Buckeye Bits: Everything is falling into place for the Hanging of 100

HAPPY ❌ONDAY, Buckeye fans! The biggest question over the last few days has been whether or not we’re going to have a game this Saturday. Well, I am happy to report that things are looking up in Ann Arbor, as Michigan has been cleared to resume limited workouts.

This is obviously a step in the right direction for The Game, and really good news for Michigan, as it means their COVID-19 outbreak has not escalated.

All that being said, I now feel comfortable switching gears to...

Rivalry Week smack talk...

All together now:

Don’t get me wrong. When Ryan Day said he was going to “hang 100” on Michigan in the beginning of the season, I was like okay! Yeah! That’d be awesome! But now that I’ve witnessed Michigan in action this season, I’m like... only 100?

P.S. Get yourself a “Who’s got it better than us?” shirt to be extra petty this season!

(And yes, Day is back)

Award Watch...

Justin Fields has been named a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien award—the nation’s oldest and most prestigious quarterback award— and the Maxwell award— awarded to the best overall player in college football.

Shaun Wade has been named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award— awarded to the top defensive back in CFB—and the Lott IMPACT award— given annually to the defensive player that displays the best combination of character and performance throughout the season.

A few players missed out on their respective awards, which can only be explained by the lack of chances (aka games) to prove themselves worthy over other players who got to play full or close to full seasons. Thanks, Big Ten.

As for the champions of the Michigan State game, Justin Fields is back as the Offensive Player of the Game, Haskell Garrett and Shaun Wade are the Defensive Players of the game, and Drue Chrisman is the Special Teams champion.

From around the hardwood...

Chris Holtmann met with the media Monday afternoon to preview Tuesday night’s game against Notre Dame. He said the Buckeyes will bus to more games this year than they usually do and travel more on the day of the game. However, Ohio State will fly to Notre Dame tonight.

The head coach is expecting tomorrow night’s game to be a challenge, saying Notre Dame’s experience going against Michigan State has helped them, as the Spartans are one of the most impressive teams in the country.

Regardless of whether the Buckeyes win or lose, however, Holtmann said it is important to play a team like Notre Dame before Big Ten play to see where they’re at as a team.

As for updates on the return of Seth Towns and Musa Jallow, Holtmann said they will both be game-time decisions. For Towns specifically, he has practiced regularly for over a week now, but a lot of it will depend on his own confidence in his knee.

Despite Ohio State’s game against Alabama A&M getting canceled (originally scheduled for Dec. 5), the Buckeyes found themselves bumped one spot to No. 22 in the latest A.P. Poll.

Michigan State Recap...

And of course, we have all your Michigan State recap goodness here at LGHL. Whether you would like it in the form of a podcast, a Twitter round up, or a good ole fashioned “What We Learned” review, I’ve linked it all below. Because let’s be honest... that game was fun.