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Projecting Ohio State’s Week 1 depth chart: Jeremiah Smith starting, O-line clarity and more

Published

2 hours ago

August 27, 2024

Projecting Ohio State’s Week 1 depth chart: Jeremiah Smith starting, O-line clarity and more

Ohio State coach Ryan Day brought some clarity Tuesday to what the depth chart might look like when the Buckeyes take the field on Saturday afternoon.

He announced that Tegra Tshabola will start at right guard, although the Buckeyes will roll players along the line in the season opener against Akron. Day also said that Sonny Styles will start at will linebacker, beating out C.J. Hicks, but Ohio State expects Hicks to play major snaps this season.

And there’s also a piece of expected news that nevertheless is worth emphasizing: Breakout offseason star Jeremiah Smith, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2024, is slated to start right away at wide receiver.

Here’s our prediction of what the depth chart will look like in Week 1:

Quarterback

Starter: Will Howard
Backup: Devin Brown

Howard was named the starter on Aug. 16, but Day noted on Tuesday that Brown will get the backup reps against Akron. Brown apparently beat out freshman Julian Sayin and redshirt freshman Lincoln Kienholz to be second-team QB. Saturday’s game will be Howard’s to win, though, and Brown is expected to get some snaps.

GO DEEPER

Ryan Day made the right choice — the obvious choice — naming Will Howard QB1

Running back

Starter: TreVeyon Henderson
Backup: Quinshon Judkins

Day said that position coach Carlos Locklyn hasn’t decided which running back will start, but both Henderson and Judkins will play. In reality, it doesn’t matter who takes the first snap, because both will play a lot. Day said they haven’t figured out what that snap count will look like, but there is a minimum number they want to get for both running backs. That carry number could look different week to week, but we should get a first look at how they play together Saturday.

Wide receiver

Starter: Emeka Egbuka, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate
Backup: Brandon Inniss, Bryson Rodgers and Jayden Ballard

Day has tried to keep the Jeremiah Smith hype down all summer, but it’s been hard to watch the former top-ranked recruit and not see how good he is. On Tuesday, Day finally went on record and said that Smith will start on Saturday, alongside Egbuka and Tate. The Smith hype could explode with a big day against the Zips.

GO DEEPER

Emeka Egbuka shouldn’t be Ohio State’s forgotten star. He’s ready to lead

Tight end

Starter: Will Kacmarek
Backup: Gee Scott Jr.

Day didn’t touch on tight ends on Tuesday, but it appears Kacmarek and Scott will be the top two. I’m leaning toward Kacmarek as the starter, because of his blocking prowess, but also his additional growth as a route runner. Scott will play often, as well. The biggest question going into Week 1 is whether Jelani Thurman will get key game reps, or see more time in a backup position.

Offensive line

Starters: Left tackle Josh Simmons, left guard Donovan Jackson, center Seth McLaughlin, right guard Tegra Tshaboloa and right tackle Josh Fryar.
Backup: Left tackle George Fitzpatrick, left guard Austin Siereveld, center Carson Hinzman, right guard Luke Montgomery and right tackle Zen Michalski

The offensive line seems to be in a better position than it was before preseason camp, and Day credited that to the sickness that hit the position group. That forced Ohio State to go deeper into the lineup, and it resulted in more confidence. Tshabola was the right choice at right guard, as his athleticism should work well with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s run game.

Defensive ends

Starter: JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer
Backup: Kenyatta Jackson Jr., and Caden Curry

Tuimoloau, Sawyer, Jackson and Curry have been the top four defensive linemen since last season. Mitchell Melton is a player to watch, because he’s the fifth guy on the list, but how many snaps he gets will be the question.

GO DEEPER

Is it national title or bust for Ohio State? Ryan Day, Buckeyes ‘know what’s at stake’

Defensive tackles

Starter: Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton
Backup: Hero Kanu and Kayden McDonald

McDonald had a great offseason and really solidified himself as the second-team 3-tech defensive tackle. Jason Moore and Tywone Malone Jr. are two other players who could crack the rotation with a strong first month of the season.

Mike linebacker

Starter: Cody Simon
Backup: Arvell Reese

Reese made one of the biggest jumps of anybody during camp. The staff has raved about him, and I expect we’ll see more of him this season than we expected coming into camp. Gabe Powers will still get reps, but it appears Reese is in a good position to back up Simon.

