There are only so many investments to report back on with Ohio State’s first game still to be played in 2024.
All preseason camp prognostications can immediately be made moot by the first game, even by an opponent that seems as cupcake-like as Akron. There will be plenty of reactions – over, under or otherwise – from that contest on Eleven Warriors message boards regardless of the exact result, to be certain.
There’s reason for cautious optimism when it comes to Ohio State’s quarterback play, while its offensive line still has plenty to prove amid evident motivation to build upon last season. Only four FBS football games were played in Week 0, but there was still intrigue to be had and even some larger College Football Playoff implications.
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Will Howard
Confidence levels have risen both from pundits and coaches surrounding Howard in preseason camp. He’s flexed more accuracy, scheme knowledge and confidence in practices open to the media, taking command of Ohio State’s starting quarterback job on Aug. 15. He’ll still need to prove his mettle on the field, but there’s plenty of positive signs here.
“He’s making all the throws,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “He stands in the pocket, he’s got great vision, arm strength. We’ve got great receivers, he’s putting the ball in places where only the receiver can catch it. So to me, it’s not just the arm strength, but he’s making the pinpoint passes, too.”
Josh Simmons
Simmons, who’s always been touted as an athletic freak, needed to keep taking strides at left tackle for the Buckeyes as he did in the second half of last season. He’s been seen holding his own in pass rush one-on-ones with some of Ohio State’s elite defensive linemen, including Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau, and the hope is that it will pay dividends in forming a fearsome left side with Donovan Jackson.
Sonny Styles
Styles’ acclimation to the linebacker position after moving over from safety has been as smooth as a freshly washed silk sheet, and he’s now the “leader in clubhouse” to be the Buckeyes’ starting Will linebacker. Entering year three as a five-star prospect who reclassified, 2024 could see a big leap from Styles.
“Sonny has really stepped up and played well,” Day told reporters Thursday. “He’s made the transition from safety to linebacker very well. I think he did a nice job in the spring, but you can definitely see as he went into the summer, he’s just bigger, stronger, being more comfortable closer to the line of scrimmage ... I think he's looking forward to playing in a game and getting an idea of what it all looks like."
Justice
The NCAA has issued Michigan its official Notice of Allegations to Michigan in regards to the Connor Stalions scandal. Indications are that head coach Sherrone Moore, Stalions and former coaches Jim Harbaugh, Chris Partridge and Denard Robinson could all be hit with Level I violations.
Underdogs
Georgia Tech, New Mexico, Nevada and Delaware State. All four underdogs in Saturday’s FBS Week 0 college football games covered their point spreads, with Georgia Tech pulling out a top-10 upset of Florida State. The early-season hiccups are real.
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The offseason
Football is back ladies and gentlemen. Strap in for a grand four to six months starting with Saturday and ending with the College Football Playoffs in January followed by the Super Bowl in February.
Keenan Nelson Jr. and Jayden Bonsu
Safety depth has been one of Knowles’ top concerns this offseason, and when a freshman is climbing the ranks of any position, it’s telling both for the potential of that player and the lack of a major step from veterans who have been playing longer. Freshman Jaylen McClain seems slated to be the second safety off the bench after Malik Hartford, supplanting the redshirt freshman Bonsu and redshirt sophomore South Carolina transfer Nelson.
“McClain has really emerged as a guy who’s gonna have to be ready to play,” Knowles said. “You’ve got two guys that are unproven and still learning and every day in practice is a learning experience for them and a challenge, particularly if they get to go against our best receivers. Our safety depth needs to come along.”
Justin Frye
No coach has more to prove on Ohio State’s staff this season than Frye, particularly after the Buckeyes whiffed on the recruitment of David Sanders Jr. on Aug. 17. They recovered some on the trail with the pledge of Jayvon McFadden, but the on-field development of Frye’s front five this year could determine whether he’s still coaching in Columbus in 2025.
Florida State
The Seminoles, considered by many the favorite to win the ACC, fell to Georgia Tech 24-21 on a last-second field goal after getting manhandled at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball by the Yellow Jackets. On a totally unrelated note, please do not check the ACC champion pick for your beloved writer of Stock Up/Down thank you.
Anyone who isn’t reading The Hodgepodge
I’m going to assume most of you perusing this story are college football fans. Eleven Warriors’ Garrick Hodge has brought back his weekly college football column, The Hodgepodge, for another glorious season. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more succinct, entertaining and informed take on the national landscape of the sport every Monday. Go read it now.
