Stocks have trended in the right direction for Ohio State since a loss to Oregon and a lackluster win over Nebraska.
The Buckeyes picked up a surge of momentum from their 20-13 win at then-No. 3 Penn State and rode it through blowouts of two of the Big Ten's weakest teams, Purdue and Northwestern. But now is the time to see the returns of their investments.
A stretch run to try and achieve all of Ohio State's goals was announced with a trio of triumphant receptions by Carnell Tate. Sonny Styles and Jack Sawyer are also on the rise, but the Buckeyes need Denzel Burke in better form with the challenges ahead.
Stock Up
Hometown Heroes
By now you've likely heard Tate's story and probably seen his breathtaking performance in his return to Chicago. Whether making a diving catch for his first touchdown or running over two defenders for his second, it seemed like the wind was at Tate's back in the Windy City, where his mother died tragically last summer.
Here I wanted to highlight what I think is one of the best catches of Ohio State's season, which set the Buckeyes up for their first touchdown at the 1-yard line.
Three days later I still have no clue how Tate held onto this ball. Brian Hartline said in preseason camp that Tate might have the strongest hands on the team, and after this catch, I believe him. That might be superhuman. And talk to anyone about Tate and they'll tell you he's a super human off the field too.
“So proud of that kid, man. I couldn't be happier for him, you know, coming home to his home city given all he's been through,” Will Howard said. “I don't say it a lot to him, but he's one of my favorite guys on the team, and just seeing him every single day, like, he just lifts my mood. And for him to have the game that he had here in his home city in this stadium, I couldn't be happier.”
Sonny Styles
Two sacks and two pass breakups is a rare combo for a linebacker. Yes, Styles missed a tackle or two, but it's worth the exchange when he's wreaking such havoc on opposing passing games. He's likely the most improved player on Ohio State's defense this year with 20 tackles, three sacks and three PBUs across his last three games. He's the team's leading tackler on the season, with 63 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in total.
Jack Sawyer
Yes, he missed on a couple of sacks, but Jack Sawyer had a career-high seven tackles with three quarterback hurries and a massive forced fumble, and I don't think he gets enough appreciation as one of the best run-defending defensive ends in college football. Watch him crash Northwestern's offensive line from backside C-gap to playside C-gap and combine with Tyleik Williams to stop Cam Porter for no gain.
Even if he only has three sacks this year, Sawyer has 38 tackles with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, one of which he scoop-and-scored. He runs sideline-to-sideline every down and hypes up teammates or the crowd at every turn.
Human Missiles
I'm just going to post this clip and enjoy the gorgeous, violent pageantry of Caleb Downs playing football. No other words are needed.
November Football
I'd like to retract every criticism I had for the 12-team playoff. I was a proponent of an eight-team middle ground, but there's no denying the excitement and fun surrounding the playoff hunt. The Hodgepodge still lists 22 squads with a shot at making it in. Indiana, Army, BYU and Arizona State are at the center of nationally relevant games in Week 13. This is a freakin' blast.
Georgia
I hate to break it to the masses, but Georgia is making the College Football Playoff this year. A 31-17 win over No. 7 Tennessee all but secured it. The Bulldogs improve to 8-2, meaning they still probably can't afford another loss but all that remains are UMass and Georgia Tech on their schedule.
This confidence in Georgia's CFP standing is certainly not an attempt by this writer to jinx the Bulldogs against Georgia Tech, who handed Miami its first loss of the season on Nov. 9. Georgia will win, no doubt. Carson Beck won't throw multiple interceptions in a loss. You can write it in pen.
Stock Down
Denzel Burke
In 11 games last season, Burke allowed 25 receptions for 277 yards and one touchdown per Pro Football Focus. Ten games into 2024, he's given up 27 catches for 364 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores and 179 yards did come at Oregon earlier this year.
But it just seems like Burke hasn't found his footing since Ohio State's loss to the Ducks. On four targets, he allowed four catches for 36 yards against Northwestern, which isn't terrible, but still not what the Buckeyes expect from the man who's supposed to be their star lockdown corner. While he has two interceptions this season, he has just two PBUs, a far cry from the nine he had in 2023.
The good news is, after allowing a 21-yard reception to Bryce Kirtz in the first quarter, Burke only gave up three catches for 15 yards the rest of the way. That included just two receptions for 3 yards in the second half, plays where he came up to make immediate tackles after short throws.
There's time for Burke to turn things around this season, and he's proven capable of great performances in the past. Ohio State needs him to find better form as it enters its stretch run.
TreVeyon at Kick Returner
TreVeyon Henderson is having an awesome season at running back. He's averaging an astounding 7.4 yards per carry, with 662 yards and five touchdowns this campaign. He's added 14 receptions for 105 yards and has been a phenomenal blocker. But Saturday his two kick returns combined for just 21 yards.
Henderson's first runback should have been fair caught, and his decision to return the boot cost the Buckeyes 10 yards of field position.
Ohio State's kick return game hasn't had much life this season, though that's been true across the nation in 2024, as there have been just 26 kick return touchdowns combined between the FBS' 134 teams. That's one per every 5.2 schools. More often than not, it's best to just fair catch, kids.
Games That Aren't Bangers
The BangerBucks™ play their third game against a top-five opponent for the first time in school history this Saturday, welcome Michigan to the Shoe the following week, then go to a Big Ten Championship Game to rematch with No. 1 Oregon with a win in those first two contests. From there it's the College Football Playoffs. Only bangers from here on out for the Buckeyes.
BYU
The Big 12's chances of having a two-bid league took a major hit when the Cougars suffered their first loss of the season to Kansas, 17-13. After struggling against a lot of mid-tier foes this year, BYU's chances of getting into the CFP with a second loss are slim. Win out and it will be in no matter what as Big 12 champions, but that would likely come at the expense of a playoff berth for Colorado, Arizona State or Iowa State. Finding a two-team scenario for the conference is hard, even when squinting at the landscape.
Kansas State
While BYU still has playoff hopes, Kansas State's are dead. The then-No. 16 Wildcats were handed their third loss of the season by Arizona State, 24-14, and with all three losses coming in conference play, there is no path to a Big 12 title. Meanwhile, the Sun Devils now stand at 8-2 on the year and remain in the Big 12 championship race.
If Arizona State beats BYU this week, it could put the Sun Devils in a three-way tie for second place behind Colorado, assuming the Buffs beat Kansas on the road. Iowa State, which is 5-2 in conference play just like ASU, plays at Utah.
