Why is this news?: Noah Spence gives update on his recovery, Ohio State as No. 1 in college football

"Spence was partying hard every weekend, regularly using the drug Ecstasy -- even on Saturday nights after games. He would come to Sunday practices dehydrated, his head pounding and his body screaming for mercy."

-Brian Bennett, ESPN

Former Buckeye defensive end Noah Spence is on the road to recovery, preparing to play football for Eastern Kentucky this fall. He is also clean of drugs and alcohol for the first time since beginning college. Spence details how he would party hard every weekend, even practicing while hung over from his ecstasy use the night before. Which, quite frankly, is astonishing.

A clean-cut kid from Pennsylvania, Spence did not start using drugs until he experienced the new freedom of college. He was dishonest following his first failed drug test for ecstasy, even causing his father to publicly support him and vouch for his son. Following his second failed drug test though, there was no hiding his problem.

The battle against drug addiction spans a lifetime. This will be something Spence battles against for the rest of his life. For now however, he has a good start.

"Each of Meyer’s three national-title teams lost at least one game."

-Pete Thamel, Sports Illustrated

Ohio State is going to be good. We know this. The nation's top team is expected by many to run roughshod over their opponents this year on the way to the national championship. Last year the Buckeyes recovered from an early season loss at home to an unranked Virginia Tech to make the playoffs. Could this years Buckeye team, in theory, do the same? It's an interesting question. The 2014 team had opportunities to win big games on the road at night against Michigan State and Penn State. The 2015 schedule is lacking any such game. Losing unexpectedly early may fatally harm the Buckeyes' national championship hopes. Then again, even if the Buckeyes lose early they could still bring home the Big Ten Championship. It's hard to imagine a one loss, Big Ten Champion being left out of the final four. Because, you know, it worked out well last year. Let's just hope the Buckeyes keep things simple and win all of their games.

"Elliott rushed for a combined 696 yards against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon, averaging 232 yards per game and 9.2 yards per carry."

-Ari Wasserman, Northeast Ohio Media Group

Zeke checks in at number two on the list of top 50 Big Ten players. A monster down the stretch last year, Elliott is undeniably the perfect running back. He has speed, strength, and excellent hands. He also gives great effort when he doesn't have the ball, establishing himself as a great blocker. At this point, Zeke is a sure fire first round pick next year.

Remember when Ohio State fans wanted Derrick Green instead of Elliott? Zeke nearly outgained Green's career total rushing yards during the final three games of 2015.

"Columbus politicians and businessmen are trying to broker a deal that would make the state capital a long-term home to the team's training camp."

-Tom Reed, Northeast Ohio Media Group

The Browns are (maybe) coming to Columbus. For training camp that is. Cleveland is spending this week in Columbus and will hold its intra-squad scrimmage in Ohio Stadium Friday night. Talks are ongoing though that would bring at least a portion of Browns training camp to Columbus for anywhere between five and ten years. It's a move designed to win over more central Ohio fans. Columbus has been a battle ground between the Bengals and Browns for a while; not to mention Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. A sprinkling of pro football in central Ohio? I'm all for it.

STICK TO SPORTS:

• A new summer must-have.
• Why not?
• They are fighting back!
• That would be terrifying.