense vertically. The play in itself is a play-action off of split zone, and Bennett has plenty of time to throw. The play develops and the ball is thrown downfield, hitting the receiver running a deep post in stride. This is not the most impressive throw from a quarterback, but it shows Bennett has the arm strength to hurt a defense downfield.


Once again, the Georgia plan of attack against Tennessee was to challenge their cornerbacks vertically. This is a man-beater. McConkey runs an out-and-up, which throws the defender off leaving nothing but space for the Georgia wide out. Ohio State has been bitten by double moves at times this year, and despite Georgia not having dynamic receivers, they consistently win on these routes.

Bennett once again isn’t asked to do something special, but he delivers a strike for another long touchdown.


Intermediate Accuracy

The intermediate area of the field is where quarterbacks distance themselves from the pack. The best can slice up defenses in the 15-25 yard range. Almost every D-I quarterback can chuck it deep and the rest can hit the quick crossers. But between the linebackers and safeties is a true testament to the feel a quarterback has in the game.

The first play that demonstrates what makes Bennett the engine that keeps the Georgia offense moving is an example of high level quarterback play. In the red zone, the field shrinks and that means the passing windows do as well. Georgia lines up in a condensed bunch trips formation to the field side. Three routes are run with the goal to hit the post route behind the defense. Bennett has to get the ball over top of the defender and still give his receiver a chance to come down in bounds with the ball.


In the next play, Bennett has a similar window to throw the ball into. This time the receiver has more room to work. Another unheralded recruit – and now Georgia folk hero – Ladd McConkey is the receiver here. LSU is playing in Cover-3, and this means the window for the post route is between the rotating safety and the corner. Bennett sees the linebacker dropping beneath the receiver, which makes the window even smaller.

The throw Bennett makes here is reserved for the likes of Heisman finalists, and if you had to make a list of quarterbacks who can make this throw consistently, you might not use both your hands. Bennett delivers a ball with enough touch to clear the linebacker and with enough velocity to not allow the corner back into the play. Georgia attacks the middle of the field again, and Bennett’s timing with his receivers are a big reason they are able to find so much success with these throws.


Bennett was a Heisman finalist for a reason, and his development into an upper tier passer at the college level came as a surprise to many. His arm talent surprised me quite a bit when I started diving more into Georgia’s offense. Bennett can sling it. When pressured he isn’t always consistent, but from a clean pocket he is as dangerous as anybody.

In the play below, LSU is in man-coverage, and this is where Ohio State is going to need to be at their best. The LSU defender responsible for the tight end loses his leverage and gets beat up field. Bennett throws the ball on time and on target for a touchdown. Georgia is trying to attack the middle of the field regularly in their passing game, and they do that effectively.


Ability to Extend Plays

One of the aspects that makes the Georgia offense dangerous is Bennett’s escapability inside and outside the pocket. Bennett is not physically imposing, and teams are able to corral him with ease if they are able to get their hands on him. The issue is teams have a lot of trouble containing him due to his speed.

Ohio State was unable to keep contain on both athletic quarterbacks they played this season, and Bennett might be better than both. In this first play, we can see how Tennessee is unable to catch Bennett. He gets the corner and isn’t able to make a throw down field, but he is able to beat the defense to the pylon for a touchdown on 3rd-and-10. This is the third dimension to Georgia’s passing attack, and if all else fails, Bennett is usually able to turn a broken play into a positive gain.


Escapability also allows teams to extend plays, and Georgia is well organized when Bennett breaks the pocket. In the play below, Bennett doesn’t break the pocket. He eludes the rush to give his receiver enough time get across the field. The receiver is covered, but the ball is well-placed for a completion.

Quarterback contain has been an issue for the Buckeyes at times this season, and QBs have been able to find yards in some key situations. Ohio State will need to limit Bennett’s ability to get outside the pocket and remain disciplined in coverage to avoid allowing big plays off script. If the Buckeyes are able to contain Bennett to the pocket and get their hands up at the throw, they can create the conflict needed to impact his accuracy and decision making.


