Ohio State Buckeyes Defensive Coordinator Met With Duke Blue Devils About Head Coach Opening – CFB Tracker

According to reports from the Athletic, Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles could be in play to replace Mike Elko as the head coach with the Duke Blue Devils.

Elko recently accepted the job at Texas A&M, replacing Jimbo Fisher, creating the opening.

Knowles was the mastermind behind an elite Ohio State defense that ranked at or near the top of college football in all four major categories during the regular season.

That unit ranked third in the nation in total defense, second in scoring defense, first in pass defense, and 22nd in run defense.

Other candidates that have reportedly met with Duke include Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, and North Carolina State defensive coordinator, Tony Gibson.

NOV 29 ‘THE GAME’ FAKE? There is not a bigger game in the college football regular season than the matchup between Michigan and Ohio State – especially in a year like 2023, where both teams are ranked near the top of the College Football Playoff rankings.

However, it seems not everybody feels it should be that way.

According to Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, the drama and allure of the rivalry has not only gotten out of hand but is also ‘very manufactured.’

“A lot of that seems built up from outside of the two programs. I’m not gonna go as far as to say contrived, but I mean it is hyped up to no ends. These are student-athletes. These are young kids, and young adults, who are playing this game. All we ask them to do is go out there and play their very best. … I think that is very manufactured for the TV show that people want to watch and see. But it’s not healthy. It’s not healthy for the student-athletes on either side when you’re trying to put that much (pressure) where somebody practically thinks it’s life or death. … I would say it’s not healthy.”

Harbaugh is right about one thing, a football game should never be considered life or death.

That said, based on the viewership ratings – it was the most-watched college football game in over a decade – it seems he needs to look at the data.

NOV 26 MINTER TAUNTING There is obviously no love lost between the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes, and that was on full display throughout Saturday’s edition of ‘The Game’.

Harbaugh is right about one thing, a football game should never be considered life or death.

That said, based on the viewership ratings – it was the most-watched college football game in over a decade – it seems he needs to look at the data.

NOV 26 MINTER TAUNTING There is obviously no love lost between the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes, and that was on full display throughout Saturday’s edition of ‘The Game’.

Minter’s defense made the play of the game on Saturday, intercepting Ohio State QB Kyle McCord to seal the game for the Wolverines.

NOV 25 SMITH INCENSED The Ohio State Buckeyes lost a heartbreaker to the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday afternoon, effectively ending the team’s chances at a College Football Playoff bid.

And in the midst of that game – a game that was already full of controversy coming in – an altercation erupted on the sidelines between Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith and a Michigan staff member.

In the video, Smith was seen arguing with the Michigan staff, who was seemingly questioning Smith’s credentials to be on the sideline.

Smith then fired back by identifying himself as the Ohio State athletic director, and responding with “What’s your (name)?! What the (expletive) is yours?!”

That was then followed by another staff member, instructing Smith to ‘get behind the yellow line’ on the sidelines.

Saturday was Smith’s last scheduled edition of ‘The Game’ as athletic director, with the 67-year-old set to retire in 2024.

NOV 25 MCCORD PICKED The Ohio State Buckeyes have made the first major mistake of the game in their pivotal matchup vs. the Michigan Wolverines.

Deep in their own territory midway through the first quarter, Buckeyes QB Kyle McCord threw an interception to Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson. It was McCord’s fifth interception of the year.

The Wolverines were able to take full advantage of the pick as well, scoring on a Blake Corum fourth and goal run to take the early 7-0 lead.

NOV 25 HEALTHY BUCKS The Ohio State Buckeyes have the biggest game of the college football season awaiting them at noon Eastern Time.

And fortunately for the Bucks, they are as healthy as can be expected heading into the game.

Per an injury report released by the school, the only major loss for the Buckeyes heading into the game is safety Lathan Ransom, who was already ruled out for the season after his injury vs. Wisconsin earlier this month.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines are set to face off in the biggest game of the college football season on Saturday – one that will shape the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff races.

And according to FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt, Michigan star QB J.J. McCarthy could be coming into the game with an injury.

