The transfer portal is open though, and that impacts both the Buckeyes and our numerous local high school graduates playing college football at the highest level across the country.
Here’s what you need to know heading into the weekend:
Joe Burrow persevering on and off the field this week
It kind of feels like the Bengals’ star quarterback can’t win for losing in 2024.
While putting up another great performance for a national television audience and actually getting his team a win this time, Burrow’s home was burglarized.
That is understandably upsetting to anyone, and he admitted the incident is taking its toll on him along with the weight of the team likely not making the playoffs despite the offense putting up big numbers.
Compartmentalizing off-field issues and keeping it out of mind when trying to prepare for his job on the field isn’t easy. The Bengals’ quarterback is in the midst of his best season individually but trying to help his team finish the season strong after a 5-8 finish.
“It’s definitely been difficult this week, but for the most part, I’m pretty good at it, considering during the season, you don’t really have a personal life,” Burrow said. “It’s kind of all football. Obviously, things come up that you don’t expect, and when those come up you try to do your best to handle them quickly and be able to move on from it and focus on ball.”
READ MORE: Burrow burglary
Looking toward next season?
Another big story this week was No. 2 receiver Tee Higgins reportedly changing agents, something that came to light after Burrow expressed optimism the team can re-sign him as a free agent this winter.
I am not sure that would be the wisest way for a team with a lot of roster issues to spend its money, but it is a sure sign next year is already on the minds of many around the team.
However, four games remain to play, and winning out does not see that outlandish (believe it or not).
The Bengals play bad teams this week (Tennessee Titans) and next (Cleveland Browns) before finishing with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Broncos are 8-5 but heating up, having won their last three, while the Steelers could be resting their starters in Week 18.
Win all of those, and the playoffs are still possible (though not guaranteed, either). Lose any, and that is likely going to be all she wrote.
What about Sunday?
The Titans are 3-10 with lots of question marks under first-year head coach Brian Callahan, the former Bengals offensive coordinator.
On paper, this surely looks like a get-well game for the beleaguered Bengals defense, but then again styles make fights and Tony Pollard has 937 yards rushing.
Struggling quarterbacks like Will Levis have sometimes had their way with Lou Anarumo’s crew over the years, too, and the Bengals must be on the lookout for this being one of the three or four times a year Callahan crafts a strong game plan.
On the flip side, Tennessee curiously is allowing lots of points but not many yards, but perhaps the Bengals offense has reached the point it can have its way with just about any defense.
Hot stove update
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
I am unabashedly optimistic about the 2025 Cincinnati Reds.
Perhaps that is foolish, but that is the point of following sports, right?
A little hope never hurt anyone, and they seem to have lots of ingredients to make a big jump in the standings after going 77-85 last season under David Bell.
The biggest could be Bell’s replacement, Terry Francona, who might actually appear to hold payers accountable for mistakes on the base paths and in the field that undercut the team even more than injuries last season.
“There are always the same challenges,” he told the Associated Press this week. “We want to see how good we can get, and when we lose, it’ll kill me. When we win, I’ll be fine. I’ve never found a way to gain perspective. I think it’s too late for that.”
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