Megan.Husslein
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All eyes on the running back battle between Ohio State and TTUN
Megan.Husslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Looking at you, Tony Alford...
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State’s rivals. Michigan is the defending national champions, but there has been a lot of change in Ann Arbor. What does that mean for the season, the Big Ten, and the Buckeyes? You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”That Team Up North” articles here.
There is a bit more fuel to the fire of the rivalry this year with a few traitors from Ohio State’s side. Mainly, I am talking about former Buckeye running back coach, Tony Alford, who has taken over the same position at TTUN. Even though he had one of the best RB duos at Ohio State, he still chose to leave for Ann Arbor.
Alford led the charge for recruiting Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins to transfer, and was only with him for a couple of weeks before he left Ohio State. Of course, both he and TreVeyon Henderson publicly commented that they respect Alford’s decision to do what is best for him and his family. But privately, that has to sting at least a little bit, right?
Over the past few years, one of the main focuses of the rivalry game has been on the runnin back group. TTUN had Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, which was arguably the best duo in the Big Ten before Corum went pro following last season. Now, the Wolverines will have Edwards and a question mark at the No. 2 position.
Currently, the Buckeyes have the edge with two very experienced backs in Judkins and Henderson. This is going to be absolutely critical for The Game, as we have seen in the past how first-year starters may let their nerves take over when it comes to the rivalry matchup.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25541616/1937878970.jpg "2024 CFP National Championship - Michigan v Washington")
Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images
Edwards was notorious for his performance against the Buckeyes in 2022, when he rushed for 216 yards and scored two touchdowns. Last season, he only had 31 yards against Ohio State thanks to the Blake Corum show. While Edwards had a dip in performance overall in 2023, rushing for 497 yards on 119 carries versus the 991 yards he had in 2022, I definitely expect him to bounce back for his senior season.
Henderson was limited to 60 yards against the Wolverines last year on 19 carries, as the Bucks really struggled to get any offense going. However, I do not see that being a problem this year. Either way, Judkins or Henderson is going to be making an impact in the rivalry game, if not both of them. With the likely rotation of them, they will both be able to stay fresh.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25541641/2147779097.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: APR 13 Ohio State Spring Game")
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Lastly, I am extremely excited to see Buckeye running backs coach Carlos Locklyn prepare for this game. From what we’ve seen from him so far, I am a huge fan. He is very passionate about his job and previously had built relationships with both Judkins and Henderson in the recruiting process.
He knows what this rivalry means to this program, and is well aware where his predecessor went following his departure. While there may not be any personal bad blood, the fact of it remains: Alford left to go coach at the one school that was unacceptable to go. Now, the rivalry might be all the better for it.
Continue reading...
Megan.Husslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Looking at you, Tony Alford...
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State’s rivals. Michigan is the defending national champions, but there has been a lot of change in Ann Arbor. What does that mean for the season, the Big Ten, and the Buckeyes? You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”That Team Up North” articles here.
There is a bit more fuel to the fire of the rivalry this year with a few traitors from Ohio State’s side. Mainly, I am talking about former Buckeye running back coach, Tony Alford, who has taken over the same position at TTUN. Even though he had one of the best RB duos at Ohio State, he still chose to leave for Ann Arbor.
Alford led the charge for recruiting Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins to transfer, and was only with him for a couple of weeks before he left Ohio State. Of course, both he and TreVeyon Henderson publicly commented that they respect Alford’s decision to do what is best for him and his family. But privately, that has to sting at least a little bit, right?
Over the past few years, one of the main focuses of the rivalry game has been on the runnin back group. TTUN had Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, which was arguably the best duo in the Big Ten before Corum went pro following last season. Now, the Wolverines will have Edwards and a question mark at the No. 2 position.
Currently, the Buckeyes have the edge with two very experienced backs in Judkins and Henderson. This is going to be absolutely critical for The Game, as we have seen in the past how first-year starters may let their nerves take over when it comes to the rivalry matchup.
Edwards was notorious for his performance against the Buckeyes in 2022, when he rushed for 216 yards and scored two touchdowns. Last season, he only had 31 yards against Ohio State thanks to the Blake Corum show. While Edwards had a dip in performance overall in 2023, rushing for 497 yards on 119 carries versus the 991 yards he had in 2022, I definitely expect him to bounce back for his senior season.
Henderson was limited to 60 yards against the Wolverines last year on 19 carries, as the Bucks really struggled to get any offense going. However, I do not see that being a problem this year. Either way, Judkins or Henderson is going to be making an impact in the rivalry game, if not both of them. With the likely rotation of them, they will both be able to stay fresh.
Lastly, I am extremely excited to see Buckeye running backs coach Carlos Locklyn prepare for this game. From what we’ve seen from him so far, I am a huge fan. He is very passionate about his job and previously had built relationships with both Judkins and Henderson in the recruiting process.
He knows what this rivalry means to this program, and is well aware where his predecessor went following his departure. While there may not be any personal bad blood, the fact of it remains: Alford left to go coach at the one school that was unacceptable to go. Now, the rivalry might be all the better for it.
Continue reading...