Today, more than 80% of global shipping involves containers. They're packed with everything from personal storage items in dry containers to heavy machinery on flat rack containers. For business owners shipping products, getting a container from point A to point B requires precise planning and high-level tracking. But that's easier said than done when global supply chains become over-congested, leading to loading time issues and delays.
That's bad news for business owners who are already under a massive amount of stress. The truth is that container storage delays can cripple a business, but there's a viable solution: drayage brokers in Columbus, OH like RelyEx. Drayage companies provide unique solutions to minimize demurrage and help ensure the successful delivery of your freight.
With more than 30 combined years of experience and a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx has quickly become the first choice for streamlined, efficient drayage services. To understand the true value of RelyEx's offerings in the global logistics industry, it helps to understand first what drayage is and why it's used.
If you're a seasoned business owner who uses port drayage to transport your products, you know exactly how important the service can be. But if you were to poll a group of random people, you may get five different definitions of the term "drayage." That begs the question, how is one of the most crucial steps in the supply chain and most vital components of global trade such a confusing concept? When you break it down, it's not too difficult to grasp.
Drayage, by definition, means the transportation of freight from an ocean port to another destination. Today, drayage is also used to describe the process of transporting products and goods over short distances or over "the first mile."
While drayage often means short-distance movements during the supply chain process, it's primarily used in the container shipping space. Drayage loads usually have arrival and departure points in the same city and don't include long-haul, national transportation.
Because a drayage load can mean a few different things, confusion among carriers is common. Many carriers link drayage with going into a port, but that isn't always true. While all drayage loads typically originate from a port of entry, there are often several legs of a drayage journey before a container turns up at its final stop. Legs of a drayage load may include:
You may be thinking, what's so important about drayage? It's such a small step in the container storage transport process. In reality, it's an integral piece needed in the logistics industry and a crucial part of U.S. supply chain management.
To truly understand the importance of drayage, let's use flowers as an example. Most cut flower shipments enter the market from areas in South America until they end up at Dutch auction houses. Once there, wholesalers purchase flowers in bulk and send those products to retail outlets worldwide. Because flowers are perishable, they typically need to be refrigerated and are often shipped in reefer containers. These refrigerated vessels must maintain a certain temp to prevent loss.
Drayage companies like RelyEx allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services. Drayage companies allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind, because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services.
If port drayage is compromised, it can cause delays and even fines. You know the packages you get delivered to your front door from apps like Amazon? Without drayage and drayage brokers, one or two-day shipping times wouldn't even be possible.
As a multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S. alone, it seems like drayage shipping issues shouldn't exist. But the fact is inefficiencies and congestion are still major problems at ports. Whether it's a lack of carriers, absent chassis, or overburdened terminals, delays lead to missed deadlines, lost revenue, and worse.
But anytime challenges exist, so too do innovative solutions.
QUOTE REQUESTRelyEx was created because our founders saw a need in the logistics space for more reliability and efficiency. The reality of the shipping and logistics industry is that it has become very transactional. It's an odd evolution, because most businesses seek a third-party logistics partner that is accessible, transparent, and committed to providing solutions.
As the logistics space continues to grow, it creates newfound expenses and complexities. Clients like ours know that and need a supply chain partner who is genuinely interested in their business. By understanding the needs of our customers and carriers, we can provide the most reliable, effective drayage services possible.
Unlike some drayage companies in Columbus, OH, we begin managing your containers before they ever hit the ports by mapping out the most efficient pathways of delivery. That way, our team can discover the best drayage pathways to expedite delivery time and reduce fees that cut into profits.
Our valued drayage customers choose RelyEx because:
At RelyEx, we like to consider ourselves problem solvers. The nature of the container drayage industry presents new challenges every day, but we're firm believers that there's a solution to every hurdle we encounter. And while some drayage businesses implement a reactive approach, RelyEx customers choose us for our proactive mindset. We take pride in solving your company's drayage challenges to help you avoid frustrating fees, missed expectations, and delayed shipments. We strive to make every transaction successful and streamlined by partnering with shippers who prioritize transparent, prompt, and accurate communication.
