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The Live Show Today - 🔥🔥

Mannnnn highly recommend listening to the Live Show pod for today, a very frank and good convo about where things are and some things I wish the team could hear, some notes:

1. If freaking Nicole is uneasy and feeling bad about the game, then stuff needs fixing lol

2. Birm was like my mouthpiece today talking about how the program can be a bit too NFL and professional at times and needs more passion and intensity for when things aren’t being executed

3. The lack of leadership of the returning guys and two transfers being the team leaders was a tough but fair observation. I also made the comparison previously that this team feels like the 2015 squad at times minus the title to somewhat justify it.

4. Co-sign the discussion at how stupid the reverse rushmen package is 10 times over. Might’ve worked 7 years ago but not now.

5. Let’s all hope we adjust vs Penn state and don’t keep trying to force the run game if it isn’t working.

6. Lastly, thought Birm’s point about how quickly Day teams’ have gotten in their heads and it leads to a bit of a decline in the season was sobering.

Football From Day's press conference today

* Nothing definite on Zen Michalski's availability. Day initially said Zen would start at left tackle if he's healthy, but then pulled back on that when asked a follow up about it. They'll "evaluate it" but first need to see if Michalski can actually play. Donovan Jackson will get left tackle reps in practice. Carson Hinzman has mostly practiced at center, but Day said they'll move him around.

* Luke Montgomery played left guard when Jackson moved to tackle because he had the most practice reps there last week with the twos. I'm taking that as Austin Sierveld has been sticking at right guard since Donovan Jackson returned, and they just put in the guy who was No. 2 on the LG depth chart.

* Day said they're expecting to get a full week of practice from Lathan Ransom and said he's "coming back."

PSU Health

Was hoping someone could provide any detail on PSU's health heading in to this game. I know Franklin and Day operate in a similar fashion with reporting injury info so it is difficult to get a good read. The ones I am aware of:
- Obviously Allar. Total guess but I think he plays but if they were playing Purdue he wouldnt.
- Austin or Bill mentioned on the Pod today that they have an oline injury?
- Has their one safety returned?
- RBs are good to go? Singleton was bogged down by something earlier this year I believe.
- Anyone else?

Thanks for any insight!

Offensive Line Going Forward

It sounds like Jackson is kicking out to tackle, and I’ve heard some chatter that Hinzman will be the LG. So the OL for PSU could look like this:

LT: Jackson
LG: Hinzman
C: McLaughlin
RG: Tshabola
RT: Fryar

I think this makes much more sense than playing Zen ever did. Zen looked completely physically overmatched.

Question for @Bill Landis - you said on the Sunday KOC recap pod with Doug that you don’t think Jackson is having a good season. Why is that? Per Pro Football Focus, he’s currently the highest graded offensive lineman on OSU’s roster and the second highest graded Power 4 IOL in the country.
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Howard's Legs Are Key

When you break down Penn State and Ohio State are so statically similar.

Total Offense:
Ohio State - 9th (471.9/game)
Penn State - 13th (463.7/game)

Total Defense:
Ohio State - 2nd (254.4/game)
Penn State - 4th (267.6/game)

If you look at turnover margin, scoring defense, etc...the two teams are eerily similar. While Ohio State edges Penn State out in scoring offense and red zone efficiency...these teams are neck-and-neck.

Penn State's advantage? Time of possession and third down efficiency.
On the road, Howard's legs to sustain drives is going to be huge. I think whoever wins third down probably wins this game.
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PSU Offensive Game Plan

1) haven’t the slightest on the LT conundrum. Leaning Siervald but maybe Jackson. Who is less important to me at this point it’s what can be done to help
2) Hartline & his room is my answer. I’m sticking a TE number on Montgomery and playing 10-12 plays in the Bison. He’s agile enough to get into the pulling game for counters, arguably our best run scheme. But this means I’m putting money down on the 3 receivers to get open on more limited routes. Best WR room? Win your matchups. Small package of 4 wide with a quick throw game. Brandon Innis a 5*? Let’s see it
3) you can’t just let 2 of your best weapons be marginalized with Trey and Q. So when these teams try to feast rushing the passer, screen em up. I’m not sure if we’ve run one but it’s time to dial 4-5 up. Is there a draw in the playbook? Most importantly some arrow routes, delays, swings. Wheels, etc. Both backs should swap out 5 carries each for receptions with LB in space. I’m not saving those 2 in the backfield together for Michigan. 5-7 plays with them together with a succession of calls that build on their threat from one to the next.
4) will Howard’s legs. It’s time for 10+ carries. Maybe not all keepers….scrambles counted. But between passes to backs with good hands and his legs I can steal 12-15 running plays

#STUFF Some recruiting thoughts from Saturday ...

• The visit for Jahkeem Stewart went pretty well from what I've been told but I still don't think it's likely he ends up at Ohio State. LSU and his relationship with Frank Wilson is a big deal but more than that is the expectation that he'll command/demand NIL arrangements that are in line with what the current stars on the Ohio State roster are getting and that is a hard pill to swallow when you're projecting a kid that's played < 10 varsity games in his entire high school career.

• I think Ohio State is narrowing in on a top 2026 tight end target and right now it may very well be Michigan's Lincoln Keyes. He's had a great junior season so far and there's a really good relationship building with the Buckeyes and his family. Michigan, Alabama and others are also very much in the mix and will be but if Keenan Bailey zeroes in on him soon I think that there's a chance for Ohio State to make a move here. Maybe it was just my vantage point but it sure looked like Keyes was signficantly bigger than he was in June when he camped.

• Storm Miller spent a lot of time with Ryan Day and James Laurinaitis. Ohio State is making him a priority and knows it's basically a two-team race with Clemson, where his brother Blake plays. I think ultimately it's a battle that Laurinaitis will win.

• Damola Ajidahun is still on campus and will leave this evening. Noticed him spending a ton of time with Carter Lowe and Jake Cook on Saturday. He's a big kid. Buckeyes would love to get a good read on his intentions this weekend so that plans for other players, like Florida's Connor Howes, could become a bit more clear.

• Ohio State—specifically Justin Frye—also made a big impression on Pennsylvania 2027 standout Maxwell Hiller. He spent Sunday morning doing an extended visit and sitting in on meetings and told me he was really impressed by Frye's approach with his guys.

• Will be checking in on Zahir Mathis and how the OV weekend went for him. Ultimately it's going to come down to NIL and whether or not Penn State goes "overboard" compared to what Ohio State is willing to do.

Oline for Penn State?

Can anyone explain why they brought in Luke when Jackson shifted to tackle? @Birm, @Bill Landis ? He has gotten no first-team reps that I can remember. Why not bring in Austin? How do you see the line-up going forward? I see 3 possibilities for LT:
1. Jackson to Left Tackle, Austin or Luke at Guard. Would really prefer Austin unless he is hurt and that is why he is struggling.
2. Fitzpatrick to Left Tackle. Has consistently looked better over the last 2 years but has never been playing with the starters.
3. Move Josh Fryar to Left Tackle. I would have hated this idea this summer. But after watching Zen look lost, I wonder if this isn't better than some of the alternatives. Since Fitzpatrick has been practicing at RT then maybe this is the best answer currently.
Thoughts?
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