“It seems like it’s not in his arm though. It seems like an ankle or something where I don’t feel like he has the same base that he had earlier in the year,” Klatt speculated during an appearance on The Next Round. “I think that he’s dealing with something. We’re meeting with him here in a couple of hours. I’ll see J.J. here and talk to him.”

McCarthy has been a catalyst of the Michigan offense and has thrown for 2,335 yards with 18 touchdowns and four interceptions this season.

Last year vs. Ohio State, McCarthy completed 12 of 24 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed six times for 27 yards and another score.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the newly released College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday.

And ahead of their Saturday showdown – one that will define the Big Ten title and CFP races – there is endless debate on which team should be ranked higher.

Former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer added fuel to that fire Tuesday afternoon, placing both Ohio State and Michigan in a tie for No. 1 overall in the country in his personal rankings.

“Ohio State has the best resume, two Top 10 wins. The Wolverines on film, they’re as good as anybody in the country. They might be the best on videotape,” Meyer said. “But you have to look [at] who they’re playing. They’re just, I mean, they are beating teams badly. So I think the winner of that game is the No. 1 team in the country.”

The Wolverines, of course, will be without head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was suspended for the rest of the 2023 regular season.

The Buckeyes meanwhile will be getting back linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, who missed last week’s game vs. Minnesota.

The Wolverines have won the last two games in the series, while the Bucks have been overwhelmingly dominant in the series over the last two decades, winning 17 of the last 22 games dating back to 2000.

NOV 19 NO HARBAUGH IN 2024? According to a report from college football insider Bruce Feldman, Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh could be suspended for the majority of the 2024 season, pending the results of the NCAA’s investigation.

“It would not be surprising if Jim Harbaugh – if he is still the coach at Michigan – could be suspended for the bulk of the 2024 season,” Feldman said.

Harbaugh is already suspended for the remainder of the 2023 regular season, including his team’s showdown with the Ohio State Buckeyes next Saturday.

Feldman also pointed out that, should Harbaugh be facing that type of punishment, a return to the NFL is not out of the question.

“Jim Harbaugh was a wildly successful coach in the NFL,” Feldman said. “Don’t be surprised if somebody else comes after him, and he decides ‘you know what, the time is right, maybe I’ve got to make a move.'”

NOV 18 THE GAME ON GAMEDAY The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines are a week away from their showdown in Ann Arbor, In what has become arguably the most anticipated game of the entire college football season.

And as a result, ESPN’s College Gameday will be making the trip to Ann Arbor, the show announced on Twitter.

Assuming things go as expected Saturday, the winner of this year’s addition of the game will get a ticket to the Big Ten title game, and likely the College Football Playoff.

NOV 17 MICHIGAN FIRES PARTRIDGE The Michigan Wolverines have fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge on Friday afternoon, just one day before the Wolverines battle with the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday.

The firing comes following the conclusion of the Big Ten’s investigation into Michigan’s sign-stealing controversy, which resulted in head coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended for the final three games of the regular season.

It is unclear if the investigation or sign-stealing controversy played a role in his firing.

Michigan released a statement on the decision on Partridge on Friday.

“Effective today, Chris Partridge has been relieved of his duties as a member of the Michigan football staff,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “Rick Minter will serve as the team’s linebackers coach.”

Against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Nov. 25, Rick Minter will serve as the team’s linebackers coach

NOV 11 BIG NOON The Ohio State Buckeyes will be in Big Ten prime time once again.

On Saturday, Fox announced that the Buckeyes road matchup with the Minnesota Golden Gophers has been slated for Big Noon Kickoff.

The Buckeyes have already been on Big Noon Kickoff multiple times this season. And with their playoff hopes nearly in grasp, it is no surprise that the nation l’s top team is in this position once again.

NOV 9 FEELY IN HIS FEELINGS The rivalry between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines has reached all-time highs after the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal came to light.

And now, former Michigan kicker Jay Feely is lobbing accusations right back at the Buckeyes, claiming that Ohio State had been paying players for two decades.

“I can’t listen to the BS coming from former Buckeyes who played while OSU PAID their players for 20 years,” Feely said on Twitter in response to Ohio State Alum Matt Finkes. “I was in many NFL locker rooms. Buckeyes were open about how much they were paid.”