Georgia has dynamic tight ends, solid receivers, and a quarterback who has been undervalued almost the entirety of his career. Despite putting up Heisman finalist numbers, Bennett gets little credit for the success of Georgia’s offense outside of Athens. Most names brought up are that of Brock Bowers and the tight ends, but they are only a part of a very underrated passing attack.

The Monken-designed Bulldog offense is able to mix personnel and attack opposing defenses in different ways. When teams talk about complimentary football, Georgia’s offense fits the bill. Their run game sets up the play-action pass, and the success of the passing game keeps teams on their heels to open up the run game.

Georgia does not have the big name stars outside of Brock Bowers and Stetson Bennett, but underestimating them has gotten teams in trouble this year. Ohio State has unfortunately been unable to stop the last two passing offenses they’ve played. If the Buckeyes choose to play man, they will need to get pressure home to impact the Georgia passing attack. If not, Georgia has shown an uncanny ability to make opposing teams pay on the back of their quarterback.

We didn’t get into the tight ends because, well, no one underestimates them. They are as good as advertised. Ohio State will have plenty of challenges in this game, but make no mistake — underestimating their passing attack would be a grave misstep.

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No real scandals, but a weird week of Buckeye controversies
David M Wheeler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Some comments on the buzzer-beater, C.J. Stroud and Desmond Howard, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba

I was just sitting around, minding my own business waiting for New Year’s Eve, and I’m hit with several odd news stories. Journalists have tried to stretch them into scandals – but they’re not. “Controversies” is a better word for them. But hell yes, I have opinions.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s decision to sit out, get healthy for NFL Draft


Did you read JSN’s Tweet? He might have had help from a publicist, but it couldn’t have been better written. It said all of the right things.

Thanks to the Buckeye Nation (to whom the tweet was addressed) for enabling him to play on the game’s biggest stage. Thanks to his coaches and teammates. A pledge of “everlasting” loyalty to the school. The tone was humble and definitely team-first. JSN says that, after consulting with his doctors, he would “not be able” to participate in the playoff games. At the end, he announced that he would be “officially declaring for the NFL draft.”

I was hoping that JSN would play, but, of course, I wondered how well he would perform after such limited action this season. He played in only three of the Buckeyes’ 12 games, caught five passes, and gained 43 yards. After such a layoff, would he be better out there than, say, Julian Fleming or Xavier Johnson? I don’t know.

Then along comes Todd McShay on ESPN’s “College Football Live.” McShay says that he has learned from NFL scouts (unnamed, naturally) with whom he’s talked that JSN is “healthy enough to play” and that his decision not to is merely for self-protection. McShay goes on to criticize Smith-Njigba’s game – dropped passes, unexceptional size and speed. The implication is that JSN needed to play in order to improve or even solidify his draft position, which McShay figures is late first or early second round. It won’t be long until we learn whether he’s right or wrong about that position.

JSN’s father, Maada, steps in and discusses the limitations that he’s seen in his son’s movement as he undergoes rehab. He’s not ready to play. The elder Smith-Njigba says that he’s “at peace” with the family’s decision to sit him out and try to get healthy.

I don’t claim to be objective here. I love JSN, and I firmly feel that if he were able to play and contribute to a Buckeye run at a national championship, he would. Naturally, I don’t know the state of his injury at present. I doubt that McShay (or the perhaps-fictional scout) does either. He’s just another trouble-making journalist trying to stir things up.

Desmond Howard and the Heisman snub


Although I don’t like Desmond Howard, he would have to be much, much worse in order to surpass my least favorite former TTUN player – Tom Brady. (Did you see Brady whine, whine, whine at his teammates and the refs in Sunday’s game against the 49ers? Sorry for the digression). Howard doesn’t pretend to be unbiased. He gives everything a maize (or is it “maze”?) and blue slant. That’s OK. I’m cool with it. He is what he is.

