Sunday, November 11, 2012
Across The Field: Leaders champs
By Scott Kendrick
It was a week off, and the Buckeyes clinched a championship. After Penn State's loss at Nebraska, the Buckeyes are two games up in the Leaders Division with two to play, which means the worst that can happen is a tie for the division title with Wisconsin and/or Penn State, and the Badgers are already assured of playing in the league title game. Anyhow, with a week off, the Buckeyes rested and the coaches went on the road to recruit. Welcome to Across The Field, a regular feature on BuckeyeNation where we point you to noteworthy Buckeyes coverage here and elsewhere. Think something should be included? Send it to espnkendrick@gmail.com.
BuckeyeNation Week in Review
- Brad Bournival might have been the hardest working man in BuckeyeNation this week with a the recruiting news buzzing in a busy week.
- ESPN 150 OT Dorian Johnson will have at least two more visits to Columbus before a decision, which is a good sign.
- The 10-0 start does a lot for the coaches' pitches to recruits this week.
- Joey Bosa is poised to come to Ohio State out of one of the country's best high school programs.
- The Buckeyes have a good shot to finish strong, writes Jeremy Crabtree in Fact or Fiction.
- A 2013 ESPN 150 receiver from Florida is quietly in the mix as well.
- Ohio State extended offers in the 2014 class to LB Nyles Morgan, RB Nick Chubb and LB Dillon Bates and another to 2015 RB Damien Harris.
- 2014 QB Drew Barker doesn't have an offer yet, but he received a visit.
- Urban Meyer went to Northeast Ohio early in the week, and to Georgia late in the week, to Atlanta and its suburbs.
- Still no word from WR Thaddeus Snodgrass, who should announce soon.
- The new ESPN 150/300 is out, and the Buckeyes have 11 in the top 300.
- Raekwon McMillan went to Florida for a visit, and he said the Buckeyes still lead.
- Bournival's Offered series continued with Johnson, DT Donovan Munger and OT Jimmy Byrne.
- Byrne is watching the Buckeyes closely, even though he can't watch them in person.
- And in the 2016 class (yes, that's high school freshmen), Ohio State already sees massive potential in the brother of a 2013 pledge.
- On the current team, Etienne Sabino is on track for a return at Wisconsin, and he might not recognize some new parts of the defense.
- Where would the Buckeyes be in the BCS if they were eligible? Probably not in great shape among the remaining unbeatens, writes Brian Fremeau.
- Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde are bringing back memories of Archie Griffin and Pete Johnson.
- Noah Spence had a tough middle of the season, but is coming along.
- The easy win over Illinois gave freshmen some good playing time.
- Austin Ward looked at the five most impressive statistical performances this season:
- Braxton Miller's show against UCF
- Ryan Shazier's breakout against Cal
- John Simon's dominance against Nebraska
- Carlos Hyde's touchdown party
- Bradley Roby's tip drill
More Football
Basketball
- The court wasn't ship shape in Charleston, so the opener is now at home against Albany on Sunday.
- Toledo Whitmer's Nigel Hayes is down to the Buckeyes and Wisconsin.
- The Buckeyes didn't get to play, but the trip still meant something, writes Bob Hunter. (Dispatch, $)
- Ohio State might have trouble finding ways to score, writes Doug Lesmerises. (Plain Dealer)
- Thad Matta thinks he'll be doing a lot more mixing and matching with the lineup this season. (Lantern)
- Jared Sullinger is finding a role in the NBA already.
- The OSU women made a solid comeback against Notre Dame before losing on the Yorktown. (Lantern)
The Gang's All Here
- At the Carrier Classic, the two basketball-playing Crafts honored their brother, who is serving in Afghanistan. (Lantern)
