The fate of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team is quite a big story in Columbus, Ohio. This year, the Buckeyes have one of their best teams ever on paper. They have a number of notable players. Ohio State has a number of preseason accolades to its credit.
Several players can find their names on preseason awards list and The Associated Press Preseason All-American Team. Ohio State also saw some players choose to return and play for head coach Ryan Day. They spurned chances to turn pro and head to the NFL.
Running Down Some Facts
Why would they come back? They want to beat the Michigan Wolverines, college football’s defending national champion. This year, the Ohio State football team won the Transfer Portal. They got three new players, including a starting quarterback and preseason All-American on defense. Their recruiting class is pretty solid. It includes wide receiver Jaylon Smith, who just might be the best freshman player in the country.
OK, so let’s take some time and look over the Ohio State football schedule.
In August and September, look for Ohio State to defeat its first three non-conference opponents big at home. It all starts with Akron on August 30th. Michigan State will pop up as Ohio State’s fourth game. The Spartans have been good in the past, but not so right now. Look for the Buckeyes to win this one and start off the season 4-0.
Turning to October, Iowa always fields a solid defense on the field. But Ohio State probably will have no problem with the Hawkeyes, making the Buckeyes 5-0. Oregon and Ohio State will clash with one another. Yes, the Buckeyes could lose this one. If they do, though, it probably will not hurt them too much. But the game where will be part of the Buckeyes’ Big Ten Conference play.
Turning to Nebraska, well, the Cornhuskers have been trying to get better. Nebraska has had a history of being good. Yet there is a lot of repair work being done in Nebraska. Look for Ohio State to win by 30 points.
Ohio State Buckeyes Size Up Foes
Now, let’s take a look at the Ohio State Buckeyes schedule in November. The Buckeyes always play Penn State tough. That will be the case again this season. Look for Ohio State to score a win over the Nittany Lions. What about Purdue? Man, it’s been a lot of work for the Boilermakers to be good on the football field. Purdue will not be a problem for Ohio State. Look for a double-digit win by the Buckeyes. Ohio State then will play Northwestern in Wrigley Field. Yes, the home of the Chicago Cubs welcomes the college football world.
So, around this time of the year, weather in Chicago starts turning nasty. If that’s the case, then Ohio State and Northwestern will be playing in a mess. Still, the Ohio State Buckeyes should be OK against the Wildcats, winning by 17 points. Indiana is up next. Don’t expect much of a challenge from the Hoosiers in this one, either. Ohio State keeps on rolling and it might be by 20 points.
Alright, this entire season sets things up for the big battle between Ohio State and Michigan. The Wolverines lost head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL. Sherrone Moore is taking over, guiding the team to hopefully a return to the College Football Playoff.
In the past three meetings, the Michigan Men have come out on top. The Wolverines are paying for some errant actions. They are facing the death penalty for sign stealing. So, the Ohio State Buckeyes are ticked about it. But lean in and watch Bucky the Buckeye have something to celebrate.
The Big Ten’s Western Division is usually weak. Not this year. An Ohio State victory here will end up being important about the matchup on the field. Also, Ohio State fans will have to see how things fall out with a new 12-team playoff setup.
Players to Watch
Let’s take a look at some key Ohio State players for the season. Quarterback Will Howard transferred from Kansas State. Fans are worried because Howard is new along with a center on the offensive line. Running back Quinshon Judkins transferred in from Ole Miss. He is option 1A. But there’s also TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield, too. Henderson is a second-team preseason All-American.
At wide receiver, Emeka Egbuka is clutch. Jeremiah Smith is a do-everything freshman ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the country. The Ohio State Buckeyes have a solid offensive line. Donovan Jackson is yet another All-American for the Buckeyes. Ohio State rarely uses the tight end, though some have played in the NFL.
On defense, let’s look at the secondary. Denzel Ward is a preseason All-American. Caleb Downs, a transfer from Alabama, also is a preseason All-American. Ohio State only uses two linebackers and they are unheralded, but are skilled returnees. The defensive line is great. Jack Sawyer, Tyliek Williams, and JT Tuimolou all could have turned pro but did not.
Special teams is going to be really great. Backup punter Nick McLarty stands 6-foot-7. Placekicker Jayden Fielding missed some big kicks in the past year. But Ohio State is hoping for better things from him this year.
Don’t forget TBDBITL
The Marching Band at Ohio State is revered and probably the best damn band in the land (TBDBITL). Many people attend Ohio State football games just to see and hear it. The band begins roughly two hours before kickoff with a rehearsal called the “skull session.” They go through their entire performance and typically invite the opposing band to join them.
The Ohio State University Marching Band is the largest all brass band in the world. Many people own their CDs. The band then marches in formation to Ohio Stadium chanting, “We are the Buckeyes, we are killer nuts.” When they arrive at the stadium, they march onto the field in ranks, drums first, and the last to run onto the field is the Drum Major, That person bends over backward and touches his, or her, hat to the ground behind them.
Halftime shows are truly extraordinary with the band forming planes, people, and words while playing music. Do not go to the bathroom at halftime. “Script Ohio” was first performed by the University of Michigan Marching Band in 1936. But it has since been performed by the Ohio State Marching Band. It is one of the best traditions in college football. After the game ends, the football team walks over to the band which plays The Ohio State University alma mater, “Carmen, Ohio!” The football team sings with locked arms as the band plays.
Keep your eyes on Ohio State as the college football season fires up into action.
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