In 2021, at C.J. Stroud’s first Heisman ceremony, Howard made a crack about Stroud’s not getting much protection from his offensive line. That Michigan game was fresh in our minds. The line deserved the slap. This year, Howard started things off by complaining about Blake Corum’s omission from the Heisman finalists, while former Buckeye Cardale Jones was congratulating the four who actually were finalists. Howard had to take a shot at Jones, too, claiming that he hadn’t played in many big games. True, perhaps, but why say it? What’s the point?

Then came Saturday’s Heisman ceremony. No surprise. Caleb Williams was predicted to win, and he did. The only “incident” that kept this ridiculously televised event from being the total yawner that it annually is, was the SNUB.

I’ve watched the video a couple of dozen times, I suppose. Yeah, Stroud shook a couple of hands, then walked past Howard. But Howard wasn’t even looking at him; he was too busy laughing it up with the guy next to him. Did Stroud snub him? Probably not, but I hope so. This program needs a little action, and it’s good to see the rivalry play out in new and varied ways. And Des deserves to be put in his place now and then.

The “buzzer-beater” that shouldn’t have been a game-winner


No question: Tanner Holden’s three-pointer beat the final game buzzer. By definition, then, a “buzzer-beater.” Instant pandemonium. A shot, a game to remember for Holden and the Buckeyes.

But wait. As the Rutgers bench was demanding a review, the officiating crew hurried off the court, into the safety of... well, wherever officials go after a game.

The replays show clearly that Holden had been out of bounds, then returned to the court to receive the pass from teammate Bruce Thornton. (In fact, Thornton looked to be out of bounds, too). The ball should have been blown dead. It wasn’t. The basket counted, and the game was over. Buckeyes won it 67-66.

Sure, the refs blew the call. But how often does that happen in sports? It’s part of the game, any game with referees or umpires, but it’s a part that’s getting smaller with official reviews and replay videos. I’m not complaining about the call, partly because my team won. If I were a Scarlet Knights fan, I’d complain. But I’d get over it. Might not get over the missed free throw that preceded the play, however.

Here’s the odd thing. On Friday, the day after the game, the Big Ten conference issues an official statement acknowledging the missed call by a crew that is “one of the best in the country,” but one that apparently needs additional education about the rules, according to the statement. The formality of the language – referring to Thornton as “an OSU student-athlete” and the citing of the play as “a violation of NCAA Rule 9, Section 3, Article 1” is kind of bizarre.

Did anybody feel better after that statement? Certainly not Rutgers: they still got the “L” but now know that they were really cheated. Holden? His feat was clearly diminished. Rather than hitting a game-winner, he just got away with something. How about the refs who were taken to the woodshed? I thought that, given the speed of the play, they simply didn’t see the foot over the sideline. But the statement sounds as though they saw it but didn’t know that it was a rule violation. More education. Really? Well, that gives us confidence about other crews that aren’t the best in the country.

What the Big Ten statement didn’t say is that an infraction of that rule – stepping out of bounds and then being the first to touch the ball – isn’t reviewable on replay. Although the refs missed the call, they were right in hurrying away, rather than going to the monitor. Which, of course, brings up the question, why are some things (like clock issues, flagrant fouls) reviewable and some things not? This play determined the outcome of the game. Not reviewable?

It’s high time for the NCAA to review its replay policies, especially in the final five minutes (two minutes?) of the game.

What a week! Always something going on.

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Class: 2023 (transfer)
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School: Tulsa
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Weight: 290 lbs

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for December 15, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

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

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

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


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

Business is BOOOOOOOOOOOMing...


Five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith commits to Ohio State
Matt Parker, Lettermen Row

Five-star WR Jeremiah Smith a Buckeye: The impact
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts

New Five-Star Commit Jeremiah Smith Has All the Tools to Be Ohio State’s Next Superstar Wide Receiver
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors


Analyzing impact as top-ranked receiver Jeremiah Smith picks Buckeyes (paywall)
Jeremy Birmingham, Dotting the Eyes

What Jeremiah Smith’s commitment means to Ohio State football: Buckeyes Recruiting
Stephen Means, cleveland.com

The nation’s No. 1 WR Jeremiah Smith talks Buckeyes commitment: ‘It’s just a brotherhood up there’
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts

247Sports Take: Jeremiah Smith could be ‘best yet’ for Buckeyes
Andrew Ivins, 247Sports

Social media reacted after 5-star WR Jeremiah Smith announced commitment to Ohio State
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts

Seems good...