Putting aside the fact that even IF Ohio State paid players – which there is no evidence of – Michigan was likely doing the exact same thing to keep up, Feely seems to just be the latest Wolverine to be grasping at straws trying to justify their school’s transgression.

NOV 6 BUCKEYES BIG FAVORITES The Ohio State Buckeyes have opened as major favorites over the Michigan State Spartans ahead of their Saturday matchup.

Per Fan Duel’s sportsbook, the Buckeyes will be a 28.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 46.5.

Ohio State has dominated the series with the Spartans as of late, winning the last seven matchups in a row, as well as eight of the last 10.

That said, the last two regular season wins for the Spartans over the Buckeyes (2011 and 2015) came in Columbus, with the other coming in Indianapolis in the 2013 Big Ten Championship.

NOV 4 NO RANSOM, NO BURKE, NO STOVER The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to be without two of their top defensive backs on Saturday against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, with Lathan Ransom and Denzel Burke both declared OUT, per the team.

Burke has been struggling with an ankle injury he originally suffered against the Purdue Boilermakers, while Ransom was forced to leave the game early vs. Wisconsin last weekend.

The Buckeyes will also be without star tight end Cade Stover, who was dressed out but had a brace on his knee and did not participate in warmups. It appears as though Stover was a game-time decision.

Buckeyes wideout Emeka Egbuka, who has not played since leaving the Maryland game, is not listed on the injury report.

You can view the full injury report below:

The idea that Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh was unaware of the sign-stealing plan being implemented by Connor Stalions was already difficult to believe.

Now, video has emerged from Michigan’s game vs. Michigan State in 2022, in which Harbaugh and and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore were seen clearly communicating with Stalions.

Is this definitive evidence that Harbaugh was aware of what was going on with Stalions? Not necessarily. That said, the smoke is starting to become thicker and thicker in Ann Arbor.

OCT 29 MAJOR FAVORITES The Ohio State Buckeyes now have arguably the most impressive resume in all of college football following their takedown of the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday night. But the season is far from over.

Next up for the Buckeyes is the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.

On Sunday, the opening odds were revealed for the matchup, with the Buckeyes sitting as 19-point favorites, per Draft Kings Sportsbook.

The Buckeyes are 9-0 vs. the Scarlet Knights all time.

OCT 28 MARV AGAIN In what was a defensive slugfest in the first half, the Ohio State Buckeyes finally got into the end zone early in the second quarter on Saturday night, when QB Kyle McCord hit Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 16-yard score.

The touchdown put the Buckeyes up 10-0 over the Badgers and gave Harrison Jr. his seventh score of the season.

Harrison Jr. had two catches for 51 yards and a score in the first half, while McCord tossed a pair of interceptions and completed 10 of 19 passes for 140 yards.

OCT 28 NO EXCUSES The Michigan Wolverines are the talk of college football for all the wrong reasons after being embroiled in their elaborate sign-stealing controversy.

And now, after being caught red-handed, a notable Michigan alum has seemingly had enough.

On Saturday’s edition of ESPN’s College GameDay, former Michigan Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard was noticeably frustrated with the entire narrative surrounding the situation, and has now challenged the rest of the opponents on the Wolverines schedule – including Ohio State – going forward, claiming that there are no excuses going forward.

“If there’s a silver lining, for the rest of this season there are no excuses,” Howard said. “Everybody they play now, it is what it is… Purdue, Penn State, Maryland, Ohio State… no excuses.”

Howard also believes that the scandal is an attempt to get rid of Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.

“It’s like that’s what someone is trying to make happen like they’re trying to get Jim Harbaugh out of college football,” Howard said.

Whatever the case, Michigan will surely have a target on its back for the remainder of the season.

OCT 26 MEYER ON MICHIGAN Former Ohio State Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer was always vocal about the importance of beating the Michigan Wolverines on the field.

And in the midst of the Michigan sign-stealing scandal, a spring interview with Meyer has resurfaced, revealing that he was even more dedicated to that than we initially thought – which is saying something.

In the interview, Meyer admitted that he had one coach on his staff, whose only job was to watch and study Michigan year-round.