Will linebacker

Starter: Sonny Styles
Backup: C.J. Hicks

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles made sure to specify that he considers both Styles and Hicks as starters. But the most interesting thing Knowles said is that there may be times Styles moves to mike and Hicks plays will, to give Simon a rest. Ohio State has that much faith in Styles.

Cornerbacks

Starter: Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock and Davison Igbinosun
Backup: Jermaine Mathews Jr., Aaron Scott Jr. and Calvin Simpson-Hunt

I expect Lorenzo Styles Jr. to get playing time with the second team in some capacity, but he was hurt during the camp portions the media got to see.

Safety

Starter: Lathan Ransom and Caleb Downs
Backup: Malik Hartford and Jaylen McClain

This could be the best safety duo in the country — Ransom and Downs don’t leave the field as long as the starters are out there. Hartford and McClain, also with Jayden Bonsu, are the leaders for the second-team reps.

Special teams

Starters: punter Nick McLarty and kicker Jayden Fielding

Last week, Day announced that McLarty, the 6-foot-7 newcomer from Australia, will start at punter. Fielding should take kicks, again, after making 16 of 20 field goal attempts last season.

GO DEEPER

How I’m predicting Ohio State’s season: Will it end in a national championship?

(Photo of Jeremiah Smith: Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch / USA Today)

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Ohio State vs. Akron spread: Is OSU favored to beat Akron?

Published

13 hours ago

August 27, 2024

Press Room

Ohio State vs. Akron spread: Is OSU favored to beat Akron?

Ohio State is a massive favorite ahead of its 2024 season opener.

The No. 2 Buckeyes are 50.5-point favorites against Akron. Saturday’s game will be first time since a 2019 road game against Rutgers that Ohio State is favored by more than 50 points.

Ohio State will kick off against the Zips at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

Here’s the latest betting information for Ohio State vs. Akron Saturday.

What is the Ohio State vs. Akron spread?

Here’s the Ohio State vs. Akron spread according to some of the major sportsbooks:

DraftKings: -50.5
FanDuel: -50.5
BetMGM: -50.5

What is the Ohio State vs. Akron over/under?

Here’s the Ohio State vs. Akron over/under according to some of the major sportsbooks:

DraftKings: 58.5
FanDuel: 58.5
BetMGM: 58.5

Ohio State against the spread: Do the Buckeyes cover?

Ohio State covered seven of 13 games during the 2023 season including in its losses to Michigan and Missouri

Akron against the spread: Do the Zips cover?

Per Covers.com, Akron covered four of its 12 games in 2023. Each of those were losses: Ohio, Central Michigan, Indiana and Temple.

When is Ohio State vs. Akron?

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., Aug. 31; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

What channel is the Ohio State-Akron game on?

Ohio State will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS.

Is OSU vs. Akron streaming?

The Buckeyes’ matchup against Indiana will be available on any platform that offers CBS such as YouTubeTV, Hulu Live and Fubo TV, which offers a free trial.

Paramount Plus will also stream any college football game televised on CBS.

Ohio State football schedule 2024

Aug. 31: Ohio State vs. Akron; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 7: Ohio State vs. Western Michigan; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 21: Ohio State vs. Marshall; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 28: Ohio State at Michigan State; Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
Oct. 5: Ohio State vs. Iowa; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 12: Ohio State at Oregon; Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Oct. 26: Ohio State vs. Nebraska; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Nov. 2: Ohio State at Penn State; Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
Nov. 9: Ohio State vs. Purdue; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Nov. 16: Ohio State at Northwestern; Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
Nov. 23: Ohio State vs. Indiana; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Nov. 30: Ohio State vs. Michigan; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

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Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin throws shade at Ohio State, Ryan Day after Buckeyes spend big on roster

Published

22 hours ago

August 26, 2024

Press Room

Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin throws shade at Ohio State, Ryan Day after Buckeyes spend big on roster

Michigan winning the 2023 national championship may have been the best thing that could have ever happened for Ohio State University’s NIL fundraising efforts.

After three straight defeats at the hands of the Wolverines, and watching U-M’s natty celebration parade in Ann Arbor, Buckeye head coach Ryan Day raised $20 million to spend on his 2024 roster, according to a report from ESPN. As he is apt to do, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin threw some shade in Ohio State’s director on social media, sharing the story on his personal Twitter page. One of the players the Buckeyes spent big money on in the transfer portal was former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins, who led the Rebels and the SEC in rushing each of the past two seasons.