Ohio State football adds four-star QB Lincoln Kienholz to 2023 recruiting class
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

Four-star QB Lincoln Kienholz is a Buckeye: The impact
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts


Analyzing impact as quarterback Lincoln Kienholz commits to Ohio State (paywall)
Jeremy Birmingham

What 2023 quarterback Lincoln Kienholz commitment means for Ohio State
Matt Parker, Lettermen Row

What Lincoln Kienholz’s commitment means to Ohio State football: Buckeyes Recruiting
Stephen Means, cleveland.com

Social media reacted after Lincoln Kienholz announced commitment to Ohio State
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts

But is he willing to scramble for a first down?

On the Gridiron


Steele Chambers to return to Ohio State in 2023, Tommy Eichenberg undecided
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Marvin Harrison becomes Ohio State’s 37th unanimous All-American with AFCA nod
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

Buckeyes left tackle Paris Johnson named consensus All-American
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

Miyan Williams eyeing return to lead Ohio State rushing attack vs. Georgia (paywall)
Bill Landis

Another freshman officially becomes a Buckeye:


Peach Bowl crowd split, recruiting, TreVeyon Henderson’s status: Ohio State notebook (paywall)
Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic

Column: C.J. Stroud has one game to define his Ohio State legacy
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud defends Jaxon Smith-Njigba sitting out CFP semifinal against Georgia amid backlash
Mariah Guzman, 247Sports

J.T. Tuimoloau spoke up when Ohio State was down (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

DO NOT TAKE HIM OFF THE FIELD:


LGHL Asks: What are you most worried about from Georgia in the Peach Bowl?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

You’re Nuts: What are you asking Santa to bring the Ohio State football team this Christmas?
Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land

It’s official: I am sick and tired of super-duper seniors and well-traveled Peter Pan-types participating in college athletics
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land

Column: In moments of tragedy, sports can unite us. Let’s let them.
Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land

Steele is all of us:

On the Hardwood


Brice Sensabaugh Already Has the Trust of Chris Holtmann Late in the Game
Josh Poloha, Eleven Warriors

Listen to Chris Holtmann preview Saturday’s game vs. North Carolina:

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Field Hockey: Goldean Named Third Team All-American by the NFHCA
Ohio State Athletics

Women’s Gymnastics: Edwards, Harris Tabbed B1G Gymnasts to Watch
Ohio State Athletics

Women’s Volleyball: Londot, Podraza, Murr Named AVCA All-Americans
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


James Gunn just laying out the future of the DC Cinematic Universe on Twitter:


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LGHL Uncut Podcast: Coach McGuff, Harris, McMahon talk San Diego, early season recap
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 trio discuss McMahon’s Big Ten honor, two moments that showed the team’s strong bond and who the Buckeyes want in the San Diego Invitational

Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.


On Sunday, the Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team won their 10th game of the season in 10 tries. On Wednesday, head coach Kevin McGuff, guard Rikki Harris and forward Cotie McMahon spoke with the media before their final home non-conference game and their trip to San Diego.

Coach McGuff starts things off discussing where the Scarlet & Gray need to improve on defense, rebounding under different defensive looks and the difficulty of preparing for two basketball games in two days. Amongst other topics after two rest days for the Buckeyes.

Harris and McMahon take on the media together, with McMahon discussing winning her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week award, what she’s learned so far in her freshman season and makes no doubts on which team Ohio State wants to play in the second game of the San Diego Invitational.

The redshirt junior Harris gives insight into when the Buckeyes’ chemistry became so strong, and why. Also, looking forward to the basketball and non-basketball activities in San Diego and looking back at the first third of the regular season and discussing how she thinks the Buckeyes have started the 2022-23 campaign.

