BOOM 2024 CB Bryce West out of Cleveland, Ohio has committed to Ohio State. Fans have been waiting for a while for the old Glenville pipeline to start yielding some major recruits, and the tap is now fully back on. West, who is the #1 player in the state of Ohio according to 247sports Composite rankings, has given his pledge to the Buckeyes over arch-rival Michigan. The best comparison I have as far as former Ohio State corners goes for West would be Marshon Lattimore. A solid frame around 6 feet and extreme quick burst ability makes West one of the most coveted defenders in the country. His quick twitch and ability to flip his hips make him a blanket corner, who could fight for early playing time as a freshman. The best in Ohio, go to Ohio State. They always have. Bryce West continuing that legacy after being heavily courted by Michigan is a huge win for Ryan Day and his staff. As long as the state remains sacred, the Buckeyes will always be a contender. Instead of a Gold M, West will be wearing a few pairs of Gold Pants.

Officials announced today that Ohio State's matchup with Notre Dame on September 23rd will officially kick off at 7:30 P.M. The Buckeyes travel to South Bend for the first time since 1996 to take on the Irish in Marcus Freeman's 2nd year as head coach for Notre Dame. The Irish will be looking to defeat Ohio State for the first time since 1936, as the Buckeyes currently hold a 5-game win streak in the series, with it's most recent victory being a 21-10 win in Columbus last September. MOOD:

As the offseason continues to move on, Ohio State has continued to add impressive members to the WHAC, this time in the form of former NFL Head Coach Joe Philbin. THE RESUME: Philbin cut his teeth in the NFL in 2003 on Green Bay's offensive coaching staff, serving as the assistant offensive line coach. He worked his way up to being the Offensive Coordinator by 2007, a role that he held through the 2011 season. His offenses in Green Bay always produced a Top 10 ranked unit in the league, and he had a huge part in winning Super Bowl XLV. After a successful run with the Packers, Philbin left in January of 2012 to become the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Despite on having gone 24-28 as a head coach, Philbin was able to improve the Miami offense from being 27th in the league, up to 11th. Philbin was let go after 3 seasons with the Dolphins. In 2016, Philbin was hired by the Colts as offensive line and assistant head coach, a position he held for 2 years. In January of 2018, Philbin was brought back by Green Bay to try and recapture some of the magic the offense had under him in the early years of Aaron Rodgers. That season, after a 17–20 Packers loss to the Cardinals, Philbin was named Interim Head Coach, as Mike McCarthy was shown the door. After a new coach was brought in following the season, Philbin was not retained. Mike McCarthy would reach out to Philbin again, ahead of the 2020 season to serve as the offensive line coach. Injuries and player attrition led to the drop in production of his O-Line unit over the last couple of years, and Philbin was terminated following the 2022 Season. What It Means: Ohio State has another brilliant mind coming to the offensive meetings that will be held during the season. Philbin will not count as a coach, but should provide a good mentorship figure, as Brian Hartline prepares for his first season as offensive coordinator. This is an interesting move, as Philbin is an expert in Offensive Line development, so Ryan Day may be getting a leg up on possibly having to replace Justin Frye after next season. We will see how this shakes out, but for now, this is a great addition for the Buckeyes.

As the Spring transfer portal window has closed, and things seem to have calmed down in Columbus, it would appear that Ohio State's 2023 Roster is set for the most part. Any future departures would possibly be players who were not likely to contribute, so the time is now to put out how we think the Depth Chart could look like when the Buckeyes head to Bloomington to take on Indiana on September 2nd. Here are the moves that took place for Ohio State in the transfer portal Spring Window: IN: CB Lorenzo Styles (Notre Dame) OT Josh Simmons (San Diego State) DT Tywone Malone (Ole Miss) OUT: WR Caleb Burton (Texas Tech) OT Ben Christman (Kentucky) WR Kaleb Brown (Iowa) The additions greatly outweighed the subtractions in the short cycle as some major roster concerns were addressed by an aggressive approach by Ryan Day and the coaching staff. This may be signaling an ideological shift when it comes to the transfer portal after seeing the success so many other programs have had with it. If that is true, and the Buckeyes begin winning major battles in the portal on a consistent basis, it may unlock a new gear for the program. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we shouldn't see any changes to this list until to we get some information out of fall camp in August. Quarterback Kyle McCord Devin Brown Tristan Gebbia Lincoln Kienholz The QB1 position remains an open competition as Spring Practices have ended, as Kyle McCord and Devin Brown will continue battling for the starting spot during fall camp. As things seem to stand, McCord appears to have a leg up, but a big camp from Brown could sway the coaches. This will remain a top storyline until a decision is made by Ryan Day. Running Back TreVeyon Henderson Miyan Williams Chip Trayanum Dallan Hayden Evan Pryor The Buckeyes will have arguably the deepest running back room in the country in 2023, despite not signing anyone to the position in the 2023 class. A healthy TreVeyon Henderson is a Top 3 tailback in the country, and Miyan Williams is a proven work horse at the position. After an injury riddled 2022, Tote Nation will look to get back to form in 2023. Wide Receiver (X) Marvin Harrison Jr. Carnell Tate Kojo Antwi Bryson Rodgers Wide Receiver (Y) Julian Fleming Jayden Ballard Noah Rogers Kyion Grayes Wide Receiver (Z) Emeka Egbuka Xavier Johnson Brandon Inniss Brian Hartline's room remains the best in the country heading into this season, and loses no real production, as Jaxon Smith-Njigba spent most of last season on the sideline with injury. With the early rise of the freshmen during the spring, it is not a stretch to say this years room could be the best under Hartline. Tight End Cade Stover Joe Royer Jelani Thurman Gee Scott Jr. Knowing how often the Buckeyes like to get into 12 personnel, I think everyone on this list should receive a good amount of playing time. Jelani Thurman may have had the most impressive spring out of anyone in the program, and his potential will be too much for Keenan Bailey to keep off the field in his first year as the TE coach. Left Tackle Josh Fryar George Fitzpatrick Luke Montgomery Left Guard Donovan Jackson Victor Cutler Jr. Austin Siereveld Center Carson Hinzman Jakob James Toby Wilson Right Guard Matt Jones Enokk Vimahi Joshua Padilla Right Tackle Josh Simmons Tegra Tshabola Zen Michalski The starting five on the offensive line seems pretty clear at this point, but the two deep is where things get murky. Josh Simmons provides