Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
ESPN's SP+ Rankings Love Ohio State in 1998 & 2019
The fancy numbers over at the worldwide leader — courtesy of Bill Connelly — have been quite kind to the Buckeyes' offensive performance in recent seasons. However, in the recent release of the system's rankings for teams across various decades of the sport, the affair between the two only seems to be getting sweeter.
FUN WITH SP+: I ranked the best programs of each decade, from the 1920s (Vandy fifth!) to the 2020s (Cincy 10th!). Who showed up on the most lists? Are today's powers any more dominant than yesterday's?https://t.co/pNKUwPt8cn
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) June 15, 2023
Seven total Ohio State teams slot among Connelly's SP+ rankings for the best throughout all decades of college football, tied with Alabama for the most of any program. That includes the second-highest overall spot for the 2010s decade belonging to the 2019 Ohio State team featuring Justin Fields and Chase Young, as well as the third-highest rank among teams in the 1990s with respect to the 1998 Buckeyes led by David Boston and Andy Katzenmoyer.
Per 11W Data Analyst Matt Gutridge, Ohio State placed among the 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s in addition to the previous four decades if including the current one. SP+ has the 2020 and 2021 Buckeye offenses listed as two of the top three in the last three seasons. Ohio State did not place a defense among the top five of any decade.
No doubt, the lofty ranking of the 2019 Buckeyes as a team received a considerable boost from the All-Big 10 performance from the greatest backup running back in Ohio State history: Master Teague III.
NCAA Committee Wants Cannabis Off Banned Substance List
In an official release on the NCAA's website from Friday, the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports indicated it would support the removal of cannabis from the list of banned drugs and protocols for testing:
The rationale for considering the change was largely informed by the December 2022 Summit on Cannabinoids in College Athletics and includes the consensus opinion that cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug and that a harm reduction approach to cannabis is best implemented at the school level. Additional rationale included:
- Focusing on testing for substances that provide an unfair advantage by enhancing athletic performance.
- Shifting toward a harm reduction philosophy for cannabis, similar to the approaches taken with alcohol.
- Realigning toward institutional testing and how that testing supports/enhances campus efforts to identify problematic cannabis use.
- Educating student-athletes on the health threats posed by contemporary cannabis and methods of use.
- Identifying and explaining relevant harm reduction/mitigation strategies to those student-athletes who choose to legally consume cannabis.
In addition to the policy and testing changes, CSMAS also signaled its support for the development of a comprehensive communication and education campaign that provides guidance to the membership about cannabis. — Greg Johnson, NCAA Media Center
CSMAS signals its support for removing cannabis from banned drug list and drug-testing protocols:https://t.co/hfMb4Bikcs
— NCAA PR (@NCAA_PR) June 16, 2023
A final decision on such a reversal would take place in the fall, though it is unclear when that would be relative to the start of the autumn athletics season.
Pac-12 OSU Recruit Charged with Attempted Murder
A JUCO running back committed to Oregon State earlier this month has been arrested and charged with attempted murder that allegedly occurred just hours after the recruit announced his commitment on social media.
Santa Barbara City College running back Brandon Smith announced his commitment to the Beavers hours before an alleged attempted murder. https://t.co/zD6nTiWScr
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 18, 2023
Running back Brandon Smith indicated on May 25th that Oregon State had offered him an official scholarship after an official visit that same month on the heels of a 16-touchdown season at Santa Barbara City College. Just over a week later, he committed to the Beavers, but soon afterwards faced arrest along with three other suspects when authorities responded to reports of a man seriously injured at a community pool.
Oregon State responded to an inquiry from ESPN by declaring that Smith never signed any letters of intent with the program and would not be a part of the football team in any capacity. He currently sits in jail on a $2 million bond and also faces robbery and conspiracy charges in addition to attempted murder.
ICYMI
Happy Father's Day from Eleven Warriors
Take a moment to reflect on the role many Buckeye fathers have played in Ohio State fandoms with Eleven Warriors Executive Editor, Chris Lauderback.
Ohio State Places First in Athletics Revenue and Expenses for 2022
USA TODAY updated athletics revenue rankings this week for schools across the nation, and the Buckeyes managed to beat out the University of Texas by over $10 million in athletic department revenue for the top-earning spot in America. The pair were also the only schools with more than $200 million in related expenses.
OSU Finishes Third in Director's Cup
While the Buckeyes triumphed over the Longhorns fiscally as an athletic department, Texas managed to finish just a place ahead of Ohio State in the overall postseason success of its athletic teams. However, each school watched with envy as the Cardinal once again won the award more infamously nicknamed, "The Stanford Cup."
What's Next?
- 76 Days: Until Ohio State football kicks off the 2023 season against Indiana in Bloomington
- 97 Days: Until Ohio State football invades Notre Dame Stadium to play the Fighting Irish
- 160 Days: Until Ohio State football gets revenge against Michigan in Michigan Stadium
Until then, get ready for the new Ryan Day Podcast with co-host Michael Bennett!