“I’m not sure there is anybody who has respected that rivalry as much as I have,” Meyer said. “We had our own board while we were there about who they recruited, what they were doing offensively and defensively. I had one coach, that’s all he did is watch them year round.”

Meyer was 7-0 against the Wolverines as the Buckeyes head coach, winning those games by a combined score of 275-189.

OCT 22 NOON AGAIN The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off of a major win vs. the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday.

But now, they are already looking ahead to their remaining schedule, starting with the Wisconsin Badgers.

After the matchup with the Badgers in Madison this Saturday, the Buckeyes will hit the road yet again for their second road trip in a row against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Nov. 4

On Monday, the kickoff time for that matchup was revealed, with the Buckeyes and Scarlet Knights set to face off at noon on CBS.

The Buckeyes are 9-0 all-time against Rutgers and are winning those games by an average score of 47-10.

OCT 21 BROWN HURT Ohio State backup quarterback Devin Brown has been knocked out of the team’s matchup with the No. 7 Penn State, with what looks like a significant injury.

Brown entered the game for the Buckeyes short-yardage goal-line package and attempted to run the ball. After being tackled at the one-yard line, Brown remained down and appeared to be in significant pain.

Brown then attempted to get up but fell to the grown quickly after, and needed to be helped off of the field with an apparent lower-body injury.

Brown is currently questionable to return.

OCT 21 ROBINSON INJURED The Penn State Nittany Lions suffered a potentially major loss along their defensive front, with star lineman Chop Robinson being forced out of the game with an injury.

It is unclear what exactly happened with Robinson, but the injury occurred after a collision with Buckeyes offensive lineman, Matthew Jones.

Robinson was in clear discomfort following the injury and had to be helped off of the field, and has now been carted to the locker room.

Robinson is a projected first-round pick in next spring’s NFL Draft.

OCT 20 MICHIGAN ANALYST SUSPENDED Already under intense scrutiny due to their alleged involvement in an investigation revolving around a sign stealing scandal, the Michigan Wolverines have suspended football analyst Connor Stalions.

ESPN reported Thursday that the NCAA was focused on Stalions in the investigation.

And according to reports from Yahoo Sports, some Big Ten opponents were long aware of Stalions involvement in the scandal, one of which even confronted him about it.

“He spearheads the operation,” a Big Ten coach told Yahoo in a report. “I once told (Stalions), ‘We know what kind of sh** you are doing and it’s f***** up.’”

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh released a statement on the situation Thursday, denying any involvement.

“I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment,” Harbaugh said.

It is unknown if any Michigan representatives have attempted to steal Ohio State’s signs this season.

OCT 19 MICHIGAN CHEATING? The Ohio State Buckeyes arch-rival Michigan Wolverines are being investigated by the NCAA for “possibly scouting opponents in person in an alleged attempt to ascertain play calling signs,” according to reports from Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellenger.

The Big Ten has also confirmed the investigation.

“Late Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten Conference and University of Michigan were notified by the NCAA that the NCAA was investigating allegations of sign stealing by the University of Michigan football program,” the Big Ten said in a statement. “The Big Ten Conference has notified Michigan State University and future opponents. The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation. The Conference will have no further comment at this time.”

Per the report, the Wolverines allegedly sent unnamed individuals to games of scheduled opposing schools and potential College Football Playoff opponents in an attempt to learn signals for plays called on both sides of the ball.

According to NCAA rules, in-person scouting of an in-season opponent is prohibited. It is not known if these individuals made their way to Ohio State’s campus specifically.

OCT 17 NO MORE PEACOCK Ohio State Buckeyes fans were not happy about their team’s Big Ten matchup vs. The Purdue Boilermakers being broadcast on Peacock last Saturday.

Now, one Ohio politician wants to do something about it, with state senator Bill DeMora of Columbus telling the Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he intends to introduce a bill to prevent it from happening again in the future.

“I’ve heard from a lot of folks that are pissed off that the local bar doesn’t have the game or they have to spend X amount of money to buy one football game on this Peacock network so they can watch Ohio State,” said DeMora.

Saturday’s game was the first Ohio State game since 1997 that wasn’t shown on regular television.