How Ohio State built a $20 million, ‘national championship or bust’ roster – via @ESPN App https://t.co/HF9OAXKRf3
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) August 26, 2024

In addition to Judkins, Ohio State grabbed Alabama safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin out of the portal, as well as former Kansas State starting QB Will Howard out of the transfer portal. Howard was named the Buckeyes’ starter earlier this month. There’s no doubt Ohio State’s fundraising and talent acquisition efforts were fueled by Michigan’s national championship last season. Former Buckeye players Cardale Jones and Tyvis Powell, each of whom play big roles in Ohio State’s two largest NIL collectives, said as much in the ESPN report:

Both Powell and Jones, former teammates, said losing to the Wolverines again and then witnessing them win a national championship lit a fire under more people’s butts to get involved in giving to NIL.
“This was the first year that people were very generous donating money to collectives,” said Powell, the defensive MVP of the Buckeyes national title win over Oregon in 2014. “There’s something about watching your rival win it all that’s very inspiring to a lot of people. It was like, that can’t happen anymore.”
– ESPN

Heading into the 2024 season, beating Michigan and ending the Wolverines’ three-year reign atop the Big Ten isn’t just the goal for Ohio State — it’s the expectation. After spending $20 million on its roster and more than half of that more on its coaching staff, it’s national title or bust for the Buckeyes in 2024. Former OSU head coach Jim Tressell called this maybe the best roster in the history of the program, and Urban Meyer said it was arguably the best roster in all of college football over the past decade. If Ryan Day can’t get it done this season, with everything that’s at his disposal, when will it ever happen for him in Columbus?

– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –

Sherrone Moore says Michigan is ‘close’ to naming the starting quarterback

Donovan Edwards likely to break Michigan Football records in 2024

Another former Buckeye getting restless; Day has to beat Michigan

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

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Ohio high school football rankings: USA Today Network Ohio Super 25 Poll for Week 2

Published

1 day ago

August 26, 2024

Press Room

Ohio high school football rankings: USA Today Network Ohio Super 25 Poll for Week 2

USA Today Network Ohio
| Cincinnati Enquirer

This is the second week of the USA Today Network Ohio High School Football Super 25 poll, featuring voters from across the state. The Ohio Super 25 ranks who we believe are the state’s 25 best teams, regardless of division.

The inaugural poll released last week was our preseason Ohio Super 25 ahead of the start of the Ohio High School Athletic Association regular season.

The Ohio Super 25 Football Poll will be conducted weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of sports writers and editors from across the state. Each voter submits a Top 25 with a first-place vote worth 25 points, second place 24, and so on down to one point for 25th.

Week 1 takeaways: Opening week filled with first wins, snapped losing streaks and dominant teams

‘Honored to be a part of it’: Moeller, Princeton renew ‘King of the Block’ rivalry

Lakota West has state feel: Purdue commit Grant Beerman leading ‘dynamic’ defense

Here’s a look at our rankings ahead of Week 2, which features a new No. 1.

Ohio Super 25 high school football rankings

Rank	Team	Points	First-place votes
1	Massillon (1-0)	412	2
2	Lakewood St. Edward (1-0)	409	14
3	Toledo Central Catholic (1-0)	350
4	Cincinnati Moeller (1-0)	324	1
5	Cleveland Glenville (1-0)	310	1
6	Avon (1-0)	292
7	Akron Hoban (0-1)	282
8	West Chester Lakota West (1-0)	256
9	Cincinnati Anderson (1-0)	246
10	Maria Stein Marion Local (1-0)	217
11	Gahanna Lincoln (1-0)	201
12	Kirtland (1-0)	180
13	Cincinnati Winton Woods (1-0)	179
14	Walsh Jesuit (1-0)	175
15	Columbus Watterson (1-0)	160
16	Cleveland Heights (1-0)	132
17	Cincinnati St. Xavier (0-1)	119
18	Cincinnati Princeton (0-1)	118
19	Lake County Perry (1-0)	116
20	Canton McKinley (1-0)	113
21	Pickerington North (0-1)	109
22	Harvest Prep (1-0)	86
23	Mentor (1-0)	83
24 (tie)	Bloom-Carroll (1-0)	75
24 (tie)	Cincinnati Elder (1-0)	75

Others receiving votes for the Ohio Super 25

(Minimum of 30 points received): Olentangy Orange 73, Sandusky Perkins 67, Medina Highland 64, Col. Hartley 59, Wadsworth 58, Olentangy Berlin 54, Springfield 52, Cle. Villa Angela-St. Joseph 48, Nordonia 48, Granville 38, Garaway 33, Mentor Lake Catholic 32, Avon Lake 31, Medina 31, Upper Arlington 31.

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