LeBron James Laments 'Good Old Fashioned Ass Kicking' After OSU's Loss to Michigan
Nov 26, 2022
COLUMBUS, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 03: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
Noted Ohio State Buckeyes fan LeBron James was understandably disappointed with the team's 45-23 loss to the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, writing on Twitter that the No. 2 Buckeyes got smoked.
James, a native of Akron, Ohio, has been a fan of the Buckeyes for a long time.
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Lakers star, who previously played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, sent the Buckeyes custom cleats for their rivalry matchup against the Wolverines.
Even with those cleats, Ohio State was heavily outplayed.
Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 31 of 48 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns, but he also tossed two interceptions in the loss. Receivers Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. each posted at least 120 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Ohio State's defense also struggled in the loss, allowing Michigan to total 530 yards and convert on seven of 16 third-down attempts. Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards was arguably the best player on the field as he rushed for 216 yards and two touchdown on 22 carries.
Ohio State's loss put it in jeopardy of not being selected for the College Football Playoff.
Ryan Day Put on Hot Seat by OSU Fans After Loss to No. 3 Michigan in Rivalry Game
Nov 26, 2022
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Head coach Ryan Day took the brunt of the criticism on social media Saturday after the previously undefeated No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes fell 45-23 to the still-undefeated No. 3 Michigan Wolverines in the 118th edition of The Game.
OSU was favored to win at home at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, especially with Michigan's superstar running back Blake Corum being severely limited by a knee injury, but Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines pulled off the upset, beating Ohio State for a second consecutive year.
The Buckeyes had won 17 of their previous 20 meetings with Michigan entering Saturday's game, but by virtue of their victory, the Wolverines have won back-to-back contests against OSU for the first time since 1999 and 2000.
Most of Michigan's offensive success this season has come on the back of Corum and the running game, but with Corum ailing, Harbaugh allowed quarterback J.J. McCarthy to air the ball out to great effect.
All three of McCarthy's touchdown passes were from at least 45 yards out, marking a true rarity for both the Michigan offense and Ohio State defense:
This is the first time Ohio State has allowed three pass TDs of 45+ yards since 2014 and it's the first time Michigan has had three pass TDs of 40+ yards during one game in the last 15 seasons per @ESPNStatsInfo
Day made adjustments, but that allowed Michigan to gash OSU on the ground in the second half, including touchdowns of 75 and 85 yards by Donovan Edwards in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
Fans and experts questioned Day's decision-making not only in terms of defensive alignment, but also offensive play-calling, as star quarterback C.J. Stroud was not permitted to take the game into his own hands for the most part.
Stroud finished with 349 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, but Day was committed to running the ball with third-string running back and converted linebacker Chip Trayanum, which limited the explosiveness of the offense.
Many wondered why Stroud and star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. weren't simply allowed to take over the game, which they have proved capable of on many occasions:
Ryan Day sure isn’t treating C.J. Stroud like a future No. 1 overall pick.
Day was also crushed for twice deciding to punt on fourth down around midfield with the Buckeyes trailing 24-20. Even Stroud expressed his displeasure, per Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated:
Oh boy. Day sending out punt team with CJ Stroud gesturing his displeasure and the fans booing theirs.
A team feels the temperament of the coach. When Ohio State punted on that fourth down, Ryan Day showed weakness and trepidation despite having the better football team and home field. That stuff is contagious and now Michigan is on the doorstep of scoring on the following drive.
Even with Saturday's loss, Day has gone a remarkable 45-5 in parts of five seasons as the head coach at OSU, but the Buckeyes have not won a national title during that time and may have played their way out of this season's College Football Playoff.
Because of that, many were calling for Day's job on Twitter:
I'll say it ..... Ryan Day is an overrated coach. He inherited a great situation and hasn't improved it at all. How is this OSU team not ready to play today? Very strange.
Firing Day after suffering the first loss of the season in late November may seem like an overreaction, but even Day himself stressed the importance of beating Michigan before the game.
When asked this week if he made four changes to his coaching staff during the offseason due to last season's loss to Michigan, Day strongly suggested that was the case, telling reporters: "We're evaluated by the big games. That's the way it goes here, and certainly we know what comes with it."
Day has won some big games at Ohio State, but he has perhaps lost just as many, including a CFP National Championship Game and two contests against fierce rival Michigan.
Michigan clinched its spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and likely the CFP regardless of the result, whereas Ohio State must wait and hope for losses by TCU and perhaps even LSU and USC to have a chance to play for a national title.
It remains possible that the CFP committee has seen enough to put Ohio State in the CFP even with a home loss to Michigan, but it would be the definition of backing into the playoff.
CFB Fans Shocked as No. 8 Clemson's 40-Game Home Win Streak Ends vs. South Carolina
Nov 26, 2022
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 26: Beaux Collins #80 of the Clemson Tigers runs the ball against Darius Rush #28 of the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
For the first time since Nov. 12, 2016, the Clemson Tigers have lost at home.
