Ohio State vs. Nebraska Preview: Buckeyes Seek Get-Right Game Against Reeling Husker Squad

Nebraska

Cornhuskers

5 - 2 (2-2)

roster  |  schedule

Oct. 26, 2024 - NOON

oHIO STADIUM

COLUMBUS, Oh

FOXOSU -25.5

While the Cornhuskers will be hungry to hit back after a 56-7 humiliation at the hands of Indiana last week, it doesn't change the fact that it happened. Nebraska does have a moderately impressive win over Colorado from earlier this season, but it struggled to beat Rutgers in a 14-7 ballgame and its second loss came to an Illinois team that, while 6-1 on the season, isn't the same caliber as the Buckeyes.

So, Ohio State should be searching for an emphatic victory. But a get-right game means more than just a lopsided scoreboard, it also means addressing what went wrong off the Buckeyes' 32-31 loss to Oregon two weeks ago. Nebraska's passing game spearheaded by quarterback Dylan Raiola should challenge an OSU pass defense that allowed a 346-yard showing from the Ducks' Dillon Gabriel.

Maintaining momentum on offense will also be important as Ohio State breaks in a new starter along its offensive line and possibly plays without its starting strong safety, too. If the Buckeyes can indeed get right against the Huskers, it can't happen soon enough, as they'll hit the road to face No. 3 Penn State next week. A decisive win over Nebraska could provide confidence and rest for starters.

The Headlines

Fix, fix, fix the defense

Ryan Day spent more time in the defensive meeting rooms than anywhere else this week. He knows better than anyone the issues that caused Ohio State to surrender the most points, yards, passing yards and explosive plays it has to an opponent since the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinals against Georgia.

"I had hard conversations with everybody, and I know what the plan is moving forward," Day said on Tuesday. "And I'm involved with that plan. So yeah, I've got confidence in all those guys on that side of the ball, and I know what we need to get done, and we're gonna get it done."

It starts up front after the Buckeyes collected no sacks and just two tackles for loss against the Ducks. Much of what Day wants to address both there in the secondary is schematic, toying with more creative fronts and pressures to harass the opposing quarterback and create chaos in the backfield.

"I think at the end of the day, it comes down to the personnel you have and where you are, and to put them in a chance to be successful," Day said. "And I feel like we have plenty of D-linemen here, and we have the right guys on the field. But we gotta make sure that we are changing it up and making sure that it isn't just a four-man rush straight up all the time."

RELATED Ryan Day Confident Ohio State's Pass Rush Will Improve After "Hard Conversations" With Defensive Coaches

The same goes for coverage on the back end. As Eleven Warriors film expert Kyle Jones pointed out on this week's episode of Film Study, it's not that the Buckeyes aren't mixing coverages or aren't capable of executing zone or man looks – uncharacteristic lapses from Denzel Burke aside – it's that those calls were easy for Oregon to diagnose. So it's likely time for Ohio State to find better ways to disguise what shell it's in.

The 2024 Ohio State defense is still loaded with talent. Knowles has the schemes he needs in his playbook and they've even been shown in Columbus before. Saturday provides the first chance for that group to get back on track toward the title-caliber juggernaut it was expected to be entering the season.

Moment of Zen

On offense, the storyline is less unit-scoping and more lasered in on one position for Ohio State. That position is left tackle, where Zen Michalski makes his first career start for Josh Simmons, who was arguably the Buckeyes' best offensive lineman up until he suffered a season-ending left knee injury in Eugene.

Michalski suffered his share of lumps but responded well given the circumstances after Simmons was carted off at Oregon, but starting against a defense that had a week to scheme up how to attack you is a different story. Nebraska's defensive front is more than capable of challenging Michalski and Ohio State's offensive line as a whole.

The Huskers are tied for 14th nationally with three sacks per game, collecting 21 through their seven contests this year. Defensive tackle Ty Robinson and pass rush specialist defensive end James Williams, a former walk-on nicknamed "Sack Man," are tied for the team lead with four quarterback takedowns each. Playing out of a 3-3-5 with a "Jack" position that can roam the field as another defensive end or a linebacker – now where does that sound familiar – Nebraska will also surely throw an assortment of fronts and pressures at the Buckeyes to try and confuse Michalski and the rest.

Despite the 56-point shelling they sustained last week, the Huskers still possess the nation's No. 18 total defense, allowing 304.3 yards per game. They should provide some resistance on that side of the ball.

Also on the injury front, rumors are still circulating that starting Ohio State strong safety Lathan Ransom is out for this week and Day didn't deny those murmurs on Tuesday. A test for Malik Hartford and the rest of the Buckeyes' safety depth is likely looming.

Revenge on Raiola

Dylan Raiola leads Nebraska's offense into Columbus. (Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images)

The first test since Oregon's torching for the Ohio State secondary comes in the form of a Nebraska passing attack led by Raiola, a five-star prospect from the recruiting class of 2024. There's a history between him and the Buckeyes.

Raiola committed to Ohio State back in May of 2022, then the first pledge of the Buckeyes' 2024 class. But he kept shopping elsewhere before decommitting in December and pledging his services to Georgia in May 2023, then repeated the cycle of a December decommitment before signing with Nebraska.

The face of the Huskers' future has put together a freshman year with both flashes and frustrations so far. Raiola's completed 66.2% of his passes for 1,592 yards, even if he's averaging just 7.5 yards per attempt. He has nine touchdowns through the air, though he also has six interceptions, three of which came against Indiana last week.

