Ohio State returns to Ohio Stadium today for their second straight home game against Western Kentucky, which could be the most illuminating game of the season so far for the Buckeyes.
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WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS |
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2-0 ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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4 P.M. – SATURDAY, SEPT. 16 OHIO STADIUM COLUMBUS, OHIO |
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FOX FOX SPORTS |
While the quarterback competition was the dominant storyline entering the first two games, that competition is now over as Kyle McCord is expected to take all the first-team reps at quarterback today. McCord will certainly continue to be in the spotlight as he makes his third start of the season, but the bigger question is whether Ohio State’s defense can continue its dominant start to the year against a Western Kentucky offense that led the nation in passing yards a year ago.
As a marquee matchup with Notre Dame looms next week, there remain plenty of questions to be answered for Ohio State today, while Buckeyes on both sides of the ball will be looking to take advantage of a game that’s likely to feature more plays – because of Western Kentucky’s offensive pace – than the first two games of the season did.
With all of that in mind, Eleven Warriors’ beat writers share their biggest questions, top players to watch and best bets entering the third game of the 2023 season.
Questions
Will Ohio State's offensive line be a wall of violence?
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and offensive line coach Justin Frye have been clear that the Buckeyes' collective efforts from Josh Simmons, Donovan Jackson, Carson Hinzman, Matt Jones and Josh Fryar need to improve quickly, as the current level of production – particularly in the run game – will not be good enough for Ohio State to beat opponents the caliber of Notre Dame, Penn State and Michigan.
As Ohio State enters its Week 3 matchup with Western Kentucky on Saturday, I wonder how the Buckeyes' offensive line will perform as run blockers for TreVeyon Henderson and company. Western Kentucky ranks 128th nationally in rush defense with 264.5 yards allowed per game after two weeks, so if Ohio State performs poorly in that department, there is a real cause for concern before the Buckeyes head to South Bend, Indiana, to face Notre Dame next weekend.
- Chase Brown
Will Ohio State’s defensive ends get to the quarterback?
Two games into the season, no Ohio State defensive end has recorded a sack yet this year. That’s partially because neither Indiana nor Youngstown State are dropback passing offenses, but there won‘t be any excuses this week against a Western Kentucky offense that is averaging 44 pass attempts per game.
As third-year players who were five-star recruits, JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer are expected to make a bigger impact on games than they have so far. Ohio State will be counting on them to make Austin Reed uncomfortable this week in order to keep Western Kentucky’s passing offense in check.
– Dan Hope
Will Ohio State's secondary continue its dominance?
Through two weeks of football, Ohio State has the No. 5 pass defense in college football. Quarterbacks are completing just 55.3 percent of their passes against the Buckeyes, with Indiana's signal callers going 9-for-21 with a measly 82 yards through the air. Western Kentucky's air raid is a different animal, however, with quarterback Austin Reed returning after leading the nation in passing yards last year. This week will be telling as to how far Ohio State's defensive backs have come.
- Andy Anders
Can Kyle McCord establish a rhythm early after being named the starter full-time?
You'd think Ohio State's quarterback would play a bit more free and loose after earning Ryan Day's confidence on Tuesday, though he certainly performed well in the reps he received in the Buckeyes' victory against Youngstown State. Western Kentucky's defense is very feast or famine, and I expect more of the latter to come Saturday when facing weapons as talented as OSU boasts.
- Garrick Hodge
Players to Watch
Jordan Hancock
After seeing situational playing time as a slot cornerback last week, Hancock could be in line to play a much bigger role this week. Against a Western Kentucky offense that routinely has three to five wide receivers on the field, Hancock could see the lion’s share of snaps over Sonny Styles in a game where the Buckeyes will need a cornerback’s skill set at the nickel spot.
Hancock is a particularly important player for Ohio State in this game because he will likely be the player who spends the most time lining up opposite Western Kentucky’s star receiver Malachi Corley, who plays primarily out of the slot. Corley is one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football, racking up a whopping 975 yards after the catch in 2022, and Hancock will be a major factor in whether the Buckeyes can limit Corley’s impact.
– Dan Hope
JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer
After hearing Dan's question, I was shocked that he didn't pick Tuimoloau and Sawyer as his players to watch. At the same time, I am thankful, as he made my work all too easy for this category.
Tuimoloau and Sawyer came to Ohio State as blue-chip recruits with talent out the wazoo. We have seen flashes from both. In Tuimoloau's case, he had one of the best individual performances in a college football game ever against Penn State. In Sawyer's case, his 1.5-sack game against Indiana was excellent. However, we haven't seen either Buckeye have consistent performances stretch across games in their careers.
Ohio State needs one – but, of course, would prefer both – to have their 2023 breakout effort on Saturday and build upon it as the team faces top-10-ranked Notre Dame on the road next week.
- Chase Brown
Josh Proctor
Returning from an injury last week and looking to keep a hold on Ohio State's starting free safety job, Western Kentucky's air raid offense will be a strong test of Proctor's coverage skills. He looked solid against the run when the Buckeyes played Indiana in Week 1, collecting four tackles, but questions remain as to whether the sixth-year senior can consistently prevent deep passes from being completed.
Day confirmed Thursday that Proctor will be available this week, but there's still a chance Malik Hartford and/or Ja'Had Carter see time at free safety as well.
- Andy Anders
TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson looked explosive in the Buckeyes' win over the Penguins last week, but he only had a measly five carries. You'd expect his workload to increase given the quarterback competition being settled, and given how dominant he looked against Youngstown State. The matchup with Western Kentucky could see Henderson be in for a big day.
- Garrick Hodge
Best Bets
TreVeyon Henderson over 72.5 rushing yards (FanDuel)
Western Kentucky’s rushing defense has been one of the worst in the country through the first two games of the season, giving up 267 yards per game on the ground. South Florida had two 100-yard rushers against WKU while even Houston Christian had an 80-yard rusher. Ohio State should look to exploit Western Kentucky’s biggest weakness by running the ball frequently. If the Buckeyes do that, Henderson should be in line for a big day as Ohio State’s No. 1 RB.
– Dan Hope
Kyle McCord under 3.5 touchdown passes (FanDuel)
As Dan and I have mentioned, Western Kentucky's rush defense is terrible, and I expect the Buckeyes to take full advantage of that. McCord will have his moments, as will Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and the other Ohio State pass-catchers. Still, this Week 3 matchup will belong to the Ohio State ball carriers, who I believe will be the players to reach the end zone the most on Saturday rather than receivers via passes from McCord.
- Chase Brown
Cade Stover over 34.5 passing yards (DraftKings)
Following a massive five-catch, 98-yard day against Indiana in Week 1, Stover didn't record a reception last week, though he did help spring Emeka Egbuka for a touchdown with a massive block on a bubble screen. With Marvin Harrison Jr. likely to receive his share of double teams after collecting 160 receiving yards and two touchdowns last week, expect checkdowns and seams to be available for the tight end.
- Andy Anders
Point total under 64.5 (FanDuel)
Unlike some of my degenerate coworkers, I only dabble bits and pieces into gambling on football, but the most success I've had this year has been from taking unders (thank you, clock rules). This week should be no different. Western Kentucky will score some, though likely not enough to reach 20-plus points, and it's hard to see OSU cracking 50-plus points when it has yet to do so this season.
- Garrick Hodge
