BUCKEYES TO BROWNS
Mike Hall Jr. is selected 54th overall in the second round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.
Great to see the Bengals picking up that L in a must-lose game. Last year, they couldn't even tank right, but nothing's sopping us this year, baby!
ICYMI
- Five things to know about Michigan State.
- Michigan fans reacting to Ohio State dominance is my new drug.
- The Buckeyes will be rocking black uniforms against Michigan State.
- The California image and likeness law will go into effect in 2023.
- Ohio State is the national team of the week.
- Justin Fields' Heisman odds and Ohio State's natty odds climb.
- Ohio State is adjusting its offense to fit this roster's talent.
- Stock up/down.
- Inside the box.
- Champions.
- Threat level: Michigan.
- The BasketBucks are picked third in the Big Ten.
Word of the Day: Amatory.
IS THAT GOOD? We're five games into the season and I'm not trying to be hyperbolic, but I don't think I've ever seen an Ohio State team look this good on offense, defense and special teams.
And it ain't just the eye test.
From Bill Connelly of ESPN:
... Ohio State looks like nuclear-grade Ohio State at the moment. The Buckeyes have not only won their first five games by an average of 43.8 points -- their plus-219 scoring margin through five games is their largest in the AP poll era (and they've had more than a few great teams in that span) -- but they've done so against a schedule that featured three SP+ top-40 teams (No. 29 Indiana, No. 38 Cincinnati and No. 39 Nebraska, whom they destroyed by a combined 141-17).
I do understand the folks around the country complaining that the Buckeyes haven't played anybody yet, because nobody's hyping any of these as big wins comparable to Georgia beating Notre Dame or LSU beating Texas.
That said, it's not like they're playing FCS programs or like any of these games are even remotely close. They trucked the hell out of two conference opponents on the road and blasted a team that won 11 games last year at home.
Look, I know all about Ohio State teams looking fraudulently good against inferior opponents. I've watched it pretty much every season for four years. But this ain't that, and anyone who's seen both could tell you there's a difference.
BETTER THAN BOSA. I've been kind of pumping the brakes on the whole "Chase Young is better than either Bosa brother" #take for as long as people have been making the comparisons.
But I'm here to tell you that we've reached a pivotal moment in this blogger's life: I just don't think that's a position I can hold anymore. Chase Young is the best pass rusher I've ever seen come through Ohio State, and that includes the brothers that went No. 2 and No. 3 in their respective NFL Drafts.
There's a solid chance The Predator is going No. 1.
From Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports:
“He’s better than [Nick] Bosa,” one college scouting director told Yahoo Sports. “Maybe Bosa was a better technician, better hand fighter, but boy, I don’t know now. You just see the flashes of power and speed, and those rare football instincts [Young] has, and it’s hard not to think he’ll be one of our highest-graded players when it’s all said and done.”
...
And yes, teams are doubling Young — quite often. That’s what makes his incredible start to the season so impressive.
“They’ll put a tackle and a back, or a tackle and a tight end on him,” the director said. “They’ll use two linemen. They slant protection his way, chip and cut him. They’ll run away from him or roll out the other direction. Before he ever gets his hands on your guys, he’s already having an effect on what you do.”
Hence why Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez finished the game 8-of-17 passing for 47 yards with three picks and no TDs.
“[Young] basically makes you play one-handed, and he’s still getting home,” the director said. “Very, very impressive. And on the handful of times [opponents] don’t double him, he’s making them pay for it. He’s just wrecking games out there.”
Reminder: He has three strip sacks in the past two games.
THIS SHOULD GO OVER WELL. Speaking of the best pass rusher in program history, there's a good chance we're going to see him matched up against a true freshman offensive tackle.
From Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press:
Michigan State football brought in a vaunted recruiting haul of offensive linemen this season.
Coach Mark Dantonio said they must be ready to play. And the 23rd-ranked Spartans might need their contributions Saturday at No. 5 Ohio State (7:30 p.m., ABC).
Four offensive linemen are hurt, with sophomore Blake Bueter joining Kevin Jarvis, Cole Chewins, A.J. Arcuri and Mustafa Khaleefah among the wounded. Bueter, a backup guard/center, was injured in the second quarter of MSU’s 40-31 win over Indiana on Saturday.
Even before Bueter’s apparent leg injury, Dantonio got J.D. Duplain in the game for work at left guard for the second time this season. He was the only true freshman to play against the Hoosiers, but classmates Devontae Dobbs at left tackle and Nick Samac at center both have played in two games
Lord help that kid on Saturday as he blocks a mutant who could already be playing on Sundays. Brian Lewerke may as well just adjust his snap count to a prayer for his life and wellbeing.
MICHAEL THOMAS GIVES BACK. Michael Thomas is a legit super star, the richest receiver in the NFL and perhaps a future hall of famer, but none of that exempts him from taking care of his community.
Michael Thomas has made his name on the field with the @Saints, but its his work in the city that's making an impact in New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/2mDKIxBOgT
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 29, 2019
I've got nothing but respect for guys who take ownership of their community and try to make a difference. Life's bigger than football.
NEW LOOK D-LO. This is definitely going to take some getting used to...
#DubNation pic.twitter.com/KxbPedF9vz
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 30, 2019
I'll tell you what, that team is going to be fun as hell in 2K.
NOT STICKING TO SPORTS. How the world came to run on coffee... Dallas man shot and killed a burglar and returned to bed before calling 911... A nine-year-old enters a 5K and accidentally wins the adult 10K race... "Planet Nine" may actually be a black hole... A fugitive on run for 17 years is found living in cave... A digital billboard in Detroit displayed pornography to drivers... A student scams an internet scammer out of money...
