The NFL is back! And so am I with another Skull Session.
I don't have much else to add, so I'll get out of your way and let you see what this article has to offer.
Let's have a good Friday, shall we?
BOLD STRATEGY, COTTON. The Ohio State football program took to Twitter to reveal its fantasy football picks for this season. No surprises here – the roster is stacked top to bottom with Buckeyes.
Just had our draft, hows our squad lookin pic.twitter.com/8yd6xNuQib
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 8, 2022
It's fun to ponder the true potential of a fantasy football team full of exclusively former Ohio State players. Here's who I'd run with at each position.
- QB: You won't receive much from Justin Fields because of the talent around him. He'll flash with some solid performances occasionally, but he'll mostly be replaceable from a fantasy perspective. If you count Joe Burrow as an Ohio State option, you'd be better off with him as your QB1.
- RBs: Ezekiel Elliott and J.K. Dobbins are fantastic options for starting running backs in fantasy football. Zeke doesn't have the same appeal as he used to, but he's a solid option while healthy. Once Dobbins works his way back toward the lion's share of the carries, he has great potential to prosper from a run-heavy offense in Baltimore.
- WRs: Michael Thomas was once the clear No. 1 receiver in fantasy football, especially in the points-per-reception format. However, that was in 2019 when he was healthy and had Drew Brees as his quarterback. Still, Thomas has upside with Jameis Winston passing him the ball, so he'd be the WR2. The WR1 spot belongs to McLaurin, who has dominated fantasy football for the last three years. With Carson Wentz in town, his stats should only improve.
- TE: Jeremy Ruckert gets the nod as the starting tight end as I expect him to finally use the receiving capabilities he didn't use much at Ohio State for the Jets this fall. He also scored a touchdown in the preseason, which is promising for his fantasy output.
- FLEX: This will likely be my most controversial pick, but I'd take Chris Olave here. I could go with either Olave or Garrett Wilson, but the former has an established NFL quarterback with other receiving talent surrounding him that will draw the defense's attention. Olave also has a little more big-play potential, which is excellent from the fantasy perspective.
An all-Ohio State roster would be out of luck for a kicker unless an NFL team picks up 40-year-old Mike Nugent. As for the defense, I'd take either Nick or Joey Bosa. They'll put up many points from tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles, which you have to love.
Honestly, you wouldn't do too bad in a fantasy league with only former Ohio State players on your roster. Is it a bold strategy? Sure. But let's see how it would work out for you.
TBDBITL HONORS ROYALTY. The world lost Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, leading many to send their condolences on social media. Of those messages was a video of the Ohio State marching band's rendition of "God Save the Queen" at an NFL game played in London.
Rest in peace, Queen Elizabeth. pic.twitter.com/o1VXMRjJfG
— The Ohio State University Marching Band (@TBDBITL) September 8, 2022
It was a touching tribute from TBDBITL after the queen's passing and a reminder that Ohio State has the best marching band in all the land and some of the classiest people.
BASKETBALL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY? Ohio State men's basketball will travel to Evanston, Illinois, to battle with Northwestern on New Year's Day in 2023. Don't believe me? Check for yourselves.
Our @BigTen Schedule is officially here!
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) September 8, 2022
: https://t.co/R6ZItpJuEX pic.twitter.com/k5eRf1JCwL
I couldn't have been the only person who did a double-take when they saw that on the schedule. It makes sense to some degree, though. New Year's Day 2023 falls on a Sunday, which means the NFL will boot college football bowl games to another date. Also, if all goes according to plan for Ohio State, its postseason games will be on Dec. 31 and Jan. 9, 2023, so Buckeye fans won't have to worry about it.
Another peculiar date for Ohio State basketball comes on Feb. 12, 2023, which happens to be the same day as the Super Bowl. The Buckeyes will host Michigan State in what will likely be a lead-in to pre-game coverage of the NFL championship. Honestly, I don't mind that at all. Please give me some of the Basket Bucks before the Cleveland Browns play in their first Super Bowl and win the whole dang thing.
OLYMPIC VILLAGE. Ohio State men's soccer is undefeated through its first four games this season with three wins and one draw. The Buckeyes' next test comes on Friday when they host No. 12 Butler at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Keagan McLaughlin anchors Ohio State as its goalkeeper and has posted three consecutive shutouts. He earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 6 and will look to continue his hot start against the Bulldogs. Laurence Wootton has been stellar offensively for the Buckeyes, scoring two goals and adding an assist in the early season. Wootton claimed Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors on Aug. 30.
Ohio State head coach Brian Maisonneuve previewed the matchup with Butler earlier this week, claiming his team will need to be in its best form to beat the undefeated Bulldogs.
We are 2 days out from a battle of undefeateds. The Buckeyes (3-0-1) take on No. 12 Butler (3-0-0) at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium Friday (7 pm). Check out Brian Maisonneuve previewing the matchup and what the home crowd and @BlockOSoccer have meant to the teams success so far. pic.twitter.com/7gpk2DUyxv
— Ohio State Mens Soccer (@OhioStateMSOC) September 7, 2022
"Butler is a well-coached and good team," he said. "They have some pieces that can hurt you going forward. They are very solid in the back with their spacing, athleticism and one-on-one defending. They're very good on both sides of the ball and being rewarded for it in the new poll coming in at No. 12."
Maisonneuve said the support for Ohio State men's soccer at Jesse Owens Stadium has been fantastic through the Buckeyes' first few games. He encourages fans to attend Friday's match and to create a hostile environment for the visiting team.
"It's gonna be a beautiful Friday night," Maisonneuve said. "To be at home, on our home field with a home crowd – they've come out the whole season. I know it's been a short season, but the crowds have been great. It makes a huge difference."
SONG OF THE DAY. "Hey Jude" by The Beatles.
CUT TO THE CHASE. Kellogg's wants you to add water to this new cereal... Clemson awarded a new contract to Ohio State fan-favorite Dabo Swinney... King Charles III's reign begins in England... Rewards can help people recover from addiction... A bear was caught opening an SUV door and climbing inside the vehicle.
