Buckeye Bits: Ohio Stadium will be TBDBITL-less this season, Nebraska “tips their hat” to the Buckeyes, more

How it started...

How it’s going...

We’ve come so far, fam! And it feels damn good to be back. Its officially game week, and we here at LGHL have a whole lot planned for you, our loyal reader, this season. Before we get into the day’s headlines, let’s settle this once and for all.

Numbers 1, 2 and 3 should all be Reese’s something or other, Twix has no business being that high, all the fruity candy should be eliminated from this list, and my hottest take? Whoppers should be No. 4.

Now, let’s talk football!

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From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

Column: Something Browns fans and Michigan fans have in common

Meredith Hein, LGHL

I am neither one of those things, but Meredith is a Browns fan, which means she gets a taste of what it’s like to live life on the wrong side of a rivalry.

Ohio State’s Perfect Season - B1G title game vs. Wisconsin

Gene Ross, LGHL

We’ve made it to the conference championship in our 12-for-12 series! Gene looked back through the last 12 years to find the best Big Ten Championship game, which he will follow up with the two best non-conference matchups to serve as the series’ playoff games. The National Championship game will go live on Friday, closing out this series just in time for the real season to begin!

LGHL announces full slate of daily podcasts for 2020 football season

Matt Tamanini, LGHL

We’re going to publish a new podcast episode every single day this season because we can’t shut up about Ohio State football (among other topics!) Check out our podcast schedule in the link above and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a beat!

Podcast: Previewing Nebraska with Big Red Cobcast’s Pat Janssen

Matt Tamanini, LGHL

To begin our official in-season podcast slate, Matt caught up with the Big Red Cobcast’s Pat Janssen to discuss who is going to start at QB for the Huskers (which we find out in the news below), Kade Warner’s mustache, and more!

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From around the gridiron...

Let’s get spooky.

The Oct. 31 matchup won’t be as scary as usual, however, as there won’t be a full White Out crowd to harass greet the Buckeyes next weekend in Happy Valley. Penn State losing its home field advantage is like losing your No. 1 defensive end. It was already going to be hard for the Nittany Lions to get to Justin Fields, and it just got a whole lot harder.

Similar to State College, Ohio State will be without their usual 100,000 screaming fans as well. It was announced today that Ohio State will only be allowing 1,600 total people into Ohio Stadium for home games, which includes players, media, staff concessions, TV, officials, etc. You will notice that TBDBITL (aka the heart and soul of Ohio State football games) is missing from that list. While there will not be any Script Ohio or Skull Sessions, there will be pre-recorded pregame and halftime shows by Ohio State’s band.

Another change to home games, Ohio State coaches and players will not be staying at the Blackwell Hotel the night before games this season. The hotel is being used for other purposes this fall.

And just because you will not be allowed in the stadium, does not mean you should be partying in the parking lot. Ohio State’s deputy police chief, Tracy Hahn, is urging fans to stay home.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost, along with a few of his players, met with the media on Monday to preview their Game 1 opponent. All-in-all, the Huskers had nothing but praise and good things to say about the Buckeyes.

Frost said he doesn’t think there would have been a Big Ten football season without Ohio State’s efforts, and that he doesn’t think it’s a coincidence that the Big Ten pitted them against each other for the first game of the season.

“I have a ton of respect for them,” Frost said.

Frost said it’s challenging to try to prepare for Ohio State with a new defensive coordinator and no film to watch, but said the biggest challenge is that even when you get a gap against the Buckeyes, it closes so quickly.

He also named his starting quarterback for Saturday.

For more quotes from Frost and each of Nebraska’s five captains, Eleven Warriors has you covered.

You probably have some questions as the Buckeyes are about to start their season...half way through the CFB season.

Will the Buckeyes come out in midseason form?

Will Fields have to play catch up in the Heisman race?

Does the loss of Kourt Williams hurt the secondary?

Austin Ward of Lettermen Row answers all those questions and more.

From around the hardwood...

Ohio State basketball’s leading returning scorer spent his offseason “growing up.” He told Adam Jardy of Buckeye Extra that “you’ve got to be mature to be the leader on the team, mentally and physically.” Washington’s father, Duane Washington Sr., provided some insight into his son’s growth, and why its “right on time.”

From everywhere else...

Bad news: Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm confirmed his positive COVID-19 test.

Good news:

Brohm must remain in isolation for up to 10 days and will need to be symptom-free for 24 hours before being allowed to return to the program. His brother, Brian, will serve as acting head coach and handle the play-calling until then.

Speaking of play-calling, Titans head coach and former Ohio State All-American Mike Vrabel is a sneaky magician.

Sometimes I panic if I have more than one Zoom meeting a day.