a much needed boost at Right Tackle, but health will be the most important thing for this group. Enokk Vimahi and Tegra Tshabola are likely the 6th and 7th men for this line, so expect seeing those two on the field when the Buckeyes get into their Jumbo package. Defensive End Jaylahn Tuimoloau Caden Curry Mitchell Melton Defensive End Jack Sawyer Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Omari Abor The output at the defensive end position should be greatly improved this year. Javontae Jean-Baptiste ate up a lot of meaningful snaps last season, and simply wasn't the caliber of player Ohio State needs on the edge. With big springs from Sawyer, Curry, Jackson Jr, and Abor, look for the Buckeyes to have no issue with depth behind Tuimoloau as he makes the leap into being the leader of the room. Defensive Tackle Ty Hamilton Hero Kanu Tywone Malone Defensive Tackle Mike Hall Tyleik Williams Kayden McDonald Depth at defensive tackle was a major concern heading into this offseason, but a big spring from Hero Kanu, and the addition of Tywone Malone in the portal have been huge. There will be no veteran log-jam this year, as Taron Vincent and Jarron Cage are off to the next stage of their career, and the Buckeyes look to have impactful playmakers at every level of the rotation that Larry Johnson loves to implement. Linebacker (Mike) Tommy Eichenberg Cody Simon Gabe Powers Linebacker (Will) Steele Chambers CJ Hicks Reid Carrico It is always good to have a returning All-American and a 5-Star playmaker ready to break out in a room, and that is exactly what Ohio State has in the Linebacker room. Chambers and Eichenberg have secured their starting spots, but CJ Hicks will absolutely be on the field for a lot of snaps this fall. Mix in Cody Simon and Gabe Powers, and the Buckeyes will look to have their most productive LB unit since 2019. Cornerback Denzel Burke Jordan Hancock Ryan Turner Calvin Simpson-Hunt Cornerback Davison Igbinosun Jyaire Brown Jermaine Mathews Jr. An underwhelming 2022 for a room that was marred by injury led to an offseason of soul searching for the corners and Tim Walton. Denzel Burke had an incredible spring, and the addition of Freshman All-American, Davison Igbinosun, from Ole Miss have revitalized expectations in the room. A name to watch in fall camp will be Calvin Simpson-Hunt, who was a lockdown corner in Texas, and someone the coaches thought was the best in the country at his position. How quickly he gets acclimated in Columbus will be an interesting storyline to watch. Nickel Ja'Had Carter Cameron Martinez Cedrick Hawkins Free Safety Josh Proctor Kye Stokes Malik Hartford Strong Safety Sonny Styles Lathan Ransom Kourt Wiliams I should preface the safety preview with the fact that I do no think this lineup will roll out against Indiana, but when we look back on the season, this will be the order of snaps played. The ceiling of Styles and Carter is too high to keep off the field, and Martinez and Ransom can be elite depth pieces. Expect Kye Stokes to push Josh Proctor hard at the free safety position. The overall athleticism of this room and coverage ability should be much better than it was last year, and should allow Knowles to be aggressive in his calls, without fear of giving up a long touchdown.

When it comes to College Football Uniforms, I try my best have an appreciation for a school's history, as well as the aesthetic appeal of each jersey. In my opinion, Ohio State has the best standard uniforms in the country, but the ability to be versatile and have interesting alternate looks is a fun way to keep things fresh. I know a lot of traditionalists will say that any jersey outside of the standard home and away looks is a mistake, but there is no denying that Ohio State rarely ever gets it wrong in the uniform department. Over the last 15 years we have seen numerous combinations of helmets, jerseys, and pants from the Buckeyes, and today we are going to break down what the best looks have been for the Buckeyes out of all of these options. #5 - Land of Wolves (Gray) Making its lone appearance in the 2017 matchup against Penn State, which saw the Buckeyes make and incredible 39-38 comeback, despite being down multiple scores for most of the game. This uniform is extremely unique, as it is the only completely gray uniform worn in school history, but to me, the helmet sets it apart from those that didn't make the list. The chrome buckeye leaf decals are sharp, and the dark helmet almost has an arctic camp twist to it. I doubt we will see this combination again, and the circumstances of the game in which it was worn definitely help it's legacy. #4 - Land of Wolves (White) The all white counterpart to it's previously ranked brother made it's lone appearance in the 2017 edition of "The Game" which saw JT Barrett go down with a knee injury, and Redshirt Freshman Dwayne Haskins carried the Buckeyes to a 31-20 victory over Michigan. Sporting the same helmet as the Gray version, the white combination offers a cleaner look at the Land of Wolves design. We haven't seen either of these since the 2017 season, but I think most Buckeye fans wouldn't mind seeing them again sometime soon. #3 - 1968 Nike Diamond Quest This version made its initial debut against Oregon in the CFP Championship Game, where the Buckeyes steamrolled the Ducks en route to a 42-20 victory and a National Championship. Since then, it has been worn 4 different times, most recently being a 29-23 loss to Clemson in the 2019 CFP Semifinal. The emphasis of the thick gray sleeves on the side offers a look into what the Home jerseys should look like all the time. If these jerseys had white numbers on the shoulders instead of black ones, they would possibly be at the #1 spot on this list. #2 - Blackout Making its debut against Penn State in 2015, the Blackout jerseys are the alternates that probably received the most hype before being unveiled. Everyone had always talked about the possibility for an all black Ohio State uniform, and I have to admit that when I saw them, it was love at first sight. The helmets with the red Buckeye leaves were amazing, and seeing The Shoe blacked out to go with it made it even better. The most recent Blackout in Columbus was in 2022 when the Buckeyes beat Wisconsin 52-21, and it is quickly becoming a fan favorite tradition. With todays announcement of Michigan State playing in Columbus on November 11th @ 7:30 P.M. look for that game to be the next Blackout in The Shoe. #1 - Throwback Nike Diamond Quest When it comes to Ohio State, these jerseys are absolutely perfection in my eyes. The perfect combination of Scarlet and Gray. The fact that these are not the permanent away jerseys should be considered a crime against humanity. They made their debut against Alabama in the 2015 Sugar Bowl which saw the Buckeyes stun the Crimson Tide 42-35 on their way to winning a CFP Title. Since then, it has been worn 7 times, and Ohio State has a 5-3 overall record in these uniforms. I have been tweeting at Ryan Day and Gene Smith for years to make these permanent, but unfortunately have yet to make any impact. However, I will not give up until the move is finally made.

