One of the Big Ten Conference’s premiere programs is already looking at the Ducks as their biggest threat.

Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA officially become members of the Big Ten next week. While this topic has been discussed widely over the past few months, the focus is now on matchups and marquee games on everyone’s schedule. Without question, much of the conversation has centered on the Oregon Ducks as many believe they will battle the Ohio State Buckeyes for a conference championship and perhaps a spot in the expanded college playoffs.

Eleven Warriors, an Ohio State fans website, featuring Dan Hope and Andy Anders, spent time recently evaluating the Buckeyes’ challenges in 2024 given the expansion of the league to 18 teams. Not surprisingly, Oregon was rated as the biggest threat to Ohio State. Right from the start, Hope acknowledges the talented team that coach Dan Lanning has put together.

“(Oregon) could have the Big Ten’s best offense,” Hope said. “Dillon Gabriel coming in there from Oklahoma, he might be the Big Ten’s best quarterback. They’ve got a great backup as well in former five-star recruit Dante Moore who transferred in from UCLA.”

Hope doesn’t stop there as he highlighted Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson who may form the best 1-2 punch in the country at wide receiver: a stout running game featuring Jordan James and Noah Whittington, and a solid defense.

Anders goes on to talk a little more about coach Lanning and what he brings to the table, specifically when it comes to recruiting and adding additional talent to a team already recognized as a top-five team in the country.

“Dan Lanning is, I think, one of the best coaches in the sport,” Anders said. “I’m really high on what he can accomplish at Oregon and what this team can accomplish.”

When it comes to the game itself, Oregon has advantages in two areas that are weaknesses on the Ohio State side of the ball—quarterback and offensive line.

“Oregon is probably going to be the best team in the conference in both of those areas,” Hope said. “So those are two key advantages that Oregon has over Ohio State as well as the fact that Oregon is going to be hosting Ohio State in that regular season matchup.”

Of course, we are still about four months away from the game in Autzen Stadium and a great deal can change in that time. Regardless, this shapes up to be a massive game for both teams.

“I continue to circle that Ohio State-Oregon game as maybe the game of the year in the conference,” Hope said. “I think there is a very good chance that Ohio State-Oregon game on October 12 is going to end up being a Big Ten championship game preview.”

October 12 is a date all Ducks fans have circled on their calendar. There is no doubt they will provide an unforgettable atmosphere for a game that could very well live up to its hype.  

Stay up to date on all things Oregon Ducks by visiting Oregon Ducks on SI daily and following Oregon Ducks on SI on Facebook and X.

Thousands of children will be rushed to the emergency room this Independence Day because of fireworks injuries.

Fireworks are legal to launch in Ohio during July 4 celebrations, but only under specific guidelines and on certain days, according to the state fire marshal’s office.

This year, adults in the Buckeye State can discharge fireworks labeled as “1.4G consumer” 4-11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then again the same times July 3-7.

“Even sparklers can cause serious injuries if not handled correctly,” Anita Metheny of the fire marshal’s office said. “Always supervise their use or consider safer alternatives like glow sticks, especially for children.”

Fireworks caused $700,000 in damages last year

Statistics from the state fire marshal’s Fire Prevention Bureau show 128 fireworks incidents in Ohio in 2023 caused 22 residential building fires totaling nearly $700,000 in damages.

So far in 2024, there have been 10 incidents involving fireworks causing almost $10,000 in losses, the fire marshal’s office reported in a news release.

Fireworks were involved in more than 10,200 treated injuries nationwide in 2022, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“Fireworks can bring joy to our celebrations, but it’s important to recognize the inherent risks that come with them as well,” Metheny said. “By being informed and following safety guidelines, we can reduce injuries and ensure a festive and safe Fourth of July for all.”

‘A sparkler can reach temperatures above 1,500 degrees’

Nearly half of all the fireworks injuries reported in Ohio last year were to bystanders, many of them children.

The ER trips mostly were caused by bottle rockets, sparklers and firecrackers, according to Dr. Anjay Khandelwal, director of the Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute at Akron Children’s.

“Many families believe sparklers are harmless and safe for young children to use,” Khandelwal said. “However, they are the most common cause of injury from fireworks in children. What families may not realize is a sparkler can reach temperatures above 1,500 degrees, which can cause serious burns or ignite clothing.”

Ohio law restricts who can launch fireworks and when

That’s why Ohio lawmakers set so many parameters when they started allowing consumers to shoot off fireworks in 2021.

Only residents over the age of 18 can launch fireworks, and they can’t be launched while in possession of or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, along with a slew of other restrictions, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

The National Safety Council provides the following tips for those who plan to set off fireworks:

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.
• Never light fireworks indoors.
• Only use fireworks away from people, houses and flammable material.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Never ignite devices in a container.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.

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Jake Diebler and Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball have yet to add a commitment to the 2025 recruiting class, but that could be changing soon. 

Per reports Monday from On3’s Joe Tipton, the Buckeyes are one of four finalists for 2025 four-star guard Dorian Jones, who will also be deciding between Missouri, Michigan and Rutgers. He’ll announce his decision on Monday, July 1. 

A product of Richmond Heights in Cleveland, Jones also received offers from programs like Cincinnati, Dayton, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Miami, Arizona State and many more. 

Per 247Sports’ rankings, Jones is the No. 60 overall player and No. 13 shooting guard in the country and the No. 2 player in the state of Ohio.

Jones has already made an official visit to Ohio State. The Buckeyes offered him back in July 2022 when Chris Holtmann was at the helm, but the coaching change clearly hasn’t impacted his interest in OSU as a potential destination. 

It’s possible that Jones’ interest in Ohio State is a given to the proximity of campus to his home town, but Diebler has certainly been saying all the right things leading up to his first full season at the helm, including his handling of discussing the change from Holtmann when asked about it earlier this month. 

The Buckeyes will be tipping off their 2024-25 regular season in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena on Monday, Nov. 4 against the Texas Longhorns as part of the Hall of Fame Series.

“We have to turn the page and be a completely different program,” Diebler said, per Eleven Warriors. ” … I’ve been fortunate to work with and for some high-level coaches. … Having worked at every level in-between in my career, I believe is really valuable. … I believe it gives me really good perspective.”