RelyEx approaches your business from the customer's perspective - a unique approach that helps us provide high-quality, effective drayage services. We've been in the customers' shoes, know their pain points, and because of that, provide first-hand solutions to stressful supply chain issues. With over 30 years of collective knowledge, our team excels in:
Our varied, high-level drayage shipping experience helps us achieve our overarching goal: expertly managing your freight movement needs. That way, you can direct your time and focus on growing the core aspects of your business while we handle the heavy lifting. Throw in proactive planning to avoid bottleneck situations and strong communication for transparent customer relations, and you can see why so many companies trust RelyEx.
When it comes to shipping logistics, it only takes one mistake by a mediocre worker to disrupt your business. That's why, at RelyEx, we pride ourselves on forming and nurturing relationships with carriers who match our standards of care. Our founding partner started his career transporting freight for companies as an on-demand carrier. He uses that knowledge to maximize the resources of our carriers so that our customer's expectations aren't just met - they're exceeded.
Based in the port city of Columbus, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Customers choose RelyEx because:
Some drayage brokers don't care how customers feel about their service as long as they sign a contract and get paid. As a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx takes the opposite approach. We're motivated by the opportunity to overachieve for our customers and to provide them with the best logistics experience possible. With professional experience as carriers and shippers ourselves, we know the roadblocks and challenges you're facing. We excel at mapping out the best plans of action to solve those problems. But that's just the start.
Our tracking experts monitor and manage every aspect of your drayage shipment from booking to delivery, 24/7. Once booked, we look for the availability of your containers hourly once they're at port. When they arrive, our team acts quickly to access your storage containers when they're available.
Plus, RelyEx ensures your company's requirements are met by the carrier during loading and delivery and provide necessary documentation as fast as possible. With real-time tracking updates and access to our customer service professionals, your team has complete visibility throughout the shipping process.
Over the years, RelyEx has built a strong network of drayage carriers, transloading locations, and container storage spaces to provide you with the best possible options to match your drayage service needs. We know that searching for quality service presents an added layer of complexity and stress to our customers. That's why we work hard to take that off your plate by connecting you with our reliable shipping partners.
With a background moving freight as an on-demand carrier, our founding partner understands how to maximize the resources and equipment of our carriers to match your needs.
Like other industries, the global logistics space is complex. Mistakes will be made, and problems will happen. With those truths in mind, RelyEx has built its reputation as problem solvers. Unlike other drayage companies, we don't shy away from this industry's complexities because we take pride in solving problems. Even better, we aim to do what's needed to avoid those problems altogether.
As your logistics partner, we will provide your company with accurate, transparent, and prompt communication. If there are unexpected issues, we'll notify you immediately and will provide several options to remedy the problem. We even offer custom reporting for large clients who need at-the-moment updates and quick access to shipment documentation.
Why let the unpredictability of your industry dictate your success? With a background working in manufacturing, our founders are familiar with the demands of managing production schedules and sales orders. That experience makes it abundantly clear to us that every business and industry is different. If you struggle with seasonal surges or other factors, our team supports your business with a mapped-out plan and schedule, so you stay ahead of the game.
QUOTE REQUESTBased in the port city of Columbus, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Demurrage is a charge issued by a port, carrier, or railroad company for storing containers that do not load and unload their cargo promptly. Once the daily limit of free time is exceeded, shippers are charged daily demurrage fees until their cargo is shipped. Though different ports have different policies, charges can range from $75 to $150 per container, per day, for a set number of days. Additional demurrage fees are incurred if a shipper exceeds the port's parameters.
Even when shippers maintain a tight schedule for unloading freight, external factors can play an uncontrollable part. Typically, shipping mistakes caused by human error trigger the most demurrage charges. Some of the most common causes of demurrage include:
Typically, shippers need four specific documents to clear shipments through customs: A Bill of Lading (or BOL), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and an arrival notice. Seasoned drayage brokers like RelyEx are used to preparing these documents, but new shippers tend to miss this step due to inexperience.
