JJ McCarthy looked really impressive this past weekend. Seen a few scouts raving about his game film and improvements in his play. I know lots of people will discount this because of the competition, but impressive play is impressive play. USC is playing cupcakes, but you can still tell Caleb Williams is playing at an extremely high level.

This is going to be a massive year for Ryan Day on so many levels. There’s the obvious big picture questions and expectations he faces every year. Then below the surface we’ll also get to see the McCord vs McCarthy experiment and if the right decision was made there. We’re lucky to have a plan B in Brown if necessary, but nobody really has a clue how good he is either.

In addition to that you have Treveyon Henderson and Donovan Edwards. Fortunately our RB room is loaded, but that’s another storyline I’m sure many will be paying attention to as well.

Anyways, was just watching the Michigan game again and thinking about all that. I can’t help but think Ryan Day has the weight of the world on him right about now.

@Birm Can you provide any insight on this? Seems to have come out of nowhere

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God Bless these workers and their families as they strike for more serious wages and a living that doesn’t put their workers on the fast track to poverty.


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This man made $21 million last year.

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That's the post.

This was the kind of game Ohio State needed. Looked like there was a lot more energy out there.

• Kyle McCord was great. He seemed more decisive and very much in control. The few blemishes I can remember were a third down pass that he sailed high and then taking an early sack (and fumble) when he should have let it rip. Fantastic game from him.
• It was good seeing Devin Brown get some action as well. Loved the touchdown pass to Carnell Tate.
• Thought the offensive line blocking was pretty good for the most part. Didn't notice any major issues on first watch. Think Simmons had a false start at one point but thankfully his penalties have paled in comparison to what he did at San Diego State.
• Running game was great. Loved seeing Chip bust the long one. Henderson was running hard.
• Nice to see Evan Pryor on the field late.
• I do wish we'd get to see a bit of Dallan Hayden, though I know there are a lot of mouths to feed.
• Not a lot to say about the WRs. They're great and they're also great blockers (especially Fleming). I thought Emeka pancaked the guy (legally) on the play where he was called for a hold.
• Major props to Carnell Tate hustling to recover that fumble.
• Cade Stover is still an inconsistent blocker. Said it last week, but he'll have a standout block or two but then there will be a bunch of whiffs. His lack of effort is noticeable at times too.
• The new clock rules shouldn't be near as big of a talking point this week. It's amazing what happens when you convert on your third downs and play defense.

• It was a weird start for the defense followed by dominance. Didn't love some of Knowles' play-calling early on. He was being a bit too aggressive on some third downs IMO.
• The JT missed tackle was a bad look. You have to wrap up, my guy.
• Noticed Kenyatta came into the game shortly after the JT missed tackle. He made a nice play on a third down stop. Didn't notice him too much otherwise but good to see him getting some early playing time.
• I don't like complaining about the officials, but that holding call on Hancock seemed weird. They missed some holds on WKU as well (Igbinosun blatantly grabbed on the TD).
• I didn't notice Styles too much today. I assume that was by design against such a pass-heavy offense.
• Denzel Burke is the best player on this team not named Marvin Harrison Jr.
• I thought Proctor was really good today from what I could tell. He's not known for his hands, but he could have had a pick six had Tommy not tipped the one ball.
• Tyleik Williams was great today.
• Two sacks on the day but the pressure seemed more noticeable from what I could see. Tuimoloau destroyed his blocker on a few bull rushes.
• The pass rush caused that Chambers interception.
• Jermaine Mathews' pick six was beautiful.
• Great seeing Melton and Abor out there today.

Even though OSU came within a play or two of winning the Natty last year, why does it seem these two teams are more explosive and talented than the Buckeyes? Trust at the end of the year, OSU will be there, but WTH? Am I the only one thinking this way?

Can we please show my boy some love?!?! Many questioned and doubted the hire, especially after last season. Knowing him personally, I said to just be patient and give him a little time. Now look at him. BIA is back! Got studs in the stable and more on the way! We are indeed in good hands with Tim Walton!

Through three games OSU has given up a total of 245 yards and 0 points in the second half.

Excited for this one. I’ve got Ohio State by a score of 50-24.

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Love Dotting the Eyes, but I am also a huge Ross Fulton fan. I really enjoyed this breakdown, as it shows Day and company have quickly abandoned the idea of being a run-first team out of the gates. No more heavy sets versus YSU. McCord showed his strengths in 11-personnel, with quick reads and accurate passes, but it also allowed the running game to get loose with some different wrinkles.

There's lots to be optimistic about after watching this!

Turtleneck

Here's Ohio State's availability report today:

GAME-TIME DECISION
SAF Lathan Ransom

OUT
WR Kyion Grayes
TE Zak Herbstreit
LB Arvell Reese
DT Will Smith Jr.
WR Reis Stocksdale
LB Kourt Williams II

Obviously a situation to monitor there at safety. If Ransom can't go, could see Sonny Styles slide in there and Jordan Hancock play the nickel. Figured we might see a good deal of true nickel and perhaps dime against pass-happy WKU anyway.