The B1G East has always been a loaded division in College Football, but this season, it appears to be without a doubt, the toughest in the country. It finds itself home to three legitimate playoff contenders, all of which have the talent and capability of winning a National Championship. Michigan has gone 17-1 in conference play over the last two regular seasons, and Ohio State's only two B1G losses in the last five seasons have been to the Wolverines in the last two years. A new challenger will enter the ring this season, as Penn State looks to build off of an 11-2 season that ended with them as Rose Bowl champions. Can the Nittany Lions get back to Indianapolis for the first time since 2016, or will the East continue to run through "The Game"? Let's break it down. 7th - Indiana 2-10 (0-9) The outlook in Bloomington is... bleak to say the least. After an amazing run during the Covid season in 2020, which ended with the Hoosiers "turning their back on the B1G", they have gone 2-16 in conference play over the last two seasons. This dysfunction has led to staff changes and a transfer portal overhaul of the current roster, but I don't see this helping Indiana's cause enough. A season opener at home against Ohio State is about the worst way a team could start a season, as the Buckeyes will be looking to flex their muscles after a disappointing CFP loss to Georgia. This is a team that I could see winning 4 or 5 games, but nothing on the B1G schedule pops out as a clear win for the Hoosiers. Tom Allen may be made available to the industry after the 2023 season wraps up. 6th - Michigan State: 5-7 (3-6) Michigan State will likely be a reminder for many athletic directors that it should take more than one spectacular season to warrant a massive extension for a coach. Mel Tucker receiver a 10-Year, $95 Million contract extension during the 2021 season, that was immediately followed by a 56-7 loss against Ohio State. A disappointing 5-7 season during the 2022 campaign may have an ugly twin this year, as the non-conference matchup with Washington looms, and a trip to Columbus awaits in November. The only refuge the Spartans may have this year is if they can catch Michigan or Penn State on a bad day at home. Top offensive playmaker Keon Coleman just hit the transfer portal during the spring window, so Tucker will be looking to the portal for any help he can get. Maybe they are able to land some splash transfers here late, but I see tensions rising in East Lansing with a coach that makes almost $10 Million a year. 5th - Rutgers: 6-6 (3-6) A promising start to the season against lesser opponents will unfortunately be met with a matchup against Michigan in week 4. If Gavin Wimsatt can take the leap that many think he is capable of making, Rutgers may be able to win the game against Maryland at the end of the season. With Road matchups against Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan, this is just a brutal schedule for the Scarlet Knights. I think they get to the Bye Week at 6-2, but Ohio State will welcome them to November in ugly fashion as the last month looks like one where they simply run out of steam. I see a bowl game happening for them this year though, which would be the 2nd one since Schiano took the program over in 2020. The days of Chris Ash are long gone, and Rutgers fans should be thankful for the stability that is currently within the program. Never forget how bad it can be. 4th - Maryland: 7-5 (4-5) Maryland is a team that feels so close to breaking through to consistent Top 25 status, but being in this division is absolutely killing the Terps. Perhaps when divisions go away, they can get a break with the scheduling, but until then, the B1G East will continue to be a nightmare for them. The crossover games with the West this year should be manageable, as the toughest one appears to be a trip to Lincoln. I wouldn't be surprised if they won they game in East Lansing, and ended up getting to 8-4 on the year. This was a squad that played Michigan very tough in the Big House a season ago, and almost knocked Ohio State off at home. If they can get a little better in the trenches and on defense, I think it could end up being a really special year for Maryland Football. 3rd - Michigan: 10-2 (7-2) This one may surprise a lot of people, but I have Michigan finishing in 3rd place, but could still very well be a team that ends up 12-0. I just really like these top 3 teams in the East. A trip to Happy Valley that will surely be a White Out game in November could be too much to overcome for the Wolverines, as a talented Penn State team is looking to take the next step. "The Game" is at home this year for Michigan, but Ryan Day and the Buckeyes will be playing for their lives this year, after dropping the last 2 in College Football's greatest rivalry. Ultimately I think this turns into a let down year for Michigan, but with the way they are recruiting in Ann Arbor, Jim Harbaugh has the program in its healthiest position in probably 30 years. 2nd - Penn State: 11-1 (8-1) Penn State is a program that has been looking for an elite QB to step up to the plate and take the program to the next level, and Drew Allar may just be that guy. Their only losses last season came to Ohio State and Michigan, and a whole lot of young playmakers are coming back for the Nittany Lions. Getting Michigan at home is enough to sway the pendulum in their favor, but a road trip to Columbus will look to be too much for the first year QB. Even at 11-1, I believe Penn State will be squarely in contention for a spot in the CFP, and should be well positioned going forward as the Playoff expands to 12 teams in 2024. 1st - Ohio State: 12-0 (9-0) This feels like a make or break year on the defensive side of the ball, and I think the Buckeyes finally push through and get a dominant season from the Silver Bullets. The defensive line should be one of, if not the best in the entire country, and trench play travels. Athletic concerns in the secondary were addressed with some portal additions, and starting linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers come back for another year. We all know the offensive output will be among the best in the country, but some concerns as to who will step up at offensive line still need answered before fall camp ends. A trip to South Bend to play Notre Dame will be a tough early test for either Kyle McCord or Devin Brown, but I ultimately see the defense pulling it's weight this year and getting the Buckeyes back to the B1G Championship game for the first time since 2020.

