Buckeye Bits: Marcus Crowley, Lejond Cavazos active for Indiana game

We’ve made it to yet another Friday, which means it is less than 24 hours until Ohio State’s biggest game of the season thus far. On Saturday, a Top-10 Indiana team will be coming to town, and although the good people who make the Vegas lines don't think the matchup will be particularly close (the Buckeyes are -20.5 as of the time this is being written), it will still be the first real test for Ryan Day’s squad as we pass the midway point of the campaign.

There is lots to talk about, including a jam-packed day of LGHL content, so let’s just jump right into today’s headlines.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

Five-star QB Quinn Ewers commits to Ohio State
(Gene Ross, LGHL)

In case you somehow missed the massive news on Thursday night, Ohio State hauled in the best junior quarterback prospect since * checks notes * Trevor Lawrence.

Buckeyes land nation’s top QB in 2022
(Caleb Houser, LGHL)

What does the massive commitment mean for the rest of the Buckeyes 2022 class?

Podcast: Uncut audio from Fields, Hartline, Mattison, Harrison
(Matt Tamanini, LGHL)

Hear what the Buckeyes have to say about the Indiana game and the season as a whole.

Ohio State vs. Indiana: 2020 game preview and prediction
(Brett Ludwiczak, LGHL)

These two teams have met 92 times in program history, with Ohio State holding a 75-12-5 record in the matchup including wins in the last 24-straight meetings. This one feels just a tad bit different than usual.

Ohio State basketball: New guys in town
(Gene Ross, LGHL)

Not yet acquainted with all of the fresh faces on this year’s hoops roster? We’ve got you covered!

Identifying three potential suitors for Kaleb Wesson in free agency
(Connor Lemons, LGHL)

The former Ohio State forward was not selected in this week’s NBA Draft. What’s next?

Bedlam highlights Week 12’s national college football schedule
(Brett Ludwiczak, LGHL)

As always, Brett has you covered with all the gambling info you need heading into another weekend of college football. Bet responsibly!

From around the gridiron...

We begin with the biggest news every Friday during the season: the availability report. There has been a significant update this time around, as both RB Marcus Crowley and DB Lejond Cavazos are available for the first time this season, as is DT Jaden McKenzie.

Crowley looked good in mop up duty for Ohio State last year as a freshman, finishing with 25 carries for 237 yards and two total TDs before suffering an ACL injury that has only just now healed. It will be interesting to see if he garners many snaps in his return behind a pair of running backs that have underperformed thus far. The same could be said about Cavazos, as the freshman could earn some time in the slot in an underperforming secondary.

Kicker Blake Haubeil is still out with a groin injury, so freshman Jake Seibert will remain the team’s starter. Siebert was 7-for-7 kicking extra points in his debut against Rutgers.

Just how important is Cavazos’ return? It seems just about weekly Ryan Day has been anxiously awaiting the freshman defensive back to get back to full health. A four-star prospect in the 2020 class, Day says Cavazos was making a serious push for playing time in practice before his injury this year. Against a good passing team in Indiana, and with Cam Brown out for the year and Tyreke Johnson underperforming, this could be a huge opportunity for the first-year DB.

Ohio State 2022 corner commit Jyaire Brown has earned a spot in the Under Armour All-America Game. Brown, a native of West Chester, Ohio, is the No. 13 CB and No. 125 player overall in the junior cycle.

Despite featuring quarterbacks of nearly every play style, Ohio State QBs have not had much of any success once they transition to the NFL. Senior NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid breaks down all the Buckeye signal callers in recent history, and takes a deep dive into what separates Justin Fields from the rest of the pack in terms of his incredibly bright NFL future.

I’ve said this across multiple platforms this week, but it’s worth mentioning one more time: Justin Fields has thrown 437 passes at Ohio State and has been picked off just three times — with two of those coming against Clemson when he was playing on one healthy knee.

Who ya got? I’m a Denzel Ward guy myself, but gun to my head if I had to choose one former Ohio State defensive back in the Urban Meyer era, I'm taking Malik Hooker and it isn’t even a discussion.

Bill’s NCAA 14 simulation says the Hoosiers cover the spread.

Ohio State’s newest QB commit can casually throw a football 85 yards. As a junior in HS.

From everywhere else...

Ohio State men’s ice hockey returns next week, and they now have official start times for the first 10 games of the season! The first puck drop of 2020 will be Monday, Nov. 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET as the Buckeyes travel to St. Paul to take on Minnesota. The matchup will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.

In times where everything is bad, America could really use this matchup in our lives.

For the record, we here at LGHL are very much on the #ExtendHarbaugh train.

Big Ten COVID-19 protocols continue to be very confusing. Maryland reported eight positive tests last week and is now missing two-straight games, but Minnesota is missing 20 guys tonight and their game against Purdue is still on? Get it together @ Kevin Warren.