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Game Thread THE GAME: #1 tOSU at tCun, Sat. Nov. 29th, 12 pm ET, FOX

2002 will probably be my favorite season because of my stage in life and personal experience. It was the first year I ever got to go to a game in person and I went to 6 in total that year thanks to my dad's awesome boss at the time giving us tickets. I was only in middle school then but I had my core memories of OSU football being losses to scUM every year, Cooper blowing it in almost every major game, and zero titles to that point despite insanely loaded teams. But that season I got to go to a ton of games, including a front row seat to Holy Buckeye (I thought Krenzel was throwing the ball to me). That was the year I really developed my love for OSU football alongside my dad at every game.

But throwing that aside, I have enjoyed the hell out of this season but there's still a lot more to be done to determine this team amongst others. But The Game this year was one of the tops for me to end a regular season. So much redemption for the coaches, players and fans to enjoy. Plus the snow made it have the feel of an old school showdown with ttun. It's been a great year that could end up being one of the best, but we'll have to see what happens from here on out for me to say it's my favorite overall season. It is definitely top 2 for me right now.
 
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On another note....has anybody been on U-Tube lately? Seems like there are a dozen plus folk (none of which I've seen or heard of), wearing a Buckeye hat, and espousing how great the team is....certainly piling on the bandwagon, and for no apparent reason. Maybe there are legit, and I've had my head in the sand, and don't recall if they have 'inside' poop, or just regurgitating what's already known. Anyway, though I'd ask y'all.
 
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Just another comment. Was surprised to see Tegra play all/most of the game. He's been the weak link on the OL this year, so was surprised. However, he did in fact play his best game. Nary a penalty, and do not believe Sayin was pushed in any way. So, the OL did their job. Also, agree that the other safety did a great job. Bet Patricia has him penciled in to replace Downs next year....
 
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Julian Sayin, Tywone Malone Jr. and Caleb Downs Lead Pro Football Focus’ Highest-Graded Ohio State Players Against Michigan

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After Ohio State beat the team up north by a final score of 27-9, we share the game’s grades from Pro Football Focus, which grades every player after every game based on how they perform on a snap-to-snap basis.

We compiled the PFF grades for every Buckeye who played on either offense or defense in the 11th game of the season and highlight the three highest-graded players who played at least 10 snaps against the Wolverines. A familiar name is back in the top spot, along with two players who had not previously made the top three this year.

PFF's Grading Scale
ELITE GOOD ABOVE AVG. AVG. BELOW AVG. POOR VERY POOR
90-100 80-89 70-79 60-69 50-59 40-49 Below 40

1. QB Julian Sayin (82.0)​

How dominant has Julian Sayin been this season? He has been Ohio State's highest-rated player for half of the season's 12 games. That happens when you are the best graded quarterback in overall offense (93.4) and passing (93.2) in the nation for the season.

Another category Sayin has been super in is completing passes. Not only is his completion percentage of 78.9 the best of any quarterback this season, it's the highest for any quarterback for a season ... ever.

2. DT Tywone Malone Jr. (80.0)​

With an overall defensive grade of 80, Tywone Malone Jr. was the conference's highest-rated defensive tackle in the final week of the regular season. He also graded well in rush defense, with an 80.1 run rating that ranked second in the Big Ten.

Malone is not alone when it comes to defensive tackles making Ohio State's top three this year. He's the fourth DT to make the list, joining Kayden McDonald, Will Smith Jr. and Eddrick Houston to have an outstanding performance in a game this season.

3. S Caleb Downs (78.4)​

For the first time this season, Caleb Downs finally grades out as one of Ohio State's top three players for a game. His defensive grade of 78.4 was the fourth-best among Big Ten safeties in Week 14.

For the season, Downs has a coverage grade of 89.4 and an overall grade of 87.2. Both grades put Downs behind USC's Bishop Fitzgerald and Oregon's Dillon Thieneman for third in the conference at his position.

Extra Points​

  • Kayden McDonald leads the nation's defensive tackles with a grade of 92.2 for the season.
  • Jelani Thurman has an overall grade of 88.4 for the season, which is the highest among all Big Ten tight ends.
  • Carson Hinzman was Ohio State's best pass blocker (83.1) against Michigan.
  • Caden Curry graded out with a 77.4 in rush defense, which was second best in the Big Ten among defensive ends; he's also the conference's best defensive end with an overall grade of 90.8 for the season.
  • Bennett Christian (30.2) had the lowest grade of any Buckeye with at least five snaps, with Davison Igbinosun (51.7) earning the lowest defensive grade of any Ohio State player against Michigan.
  • Carnell Tate is the conference's second-highest rated player in receiving (89.9), overall offense (90.1) and drops (91.4) for the season.
  • Sonny Styles has the best tackling grade in the nation (92.2). His 58 tackles without a miss are the most of any player this season.
  • Brandon Inniss was the Big Ten's second-best punt returner for Week 14.
  • Jaylen McClain was the Buckeyes' best tackler (82.0) against the Wolverines.
  • Bo Jackson had the highest receiving grade (85.9) among all Big Ten running backs with at least two catches last week. He also outgained Michigan in total yards.
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