As Spring Practices across the country begin to wind down, we start to get a better picture at what rosters and lineups will look like for every team. We also get a little peek into the attitude coming out of every program. Some are confident, while others seem to be weathering an unproductive 15 spring practices that left more questions than answers. A lot of confidence was pouring out of most B1G camps this spring, in what I think could be the conference's strongest season in some time, but there has to be a winner and a loser in every contest, and we will look to forecast each contest of the 2023 season. This may be the most difficult division in football to forecast. There was a possibility of a 4 way tie for 1st place going into the last week of the 2022 season, and in late October, a 4-8 division champion was a real possibility. Now, with Wisconsin hiring Luke Fickell, and Nebraska hiring Matt Rhule, a new life has been injected into the definition of mediocrity that is the B1G West. Let's take a crack at how it will shake out starting with 7th place. 7th - Northwestern: 2-10 (0-9) After getting 2 B1G Championship Game berths in a 3 season span, things have taken a horrible downward turn for the Wildcats since the end of the 2020 season. They are 4-20 in their last 24 games, with a 1-11 record from a season ago. With most of their top players from a season ago exiting the program, and no influx of talent coming in for Pat Fitzgerald, I don't see Northwestern fielding a great team this season. Even though 2-10 would technically be an improvement over last season, the program is in a tough spot. Fitzgerald is the best coach in program history, but he may not even be able to survive this. With a brand new $800 Million Stadium on the way, football is no longer overlooked in Evanston. With some of the best facilities in football, Fitzgerald will need to perform soon, or he will be looking for a new job. 6th - Purdue: 5-7 (2-7) Purdue finds itself in an interesting spot after winning the B1G West division in 2022. Jeff Brohm, who stabilized the program, has left for the head coaching job at his Alma Mater in Louisville. His air raid style of offense was accompanied by a porous defense, and the Boilermakers are looking in the opposite direction with his successor. Ryan Walters was brought in after leading a stifling Illinois defense last season that was 1st in the FBS in Points Allowed (12.3 ppg) and 2nd in Yards Allowed (263.8 ypg). Bringing in Hudson Card from Texas at the QB position will be a huge boost to the offense having an experienced Signal Caller, and the defense should hope to improve under Walters' tutelage. Drawing both Michigan and Ohio State is tough, and making a Bowl Game would be a win, but this is a team no one will want to sleep on when they match up with them this season. 5th - Illinois: 5-7 (3-6) Coming off of a 2022 season that saw the Illini climb as high as #14 in the AP Poll, I fully expect Illinois to come back down to earth this season. Stellar Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters has left to take the Purdue job, and a number of standouts on both sides of the ball declared for the NFL Draft. New QB Luke Altmyer will look to take the reins of the offense that relied heavily on the run game a year ago, and take it to new heights with an improved passing game. Even with a favorable draw with B1G East matchups, as they only play one of the Big 3, conference play will be rough sledding. The West isn't what it was a year ago, and teams like Wisconsin and Iowa will be looking to avenge losses from a year ago. Going from Hunter to Hunted can be tough for mid-level teams, and Illinois will be no exception in 2023. 4th - Minnesota: 5-7 (3-6) Betting against PJ Fleck may turn out to be a bad move on my part, as he is 29-10 in his last 3 full seasons as the head coach of Minnesota, but portal attrition and loss of veteran playmakers are tough to overcome. An opening matchup against an improved Nebraska squad to start off the season will be a tough way to introduce a lot of new starters at key positions, and the overall talent gap between the programs may prove to be too much. Drawing both Ohio State and Michigan from the East is as bad as it gets, as those are two guaranteed losses. Wisconsin and Iowa can be penciled in as losses as well, and a trip to Chapel Hill to play North Carolina likely won't go their way either. Taking these into consideration makes it hard to find 6 wins on the Gophers schedule. If Fleck can get this team to a bowl game, it should be considered a win as they look to be more competitive in 2024. 3rd - Iowa: 9-3 (6-3) Picking the Hawkeyes to go 9-3 always feels like a pretty safe bet. Some years they'll swing down to 8-4, and other years they swing up to 10-2. Erick All transferring in at TE feels like a big win for that offense, and Cade McNamara is likely their most competent quarterback in the last few seasons. Both will need to have significant impacts, as the offensive product last year was so bad, it is hard to put into words. The most frustrating part about this team, is how good the defense plays opposite of the abysmal offense. If they can find some magic on the offensive side of the ball, then this could easily be an 11-1 team that can find themselves in Indianapolis playing for a B1G Championship, but that is a big if. The only loss on their schedule I consider a "Lock" is a trip to Happy Valley on September 23rd. 2nd - Nebraska: 10-2 (7-2) This is by far the biggest gamble in the predictions so far, but I really believe in Matt Rhule, and Jeff Sims is going to be a hell of a QB. Opening on the road against a conference opponent isn't what any team wants, but the Huskers will be eager to prove that they are on the path back to relevancy. With 11 one-score losses in the last two seasons in B1G play alone, simple adjustments and talent improvement may be enough to make this team win 6 more games than a year ago. An interesting story to watch will be if this team is able to start off 4-0, how they handle a home game against Michigan, who very well could be the #1 ranked team in the country at the time of the game. With amazing facilities, and a rabid fanbase, if Nebraska can pull off the year I have predicted above, they will be perfectly situated heading into the era of the 12-Team Playoff. 1st - Wisconsin: 11-1. (8-1) If you want to talk about coaching hires that were perfect fits for the schools that they went to, look no further than Luke Fickell's hiring at Wisconsin. The man that took the only Power 5 school in history to the College Football Playoff is now ready to take the most consistent program in the B1G West to new heights. Recruiting is higher than ever for Wisconsin, and the program absolutely killed it in their transfer portal additions. The offensive line will be solid as always, and Braelon Allen may be the best RB in the conference. Will Phil Longo coming in at Offensive Coordinator, look for the Badgers to mix that power running game with a potent passing attack involving transfer Wide Receiver C.J. Williams (USC). In my opinion, every single game on the schedule is winnable for the Badgers. The matchup with Ohio State will by far be the most challenging, but they will get some refuge with that game being at Camp Randall. I have Luke Fickell's first year at the helm ending with a trip to Indianapolis, and taking on the winner of the gauntlet that is the B1G East. Tune in Tomorrow morning to see how we have the B1G East playing out.