It’s the final media availability for the Buckeyes before their trip and then time off for the holidays, and there’s a lot to learn about the No. 3 team in the country in this episode.


Connect with Thomas:

Twitter: @1ThomasCostello

Theme music provided by www.bensound.com

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Buckeyes pick up two huge commitments on Wednesday
Caleb Houser 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

Ohio State lands a pair of pledges to further boost the future of the offensive success.

Ohio State lands their 2023 quarterback


Of the many things Ryan Day does well, developing the quarterback position certainly tops the list. In each year of his tenure, the Buckeyes have trotted out one of the best signal callers in the country, and this year was the same story. Going hand-in-hand with the on-field success, Day’s recruiting abilities have been off the charts since he came to Columbus. While the 2023 class was a little bit difficult to follow, Wednesday proved that once again Day’s earned trust in his process.

A name that has really come to the surface the last few weeks, Lincoln Kienholz had been committed to Washington since June. When Ohio State got into the mix earlier this month, many thought the Buckeyes would be able to land his commitment because of the track record. Knowing they lost their 2023 quarterback in Brock Glenn, Day went back to the drawing board and pulled out another incredible late finish. Yesterday, Kienholz not only de-committed from Washington, but flipped his pledge to Ohio State, giving the Buckeyes their signal caller in the class and their 20th commit in total this cycle.

The No. 205 player nationally, Kienholz is the 14th ranked quarterback in the class and the top overall player in South Dakota per the 247Sports Composite. A three-sport phenom, Kienholz excels at baseball and basketball in addition to football. A state champion multiple times, Lincoln has the competitive edge the Buckeyes are looking for and the athleticism that may be even more impressive that what is currently in Columbus.

Taking to Twitter to share his de-commitment from Washington, it was just a few moments later that his Ohio State commitment graphic was posted. The plan all along was to commit in person to Day and position coach, Corey Dennis, but with travel plans being pushed to Saturday, Twitter was the next best option. Either way, the Buckeyes now have their guy in the 2023 class and can focus on landing more of their top targets as they near signing day.

Buckeyes land five-star receiver in the 2024 class


As if one commitment wasn’t enough, the Buckeyes went back-to-back and also landed another five-star pledge for their 2024 class. Coming as a bit of a surprise timing wise, Florida native Jeremiah Smith tweeted a reply to one of the more popular recruiting graphic designers, and right away hearts started to race for what could be coming. Shortly after, position coach Brian Hartline tweeted his cryptic “popcorn” emoji post, and all bets were off as to what was coming for Ohio State.

Making it official, the top receiver in the country in the 2024 class released the news that he was committed to Ohio State, and as it has since Hartline’s start in Columbus, the rich get richer. The No. 2 player nationally, Smith as mentioned is the top receiver in the country and also the top player in Florida per the 247Sports Composite. A 6-foot-3, 185 pound star in the making, Smith has long been linked to Ohio State, but this commitment wasn’t exactly expected this soon. However, it was welcomed with open arms.

Feeling the momentum from his commitment, other Buckeye commits even in the 2023 class such as Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate shared their excitement on social media that Smith was now in the fold, further cementing Ohio State’s rightful spot at the top of receiver recruiting as once again they land the top guy on everyone’s board. As if it couldn’t get any better, pairing Smith with current quarterback commit Dylan Raiola, the Buckeyes now boast the No. 1 and No. 2 players nationally in their 2024 class.

The future is looking pretty bright.

Quick Hits

• It doesn’t get much busier than yesterday when considering Ohio State’s recruiting efforts. Even with the College Football Playoff just a couple of short weeks away, the staff is putting in overtime on the trail. Whether it be in their current and future classes for one, but even with the transfer portal, the Buckeyes are leaving no stone left unturned as they try to improve this already talented roster.

The latest offer went out from Ohio State, and not for a prep target either. Dishing their latest out to a transfer portal target, the Buckeyes threw their name into the mix for one of the top players looking for a new home, Ajani Cornelius.

