50 For 50: New Look, New Results For CJ Hicks?

Welcome to our daily feature that I am calling “50 for 50” where I attempt to get us to Big Ten Media Days — which are 34 days away — with a daily sampling of what we can look forward to this upcoming college football season. Today’s edition features Ohio State defensive end CJ Hicks, linebacker Payton Pierce, and more.

As always, we will do this via the following categories: the 50 biggest individual matchups for the Buckeyes this season, the 50 most important college football games this season, 50 Buckeye things to look forward to this season, 50 national predictions, 50 Big Ten predictions, and 50 predictions involving the Buckeyes.

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Biggest Buckeye Matchups

MINNESOTA RB DARIUS TAYLOR VS. OHIO STATE LB PAYTON PIERCE

Minnesota’s Darius Taylor is one of the best running backs in the Big Ten when he is healthy. And when he’s playing against mediocre defenses, he’s just about the best guy you can find. The latter won’t be in play when he faces Ohio State in Columbus on October 4. This is the kind of game that could lead to a season high in tackles for Ohio State sophomore linebacker Payton Pierce. Minnesota is run-heavy enough to involve OSU’s No. 3 linebacker, but this could also be enough of a blowout for Pierce to see more action than he would in a typical game. Pierce will have a role as OSU’s third linebacker, and this is a game designed for him to stand out.

Most Important Games

TEXAS A&M AGGIES AT TEXAS LONGHORNS, NOV. 29

Texas A&M hasn’t played in Austin since 2010, which also happens to be the last time the Aggies got a win over the Longhorns. Last year was their first matchup since 2011, which Texas won 17-7 in College Station. This is the regular-season finale, so the winner is almost certainly in the College Football Playoff and the loser is likely out. What more you could ask for? Other than the FBI to take a hard look at the Aggie Yell Leaders, of course.

Things To Look Forward To

CJ HICKS GETTING A NEW LOOK AT DEFENSIVE END.

It wasn’t that long ago that CJ Hicks was the No. 1 linebacker recruit in the nation. Now he is a senior at Ohio State who is still trying to make his mark. This year, he’ll be looking to make that mark on opposing quarterbacks. Hicks has made the move from linebacker to defensive end, which will be an interesting marriage of Hicks’ speed and athleticism (at 6-foot-3 and 240-odd pounds) and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s creativity. There is a wide range of possibilities for what CJ Hicks will do this year, and it’s sure going to be interesting watching it all unfold.

National College Football Predictions

NOAH ROGERS WILL SCORE A TOUCHDOWN AGAINST NOTRE DAME.

Former Ohio State wide receiver Noah Rogers transferred prior to the 2024 season, ending up at North Carolina State, which is basically his home. He finished third on the team with 35 catches last year and second with 478 yards, scoring once. This year, he’s going to be bigger factor in the offense, and one of his biggest games will take place October 11 at Notre Dame. He will be matching up at times with All-American cornerback Leonard Moore, who was outstanding as a freshman. I don’t know if Rogers’ touchdown will come against Moore, but it is definitely happening at some point in this game.

Big Ten Football Predictions

DILLON THIENEMAN WILL NOT BE ALL-BIG TEN.

Former Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman was one of the big wins of portal season for the Oregon Ducks. As a true freshman at Purdue in 2023, Thieneman was outstanding, posting 106 tackles and six interceptions. His performance was good enough to land him Second-Team All-Big Ten accolades from the conference coaches. Last year, he was a more known commodity and didn’t record any interceptions, but he did lead the team once again in tackles (104). He was an Honorable Mention All-B1G selection. This year, he’s got the necessary name recognition and he plays for a notable program, but he’s still going to be left off of the First-Team ballots thanks to Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, Minnesota’s Koi Perich, and others.

Ohio State Football Predictions

THE UCLA GAME WILL BE A NIGHT KICK.

The weekend of November 15 is way too early to project game times, but it’s not like people are going to set their travel plans to something I am predicting on the internet. However, I do truly think this will be a night game on NBC. Minnesota at Oregon is set for a Friday, so remove that as a possibility. Iowa at USC is already set for a mid-afternoon kick, so that eliminates another possibility. Penn State at Michigan State is just good enough to intrigue FOX, should they have their druthers. Michigan at Wrigley Field is also this same weekend. Basically, the Buckeyes have to have a conference night game at some point this year, right? And since it would be against UCLA, they have no power here. Plus, this is the only way Ohio State plays against quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

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