William & Mary 74, Grambling 55: At Williamsburg, Virginia, Alexandra Masaquel scored 16 points to lead William & Mary (2-0) to the win over Grambling (0-2). This year the desired proof is that it belongs where it is now, among the four teams who would qualify for the playoff.
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The Buckeyes, who most recently hosted a top-10 opponent in 2009 when No. 3 Southern California rallied to an 18-15 win, must beat MI State to head to No. 13 MI (8-2, 5-1) the following week in control of their Big Ten fate.
Scratch Stanford off the list of College Football Playoff contenders.
Ohio State (10-0, 6-0) has had problems against Cook in the past. The visit marks GameDay’s 14th trip to Ohio State and the first of the Meyer era in Columbus. All four teams have a chance to earn at least a share of the East Division crown and a berth in the Big Ten title game, though only Ohio State can clinch a division championship and/or punch a ticket to Indianapolis this weekend. “We have to rise up to the challenge. I think it’s important we look forward and be able to accomplish the goals that we’re trying to get to”. It’s being said every week – Ohio State might not be killing teams, but eight of the ten wins were by double-digits.
“They tend to wear you down”, IL coach Bill Cubit said of the Buckeyes. We did a few things really, really well, but we’ll need to play better. This is not a ideal team.
Is it ideal? No, it’s never flawless.
So it just comes to a matter of this will be a new experience for all of us.
“I don’t think there is any way we’re discouraged”, he said.
Meyer said that he and his assistants have spent an “inordinate” amount of time this season sorting out the quarterback situation. We threw for over 300. Facing the Buckeyes’ defense will be great for evolution purposes, due to all of the talent they possess. He nailed a 46-yarder, but then hit a 50-yard attempt off the right goal post. “I would encourage the fans to come early and adhere to the new bag policy, and we’ll get them in smoothly and have a family fun event, and go Bucks”. If Connor Cook is ready to go, MI State has tons of playmakers to play around.
Cook’s replacement Tyler O’Connor was 6 of 11 in passing for 44 yards and a touchdown.
“You see it just how we see it”, Ohio State guard Pat Elflein said of Ohio State’s upcoming stretch, which he said he noticed as soon as the Buckeyes’ schedule was first released. IL was confused on their own play and Ohio State’s defense easily stuffed the run for the turnover on downs. “Cook will play. He’s a competitor”. It’s something we’ll have to work on.
No, Ohio State doesn’t have far and away the country’s best defense.
“I want to attribute that to my defense, ” he said.
“It’s really insane that three years has flown by so quick and my brother (2016 OSU recruit Nick Bosa) is going to be taking my place here next year. All three of us are playing for something so it’s going to be a big-time atmosphere”, he said. With games against MI State and MI to end the regular season, the competition now gets stiff.
“It’s a feel of the game (type of thing)”, Meyer said on determining a change at quarterback. “We’re going to take a more aggressive approach to how we go about our business”.
A complete explanation of the policy and a list of approved and banned items can be found at http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/gameday/.
The Buckeyes rolled over IL on Saturday, crushing the Illini to the tune of 28-3.
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Thirteen defensive players graded out as “champions”, meaning they met or exceeded expectations.
