It looks like the Big Ten Conference is making headlines already this college hoops season!
What a stat from @JaredBerson/@ESPNStatsInfo: pic.twitter.com/2NEAzqLo33
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 19, 2021
Proud that the Buckeyes could be a part of history!
Word of the Day: Bounteous.
YOU GET 1,000 YARDS! YOU GET 1,000 YARDS! AND... Y'all get the point – Ohio State is handing out 1,000-yard seasons like Oprah this year.
TreVeyon Henderson already surpassed the mark on the ground last week and Jaxon Smith-Njigba did it through the air shortly after. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave are next, each needing just a few hundred to join them.
Given that Ohio State had previously only had five 1,000-yard receivers in program history, this would obviously be a first for the Buckeyes. But turns out, three 1,000 yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher is something that has only happened once ever, ever.
FBS Teams With Three 1,000-Yard Receivers
- Fresno State, 2013: Davante Adams (1,718), Isaiah Burse (1,026) & Josh Harper (1,011)
- Houston, 2009: James Cleveland (1,214), Tyron Carrier (1,029) & Patrick Edwards (1,021)
- Hawaii, 2007: Ryan Grice-Mullen (1,372), Davone Bess (1,266) & Jason Rivers (1,174)
- Tulsa, 2007: Brennan Marion (1,244), Trae Johnson (1,088) & Charles Clay (1,024)
- Texas Tech, 2003: Carlos Francis (1,177), Wes Welker (1,099) & Nehemiah Glover (1,081)
What makes the 2021 version of the Buckeyes different, though, is how they’re compiling the yardage. Or maybe more specifically, how many are getting a piece of the pie. Ohio State is on pace to have a 4,000-yard passer, three 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher. The balance this high-powered offense possesses is almost unmatched. In fact, of the five team previously to have three 1,000-yard receivers, only one – Fresno State in 2007 – also had a 1,000-yard rusher.
Needless to say, this Buckeye offense might just be the most potent in college football history.
YOU SHALL NOT PASS. You don't have a prolific offense without a dominant offensive line. The good news for Ohio State is that its left tackle spent the entire game last week absolutely stuffing a future top-15 pick.
Ohio State held George Karlaftis to:
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 18, 2021
0 sacks
0 hurries
0 pressures
The first time that's happened all season.
Nicholas Petit-Frere is pretty dang good.
It's tough, honestly. I look at what GK has done to the rest of his schedule and he's been productive every other week. To me, that points to NPF being a really good player
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 18, 2021
I'm sad we didn't get the chance to see him matched up with Kayvon Thibodeaux earlier in the year, but I'm just going to go ahead and assume he would have done the same thing.
And hey, who knows, maybe they'll get another chance.
BEND, BUT DON'T BREAK. If you look at the most basic defensive numbers, this Michigan State defense looks like a whole bunch of ass. The Spartans rank No. 113 out of 130 in total defense and dead last in pass defense.
But before you just assume Ohio State's going to just print touchdowns on Saturday afternoon, read football-knower Bill Connelly's explanation about why Sparty might be better equipped to stop this Buckeye team than you might think.
The Spartans have gone full-on bend, don't break this season on defense, and it has reaped dividends. They rank just 70th in success rate allowed, and they force three-and-outs on just 21% of opponents' drives (122nd in FBS), but they rank 15th in explosive play rate allowed (rushes of 12-plus yards, passes of 16-plus yards). They force you to take small nibbles down the field, and they make life extremely difficult as you get closer to their end zone. They rank 10th in points allowed per scoring opportunity (first downs inside the defense's 40) and seventh in both red zone touchdown rate (43%) and goal-to-go touchdown rate (52%).
Overall, the Ohio State offense has done just fine in these categories. The Buckeyes rank ninth in points per scoring opportunity, and they're a decent 42nd in red zone TD rate (66%) and 37th in goal-to-go TD rate (82%). But their three closest games (Oregon, Nebraska, Penn State) were all close because of blown opportunities.
So basically, Michigan State's defense is pretty horrific but becomes absolutely excellent as soon as it gets to the red zone. Meanwhile, Ohio State's offense is otherworldly but forgets how to function in the red zone against good teams.
Cool cool cool cool cool.
HASKELL THE HELPER. Haskell Garrett is doing his part to make sure no families go hungry this Thanksgiving.
Whats up everybody? Myself and impact by HG will be selecting 10 families in need to feed. Please, if you are or know a family that is in need DM https://t.co/bASDOktA6K for more info.
— Haskell Garrett (@HaskellGarrett_) November 19, 2021
I will be hand delivering the Feast to you & your family.
- Happy Holidays pic.twitter.com/xYtb61dx9U
Haskell is the type of dude who you can count on to deliver off the field even more than on the field – and that says something.
SONG OF THE DAY. "Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band.
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