Ohio State has not won a primetime non-conference home game against a Power 5 opponent since 2003. The Buckeyes have a chance to end that streak against Oklahoma on Saturday night, but before the big game, Eleven Warriors takes some time to answer your questions.
How do you see the game being played out in the trenches per Oklahoma's O-line versus the Buckeyes D-line? Who will win that battle over a period of 60 minutes? - Icouldnotgofor3
Initially, I think this matchup is a wash. However, since the Ohio State defensive line can rotate as many as 10 players up front, I think the Buckeyes have the ability to wear down the Oklahoma offensive front. Orlando Brown is an absolute stud and I think he will protect Baker Mayfield's blindside, but I think OSU will have plenty of opportunities to get Mayfield to the ground as the game drags on.
Will OSU fans show up for 4 quarters (if needed) and give a true home field advantage? - FitzBuck
No. Ohio Stadium hasn't been consistently loud since the Buckeyes hosted USC in 2009. That isn't entirely the fans' fault. Ohio State plays an obnoxious amount of ads in between timeouts now and doesn't allow the band to play nearly as much, which kills any momentum the fans might build following big plays for OSU. The blackout against Penn State in 2015 created a cool atmosphere, but Ohio Stadium hasn't been loud for an entire game since the Trojans beat the Buckeyes 18-15 in September of 2009.
What are the odds OU tries to use tempo in an effort to keep the Rushmen package off the field? - Deacon
This is a great observation and I think Oklahoma would be wise to use tempo early against Ohio State's defense. The issue is, tempo doesn't give you an advantage unless you are gaining consistent yards. I think the Buckeye defense will be able to limit the Sooners' interior run game, which will limit Oklahoma's ability to go tempo. It is one of the reasons I am picking Ohio State to win this game (more on that later).
We hear a lot about the OU offense...which unit on their defense will have the potential to cause the most issues for J.T. and co.? - Baroclinicity
The Oklahoma defensive line doesn't get enough credit, but linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is probably the Sooners' best defensive player. Okoronkwo will line up as an edge rusher for most of the game, but has the ability to drop into coverage as well. I think his speed off the edge will test the Buckeyes, in particular Isaiah Prince, who has struggled in pass protection in his time at Ohio State. I expect Oklahoma to take out a page out of Indiana's playbook and drop plenty of defenders into coverage to try and force Barrett into turnovers.
With Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine going pro, does the Buckeye defense allow less than 100 yards rushing? - Browns88
I think Ohio State's defensive line will ultimately win the matchup against Oklahoma's offensive line, but I also think the Sooners have a couple of big plays in them on the ground. Abdul Adams has the ability to make quick cuts in the hole, and also catch the ball out of the backfield. Oklahoma will use a running back by committee approach, led by Adams. To answer the question, I think the Sooners eclipse 100 yards rushing, but for them to win the game, they will need to dominate through the air.
I don't see the Buckeyes, or any other team for that matter, shutting down Mark Andrews, so what needs to be done to limit his impact? - BuckeyeSouth
Ohio State needs to put more than one defender on Andrews at all times. The rest of the Oklahoma receivers are largely unproven, so I expect the Buckeyes to play their usual press man coverage on everyone else. For Andrews, though, I expect the Buckeyes to play man-to-man with a linebacker, with a safety over the top to limit his big-play ability. If I was game planning for him, I would try to take him away, make the other wide receivers beat me and live with the results.
Will the Okie defense be able to stop the Buckeye onslaught? Hit me with your score prediction. - Seattle Linga
Oklahoma has plenty of talent on defense, but its secondary remains a question. If Ohio State can connect on some deep balls, it will win this game. If the Buckeyes cannot hit on any long ones, that opens the door for the Sooners to get stops and score quickly on offense. I was very tempted to pick Oklahoma in this game, but ultimately I have to go with who is going to win the battle in the trenches. Ohio State rotates 10 men on the defensive line, I think that will wear down the Sooner front and it will be enough to win a close game. Ohio State wins, 34-30.
Who gets more carries, Dobbins or Weber? - SoulPatrol32
I still can't decide if I think J.K. Dobbins is going to supplant Mike Weber as Ohio State's starting running back, but after Urban Meyer announced Dobbins is going to start against Oklahoma, even if Weber is 100 percent, I say Dobbins gets more carries. He was much more explosive than I thought he would be in the season-opening win against Indiana. Also, Meyer compared Dobbins' work ethic as being close to Ezekiel Elliott's in practice. We never heard that about Weber.
What is your key matchup (player vs. player, unit vs. unit)? - Hovenaut
The easy answer is Ohio State's defensive line against Oklahoma's offensive line, but I am going to go another way.
The key matchup is Ohio State's receivers against Oklahoma's defensive backs. Last year, the Buckeye offense relied heavily on Noah Brown's ability to win one-on-one matchups, especially in the red zone. Ohio State doesn't have a big-body wide receiver (Binjimen Victor is tall, but weighs 190 soaking wet) to battle for 50/50 balls near the end zone this year, so someone is going to have to break free downfield. I think Parris Campbell can do it, but with him, it is a matter of hauling in the pass.
If Ohio State receivers can't win the one-on-one matchups or get separation downfield, I think Oklahoma can stack the box and possibly pull the upset.
What changes do you think we'll see in the secondary, since they got picked on a little bit? - Sightlygrain6
I think you will see Ohio State be more willing to play zone coverage early on if it continues to get beat on back-shoulder throws like it did against Indiana. That change didn't come until the second half against the Hoosiers, but if the Sooners have similar success, I expect the Buckeyes to make the change a lot faster in this game.
Additionally, I expect the safeties to play a bigger role in this game, especially with the talent Andrews brings to the field. I wouldn't be shocked to see a Buckeye safety be involved in a pivotal play in this game, good or bad. I think Andrews will get plenty of targets. The Ohio State safeties will play an integral role in trying to slow him down.
I never gamble, but I'm gonna lay the points and drop a Benjamin.
Bucks roll big in this one.
Q: Can I borrow a hundred dollars? - Thurdsty
Absolutely...not. I am picking Ohio State to win this game, but I am not 100 percent confident in that pick. I would not be shocked to see the Sooners win this game. I admire your enthusiasm, but this is a game I wouldn't even consider putting money on because I think this game could go either way, and hinge on one or two big plays.