If a shipper only pays for part of their shipment, a vessel operator may refuse to release their freight until their bill is fully paid. Payment delays lead to cargo detention at the port of entry, which triggers demurrage charges.
QUOTE REQUESTPaperwork is needed when you're shipping goods with a drayage company. When documents like the Certificate of Origin or Bill of Lading arrive at their destination late, you can expect demurrage fees. RelyEx avoids this situation entirely by being proactive when submitting paperwork.
Additional causes for demurrage fees can include:
At RelyEx, we know first-hand how stressful supply chain problems can be for business owners. Though drayage shipping might seem minor on the surface, it affects every stage of your shipping process. And when inevitable hurdles manifest, RelyEx propels you over the proverbial roadblocks with a proactive mindset and a passion for challenging projects. We believe that all problems have a solution, and our unique vantage point allows us to provide first-hand solutions to customers in a wide array of industries.
When it comes to your business, don't settle for anything less than RelyEx. Contact our office today to learn more about how we make your shipping experience streamlined and stress-free.
Taking your pup on a patio outing can be a carefully coordinated adventure. Is the patio dog-friendly? Or better yet, created with four-legged friends in mind? Well there’s soon to be one spot in Columbus where the answer is a resounding yes.Bumble’s Backyard will take over ice cream shop Double Happy at 1280 Brown Rd. in southwest Columbus.First, Bumble’s a real pup and his humans, Lauryn and Evan Betterton, are behind the dog park/bar/coffee shop. Second, ice cream’s not going anywhere – this sum...
Taking your pup on a patio outing can be a carefully coordinated adventure. Is the patio dog-friendly? Or better yet, created with four-legged friends in mind? Well there’s soon to be one spot in Columbus where the answer is a resounding yes.
Bumble’s Backyard will take over ice cream shop Double Happy at 1280 Brown Rd. in southwest Columbus.
First, Bumble’s a real pup and his humans, Lauryn and Evan Betterton, are behind the dog park/bar/coffee shop. Second, ice cream’s not going anywhere – this summer or beyond.
“We feel like taking ice cream away from people in the summer is a cruel and unusual punishment,” Lauryn jokes.
Bumble’s Backyard was actually spurred by the couples’ pandemic experience. Dog parks were closed, social distancing was in order, and Bumble was keeping them afloat. Once a week they would order from Paulie Gee’s, invite friends with pups over, and hang out in the backyard, eat pizza and let the dogs run around. Dubbed backyard hangs, Lauryn says it was the best part of the week.
“This is the community we’ve been missing,” she says.
As the world emerged from its shell, a trip to the dog park kicked into gear all that was missing from the experience. Then, a foray to Schiller Park watching everyone with their dogs, some with beverages in hand, really solidified the idea – how could they do this better and put their own Columbus spin on it?
The couple got to work putting plans in order so that as soon as they found the right location, they could hit the ground running.
Lauryn says they knew they wanted to be in an area with a community feel, that was walkable and inside the 270 loop – and that they could afford. On the borders of the Hilltop and Franklinton, the area of Double Happy wasn’t initially on their list of target neighborhoods, but after one trip the location made sense. They saw people walking up and riding their bikes to the shop – it was exactly what they had been looking for.
After five years, Double Happy’s owners put the land and the business up for sale at the end of last season, and the Bettertons sealed the deal earlier this week.
As the business continues to operate as Double Happy for the summer, work will begin behind the scenes to get things ready for the transition at the end of the season (likely October). In the meantime, there will be some pop-ups on Double Happy’s grassy areas to help introduce the neighborhood to Bumble’s as well.
The structure on the site will remain, but see some interior upgrades to better accommodate a more robust coffee service and craft beer selection.
Local is the focus for the coffee, beer and ice cream. Double Happy already makes their own soft serve with milk from Indian Creek Creamery and their espresso is from Stauf’s. As they continue to manage the shop over the summer, Lauryn says they’ll look for even more ways to incorporate local products.
