** 2024 Opponent Preview : Ohio State (Game 8) **
- Thread starter Saunders
- Start date
admo
New member
I'm not believing in the unanimous hype this year for Ohio State. Pre-Season #2 and best odds to make playoffs.
Supposedly they said they are going to mirror Michigan, with a dominating defense and power run game, with less passing.
Will Howard (KSU transfer) was named the starting QB today. He is pretty good but not a Heisman candidate type player. Probably not even All-American. But since he is on OSU, that could change.
The game time has not been determined yet, but I believe Oregon will beat Ohio State and they will likely meet again for the CCG. I also think Penn State might have a White Out Game and play OSU at night and could beat them as well. Shoot, even Nebraska could pull off an upset (although highly unlikely) after OSU plays Iowa & Oregon.
And the bottom line for me, I'm not so sure Ohio State will be as explosive offensively in 4 or 5 games. And defense will carry them for only so long. But it will help their offense by playing super easy games the first 4 of the season.
OSU Schedule
Akron
WMU
BYE WEEK/OFF
Marshall
at Michigan State
Iowa
at Oregon
BYE WEEK/OFF - Of Course
Nebraska
at Penn State
Purdue
Northwestern (Wrigley Field)
Indiana
Michigan
Note: They loss 2 games last year and coulda/shoulda lost to Notre Dame (final drive).
Supposedly they said they are going to mirror Michigan, with a dominating defense and power run game, with less passing.
Will Howard (KSU transfer) was named the starting QB today. He is pretty good but not a Heisman candidate type player. Probably not even All-American. But since he is on OSU, that could change.
The game time has not been determined yet, but I believe Oregon will beat Ohio State and they will likely meet again for the CCG. I also think Penn State might have a White Out Game and play OSU at night and could beat them as well. Shoot, even Nebraska could pull off an upset (although highly unlikely) after OSU plays Iowa & Oregon.
And the bottom line for me, I'm not so sure Ohio State will be as explosive offensively in 4 or 5 games. And defense will carry them for only so long. But it will help their offense by playing super easy games the first 4 of the season.
OSU Schedule
Akron
WMU
BYE WEEK/OFF
Marshall
at Michigan State
Iowa
at Oregon
BYE WEEK/OFF - Of Course
Nebraska
at Penn State
Purdue
Northwestern (Wrigley Field)
Indiana
Michigan
Note: They loss 2 games last year and coulda/shoulda lost to Notre Dame (final drive).
Last edited by a moderator:
Husker in WI
New member
I think Howard is probably a clear upgrade from McCord. That's obviously offset by losing Marvin Harrision Jr, but adding Judkins was huge. They have 2 RBs who have combined for 5,400 rushing yards in the Big Ten and SEC, still the most talented WR room in the country, and an experienced OL. I do agree Oregon is right there with them and Penn State is good enough to beat them with a wild home environment, but things have lined up well for OSU this year and I think the preseason accolades are warranted. OSU doesn't need to be explosive offensively until week 7 against Oregon.
Will Howard couldn’t even start at Kansas State this year, was apparently afraid of competition, and didn’t have amazing numbers last year. I also don’t believe the hype and I think it’s a winnable game for Nebraska this year.
IF Nebraska has another dominant defense and the offense takes a decent step forward with a young but hopefully competent QB, that makes for a tough 4 game stretch for TheOSU. Luckily the bye week is tucked in there or I could easily see two losses and a third if they were struggling with injuries.
I've never understood the infatuation with Will Howard by the USC's and Ohio St of the world. He's a good QB, but he's a guy that's topped out as a 60% passer at only 7.5 Y/A.
Those numbers will likely both be better with Ohio St receivers, both getting open more and being much better after the catch, but that's sorta what's perplexing. Ohio St will win virtually every game just stepping onto the field with their insane talent advantages. It's those other games they need someone special back there and I have serious doubts that Will Howard is that guy.
Those numbers will likely both be better with Ohio St receivers, both getting open more and being much better after the catch, but that's sorta what's perplexing. Ohio St will win virtually every game just stepping onto the field with their insane talent advantages. It's those other games they need someone special back there and I have serious doubts that Will Howard is that guy.
runningblind
New member
I have to believe they are hoping to be up so much on teams they can let the 4/5 star backups play a lot in hopes one of them can take over by the end of the year to be that something special.
admo
New member
New OC - Chip Kelley from UCLA. I can't give him mad love as an OC from what he did at Oregon, because it's been so long ago. Plus he's been to Philly and San Fran also (NFL). Now he might be more suited as the OC and play caller than a HC these days. So that will be kind of interesting.
