Buckeye Bits: Big Ten releases start times, J.T. Barrett headed to The Spring League, more

16 x All-Star

4 x NBA Champion

4 x NBA MVP

4 x Finals MVP

260 Playoff Games

0 Missed Playoff Games

The Kid From Akron is the G.O.A.T and I will not be reading replies.

Also...

It’s starting to feel more and more real as we now only have ONE Saturday between us and Ohio State football. Time to dust off your Buckeye necklaces, people!

In the meantime, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the Big Ten’s schedule updates, Ohio State’s camp and position analyses, and more. Let’s dive in.

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From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

Column: What to expect from the sports world in 2021

Meredith Hein, LGHL

It makes me genuinely tired to think about the 2021 sports seasons. Luckily, we have Meredith, who took a look at what next year’s sports situation might look like for her column this week. It’s certainly not going to be back to normal, however, leagues now have more information and lessons learned regarding what it takes to have a successful season (Re: the NBA bubble), so at the very least, it should at least be a smooth(er) ride in 2021.

24 Club: Ryan Day — The Football Savant

Jim Baird, LGHL

And with that, Jim’s 24 Club series has come to an end, as does his time with LGHL. Jim is departing LGHL to pursue other opportunities, and we could not be more thankful to have had him on our team and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors! Check out some of his outstanding work he’s done for us here.

Column: Five players to be excited about getting more playing time for Ohio State

Matt Tamanini, LGHL

Sure, we’re all excited to see the return of Justin Fields, Chris Olave, Shaun Wade, etc. But what about the guys who don’t as readily come to mind...yet? Matt has the list of your soon-to-be favorite Buckeyes, and you can vote for your favorite one at the bottom of his column!

Column: Jonathon Cooper wearing Ohio State’s Block ‘0’ is a perfect metaphor for 2020

Matt Tamanini, LGHL

In February, the NCAA announced that football teams would be allowed to use the number 0 on jerseys, which sparked a new tradition at Ohio State. Each year, Ryan Day and his staff will select one player to wear their new Block “0” jersey, in honor of the legendary defensive tackle Bill Willis. And the first player to wear it will be none other than Jonothon Cooper. Check out Matt’s column to read more on the meaning behind the jersey and why Cooper is the perfect first recipient.

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From around the gridiron...

Ohio State is No. 6 yet again in this week’s AP Top 25, and LSU has dropped out completely after losing to a previously winless Missouri.

The B1G announced its start times and TV plans for Week 1, as well as some of its biggest matchups. Ohio State’s season opener against Nebraska will be at noon on FOX, while The Game will hold onto at least one tradition as its set for a noon kickoff on Dec. 12.

Additionally, there will be multiple B1G Friday night games, one of which will kick off the season with Illinois vs. Wisconsin on Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. ET. Other Friday night games this season include:

• Oct. 30: Minnesota vs. Maryland — 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Nov. 13: Iowa vs. Minnesota — 7 p.m. (FS1)
• Nov. 20: Purdue vs. Minnesota — TBD (BTN)
• Nov. 27: Nebraska vs. Iowa — TBD (FOX/FS1)

And here’s the rest of the schedule updates. Go Bucks. Go Golden Gophers.

As Spencer Holbrook of Lettermen Row points out, junior defensive lineman Tyler Friday has been overshadowed by Taron Vincent, Tyreke Smith, Tommy Togiai and others early in his college career. And now as we approach the first game of the 2020 season, Zach Harrison seems to be getting most of the hype and making most of the headlines. But Holbrook believes Friday could be an integral part of Ohio State’s defense this season due to his ability to play both the three-technique spot as well as defensive end.

Kyle Jones of Eleven Warriors checked the film to figure out why the heck Ryan Day’s offense is so dang good. In a nutshell, it’s all about keeping it simple while perfecting every. last. detail.

“Yes, there is five-star talent all over the field, but without paying attention to the smallest details, they could very well look like some of the programs which struggle to move the ball despite having an offensive ‘guru’ calling plays.”

Good thing Justin Fields has already been to NYC.

From everywhere else...

Cardale Jones was in attendance for the Mike Pence, Trump 2020 campaign stop in Columbus this morning, and while I understand his frustration at people being too quick to judge, he had to of seen it coming, right?

The former Ohio State quarterback has made it clear that he is not endorsing Trump, nor is he endorsing Biden.

Speaking of former Ohio State QBs, J.T. Barrett will be participating in The Spring League’s 2020 fall season, which will begin in San Antonio later this month. Barrett has been selected to be the Alpha’s quarterback, who’s season’s opening game is set to kick off on Oct. 27 at noon against the Blues. As for Blue’s quarterback? Former Michigan QB Shea Patterson.

The league is made up of six teams, and will be conducted over four weeks in a bubble at the Alamodome.

About time for the Big Ten to show them how it’s done, no?

Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan passed away on Sunday at the age of 77. Morgan was a key member of the Cincinnati Reds’ famous Big Red Machine.

Morgan was a two-time National League MVP, a 10-time All-Star and a five-time Gold Glove Award winner. He is considered one of the best second basemen in baseball history, with the majority of his career spent with the Reds and the Houston Astros. Morgan helped the Reds win back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976.

He then followed his 22-year playing career up with 25-plus years as a broadcaster.

A successful season and an even better ending. Adam Silver continues to be the best but also, why is this not the norm among all league commissioners?

Ending Buckeye Bits to let you all know that we’re. still. in. a. pandemic.