And hopefully, it will be the last.

OCT 16 HOTTEST TICKET IN CFB? As the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes prepare to host the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions, their toughest matchup to date, the ticket prices are skyrocketing.

According to a report by OutKick, the cheapest ticket as of Monday is $246, which will get you seats in the “nosebleeds” of Ohio Stadium. Additionally, OutKick reported that the average ticket price is $759.

OCT 16 BUCKEYES FAVORED VS. PENN STATE The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes have their biggest matchup of the season to date this Saturday when they host the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium.

And now, the betting lines have been revealed, with the Buckeyes opening as 4.5-point favorites over Penn State, per SI Sportsbook.

In recent years, Ohio State has had the edge in the matchup in a big way, winning each of the last six matchups between the two teams.

The Buckeyes have also won 14 of the last 17 games in the series and are 23-14 overall vs. the Nittany Lions since 1912.

OCT 14 CHIP TRAYANUM INJURED VS PURDUE Ohio State Buckeyes running back Chip Trayanum was set to get most of the workload out of the backfield in Saturday’s meeting with the Purdue Boilermakers due to injuries in the running back room.

Unfortunately, he took a hard hit near the end of the first quarter. While getting up to run to the sideline, he stumbled to the field, which showed unofficial signs of a potential head injury. The Buckeyes were already without running back TreVeyon Henderson, who was ruled out prior to the game.

Per NBC’s broadcast, Trayanum went to the medical tent but was walking around the sideline without his helmet on. The Buckeyes will instead lean on Dallan Hayden in Trayanum’s potential absence.

At the time of his exit, Trayanum had six carries for 28 yards.

OCT 10 BUDGET WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS? As the Washington Huskies are set to join the Big-10 before the start of the 2024 college football season, their new athletic director, Troy Dannen, may not be making a good first impression on his future counterparts, especially the Ohio State Buckeyes.

In a recent interview, Dannen went as far as to take a perceived cheap shot at two other college football programs, including the Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns.

“If budgets won championships, Ohio State and Texas would win everything, and they haven’t won much lately,” Dannen said in an interview.

Obviously, Dannen is pointing to the Buckeyes’ lack of recent national championships, specifically in football, where they won their last back in 2015, which is more recent than the Huskies, who last won back in 1991.

OCT 10 DRONE OPERATOR ARRESTED The matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday was relatively uneventful.

Well, except for the odd delay shortly after the opening kickoff.

Approximately five minutes into Saturday’s game, the officials were forced to stop the action due to the appearance of a drone inside the stadium.

Now, according to documents obtained by NBC4, the operator of that drone has been arrested.

Rigoberto Canaca Escoto, 28, will face four charges for the incident – Unsafe operation of an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner, two counts of aircraft operation without a license, inducing panic by committing an offense with reckless regard, and disorderly conduct in a physically offensive condition.

Escoto was arraigned on Monday at 9 a.m. ET.

OCT 9 PENN STATE KICK SET After some weeks of speculation, the matchup between No. 3 Ohio State and No. 5 Penn State has officially been set for the Big Noon Kickoff slot of FOX.

The Buckeyes currently lead the all-time series vs. Penn State 23-14 but have dominated the series in recent years, winning 10 of the last 11 matchups.

Since the year 2000, the Nittany Lions have only won in Columbus twice, once in 2011, and the other in 2008 – both of which were one-score games.

Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day is currently undefeated against Penn State, with his teams winning by an average of 9.4 points per contest.

OCT 4 DIAZ SPEAKS… KINDA The Penn State Nittany Lions have a bye week ahead of their Week 7 matchup with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

And during their weekly media availability, Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was asked about his initial thoughts on the Buckeyes offense.

Diaz admitted that he did have very strong feelings about the Buckeyes, but ultimately decided to keep his opinions to himself.

“My opinions are absolutely very strong,” Diaz said, via Audrey Snyder of The Athletic. “And they’re absolutely going to stay to myself.”

Last season, in Diaz’s first matchup against Ohio State, the Buckeyes offense torched Penn State to the tune of 452 yards of offense, including 354 through the air from C.J. Stroud in the 44-31 Bucks win in Happy Valley.