She’s also excited to start collecting brewery partners and says Columbus’ beer scene has it all, so why source from anywhere else?
“This will be a place that highlights the best of Columbus,” she says.
That Columbus love will extend in even more directions – from the designers working on the space, to furniture makers and local artists who will liven up the space with some murals.
As for accommodations for their four-legged clientele, Bumble’s will be blanketed in artificial, dog-friendly turf. What makes it dog friendly? It doesn’t absorb heat in the warmer months and it has good drainage for when nature inevitably calls.
Bumble’s will also employ “barktenders” – staff trained in dog behavior that can be an extra set of eyes, ears and hands to help with everything from cleaning up messes to addressing scuffles.
As dog-friendly gathering place, all seating for humans will be outdoors, but Bumble’s is working on design elements like sun shades in the summer and over head heating elements in the winter to keep things comfortable year-round.
Lauryn says they take the backyard name literally. They want it to feel just like hanging out at a friend’s house. There will be a variety of seating, a projector for watching sports and more.
“We want this to be a space that’s very welcoming, very friendly,” she says.
Bumble’s pop-ups will start in June or July, with the full-scale version debuting next spring. Hours are still coming together but Lauryn expects they will be open daily, from coffee in the morning to happy hour after work.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Earlier this week, Columbus City Council approved $250,000 for 14 faith-based and community organizations.The first-time grant is to help the organizations either start or continue the work they’re doing throughout the city.The ...
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Earlier this week, Columbus City Council approved $250,000 for 14 faith-based and community organizations.
The first-time grant is to help the organizations either start or continue the work they’re doing throughout the city.
The City of Grace Church and We Are Linden are two of the organizations receiving funding from the city. Both said they are grateful for the money and ready to continue giving back to the communities they serve.
“Our reality is we were going to do the work with or without the funding, but what this helps us do is helps us do it in a greater way,” said City of Grace Church Lead Pastor Michael Young.
Young has been pastor at City of Grace for almost 10 years now. He said they’re constantly doing work in the community, but often time, on their own.
“It’s usually self-funded, so to have this collaboration with city council is something City of Grace is ecstatic about,” Young said.
Columbus City Councilmember Nick Bankston said many of the 14 organizations receiving the funding are first-time recipients.
“They touch, really, a niche in our community, right?” he said. “Families and youth that sometimes are overlooked or don’t get served by traditional organizations.”
Organizations like City of Grace, which invest in the city’s young people.
“We want to bring in people who can help cast vision for them and give them guidance and influence in it,” Young said. “We have a financial literacy component. We have an athletics component and then we also have a mental health piece that’s going to be tied in as well.”
And grassroots organizations like We Are Linden, which aims to actively restore and empower the community.
Ralph Carter, founder and CEO of We Are Linden, said it has a youth ambassador program, which these funds will support.
“It’s meeting the youth where they are at, challenging them to be good stewards of their community, providing safe havens and a safe space,” he said.
The group’s investment in the youth is a long-term investment.
“It’s just grabbing ahold of the youth that want to change and let them be the focal point and the next change agents of their generation is what this program is all about,” Carter said.
It’s a mission Young is glad to see other organizations supporting.
“Community collaboration, other organizations, not just City of Grace, that are creating positive atmospheres and are identifying those children which cause them to see that and not necessarily get involved in some of these other activities,” Young said.
Bankston said he encourages anyone interested in giving back to follow the city’s lead and invest in the youth because by doing that, you’re investing in the community.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State men’s hockey alumnus Paul Kirtland is returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach, Buckeye head coach Steve Rohlik announced Wednesday. Kirtland, who skated with the Buckeyes from 2009-12, spent the last two years on the staff at Minnesota State.“We are excited to add Paul to our staff,” Rohlik, who has been at the helm of the Buckeyes for 10 seasons, said. “His character, work ethic and ability to develop players will be a huge asset to our program.&rdqu...
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State men’s hockey alumnus Paul Kirtland is returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach, Buckeye head coach Steve Rohlik announced Wednesday. Kirtland, who skated with the Buckeyes from 2009-12, spent the last two years on the staff at Minnesota State.