The former Rhode Island offensive lineman is gaining some serious attention since his decision to find a new program, and the Buckeyes are going to take their best shot knowing offensive line depth is needed for the 2023 campaign. As Day has said numerous times though, this staff is only interested in the transfer portal for adding players that not only fill a need, but also fit the culture at Ohio State. Apparently, Cornelius fits the bill pretty well.

In the past two weeks Ajani has seen Oregon, Florida, Penn State, Nebraska, Auburn, and more added to his offer list and fresh of a visit to Oregon, his recruitment is already rounding into form for his next move. Ohio State should definitely be in the mix here, but they’ll have their hands full as they try and fight off the other many suitors for the big time offensive tackle target.


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For all bowl games not involving tOSU.

Friday, Dec. 16

Bahamas Bowl
Miami (Ohio) vs. UAB
11:30 a.m. ET ESPN
Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Bahamas

Cure Bowl
No. 24 Troy vs. No. 25 UTSA
3 p.m. ESPN
Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida

Saturday, Dec. 17

Fenway Bowl
Cincinnati vs. Louisville
11 a.m. ESPN
Fenway Park in Boston

Celebration Bowl
Jackson State vs. N.C. Central
12 p.m. ABC
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta

Las Vegas Bowl
No. 14 Oregon State vs. Florida
2:30 p.m. ESPN
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada

LA Bowl
Washington State vs. Fresno State
3:30 p.m. ABC
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California

LendingTree Bowl
Rice vs. Southern Mississippi
5:45 p.m. ESPN
Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama

New Mexico Bowl
SMU vs. BYU
7:30 p.m. ABC
University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Frisco Bowl
Boise State vs. North Texas
9:15 p.m. ESPN
Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas

Monday, Dec. 19

Myrtle Beach Bowl
Marshall vs. UConn
2:30 p.m. ESPN
Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina

Tuesday, Dec. 20

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Eastern Michigan vs. San Jose State
3:30 p.m. ESPN
Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho

Boca Raton Bowl
Liberty vs. Toledo
7:30 p.m. ESPN
FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida

Wednesday, Dec. 21

New Orleans Bowl
South Alabama vs. Western Kentucky
9 p.m. ESPN
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans

Thursday, Dec. 22

Armed Forces Bowl
Baylor vs. Air Force
7:30 p.m. ESPN
Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas

Friday, Dec. 23

Independence Bowl
Houston vs. Louisiana
3 p.m. ESPN
Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana

Gasparilla Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Missouri
6:30 p.m. ESPN
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida

Saturday, Dec. 24

Hawai'i Bowl
Middle Tennessee State vs. San Diego State
8 p.m. ESPN
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawai'i

Monday, Dec. 26

Quick Lane Bowl
Bowling Green vs. New Mexico State
2:30 p.m. ESPN
Ford Field in Detroit

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Camellia Bowl
Buffalo vs. Georgia Southern
12 p.m. ESPN
Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama

First Responder Bowl
Memphis vs. Utah State
3:15 p.m. ESPN
Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas

Birmingham Bowl
Coastal Carolina vs. East Carolina
6:45 p.m. ESPN
Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama

Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Oklahoma State vs. Wisconsin
10:15 p.m. ESPN
Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona

Wednesday, Dec. 28

Military Bowl
Duke vs. UCF
2 p.m. ESPN
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland

Liberty Bowl
Arkansas vs. Kansas
5:30 p.m. ESPN
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee

Holiday Bowl
No. 15 Oregon vs. North Carolina
8 p.m. FOX
Petco Park in San Diego

Texas Bowl
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
9 p.m. ESPN
NRG Stadium in Houston


Thursday, Dec. 29

Pinstripe Bowl
Minnesota vs. Syracuse
2 p.m. ESPN
Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York City

Cheez-It Bowl
No. 13 Florida State vs. Oklahoma
5:30 p.m. ESPN
Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida

Alamo Bowl
No. 12 Washington vs. No. 20 Texas
9 p.m. ESPN
Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas

Friday, Dec. 30

Duke's Mayo Bowl
No. 23 NC State vs. Maryland
12 p.m. ESPN
Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina

Sun Bowl
No. 18 UCLA vs. Pitt
2 p.m. CBS
Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas

Gator Bowl
No. 19 South Carolina vs. No. 21 Notre Dame
3:30 p.m. ESPN
TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida

Arizona Bowl
Ohio vs. Wyoming
4:30 p.m. Barstool
Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona

Orange Bowl
No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Clemson
8 p.m. ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

Saturday, Dec. 31

Fiesta Bowl (College Football Playoff semifinal)
No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU
4 p.m. ESPN
State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

Peach Bowl (College Football Playoff semifinal)
No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Ohio State
8 p.m. ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta


Music City Bowl
Iowa vs. Kentucky
12 p.m. ABC
Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee

Sugar Bowl
No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 9 Kansas State
12 p.m. ESPN
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans

Monday, Jan. 2

ReliaQuest Bowl
No. 22 Mississippi State vs. Illinois
12 p.m. ESPN2
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida

Citrus Bowl
No. 17 LSU vs. Purdue
1 p.m. ABC
Camping World Stadium in Orlando

Cotton Bowl Classic
No. 10 USC vs. No. 16 Tulane
1 p.m. ESPN
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Rose Bowl Game
No. 8 Utah vs. No. 11 Penn State
5 p.m. ESPN
Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California

Monday, Jan. 9

College Football Playoff National Championship Game
7:30 p.m. ESPN
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California

LGHL Asks: What are you most worried about from Georgia in the Peach Bowl?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

Also, how did the CFP berth impact how you felt about the loss to Michigan?

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

We are about two and a half weeks until the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Peach Bowl matchup will be the 8 p.m. ET game on New Year’s Eve, and while that still feels like a ways away, with Christmas next weekend, we will all be running around getting ready for that, and before we know it, it will be game week.

So, we wanted to take the temperature of Buckeye Nation to see how they are feeling about the game against the Bulldogs and some other topics before the holiday season takes over all aspects of our lives.

Read through the questions and fill out the survey at the bottom of the page. We’ll have the results later in the week.

Question 1: What worries you most about Ohio State facing Georgia in the Peach Bowl?


I thought about including an “All of the Above” option, but I figured that would be a cop-out. UGA is such a well-rounded team, that I think it’s tough to pick just one thing to be most worried about, but to me, there is one answer that stands out, based on the previous high-profile losses of the Ryan Day/C.J. Stroud era.

Pick which one you are going within the survey, and I will share my thoughts when we have the final results later in the week.

Question 2: How much has the CFP berth helped you get over the Michigan loss?


Like all Ohio State fans, I was pretty down following the loss in The Game, and even though I thought it very likely that the Buckeyes would make it into the playoff, I wasn’t necessarily excited about it.

However, once Utah beat USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game, my concern over the Michigan game went from 90% down to about 25%. Now don’t get me wrong, if OSU does face off against TTUN in the National Championship Game, my stress level might shoot back up to 169%, but for now, I am excited that the team has the opportunity to right some of its wrongs and shock the world for the second time in eight years.

Question 3: Who needs to step up most for Ohio State to pull off the semifinal upset?


I left off the obvious in C.J. Stroud, because not only has he played at a fairly high level all season, but putting the starting quarterback into any question like this automatically skews the results. So, I picked some guys at key positions who either due to injury, rotation, or uneven play, haven’t performed to the level that they had been expected to late in the season, but are still capable of having a monster impact in the Peach Bowl.

J.T. Tuimoloau is the one guy I was a little apprehensive about including, just because he has played very well, but obviously, his freakish athletic ability means that he still has more room to improve, and five weeks of rest and prep very well could prove to be just what he needed heading into the postseason.

I’m not sure if I would pick him in this question, but I definitely think that he could have a massive impact if he comes more into his own on New Year’s Eve.


Have your voice heard and share your thoughts on the Buckeyes here:


Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate.

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Class: 2023 (transfer)
Position: Offensive lineman
School: University of Rhode Island
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 315 lbs

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