Ohio State’s 2024 football season has finally arrived.
Akron
zips
Following eight months of anticipation, the Buckeyes will take the field for their first game of the year at 3:30 p.m. as they host Akron in their season opener at Ohio Stadium.
The game isn’t expected to be competitive, as Ohio State is favored to win the game by seven scores over a team that went just 2-10 last season, but excitement is high in Columbus nevertheless as Buckeye Nation gets its first of what it hopes will be 16 opportunities to cheer on the scarlet and gray this season.
With that in mind, we take a look at the biggest questions entering game one, the top players we’ll be watching today and make some predictions for how the game will unfold in our season-opening edition of Last Call.
Questions
How does the offensive line perform?
Even against an opponent as overmatched as Akron, Saturday will provide the first indication as to what steps Ohio State's offensive line has taken. Underdogs have a tendency to get creative with blitzes, so communication will be key. Tegra Tshabola will make his first career start at right guard, and he'll have to continue fending off Carson Hinzman to keep that job.
– Andy Anders
What is the carry distribution between Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson?
Considering this game may get out of hand early, we probably aren't going to get a definitive answer on this Week 1. But still, the first few drives will be very interesting from a personnel perspective in the backfield. Will TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins take a few carries each per drive? Will they rotate drives entirely? How many carries does each one get on a week-by-week basis? Ohio State arguably has the most talented tandem in the country and we'll get our first chance to see how the workload is split up firsthand Saturday.
- Garrick Hodge
How long will the starters play?
If all goes according to plan, Ohio State shouldn’t need to play its starters in the second half of this game. The Buckeyes will look to build a commanding lead before halftime, and even its backups should be able to build on that lead as most of them would be starters at Akron.
Ryan Day has typically been cautious not to take starters out of the game until it is completely out of reach for the opponent, but the potential for an expanded playoff run this year could be good reason to rest the starters whenever possible. On the other hand, Day has said that the Buckeyes want to “leave no doubt” in every game this season, and with a non-conference slate full of games that shouldn’t be competitive, Ohio State needs to give its top players enough reps to ensure they’re ready to play four quarters when the competition ramps up in Big Ten play.
– Dan Hope
How many quarterbacks play?
Like Dan, I am also curious how long the starters will play in the Akron game. I am also curious about the number of snaps Will Howard and Devin Brown receive as Ohio State's QB1 and QB2. Day has talked all offseason about his desire to build depth in preparation for what could be a 17-game season for the Buckeyes. The head coach understands one of the most important positions to have that depth is at quarterback (the 2023 Cotton Bowl serves as evidence of this), so I wonder, so I wonder if we will see Lincoln Kienholz, Julian Sayin and Air Noland in the 2024 season opener.
– Chase Brown
Players to Watch
Jeremiah Smith
We've heard about him for years. We witnessed what he can do on a football field with our own eyes in the spring. And now, one of the most hyped freshman Ohio State has ever had is finally going to suit up for the scarlet and gray for the first time, as a starter, no less. Ohio Stadium isn't big enough to contain the expectations placed on Smith from a national and fan perspective, which would be unreasonable if it weren't for game-changing talent. Smith could have one of those careers where years down the line you ask, where were you when Smith made his debut? We finally get to see it for ourselves on the field soon.
- Garrick Hodge
Will Howard
Garrick took the slam-dunk choice in Smith, so I'll take that Double Dribble "Corner 3!" choice in Howard. Day named the former Kansas State quarterback as Ohio State's QB1 two weeks into preseason camp. In the press conferences that have followed, whenever Day fields a question about Howard, he makes sure to mention Howard's command, leadership, poise and size. He also notes Howard's accuracy and power when throwing the football. I will be looking for Howard to put all of those qualities on display for the Buckeyes against Akron, an opponent that should allow him to rack up some stats before earning an early exit.
- Chase Brown
Jack Sawyer
The line of scrimmage is typically where power programs have the biggest advantage in games against mid-major teams, and Ohio State’s defensive line should have a particular advantage with all the talent it has on that unit. Sawyer was the Buckeyes’ best player down the stretch of last season, recording 7.5 tackles for loss in Ohio State’s final three games of 2023, and this matchup is ripe for Sawyer to pick up where he left off with a big season opener.
– Dan Hope
Caleb Downs
The Alabama transfer slated to be one of the best safeties in college football again takes his first snaps for the Buckeyes against the Zips. Downs had 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and four pass breakups last year, and he'll have the capability to move around Ohio State's defense and put up more massive numbers, though most of his work will be done at free safety.
– Andy Anders
Predictions
Ohio State freshmen will score three touchdowns
It would be a disappointment if Jeremiah Smith didn’t score a touchdown in his Ohio State debut with all the hype he’s generated entering his freshman season. James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon, meanwhile, should get plenty of carries in the second half as it will likely be a short day of work for Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. Add in the possibility of a Mylan Graham touchdown catch or a Julian Sayin/Air Noland keeper for a score late in the game, and I like the chances of freshmen finding the end zone at least three times against the Zips.
– Dan Hope
The defense gets an interception
The last time Ohio State intercepted a pass in its first game of the season was in 2019 against Florida Atlantic. Turnovers have been a point of emphasis for the defense, especially for a secondary that returns four of five starters and added Downs to the nation's No. 1 pass defense in terms of yardage. Either he or Denzel Burke or Jordan Hancock or another defender feels poised to pick one off.
– Andy Anders
Ohio State does not allow an offensive touchdown
While I won't go as far as to say Ohio State will pitch a shutout, mainly because the Buckeyes haven't done it in a while, I just can't see Akron stringing together a touchdown drive against Ohio State's loaded defense. Of course, this is college football, so maybe the Zips will get a lucky turnover or score on the Buckeyes' second or third-string unit, but you have to feel good about Ohio State's ability to keep Akron out of the end zone.
- Garrick Hodge
Ohio State does not allow a point
I will go as far as to say Ohio State will pitch a shutout against Akron. The Buckeyes haven't done it in a while; the backups will play most of the game; the Zips could get lucky – yada yada yada. By all accounts, Ohio State is one of the best teams in college football, and Akron is one of the worst. Even if the Buckeyes' second and third-string defenders are in the game, I think they can keep the Zips off the board. Now is the time for Ohio State to get that long-awaited goose egg.
- Chase Brown
