Folks, it's about that time.
One of the greatest rivalries in sports
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 21, 2021
See you next week in Ann Arbor for @OhioStateFB vs. @UMichFootball! pic.twitter.com/ZGa558aTw9
Beat Michigan.
Word of the Day: Abhor.
SEEMS GOOD! My favorite part of this season is how Ohio State has basically just buried the teams it's playing by halftime by simply scoring a touchdown every time it touches the ball.
And that statement is not as hyperbolic as you'd expect it to be!
*scored a touchdown
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) November 20, 2021
More than a third of their games this season, the Buckeyes have put up 35-straight points on offense. There's no gameplan against that.
“C.J. IS SPECIAL TOO.” The funniest part about C.J. Stroud emerging as the clear Heisman Trophy favorite is that it's very likely that he's not even the best player on Ohio State's offense (or second-best, or third, or fourth – you get the point.)
His receivers are so ungodly good, his protection is mostly perfect, and his running back keeps a defense honest with his ability to break a big one on any given play. That's all very true, but Stroud is special in his own right, and he's the guy that makes it all work.
Some betting establishments had him as the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy coming into the game. And those that didn’t surely will now after what he did to the Spartans in Ohio Stadium with much of the country watching. And yes, it can definitely look easy at times. But at some point, Stroud deserves credit for being an integral part of the offense and not just someone who’s along for the ride.
“His anticipation is off the charts,” head coach Ryan Day said. “I think he sees things really, really well. I think his touch is excellent. When he needs to put a little extra on it, he does. He’s accurate down the field. He doesn’t make the guys work for the ball. He plays catch. Our receivers are excellent. They create a lot of separation and make a lot of plays, but C.J. is special too.”
...
The Buckeyes are so talented at receiver that it can often look like Stroud is playing against air. And, frankly, sometimes that’s not far from the truth. But there’s a sophistication to his play that can go unappreciated when a quarterback is surrounded by so much skill.
By this point, Stroud trusts his receivers to win their matchups, and they trust him to move other defenders and put the ball exactly where it needs to be.
“I always tell them before every game and practice, you beat your man and I’ll beat your hole players, which are basically like safeties and things of that sort,” Stroud said. “My job is to hold them and move them whichever way, because they’re glued onto my eyes.”
Seeing the field, throwing with anticipation and using his eyes to create windows are among the things that Stroud does best. And Saturday’s game might have been the best example of that yet.
At the end of the day, you simply don't complete more than 90 percent of your passes for over 400 yards with six touchdowns if you aren't one of the very best quarterbacks in the country.
The truth is, Stroud greatly benefits from all the talent that surrounds him *and* absolutely deserves all the praise and accolades he's receiving. These things don't have to be mutually exclusive.
MAKING HISTORY. Speaking of those receivers...
This is the first time in @OhioStateFB history that they've had 3 players with 100 receiving yards AND a receiving TD in the same game.
— 247Sports (@247Sports) November 20, 2021
Olave: 7 REC / 140 yard / 2 TDs
Wilson: 7 REC / 126 yards / 2 TDs
Smith-Njigba: 10 REC / 105 yards / 1 TD pic.twitter.com/zqjaGUtgXq
This was probably an easy stat to dig up, because it's also only the second time in program history that Ohio State's even had three receivers with top 100 yards in a game – the first was earlier this year.
Related – it's hilarious that JSN had 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown and it was decidedly the third-best receiving performanceof the afternoon.
BASKETBALL SCHOOL? I regret to inform you that it would seem Michigan is losing its status as a basketball school.
Michigan's 80-62 loss to Arizona is its worst regular-season non-conference loss since an 18-point loss at UCLA on 12/10/16.
— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) November 22, 2021
That's truly a shame, because its days as a title-contender in football are on life support.
What are those fans going to do when they find themselves down 28 at the half on Saturday afternoon?
COME HANG OUT. Once again, I'm here to cordially invite you to come on out and eat delicious food and pour back some cold beverages at Buffalo Wild Wings with Johnny and Andy as they record the famed Eleven Dubcast live right before your eyes.
Departing from our usual schedule this week due to Thanksgiving, the Dubcast will be heading to the Dublin Easton Buffalo Wild Wings on Friday at 7 p.m. and we want you there!
SONG OF THE DAY. "It's Time For War" by LL COOL J
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