The unranked South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the No. 8 Tigers 31-30 on Saturday at Clemson Memorial Stadium to put an end to the team's 40-game home win streak, which is an ACC record.
Aside from the rushing performance by running back Will Shipley, who posted 15 carries for 132 yards and one touchdown, the Clemson offense was wildly disappointing against South Carolina.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei completed just eight of 29 passes for 99 yards and one touchdown against one interception in the loss. His performance was unacceptable, and now the Tigers have been knocked out of College Football Playoff contention.
College football fans ripped Clemson for the loss, which dropped it to 10-2, on Twitter, and understandably so:
South Carolina will beat Clemson, knocking the Tigers from CFP contention.
For the first time in the CFP Era, we will not have either Alabama or Clemson in the playoffs.
Clemson was a good team this year. Not a great team, never elite. Same as last year. So no surprise there is no playoff appearance for Clemson and the ACC.
Dabo Swinney’s refusal to bench DJ Uiagalelei and just roll with Cade Klubnik as the starter for the year is what did Clemson’s season in. The defense and Will Shipley’s back just got tired of carrying this team.
Saturday's win marked South Carolina's second upset victory over a Top 10 opponent after the Gamecocks took down Tennessee last weekend.
With Clemson out of CFP contention, Dabo Swinney will have a lot to figure out moving forward, including whether or not he wants to stick with Uiagalelei as his starting quarterback in 2023.
This year's College Football Playoff is shaping up to be very exciting with a fresh mix of teams.
Matt Rhule Named Nebraska Head Coach After Scott Frost Firing
Nov 26, 2022
Matt Rhule
Former Carolina Panthers and Baylor head coach Matt Rhule has been selected to replace Scott Frost as head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Amie Just of the Lincoln Journal Star reported the sides agreed to an eight-year contract.
The news of Rhule's hiring comes as little surprise after ESPN's Chris Low reported Friday that Nebraska had "zeroed in" on him as its top head coaching candidate.
Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, Kansas head coach Lance Leipold and Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell were also reported candidates for the Nebraska head coaching job.
Rhule spent the last three seasons as head coach of the Panthers, though he was fired during the 2022 campaign amid a 1-4 start.
Before serving as head coach of the Panthers, Rhule spent three seasons as head coach of the Baylor Bears from 2017 through 2019, going 19-20 and 1-1 in bowl games. He was also head coach of the Temple Owls from 2013-16, leading the team to a 28-23 record in his four seasons. However, the Owls were 0-2 in bowl games.
Rhule will take over for Mickey Joseph, who was named interim head coach after Frost was fired.
Nebraska fired Frost after a 1-2 start to the 2022 campaign. The Cornhuskers began the season with a 31-28 loss to Northwestern and a 45-42 defeat to Georgia Southern.
In five years with Nebraska, Frost led the school to a 16-31 record and no bowl game appearances.
The Cornhuskers finished the 2022 campaign with a 4-8 record.
Rhule will now be tasked with leading the school to its first winning season since 2016, when it went 9-4 under Mike Riley.
7 MSU Football Players Facing Criminal Charges Stemming from Michigan Tunnel Fight
Nov 23, 2022
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 10: The Michigan State Spartans logo is pictured on a pylon during the game against the Akron Zips at Spartan Stadium on September 10, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Seven Michigan State players face criminal charges stemming from the postgame altercation with a Michigan player Oct. 29.
Khary Crump was charged with felonious assault, the only felony among the charges. Jacoby Windon was charged with assault and battery, while Itayvion Brown, Angelo Grose, Justin White, Brandon Wright and Zion Young each face one count of aggravated assault.
Several players were captured on video fighting a Michigan player in the tunnel after the Wolverines earned a 29-7 win:
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh had said he expected criminal charges from the incident, saying there "needs to be accountability."
Grose, Brown, Crump and Young were all suspended by Michigan State shortly after the fight, while White, Windmon, Wright and Malcolm Jones were also suspended a few days later.
Jones is the only one in the group who was not charged.
"I'm extremely saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior depicted by members of our football program," Michigan State President Samuel Stanley said in a statement. "On behalf of Michigan State University, my heartfelt apology to the University of Michigan and the student-athletes who were injured.
"There is no provocation that could justify the behavior we are seeing on the videos. Rivalries can be intense but should never be violent."
Michigan State ends its regular season Saturday with a road game against Penn State.
5-Star DE Keon Keeley's Best Options as Early National Signing Day Approaches
Nov 22, 2022
Defensive end Keon Keeley is going to provide a massive boost to a team's 2023 recruiting class once he finishes evaluating his options after his decommitment from Notre Dame.