"When it comes to Dylan, I think he's got an opportunity to be a great player," Day said. "I think he's already playing at a high level. And he's got a lot of talent, and he's got a great family."

Wide receivers Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor have been Raiola's favorite targets, the former with 23 receptions for 316 yards and two touchdowns and the latter with 19 catches for 306 yards and four scores. Tight end Thomas Fidone III is another weapon to watch for, with 20 receptions for 218 yards.

Nebraska's 14 sacks allowed are 68th (fewest) nationally, so it should be an opportunity to generate some pressure for Ohio State's front and a test for the secondary to stay tight and deny Raiola through the air. The Huskers' offense ranks 57th with 243.1 passing yards per game, but its more of a threat than their rushing attack, which is 99th in yards per game (127.1) and 95th in yards per carry (3.7).

Watch Out for These Guys

Nebraska DT Ty Robinson

Disruptive, gap-eating defensive tackle play is critical for the success of a 3-3-5, and that's precisely what the 310-pound Robinson provides for the Huskers. With his above-mentioned four sacks, he also has 16 tackles and a team-high six tackles for loss, batting down three passes at the line of scrimmage. 

Nebraska LB John Bullock

John Bullock returns an interception 35 yards for a touchdown. (Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images)

Bullock is the sideline-to-sideline running chaos-sowing Will linebacker in Nebraska's scheme, collecting 36 tackles with five tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception he returned 35 yards for a pick-six this season. He's someone for Ohio State to keep track of on both run and pass downs.

Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer

With all the criticism levied at Ohio State's pass rush the past two weeks, the Buckeyes' edge rushers should come in with a point to prove. Sawyer's been the most consistent threat, with a team-high 22 pressures per Pro Football Focus. Much like OSU, Nebraska is missing its regular starting left tackle, as Turner Corcoran sustained a lower-body injury in the Huskers' fourth game and hasn't played since.

Game Week Talk

“I respect their program and what Coach Day did. Still do. But I'm happy where I'm at today and it'll be fun to go back and be on the other side and see some guys after the game.”– Dylan Raiola on the Buckeyes

There might be a vengeance element for Ohio State with Raiola after his commitment, but neither side has expressed animosity toward the other. Raiola added that he's always wanted to play in the Shoe and is excited to take in the atmosphere.

“You’re facing the best team in the country, the best roster in the country – whatever they are, No. 4? Unbelievable team. If we spend the whole game playing Ohio State looking at the scoreboard hoping to win, we’ll get our face beat in. If we go out there and challenge them because we all think we’re good football players and we want to play in the NFL (...) if we go out there and complete, we’ll see what happens.”– Matt Rhule on his team's mindset

Many coaches have called Ohio State's roster the most talented or best in the country, and Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule can be added to that list. To challenge the Buckeyes, Rhule feels his players need to believe that they too are NFL-caliber talents and not inflate the challenges OSU presents in their heads.

“I want to be able to look back and say this is the reason we went on a run and won a national championship. I think we’re trying to use this, in the best way, as a stepping stone. Everything is still in front of us.”– Will Howard on Ohio State's loss to Oregon

No, this one isn't Nebraska-specific, but this is the mentality Ohio State needed to have coming off its loss to Oregon. All the Buckeyes' goals – beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, win a national championship – are still on the table, but another loss means goal two won't be anymore and goal three will be far less likely. Plenty of champions have turned things around and used one loss to better themselves.

The Nebraska game is the first step on that road for Ohio State.

Get Smart

• Ohio State has a 9-1 all-time record against Nebraska, including seven straight wins over the Cornhuskers. Nebraska’s only win over the Buckeyes came in 2011 – its first year in the Big Ten – in a game the Buckeyes led 27-6 before losing 34-27 after Joe Bauserman replaced an injured Braxton Miller at quarterback.
• Saturday’s game will be Ohio State’s 112th Homecoming game. Archie Griffin will serve as the grand marshal of Friday night’s homecoming parade.
• Ohio State’s 2014 national championship team will be honored for its 10th anniversary during Saturday’s game. Urban Meyer will be among those on hand for the celebration as he will be in Columbus for FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show.
• The annual Eleven Dubgate will be held Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. behind the Varsity Club, with all proceeds going to Special Olympics Olentangy. Ohio State is 13-0 in games that have featured Eleven Warriors tailgates.
• Ohio State is asking fans to wear scarlet to “Scarlet the Shoe” for Saturday’s game.
• Neither team has any players from the other team’s state.

How it Plays Out

Line: Ohio State -25.5, O/U 48.5

While Nebraska has some really good pieces on its defensive front and could create a few problems as Ohio State's offensive line adjusts to life without Josh Simmons, the Buckeyes' offense just has too much talent and has been too consistent this season to be hemmed in by the Huskers. If Indiana can be a boiling point, then OSU should be too.

The other side of the ball has looked disjointed for Nebraska in each of its last two games, where it scored a combined 21 points. Raiola will probably have learned some lessons from his turnover-infested outing against the Hoosiers but not enough to combat an Ohio State defense eager to answer doubts about its play.

Each member of the Eleven Warriors staff picked Ohio State by at least 25 points in this one, and any margin slimmer than that will probably feel like a disappointment to the Buckeye faithful.

Eleven Warriors Staff Prediction
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