Took the liberty to recap returning starters on offense and key transfers. I have a lot of questions. For a first time starter, McCord was not as bad as he was made out to be. He also took a lot of criticism and blame that wasn't warranted. If it wasn't for McCord throwing darts against ND in the final drive, they would have lost. He won that game for them. If McCord returns for his 2nd year starting at OSU, he would most def be a better QB than Howard.
I don't think Howard is better. At KSU he had an opportunity to beat Texas and when the game was on the line, Texas brought pressure and Howard played slow and looked awful, and they blew a chance to win. He is a good player, but there is some not-so-good play by Howard on film for good defenses in the Big Ten to look at too.
Anyway, this is my summary of their new Offense. Which has a lot of questions at several key positions. Even though every media outlet thinks this is an amazing offense.
QB: Starter transfered to Syracuse. Incoming starter is transfer from KSU. The Backup QB has limited experience, although was highly recruited. Also has 2 true freshmen 5 star recruits in the mix.
RB: Very good if not the best duo in country. Lots of depth too.
WR: Only one returning starter. Had 500 yards. Lost Harrison, Julian Flemming and a lot of explosive production. Next best returning WR had 18 catches. The position has a few 5 star true freshmen recievers.
TE: Lost their 2-time captain starting TE. Backups have some previous experience. Also got a transfer from Ohio who has 41 career catches.
OL: Struggled last year, a little inconsistent, but has 4 returning starters and a transfer from Alabama (C). Have lots of depth, but this group still comes with concerns and question marks.
Special Teams - FG kicker returns (hit 80%) but is a walkon. Punter is a walkon that will replace last years starter.
So you have some concerns with Special Teams. You have a weaker WR group than you've had in years. You lost your starting TE who was the glue and 2 year captain. You are breaking in a transfer QB and OC that haven't worked together in games, and they weren't with OSU last year. Nor were they around during the days when OSU was a high powered offense. And, I have read that the OL - even though 4 starters return plus a transfer starter - they received a lot of criticism for not being a great line last year.
Took the liberty to recap returning starters on offense and key transfers. I have a lot of questions. For a first time starter, McCord was not as bad as he was made out to be. He also took a lot of criticism and blame that wasn't warranted. If it wasn't for McCord throwing darts against ND in the final drive, they would have lost. He won that game for them. If McCord returns for his 2nd year starting at OSU, he would most def be a better QB than Howard.
I don't think Howard is better. At KSU he had an opportunity to beat Texas and when the game was on the line, Texas brought pressure and Howard played slow and looked awful, and they blew a chance to win. He is a good player, but there is some not-so-good play by Howard on film for good defenses in the Big Ten to look at too.
Anyway, this is my summary of their new Offense. Which has a lot of questions at several key positions. Even though every media outlet thinks this is an amazing offense.
QB: Starter transfered to Syracuse. Incoming starter is transfer from KSU. The Backup QB has limited experience, although was highly recruited. Also has 2 true freshmen 5 star recruits in the mix.
RB: Very good if not the best duo in country. Lots of depth too.
WR: Only one returning starter. Had 500 yards. Lost Harrison, Julian Flemming and a lot of explosive production. Next best returning WR had 18 catches. The position has a few 5 star true freshmen recievers.
TE: Lost their 2-time captain starting TE. Backups have some previous experience. Also got a transfer from Ohio who has 41 career catches.
OL: Struggled last year, a little inconsistent, but has 4 returning starters and a transfer from Alabama (C). Have lots of depth, but this group still comes with concerns and question marks.
Special Teams - FG kicker returns (hit 80%) but is a walkon. Punter is a walkon that will replace last years starter.
So you have some concerns with Special Teams. You have a weaker WR group than you've had in years. You lost your starting TE who was the glue and 2 year captain. You are breaking in a transfer QB and OC that haven't worked together in games, and they weren't with OSU last year. Nor were they around during the days when OSU was a high powered offense. And, I have read that the OL - even though 4 starters return plus a transfer starter - they received a lot of criticism for not being a great line last year.
Last edited by a moderator:
It's possible, but I don't think so. That's an especially expensive part time player. Brown has had a few chances now to win the job and just can't. Probably best he looks for a new home this offseason. The two frosh are very talented, but they just don't seem to be ready. Sayin, in particular, needs to go eat a cupcake or something.