Several Power Five programs have put a full-court press on Florida prospect in recent months, and it's unclear whether he'll announce his choice during the early signing period in December or closer to national signing day in February.
Keeley announced his decision to
decommit from Notre Dame in mid-August, saying the process was "quite challenging" and he wanted to make sure he
chose "the right path."
The Berkeley Preparatory School
standout is a 5-star prospect and the No. 7 overall player in the
2023 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. He's also
rated as the group's best edge-rusher and the No. 3 recruit in Florida.
Keeley generated attention from many of the
nation's top programs, but it appears interest from
perennial title contender Alabama sparked a desire to reconsider
his options.
Keeley's mother, Janicke, told BamaInsider it was a "dream school" for her son, and 5-star running
back and Crimson Tide commit Richard Young had vowed to convince Keeley to change his commitment.
Less than three weeks after Young's
declaration, Keeley stated his intention to reevaluate his choices.
The high-upside defensive end possesses an impressive combination of size (6'6", 242 lbs),
length and athleticism, which has allowed him to dominate mostly lesser competition.
His pass-rushing technique will need
refinement against more capable, physical offensive tackles at the
college level, but his tools suggest he's a star on the rise.
Here's a look at Keeley's top options as the recruiting process rolls on:
Alabama
Given the Crimson Tide's consistent ability to turn high-end recruits into prized NFL prospects, it's hard to
knock this path.
While it may take longer for
him to earn an impact role with Bama than at another program given
the SEC team's annual talent on the defensive side, added
development time with head coach Nick Saban and his staff should pay
off in the long run.
It's also an important recruiting year for Alabama amid a season with two losses, which are likely to keep it out of the College Football Playoff, a rarity for a program that has reached the final four in seven of the CFP's eight years.
The Tide, who rank first in 247Sports' team rankings for 2023, could widen their lead with the addition of Keeley.
Ohio State
Ohio State is No. 6 in next year's recruiting rankings, but the one thing it is lacking is 5-star prospects. Wide receiver Brandon Inniss is the only commit with that distinction, so Keeley would be the second.
The Buckeyes are another program that regularly helps turn players into impact contributors at the next level, and they're in need of edge-rushing help as part of the 2023 class.
Though it's a bit early to project
Keeley's chances to make an immediate impact under Ryan Day at OSU, he could develop into a foundational
member of the defense within a year or two, and he should be a
serious NFL prospect by the time he's an upperclassman.
That's an ideal timeline for a top recruit, and Keeley could aim to follow in the footsteps of Chase Young, who arrived to Ohio State as a top-10 prospect and departed as the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
Florida
The Gators have lurked in the background of the Keeley pursuit with Alabama and Ohio State getting most of the attention, but they may be able to provide the quickest path to meaningful playing time if that's on his wish list.
While Bama (32 sacks, 17th) and OSU (31, 19th) rank in the top 20 nationally in sacks this season, Florida is all the way down in 91st with just 19 sacks. That could mean an open door for a new arrival to join the starting lineup in 2023.
UF ranks No. 8 in next year's recruiting rankings despite not having a 5-star prospect. So, Keeley could become the face of what head coach Billy Napier will hope is a defensive resurgence.
Alabama and Ohio State represent the safest paths for Keeley, but it's hard to rule out Florida if immediate involvement is a crucial factor in his decision-making process.
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Caleb Williams Celebrated as Heisman Frontrunner as USC Holds on to Beat UCLA
Nov 20, 2022
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans looks to pass against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter in the game at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The No. 7 USC Trojans clinched a spot in the Pac-12 championship game with a 48-45 win over the No. 16 UCLA Bruins on Saturday night at Rose Bowl Stadium and improved to 10-1 on the season.
The Trojans sealed the win when Korey Foreman picked off Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson with 1:26 remaining in the game, but it was quarterback Caleb Williams who stood out above the rest.
Williams completed 32 of 43 passes for 470 yards and two touchdowns against one interception in the win. He also rushed for 32 yards and a score on eight carries.
Following the win, Williams was celebrated as the Heisman Trophy frontrunner on Twitter:
USC-UCLA delivered in a big way. And this being the first time most of the country watched a USC game this year, methinks Caleb Williams will be shooting up Heisman lists this week.
Caleb Williams put himself No. 1 in the Heisman race tonight. USC needs to beat Notre Dame and the winner of Oregon/Utah to make the playoff. Not a bad Year 1 for Lincoln Riley.
Williams has been one of the best quarterbacks in college football this season. He entered Saturday's game having completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 3,010 yards and 31 touchdowns against two interceptions in 10 games, in addition to rushing for 283 yards and six scores.
If Williams is going to win the Heisman, he'll have to put together another impressive performance against the No. 18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish next weekend to close out the season.
Michigan running back Blake Corum and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud have also been mentioned in the Heisman Trophy race.