Buckeye Bits: Ohio State heavy favorite to win Big Ten title, schedule breakdowns, NFL injuries, more

Happy happy Monday! We have another lengthy Buckeye Bits for you on this fine evening. In fact, you can expect Bits to be a bit lengthier than usual from here on out as we have real live football to discuss! Is 2020 finally looking up? Eh, based on Sunday’s NFL news, not exactly. We have a lot to cover, so let’s jump in. Here’s what’s happening...

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

Five-star wide receiver lists Ohio State among leaders

Charles Doss, LGHL

The No. 2 wideout and 14th overall prospect in the 2022 class has Ohio State on his short list, along with Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, and the University of Oklahoma. That and more in this morning’s State Secrets!

Friday’s Buckeye Bits

Gene Ross, LGHL

As Gene said, we here at LGHL are over the moon that we finally have actual football to write about now that the Big Ten is back in action. No more rumors, speculations, fake sources and bad news. Just good ole fashioned position battles, opponent analyses and X’s and O’s from here on out. In case you missed it, Friday’s edition of Buckeye Bits is jam-packed with players’ reactions to football being back, an AP Poll update, how the Buckeyes plan to replace Chase Young, and everything else happening across the CFB world. It’s good to be back.

Our Matt Tamanini guested on Corn Nation’s podcast, Big Red Cobcast, to discuss Ohio State and Nebraska’s upcoming matchup and all things Big Ten. Check it out in the link below!

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From around the gridiron...

This time last week, we were gushing over all of the incredible performances by the Buckeyes in the NFL in Week 1. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same about Week 2, as multiple former Buckeyes suffered serious (some season-ending) injuries across the league. You know those OTAs and preseason games? Yeah, they exist for a reason.

These guys will be majorly missed by their respective teams and the league as a whole. Such a bummer.

On Saturday, the Big Ten released its (third) schedule for the 2020 football season. To sum it up, Nebraska was given a death sentence while Ohio State was handed the golden ticket to the College Football Playoff.

And you know what comes after a schedule release don’t you? That’s right. Ten trillion schedule breakdowns. I’ve listed a few of the best.

First up, Spencer Holbrook of Lettermen Row’s four biggest takeaways, which include his thoughts on The Game’s new date, Ohio State’s trap game, the Big Ten East title and the schedule’s lack of flexibility.

The guys at Saturday Tradition predict when every Big Ten team will lose its first game. That is...every Big Ten team besides Ohio State.

David Regimbal took a look at all the biggest games on the schedule that don’t involve Ohio State. I’ll tell ya what, after last weekend’s college football lineup, I cannot wait for some of these matchups.

I don’t gamble, but how might one go about putting all of one’s money on the over for Ohio State?

Also not surprising, Ohio State opens as a -260 favorite to win the 2020 Big Ten Championship. The only heavier favorite in any conference is Clemson, which is a -700 favorite to win the 2020 ACC Championship.

Ohio State also opens with the second-best odds (+260) to win this year’s national championship, behind only Clemson (+210). And yet, the USA Today Coaches Poll released its Top 25 on Saturday, and Buckeyes are ranked No. 10 (?), despite the fact they were ranked No. 2 in the preseason version of the poll (?). Five SEC teams (who also have yet to play a game) are ranked above them. Someone make it make sense.

The Nerds...they have spoken.

It’s cute how they include the other rivalries.

No one is benefiting more from football being played this season than the conferences’ athletic departments, who would have otherwise been looking at some serious revenue loss. Now, “Ohio State might be able to reduce its projected losses from nine figures to eight figures,” according to Joey Kaufman of the Columbus Dispatch.

Ohio State football’s insanely talented creative team strikes again.

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From everywhere else...

First Ohio State football returns, and now the season finale of Schitt’s Creek?! What a time.

If you have yet to watch Schitt’s Creek, close this article immediately and go power up Netflix. It’s the best comedy series out there right now, and based on their record-breaking number of Emmy Awards they received Sunday night, I am not just saying that.

I’d also like to include a Zendaya appreciation post because it’s a free country.