“We are excited to add Paul to our staff,” Rohlik, who has been at the helm of the Buckeyes for 10 seasons, said. “His character, work ethic and ability to develop players will be a huge asset to our program.”
During Kirtland’s tenure with the Mavericks, the squad made two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the 2022 NCAA Frozen Four championship game. Minnesota State won back-to-back Central Collegiate Hockey Association regular season and tournament titles.
“The Ohio State University is very special to my family and me,” Kirtland said. “I couldn’t be more excited to return to a place that has positively impacted my life in countless ways. I want to thank Coach Rohlik for this incredible opportunity. I cannot wait to get to campus and get started.”
A native of Vernon, Conn., Kirtland spent the 2020-21 campaign at Yale; the team did not compete during the season because of the Covid pandemic. He was on staff at Sacred Heart for two years before making the move to Yale. During his time with the Pioneers the program produced two of the best seasons in school history, including a second-place finish in Atlantic Hockey in 2019-20. The squad was third nationally in scoring offense and second in shorthanded goals that season.
Kirtland has coaching experience in both the NAHL (Fairbanks, 2013-15) and the USHL (Dubuque, 2017-18), as well as at Division III Trinity College (2015-17). The Ice Dogs won the 2014 USA Hockey Tier II National Championship and at Trinity he helped guide the Bantams to two NESCAC Tournament titles and a runner-up finish in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
A three-year letterwinner for the Buckeyes who skated in 49 games, Kirtland was an Academic All-Big Ten choice and an Ohio State Scholar-Athlete. He earned his degree in business administration from Ohio State in 2013. He played a year in the ECHL before beginning his coaching career.
Kirtland and his wife, Colleen, who was an All-American gymnast for the Buckeyes (2009-13), are the parents of a son, Cian.
The 2022-23 Buckeyes were 21-16-3 and finished third in the Big Ten with an 11-11-2-0-0-1 ledger. The squad earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament, posting an 8-1 win over Harvard in the opening round before a 4-1 loss to eventual national champion Quinnipiac in the regional final. Ohio State led the nation on the penalty kill (.887) and in shorthanded goals (10) and ranked in the Top 17 in scoring offense (3.28 goals per game), scoring defense (2.52 goals allowed per game) and power play (.218).
Policy aligns with university’s Shared Values, including commitment to diversity and innovation The Ohio State University Editor's note: The full Board of Trustees voted to adopt the campus free speech policy and the resolution reaffirming the foundational values of intellectual diversity today (May 18). The Ohio State University Board of Trustees Academic Affairs and Student Life Committee voted Wednesday to adopt a new campus free speech policy.T...
The Ohio State University |
Editor's note: The full Board of Trustees voted to adopt the campus free speech policy and the resolution reaffirming the foundational values of intellectual diversity today (May 18).
The Ohio State University Board of Trustees Academic Affairs and Student Life Committee voted Wednesday to adopt a new campus free speech policy.
The university’s full board will consider the proposal today to align with state law concerning campus free speech. The law requires universities in Ohio to adopt a policy affirming several principles of campus free speech and a process under which a student, student group or faculty member may submit a complaint about an alleged violation of the policy.
Today, the board will also consider a resolution reaffirming the foundational values of intellectual diversity. In a unified statement of opposition to Senate Bill 83, the trustees shared their commitment to free speech, open dialogue and the importance of diverse views. They pointed out the university is already taking steps to emphasize that all viewpoints are welcome and respected on Ohio State campuses.
“I think that it has undergone a thorough review from us, from the faculty, from the administration, and I think we are all feeling pretty good about the fact that it does underscore our commitment to free expression and free speech,” said trustee Jeff Kaplan.
Ohio State trustees initially passed an interim free speech policy and process at their August 2022 meeting.
Following the 2022 approval, the university reviewed the interim policy through the established university policy process, including by soliciting feedback from students, faculty and staff to ensure that the policy emphasizes the value of free speech and promotes its application through established university rules, procedures and practices.