It is no secret that baseball is not the sport that comes to mind for anyone when they think of The Ohio State Buckeyes. It also isn't 2nd, 3rd, or frankly even 4th. In terms of fellowship, they are comfortable behind Football, Basketball, Hockey, and Wrestling, but that isn't because the fandom doesn't exist. Baseball as a whole is a huge weakness in the B1G as a whole. In fact, the conference hasn't won a National Championship since 1966 (!!!), but that doesn't mean it is impossible to have success. Erik Bakich (now with Clemson) built a consistent winner up in Ann Arbor, as Michigan has made the tournament in 5 of the past 7 years, and finished as the National Runner Up against Vanderbilt in 2019. New Buckeye head coach Bill Mosiello has a tall task ahead of him as he tries to turn things around for the baseball program, but he has been a part of a winning culture in recent years. Ohio State had shown some signs of life, making the tournament in 2016, 2018, and 2019, before tanking to a horrendous 21-30 season in 2022. Before arriving in Columbus, Mosiello spent the last 9 seasons as the Associate Head Coach and Hitting Coach at TCU, where he helped the Horned Frogs make 7 NCAA Tournaments and 4 College World Series appearances. Prior to his long run in Fort Worth, he spent two seasons at Tennessee as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. Under Mosiello, the Horned Frogs led the Big-12 in batting average twice and ranked second among all Power 5 schools with over 800 stolen bases from 2014-22. TCU was ranked in the top 50 nationally in runs scored per game 6 times, and along with the increased run production, almost every season under Mosiello led to an increase in Home Runs hit by the team. The team would hit 65 in 2019, the most during his tenure. With the offense in great hands under Mosiello, putting everything together to make a run to Omaha will take a huge performance from the pitching staff. If you look at the teams that have made it in recent years, most of them all have one thing in common, and that is electric starters, and really solid bullpens. The team's ERA currently sits at 4.91, which isn't spectacular, but nothing to be too concerned with right now. Last seasons National Champions, Ole Miss, had a 4.72 team ERA at the end of the regular season, before posting a 2.27 ERA in the tournament. The staff just needs to continue to grow confidence and figure out what everyones role is. As things currently stand, The Buckeyes are about a month into the season, and their record sits at 11-6, a four game improvement on the 7-10 start from a year ago. with a current 7-game win streak, Ohio State will have two more games before they get into the meat of their B1G schedule. They take on Wright State on Tuesday @ 6:00, and Toledo the same time on Wednesday. Both games will be at Bill Davis Stadium. After that, the team heads to Bloomington for a 3-game series against Indiana. The early returns for Ohio State under Mosiello have been positive, and bringing someone in from out of the region may just be the shot in the arm the program needs. It may not be this season, but I believe the Buckeyes will make their long awaited return to the College World Series soon under the new coaching staff. If you're a baseball fan in Columbus, show up and support these guys. Who wouldn't love to support the Buckeyes all the way into June?

As spring practices are kicking off across the country, it is only right for us to try and piece together what we think the Top 25 programs are going to be coming into the 2023 season. With the early transfer portal period now closed until the summer, we have a pretty good idea of what most rosters and coaching staffs are going to look like, but even with that, preseason ballots are tough to put together. We are a little more than 6 months away from the season kicking off, so I am sure this list will turn out to be a complete dumpster fire, but we're gonna give it a shot anyway. Think of this as more of a ready, fire, aim type deal. Let's start with the bottom of the list. #25 - Iowa I am not sure there is a fanbase I feel worse for in College Football than the Iowa Hawkeyes faithful. A program that I believe should be competing for Playoff Berths, is struggling to win the B1G West because of Kirk and Brian Ferentz. Without a doubt one of the best defenses in the country on an annual basis is countered by the worst offense in the country. But don't worry, all Iowa has to do is average 25 Points Per Game and Brian Ferentz keeps his job! What a joke. This is a sleeping giant that Kirk Ferentz keeps sedating with Nepotism and Incompetence. Unless they hire a real offensive coordinator, I don't see the Hawkeyes winning the big games they need to in order to move closer to the Top 10 #24 - Tulane One of the darlings of the 2022 season look to put together a solid squad for their 2023 campaign. The Green Wave capped off a record 12-win season with a Cotton Bowl victory over USC. Willie Fritz welcomes back Senior signal caller Michael Pratt, who threw for over 3000 Yards in 2022. The American Conference just got significantly weaker, with Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston jumping ship to the Big 12, so Tulane should have no issue repeating as conference champions in 2023. A home non-conference game against Ole Miss could really shape whether or not they find themselves in a NY6 bowl again. #23 - Texas Tech In Joey McGuire's first season, the Red Raiders really began to round into form as the season went on winning their last four games. Texas Tech took down the two giants of the Big 12, as they were able to walk away with victories against both Texas and Oklahoma. Tyler Shough returns under center for the Red Raiders, and he will get a chance to take down his former school as they take on the Oregon Ducks in the second week of the season. A home atmosphere should help give them an edge, and that matchup against what I have as a Top 10 team should tell us a lot about what we can expect from Texas Tech this season. #22 - Oklahoma The first year for Head Coach Brent Venables didn't exactly go to plan, which lead to a 6-7 season which included some ugly losses like a 49-0 defeat at the hands of their rival Texas Longhorns. Despite these shortcomings, the Sooners were able to sign the #4 overall class for the 2023 recruiting cycle according to the 247sports composite, as well as the #8 overall transfer class. They almost ended the season on a high note when they lost the Cheez-It Bowl 35-32 to Florida State, a team many (not me) view as a possible Playoff team in 2023. #21 - South Carolina In what was beginning to look like another subpar campaign during the 2022 season after getting blown out 38-6 against a bad Florida team that left South Carolina at 6-4, the Gamecocks rallied off two straight wins against Tennessee and Clemson to end the season at 8-4 