Buckeye Bits: Ryan Day and a host of players discuss Rutgers game, preview Maryland

Happy Tuesday, everybody! Hopefully this week brings you much less stress than the week we all just went through. Some of you may even have off tomorrow in observance of Veterans Day. Whatever the case may be, be sure to take some time for yourself once and a while. Especially during tough times like these, it is important to step back and focus on your mental health and all the good things in life — like the fall foliage!

Maybe instead you choose to fill your free time checking in with all the latest Ohio State news. For that, we’ve got you covered! Let’s hop right into today’s headlines.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

Column: Is Jim Harbaugh overrated?
(Matt Tamanini, LGHL)

Can you call a coach overrated when there don't seem to be all that many people out there that think said coach is all that good at his job in the first place?

Top recruits put Ohio State on short lists
(Dan Hessler, LGHL)

Ohio State’s recruiting has really been heating up over these past few weeks, both in football and basketball. Another five-star prospect on the gridiron has listed the Buckeyes among his top schools, while a four-star shooting guard trending toward Columbus appears set to make his decision this Friday.

Buckeye Clips: NFL Week 9 highlights
(Gene Ross, LGHL)

Seemingly every week a former Buckeye makes a huge splash in the NFL, and this week it was undrafted wide receiver Austin Mack for the New York Giants.

Podcast: Ben Koo discusses declining sports ratings, ESPN firings, more
(Matt Tamanini, LGHL)

Koo, owner and editor in chief for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, sits down with Matt to discuss some of the behind-the-scenes action going on in the sports media world.

From around the gridiron...

On Tuesday afternoon, we got to hear from head coach Ryan Day and a handful of Buckeyes. They talked about their performance in the Rutgers game this past weekend, and also gave a small look ahead to their upcoming matchup with Maryland. Day was up at the podium first.

When asked about the running game, Day doesn’t seem overly concerned. He says despite some of the struggles Ohio State has had 200 yards rushing in every game so far this season, and that is a good sign. They also expect Trey Sermon to be ready for Saturday’s contest after he left the Rutgers game late with an apparent injury.

Day says kicker Blake Haubeil is still day-to-day with his groin injury, and they're not sure if he will suit up against the Terrapins. He liked what he saw from Jake Seibert in his absence.

In terms of the most improved player thus far this season, Day named Nicholas Petit-Frere. On the flip side, he wants to see more out of Marcus Hooker, who needs to be the ‘eraser’ as the last line of defense.

Day says Ohio State is where they need to be since they’ve made it to 3-0, but the team is not yet playing at a high level. He is also a bit concerned that the backups have not gotten enough reps to this point, but says they need to practice better to earn that right.

Day is impressed by what he has seen from Maryland to start the year, and acknowledged that if the Terps play the way they did against Penn State last week, it could be the toughest team Ohio State has faced. He says that Taulia Tagovailoa has the same ‘it’ factor as his older brother Tua.

Next up to the mic was the aforementioned Petit-Frere. NPF says he has learned a lot from fellow tackle Thayer Munford and has watched film on the Ohio State tackles before him.

Petit-Frere is not concerned about the holding calls on Harry Miller in the Rutgers game. If anything, he thinks it will make him a better player in the long run as he learns from his mistakes.

The next in line for Tuesday’s press conference was Jonathon Cooper. The senior says he is typically focused on one game a time during the season, but doesn’t want to lose focus of the team’s ultimate goal to win a championship.

Cooper emphasized not taking a team like Maryland for granted, alluding to the 2018 game.

Garrett Wilson was the next man up at the podium, and began his time with praise for both Justin Fields and Chris Olave. He says that Olave is so good because he never has a bad practice, and Fields always puts them in a position to make plays as long as they execute.

Wilson is not yet satisfied with his play thus far, looking to “break some records” this year.

Shaun Wade was the last guy to speak on Tuesday, and he was critical of his own play. He says even the best corners get beat sometimes, but he has to make sure he is in good position and getting the ball down. He admits he has been too focused on getting interceptions, and instead has to look to break up the pass instead.

Wade cares more about winning a title than he does his own personal accomplishments. He says if he plays bad but Ohio State still wins the championship, he will still be happy. He is disappointed in how he’s started, but continues to try and improve.

And now for a little segment I like to call, “the analytics say that Ohio State is really good and you shouldn’t freak out about minor occurrences late in blowouts”

From around the hardwood...

The Ohio State women’s team will begin the year at No. 20 in the preseason AP Poll.

In case you missed it, the men’s team will begin the year at No. 23 in their preseason poll.

From everywhere else...

The SEC has been having some significant COVID-19 issues. Wear a mask.

Someone please explain to me how this is physically possible...

1) This is creepy and 2) you left out the ACTUAL top Heisman candidate.

Going to cap off Bits today by leaving this here for no reason in particular.