Some of the key principles of the policy include:
The policy aligns with the university’s Shared Values, which include a commitment to diversity and innovation. Ohio State promotes a culture of welcoming differences, making connections among people and ideas, and encouraging open-minded exploration, risk-taking and freedom of expression.
As a land-grant institution, the university takes seriously its role in promoting and supporting public discourse. The university is steadfastly committed to protecting the First Amendment right to free speech and academic freedom on its campus, and to upholding the university’s academic motto – “Education for Citizenship.”
Students, student groups and faculty members of Ohio State may submit a complaint about an alleged violation by a university employee of the campus free speech policy.
Complaints about alleged violations of this policy by university employees must be made to the Office of University Compliance and Integrity at compliance-integrity@osu.edu or through the university’s anonymous reporting line at 866-294-9350 or ohio-state.ethicspoint.com.
247Sports Embed ResourceDot LoaderIn some seasons, it's easy to predict Ohio State's record as 11-0 heading into the final game of the regular season against rivals Michigan. While the Big Ten always presents challenges, the Buckeyes have proven to be a step above most of the teams in the conference, certainly those in the East division, in recent years, with the Wolverines being the only relevant exception.This may not be as easy to do in 2023. The Scarlet and Gray don't have the clear path to 11 wins that the team has ...
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In some seasons, it's easy to predict Ohio State's record as 11-0 heading into the final game of the regular season against rivals Michigan. While the Big Ten always presents challenges, the Buckeyes have proven to be a step above most of the teams in the conference, certainly those in the East division, in recent years, with the Wolverines being the only relevant exception.
This may not be as easy to do in 2023. The Scarlet and Gray don't have the clear path to 11 wins that the team has had in the past. This isn't to say that a talented Ohio State team can't head to Ann Arbor undefeated in late November, especially if questions surrounding the offensive line, quarterback and secondary are answered early on, but just that it may be a bit more difficult this fall than it has in the past because of the team's more challenging schedule.
While the Buckeyes will have to go to Notre Dame in Week 4 and Michigan to end the year, the most difficult stretch of the season for the Scarlet and Gray will come in October. On consecutive Saturdays, Ohio State will play at Purdue, welcome Penn State to Ohio Stadium and travel to Wisconsin, the latter two of which could be ranked for those games.
This stretch could be the determining factor in how successful the 2023 season winds up being.
Steve Helwagen joins to talk Ohio State & Georgia, shushing staff whispers and what to do about B1G expansion.
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As it stands, Buckeye fans may not be concerned about a trip to West Lafayette, but all will certainly remember the last road game against the Boilermakers when the Scarlet and Gray were upset 49-20. The key players from that game are all gone, including both head coaches, so really what happened in 2018 has nothing to do with what will happen in 2023, but it's still worth bringing up because Ohio State can't be caught just expecting to roll out the footballs and win at Ross-Ade Stadium again.
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Remember, this is a Purdue team that won the Big Ten West last year with a 6-3 conference record and played Michigan tight for the first half of the Big Ten Championship Game. While a number of the pieces from that team are no longer in West Lafayette, especially on an offense that was top five in the conference last season, the Boilermakers have added some interesting pieces, including Texas transfer Hudson Card at quarterback and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Graham Harrell.
While it will be Ryan Walters' first year as the head coach at Purdue, he proved what he can do with an Illinois defense that ranked No. 1 in the country in points allowed and No. 3 in yards given up last year and had three players selected in the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. If Walters is able to get a Boilermaker defense that gave up 27.4 points per game in 2022 playing anywhere close to what he had in Champaign, Illinois last year, this team could be dangerous once again.
This is a Purdue team that has a projected win total of five by Caesars and ESPN's FPI has the Boilermakers ranked inside the top 50 nationally, meaning this team isn't expected to be a complete pushover.
By Week 7 of the season, Purdue will have settled in and could be a trickier-than-expected opponent for Ohio State if the Buckeyes are caught looking ahead.