and inside the CFP Committee's final Top 20 for the season. Shane Beamer is one of the best young coaches in the game, and he is bringing back a good portion of that squad that turned some heads last November. If Spencer Rattler can continue to build upon what he did later on in the season, the Gamecocks can definitely make a little noise in what is becoming a crowded SEC East. #20 - UCLA Our future B1G brothers put together a really strong 2022 campaign, and Chip Kelly is on the short list of coaches that I will always trust to put together a really good squad. Despite having Dorian Thompson-Robinson walking out of the program doors, 5-Star 2023 QB Dante Moore steps right into his place as QB1 this fall. In my opinion, Moore was the best prospect in the 2023 class, and could have similar instant success like Caleb Williams had in his freshman year at Oklahoma. A reasonably easy non-conference schedule makes way for a huge showdown with Utah on September 23rd in Salt Lake City. That game could make or break the Bruins Pac-12 Title hopes. #19 - Wisconsin The Badgers may have made the hire of the offseason in bringing Luke Fickell to Madison. As we all know, Fickell can flat out coach it and recruit it, which is a combination that Wisconsin hasn't had with their head coach in quite some time. With some big wins in the transfer portal already, as well as a massive OC hire with Phil Longo coming in from North Carolina, I expect the Badgers to quickly turn things around under Fickell. With one of the best Running Backs in the country in Braelon Allen, this offense should be able to put up some points and give their defense some breathing room unlike past years. #18 - Oregon State There was a bit of buzz about the Beavers going into last season, as many beat writers on the west coast were raving about the program that Jonathan Smith was putting together up in Corvallis. A 10-3 season with a bowl win is about as good as Oregon State fans can ask for, and they were the huge beneficiaries of the transfer portal this offseason. Former Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei will get a shot at redemption as he attempts to lead a competent offense after struggling in Dabo Swinney's system. This is a team that could find itself in the Pac-12 Championship for the first time in program history. #17 - Texas Is Texas finally going to be back this year? Quick answer, is no, but they're close. The Longhorns have been recruiting well under Steve Sarkisian as he heads into his third season, but the schedule is certainly a challenging one. After an easy opener against Rice, they will have to make the unfortunate trip to Tuscaloosa to take on a pissed off Alabama team that will be eager to prove themselves after dropping 2 games last season. The biggest question for Texas will be if Quinn Ewers makes the jump that many believe him capable of making. If he lives up to the billing of his former #1 recruit status, then Texas may just find themselves in the playoff discussion in November. #16 - Kansas State The reigning Big 12 Champion certainly got a wake up call when they met Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and lost 45-20. Some key losses will impact the offense early on, as Deuce Vaughn and Malik Knowles both declared for the NFL Draft. Will Howard at QB and a veteran Offensive Line unit should help steady the tide for the Wildcats once they get into conference play. Chris Klieman is one of the most underrated coaches in College Football, and there is no doubt that he will have Kansas State as one of the key players in the Big 12 race. #15 - TCU Fresh off an appearance in the National Championship Game (the worst one ever), it is tough to imagine TCU repeating its successes for a second year in a row. Despite this, Sonny Dykes is building a strong program in Fort Worth. With big transfer additions such as OT Tommy Brockermeyer, WR Jojo Earle, and RB Trey Sanders (all from Alabama), the biggest question for the Horned Frogs will be the QB position. Heisman Finalist Max Duggan was an absolute warrior for them in close games last year, and will be sorely missed. If TCU can find a reliable signal caller, expect them to be a tough out for anyone in the Big 12. #14 - Clemson Clemson finally seemed to get their QB situation figured out last season with Cade Klubnik replacing D.J. Uiagalelei, and they saw immediate dividends from that decision. The Tigers will be in an unusual position this year as they will likely not be the preseason favorites in the ACC, and that may just be enough to give them the chip they need to return to their old ways. A huge matchup on September 23rd against Florida State could very well be a preview for the ACC Championship Game, as the conference will no longer have divisions, sending the two best teams to the play for the ACC Title (we're looking at you B1G). #13 - Utah The Utes will look to Three-pete as Pac-12 Champions this season, and getting Cam Rising to return for his final season was the best way to get that campaign started. Kyle Wittingham appears to have Lincoln Riley's number early on in this new coaching rivalry, and the two will meet in Los Angeles on October 21st for a highly anticipated rematch of last seasons Pac-12 Championship. A tough non-conference schedule that includes Florida and Baylor should be a great primer for Pac-12 play, in what could be the deepest conference in 2023. #12 - Tennessee Tennessee will have the tough task of replacing Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt, but Joe Milton and Co. appeared to do just fine as they took ACC Champ Clemson to the woodshed in the Orange Bowl. An impressive 2023 recruiting class is a big step in helping to solidify Tennessee as a consistent national power under Josh Heupel, who just signed a massive extension through 2028 with $9 Million a year. The Vols will be taking no one by surprise this season and will have to go to Tuscaloosa to play an Alabama team with revenge on its mind. Back to Back wins over the Tide could go a long way for the program. #11 - Notre Dame 8-4 was probably not the season Marcus Freeman and his team were expecting last year, but there were still some bright moments for the Irish. A limited offense will look to bolster itself with the addition of Sam Hartman from Wake Forest. However, this addition was met with a counter, as Notre Dame could not find an Offensive Coordinator, as they were either too cheap or no one was interested, and Gerard Parker was given the position. Parker's last stint as an OC went less than stellar, as he was stripped of play-calling duties while at West Virginia in 2021. Maybe he will have more success in South Bend, but Irish fans should certainly be hesitant to expect great things from the offense. #10 - Washington Big Penix Energy is definitely the theme for the Huskies after an 11-2 season has led to the resurgence of football in