For tonight’s game vs Mentor

Week 3​

Thursday, Sept. 14

Bethune-Cookman at No. 22 Miami (Fla.) | 7:30 p.m. | ACC Network
Navy at Memphis | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Sept. 15

Virginia at Maryland | 7 p.m. | FS1
Army at UTSA | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Utah State at Air Force | 8 p.m. | CBSSN

Saturday, Sept. 16

No. 14 LSU at Mississippi State | 12 p.m. | ESPN
No. 7 Penn State at Illinois | 12 p.m. | FOX
No. 3 Florida State at Boston College | 12 p.m. | ABC
No. 15 Kansas State at Missouri | 12 p.m. | SEC Network
Georgia Southern at Wisconsin | 12 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Liberty at Buffalo | 12 p.m. | CBSSN
Louisville at Indiana | 12 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Wake Forest at Old Dominion | 12 p.m.
Long Island at Baylor | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Iowa State at Ohio | 12 p.m.
Central Connecticut at Kent State | 12 p.m.
North Dakota at Boise State | 12 p.m. | FS1
Holy Cross at Yale | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Cornell at Lehigh | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Stonehill at Georgetown | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Columbia at Lafayette | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN+
St. Thomas (Minn.) at Harvard | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Davidson at Marist | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Penn at Colgate | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Weber State at No. 12 Utah | 2 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
VMI at NC State | 2 p.m. | CW Network
UMass at Eastern Michigan | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Norfolk State at Temple | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Indiana State at Ball State | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Lamar at South Dakota | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Robert Morris at Youngstown State | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Central Michigan at No. 9 Notre Dame | 2:30 p.m. | Peacock
Illinois State at Eastern Illinois | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Florida Memorial University at Grambling | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Stetson at Montana State | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
South Carolina at No. 1 Georgia | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
No. 10 Alabama at South Florida | 3:30 p.m. | ABC
San Diego State at No. 16 Oregon State | 3:30 p.m. | FS1
No. 19 Oklahoma at Tulsa | 3:30 p.m.
Western Michigan at No. 25 Iowa | 3:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Northwestern at No. 21 Duke | 3:30 p.m. | ACC Network
Virginia Tech at Rutgers | 3:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Florida International at UConn | 3:30 p.m. | CBSSN
East Carolina at Appalachian State | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Minnesota at No. 20 North Carolina | 3:30 p.m.
Central Arkansas at North Dakota State | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Drake vs. South Dakota State (Minneapolis, Minn.) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Western Kentucky at No. 6 Ohio State | 4 p.m. | FOX
UL Monroe at Texas A&M | 4 p.m. | SEC Network
Tulane at Southern Miss | 4 p.m. | ESPNU
Idaho at Cal | 4 p.m.
Utah Tech at Northern Arizona | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
SE Louisiana at Eastern Washington | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
North American University at Portland State | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Brown at Bryant | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
William & Mary at Charleston Southern | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Princeton at San Diego | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
No. 8 Washington at Michigan State | 5 p.m. | Peacock
North Carolina Central at No. 24 UCLA | 5 p.m.
Northern Colorado at No. 23 Washington State | 5 p.m.
Furman at Kennesaw State | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Towson at Morgan State | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Georgia State at Charlotte | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Western Carolina at Eastern Kentucky | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
UNI at Idaho State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Gardner-Webb at Tennessee State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Presbyterian at Wofford | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
The Citadel at Chattanooga | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Villanova at UCF | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+
No. 11 Tennessee at Florida | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Samford at Auburn | 7 p.m. | ESPN+/SECN+
North Texas at Louisiana Tech | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Murray State at Middle Tennessee | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Northern Illinois at Nebraska | 7 p.m. | FS1
Vanderbilt at UNLV | 7 p.m. | CBSSN
Miami (Ohio) at Cincinnati | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
South Alabama at Oklahoma State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Tarleton State at Texas Tech | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Louisiana at UAB | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Prairie View A&M at SMU | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Texas Southern at Rice | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Duquesne at Coastal Carolina | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Stony Brook at Arkansas State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
James Madison at Troy | 7 p.m. | NFL Network
San Jose State at Toledo | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Alabama A&M at Southern | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
East Tennessee State at Austin Peay | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
North Alabama at Tennessee Tech | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Houston Christian at UT Martin | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Stephen F. Austin at Northwestern State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Southern Illinois at Southeast Missouri State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Lindenwood at Western Illinois | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Bowling Green at No. 2 Michigan | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Georgia Tech at No. 17 Ole Miss | 7:30 p.m. | SEC Network
BYU at Arkansas | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Akron at Kentucky | 7:30 p.m. | ESPNU
Syracuse at Purdue | 7:30 p.m. | NBC
Pitt at West Virginia | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
Florida Atlantic at Clemson | 8 p.m. | ACC Network
Wyoming at No. 4 Texas | 8 p.m. | Longhorn Network
Hawai'i at No. 13 Oregon | 8 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
TCU at Houston | 8 p.m. | FOX
New Mexico State at New Mexico | 8 p.m. | Mountain West Network
Sacramento State at Stanford | 8 p.m.
Lincoln (CA) at Cal Poly | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Ferris State at Montana | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
UIW at Abilene Christian | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Jackson State at Texas State | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Colorado State at No. 18 Colorado | 10 p.m. | ESPN
Southern Utah at UC Davis | 10 p.m. | ESPN+
Fresno State at Arizona State | 10:30 p.m.
Kansas at Nevada | 10:30 p.m. | CBSSN
UTEP at Arizona | 11 p.m. | Pac-12 Network

I always love these videos, but then the old guy in me thinks:

Don’t hurt yourself

Should you really be getting pumped up for a game 7hrs early?
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@Birm Any chance the Buckeyes circle back on these guys? Another set of Ohio twins. Michigan state is a dumpster fire. If these guys have talent but are a couple of years away, do we take them or look in the transfer portal for someone ready to help now?

Now down to 11th on Rivals team rankings.

Mark Stoops and Kentucky scored two big recruiting victories on Friday night, as twin brothers Jacob Smith and Jerod Smith Jr. decided to switch their commitments from Michigan.

The additions of Jacob (No. 97 overall in the 2024 ESPN 300) and Jerod (No. 153 overall in 2024), a pair of four-star defensive linemen, give the Wildcats' class an immediate boost.

https://www.espn.com/college-footba...others-decommit-michigan-decide-play-kentucky