And it wouldn't be out of the question for the Scarlet and Gray to look ahead with the Nittany Lions coming to Columbus on Oct. 21. This is a Penn State team that gave Ohio State trouble last year on the road -- the visitors were largely saved by a historic performance from defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau -- and is expected to be even better this season, some believe the dark horse to come out of the Big Ten East.
The Buckeyes got a taste of what this Nittany Lions' backfield can be at Beaver Stadium last fall when Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton rushed for 121 combined yards and a touchdown in what was a nervy 44-31 win for the Scarlet and Gray. Those two running backs were just freshmen then and now have a full year of experience under their belt. And given that many in Happy Valley called for quarterback Drew Allar to start as a freshman as well last year, believing Sean Clifford held the offense back, this could be a more explosive offense than the one that put up 482 total yards on Ohio State last season.
Penn State will have to retool the defense in 2023 after defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and safety Ji'Ayir Brown all departed a group that was top 10 in scoring defense and top 20 in total defense. The return of sophomore linebacker Abdul Carter is a bonus but others will need to step in order for the Nittany Lions to be a factor in the division.
It's been since 2011 that Penn State came into the Horseshoe and won a game but this may be as talented of a Nittany Lions team, especially on offense, that head coach James Franklin has had. There's no doubt this will be a motivated group after playing third fiddle to the Buckeyes and Wolverines for so many years and Penn State will certainly be a test for the Scarlet and Gray in Week 8.
This stretch of games ends with a trip to Madison to face the Badgers. Playing in a rocking Camp Randall Stadium, in what is likely to be a primetime game, is never easy and Ohio State upsets have happened there before. Then add in some motivating factors and this could be the most difficult test for the Buckeyes of this stretch.
Those motivating factors start with Luke Fickell taking over the Wisconsin program. Fickell, the former Scarlet and Gray defensive lineman, assistant coach and interim head coach, left Cincinnati this offseason to move to the Big Ten, something most people didn't believe would happen unless Ohio State was the school interested in his services again. There is no doubt that Fickell, who went 0-1 against Ryan Day and the Buckeyes during his time with the Bearcats, and his staff, which features others with connections to the Scarlet and Gray, would love nothing more than to knock off Ohio State in Year 1 with the Badgers.
Then there's the on-field factor.
While Fickell is a defensive coach by nature, he hired Phil Longo -- most recently at Ole Miss and North Carolina -- to be his offensive coordinator. Wisconsin added three quarterback transfers this offseason after the passing attack was No. 11 in the Big Ten last year. The Badgers will still lean on running back Braelon Allen who rushed for 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman in 2022.
Defensively, Fickell's fingerprints will be all over that side of the ball. His Cincinnati teams were consistently in the top 20 in total defense and it was a big reason the Bearcats were the first Group of 5 team to make the College Football Playoff. Wisconsin's defense was one of the best in the Big Ten last year and although the team lost linebacker Nick Herbig, there remains talent for Fickell to work with and improve.
However this game goes, it could be the first of two meetings between the Buckeyes and the Badgers in 2023, with a rematch coming in the Big Ten Championship Game in December.
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If history is any indication, the Scarlet and Gray will manage this three-game stretch appropriately and come out of it unscathed. In the last five seasons, Ohio State only has one loss to a Big Ten team not named Michigan, that being the upset loss at Purdue. What that tells us is the Buckeyes generally handle even the toughest of Big Ten opponents.
But there is certainly room for a slip up on the 2023 schedule. The Boilermakers may not have the talent of the Scarlet and Gray but will certainly put up a fight at home. Ohio State has home field advantage against Penn State, but the Nittany Lions will want revenge for letting last year's game in State College get away and could make a statement with a win in Columbus. Fickell's Badgers shouldn't need the extra motivation the staff with connections to the Buckeyes will give them when the Scarlet and Gray come to town, but a talented team will have just that.
Ohio State will have to be ready for every game this fall to ensure a Big Ten title and a return to the Playoff. But this slate in the second half of the season will provide the most difficult challenge for the Buckeyes.