Seattle. Michael Penix finished the season with 4,461 yards to go along with 31 TDs and 8 INTs, and the best news for Washington fans is that he is back. With a Heisman contender at QB, a great receiver core, and one of the best defenses in the Pac-12, the Huskies should definitely expect to be in contention for a conference title this year. An early matchup in East Lansing against Michigan State could go a long way in determining where Washington sits among the top contenders in the country. #9 - Florida State Pound for pound the best haul in the transfer portal for the 2023 recruiting cycle, the Seminoles have a lot to be excited about this season. They finished 2022 as one of the nation's hottest teams and got possibly their best recruiting wins with Jordan Travis and Jared Verse announced that they would be heading back to Tallahassee. Jeremiah Byers (OT) and Fentrell Cypress (CB) should add two more All-American caliber players to the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Florida State has certainly received a lot of hype this offseason, but an early matchup with Clemson should tell us if they are a pretender or a contender. #8 - Oregon One of the top dogs in what is shaping up to be a loaded Pac-12, Oregon is another contender that is getting a veteran QB back, as Bo Nix announced that he would be coming back for his 5th season. Experience under center is as valuable of a resource as you can get in college football, and thanks to the Covid rule, the Ducks will have a player with 47 collegiate starts leading their offense. Dan Lanning's approach to building a team through the Line Of Scrimmage should bring strong dividends in year 2, and we could see them push through to the CFP for the second time in program history. #7 - USC It is always nice for a team to say they are bringing back the Heisman Trophy winner, and that is exactly what USC has the luxury of doing. We all know the offense under Lincoln Riley will be elite, but the true question for the Trojans will be the defense. Alex Grinch, or the defensive Brian Ferentz as he should be called, is about as bad of a Defensive Coordinator as you could have. What is frustrating for Trojan fans is they are going to be at worst a Top-15 team, but if that defense can't figure things out, that is all they will be. That doesn't exactly cut it for the fans out in Los Angeles. If things don't improve quickly for Alex Grinch's unit, the CFP will be out of play once again, and he could likely find himself being made available to the industry. #6 - LSU It is no secret that Brian Kelly can coach with the best of them, as he took down Nick Saban and won the SEC West in his first year. A reoccurring theme among these teams at the top of my ballot is experience returning at the Quarterback position, and LSU is no exception. Jayden Daniels really started to impress as the 2022 season went on, and Harold Perkins stepped up as a true freshman star on the defense. With both of those playmakers back, and much of the roster returning, the Tigers could very well find themselves back in Atlanta this year. It will most likely come down to a trip to Tuscaloosa, as the West has become an annual grudge match between Alabama and LSU. #5 - Penn State Is Drew Allar the answer for the Nittany Lions? This will be the burning question for that program for the next six months. A 5-Star recruit in the class of 2022, Allar is as talented of a passer as we have seen in recent years. The arm strength is undeniable, and if he can mix that with touch and accuracy, this Penn State team could reach new heights. Coming off an 11-2 season that ended with a 35-21 Rose Bowl win over Utah, the Nittany Lions will have their sights on their first division championship since 2016. Unfortunately for Penn State, the two teams that will have something to say about this are sitting towards the top of our rankings. #4 - Alabama This is a program that needs no introduction. I could fill out this section with "It's Alabama" and that would be a perfectly valid explanation as to why I have them in the Top 4. A lot of talent is leaving Tuscaloosa, but NINE (!!!!!!!) 5-Star prospects in the 2023 class definitely softens that blow. The three biggest games for The Tide this year (Texas, Tennessee, and LSU) are all at home. A talented team with revenge on its mind is always a scary one, and Nick Saban will definitely have this team ready to go with a new Defensive Coordinator in Kevin Steele. I would not be shocked to see two SEC teams in the CFP again if they meet Georgia in Atlanta at 12-0 #3 - Ohio State It almost all came together for the Buckeyes against Georgia in the Peach Bowl, as they dropped the matchup 42-41, but hopes should still be high in Columbus. A revamped secondary under second year Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles should give Ohio State a lot of flexibility in coverages they want to deploy. The biggest storyline this spring will be whether Kyle McCord or Devin Brown emerges as the leader of the best offense in College Football, and the pieces they will have around them will be unmatched. Marvin Harrison Jr. is a cheat code, and if they can figure out how to consistently get yards on the ground, Ohio State may just be the best team in America. Losing to Michigan three straight years is simply not an option for Ryan Day, and we will see what he does with his back against the wall. #2 - Michigan The defending B1G Champions appeared to take their matchup with TCU in the CFP Semifinals way too lightly last season, and it came back to bite them. The good news for the Wolverines is that they are getting most of the pieces back from a team that went 13-1 and won 45-23 in Columbus. The non-conference schedule is once again Charmin-soft, and crossover games against Purdue, Nebraska, and Minnesota should be manageable. It will all come down to a trip to Happy Valley, which will undoubtedly be a White-Out, and a home matchup against Ohio State. I still don't think Michigan has what it takes to win a National Title, but they will have their best shot since 2006. #1 - Georgia The back to back National Champions get to hold on to the #1 spot until they lose it. Them's just the rules. But, their is certainly an opening to other teams to attack the dynasty that Kirby Smart has started to build. They lost their offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and replacing him will be a tall task. Mike Bobo has stepped into the role, but his track record doesn't exactly blow anyone away. The defense is going to be good, but if they run into a team that can threaten them vertically, they have shown that they can really struggle. A trip to Knoxville will be their most daunting task of the year, and if they drop that game, they could very well be watching the SEC Championship from the stands. The sky is the limit for this team, but they could come back to earth in 2023.

#BOOM Toledo Central Catholic IOL Marc Nave is commitment #4 for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes in the 2024 Class As the spring recruiting cycle is starting to get ramped up, Ohio State got an early win on the board as in-state OL Marc Nave gave his pledge to the Buckeyes after visiting their first Spring Practice of the year yesterday. 2nd year offensive line coach Justin Frye has emphasized how critical it is for him to recruit Ohio guys on the line of scrimmage, and he has followed through so far. Nave is currently a 3-Star recruit, but if you have followed him at all on social media, you will see how committed he has been to transforming his body in the weight room. If there is one quality that you really want an interior offensive linemen to have, it is being a gym-rat. As nave continues to rise in the rankings, his mentality reminds me very much of Luke Wypler, who was as solid of a lineman as Ohio State could have asked for. Being 6'5", I don't imagine Nave will ever be at the Center position, but his commitment to the weight room could make him an excellent guard with the ability to play tackle if need be. With the addition of Nave, the Buckeyes 2024 class currently sits at #14 overall in the 247Sports Composite Rankings with the following members: 5-Star WR Jeremiah Smith (0.9985) #1 WR 4-Star IOL Ian Moore (0.9601) #3 IOL 4-Star ATH Garrett Stover (0.9296) #17 ATH 3-Star IOL Marc Nave (0.8793) #28 IOL As far as interior offensive line goes, Ohio State is in great position, and are looking to cap off this class with one big fish still sitting out there. Jordan Seaton out of St. Johns in Washington D.C. is currently the #1 IOL in the entire country, and if Justin Frye can add him to the duo that is currently Moore and Nave, it will be hard to find a better trio of prospects out there. As it sits, Seaton currently only has one crystal ball placed by Steve Wiltfong, and it is in favor of Ohio State. A spring visit to Columbus could solidify the Buckeyes as his leader. Buckeye fans should be very comfortable where the future of the Offensive Line is heading under Justin Frye, and today was a reminder of that. The offense in Columbus is humming like a finely tuned engine, and it all starts up front.

📍Value City Arena ⏱️ 1 PM EST 📺CBS Michigan State 15-9 (7-6) Ohio State 11-13 (3-10) The Buckeyes NCAA tournament hopes are on life support, needing about 6 or 7 more wins to make the NCAA tournament. They'll have to protect their home court Sunday in what feels like a must-win. The Buckeyes, are currently favored (-3.5) by Vegas. The last time these two teams faced off was March 3rd, 2022 when the Buckeyes walked away with an 80-69 victory in Columbus led by Malakai Branham with 22 points. The Spartans have not won in Columbus since January 2019. A key matchup in this game will be likely 1 and done with Brice Sensabaugh and Joey Hauser at the power forward possession. Two guys who can really score the basketball but struggle at times defensively. I expect both to have big games scoring-wise. Brodies score pick: 77-71 Buckeyes

The CFP Semifinal loss to Georgia was as heartbreaking as they come, but when you play in as many big time games as Ohio State, it comes with the territory. Now, where do the Buckeyes go from here? Who Takes The Reigns at Quarterback? It is no secret that Ohio State is losing one of the best quarterbacks in the country with CJ Stroud declaring for the NFL Draft. Ryan Day has created a turnstile quarterback room that just keeps putting guys in the NFL, and they will look to replace one of the best signal callers in school history. The Starting QB at Ohio State is about as close as you can get to actually sitting on a throne in College Football. Not only does the winner become the de-facto leader of the most powerful offense in the sport, but they also inherit extreme fame and will be the beneficiary of extremely lucrative NIL opportunities. Let's break down the candidates who will seek to wear the Scarlet and Gray crown. Kyle McCord: A former 5-Star prospect in the class of 2021 who enters his third year within the program. He is the perceived favorite by many to take over the offense for Stroud, and unlike many QBs that have fought for an open position, he actually has a start under his belt. In 2021, while Stroud was nursing a shoulder injury, McCord started a home game against Akron. He finished the game 13 for 18 with 319 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. It isn't much of a sample size, but it is the most we've had for a possible starter since Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow battled each other after Haskins came in and won the 2017 Michigan Game after a JT Barrett injury. Another advantage that McCord holds in this competition is the fact that he was high-school teammates with the best Wide Receiver in College Football as he and Marvin Harrison both attended St. Josephs in Philadelphia, PA. Harrison will be the most important piece of the offense next season, so the chemistry between the two may be enough to win McCord the job. Devin Brown A high 4-Star prospect in the class of 2022 (#1 overall prospect according to On3), Brown presents a bit of a different skillset than McCord does, and it may be one that gives Ohio State the best chance to be balanced on the offensive side of the football. Brown does not possess the overall cannon that McCord does, but he certainly doesn't lack in this department like some QBs who have the running abilities that he does. We saw extremely limited action from him in games this season, so the only film we can go off of is the 2022 Spring Game, and his high school highlights. His ability to be a threat running the ball could also prove to be extremely beneficial in the running game. Defensive Ends have been crashing down on the RBs ever since Justin Fields left the program 2 seasons ago. This could be the final piece needed to make the offense truly unstoppable on a week in and week out basis. That is something College Football does not want to see. Lincoln Kienholz: A member of the 2023 recruiting class, Kienholz was an extremely late addition to the QB room. Brock Glenn had been committed to Ohio State since the summer, but after a less than stellar senior season, the Buckeyes made it clear that they would be looking somewhere else for the 2023 signal caller. Kienholz is a 3-Sport star athlete from South Dakota, who instead of being more of the prototypical pocket passer Ryan Day has recruited in the past, is a dual threat option who relies on his legs to keep his offense moving. He was the Gatorade Player Of The Year in South Dakota this season with a stat line of: 3,422 yards with 46-6 TD-INT ratio and completed 66.5% of his passes. Ran for 1,436 yards and 24 TDs. He also racked up 12 tackles and four INTs on defense. My Pick: Devin Brown Kyle McCord is definitely the favorite to win this job, and has the most time in the program, but I think Ryan Day will ultimately choose Devin Brown to be QB1 when Ohio State takes on Indiana on September 2nd. Brown has the arm talent that McCord does, but has a greater upside when it comes to making plays outside of the pocket. We all saw how CJ Stroud made plays against Georgia when the plays broke down. If Ohio State wants to win a National Championship in 2023, it is going to need that ability from its Quarterback. Devin Brown has the highest ceiling of any QB on the roster, and gives the offense as a whole the highest ceiling. Whoever the pick is, the Buckeyes will be in good hands. This should be an exciting battle that will captivate the fans and insiders for the next eight months.