Matt Tamanini
Guest
Tailgate Podcast: Everything you need to know to watch the Ohio State vs. Akron game
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The only Ohio State game day podcast you need.
Before every Ohio State football game, Matt Tamanini will get you ready with all of the information that you need for that day’s game on the “Land-Grant Tailgate” podcast.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Game Date/Time: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 3:30 ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
TV: CBS
Radio: 97.1 FM/1460 AM
This is going to be one of those name-your-score games. If Ohio State wanted to win by 70, they could win by 70. The question will be what they want to get out of this game. Given the potentially sloppy conditions at The Shoe this afternoon, it might be an even briefer appearance for the starters than I had initially believed.
Nonetheless, I am going to project this game as if the weather is not a major factor. I am on record as saying that the defense will be even better than it was last year when it allowed just 11.2 points per game, good for second nationally. So, if they are going to flirt with allowing fewer than 10 points per game, as I believe they will, they are going to need some early season shutouts, and I think that is on the minds of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and his players.
So, I believe that the D will be aggressive and dialed in throughout the game, even if third-teamers end up playing a significant portion of the second half.
Over on offense, I don’t envision this unit competing with the high-scoring teams from early in Ryan Day’s tenure, one, because of the new clock rules that limit possessions, and two because this offense — especially with Chip Kelly calling plays — is built to run the ball, and I think they will.
While I do expect a fairly equal balance of touches for TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins this season, I think as a senior captain, Trey will be fed early and often against the Zips, so I am giving him three total touchdowns, while Judkins will have 2 and James Peoples will have one as well.
I think that Will Howard will throw for two TDs — including one to Henderson — and will exit the game with 218 yards through the air.
On defense, the Buckeye defense will cause 3 turnovers, 2 INTs, and 1 fumble recovery. Last season, the Zips were 116th, throwing 15 interceptions in 12 games. New starting quarterback Ben Finley has 7 career touchdown passes and 9 career INTs, in three seasons spread across N.C. State and Cal.
So ultimately, I do expect them to average a pair of touchdowns per quarter.
Will Howard: 218 yards passing, 2 touchdowns
TreVeyon Henderson: 3 touchdowns, including 1 receiving
Quinshon Judkins: 2 touchdowns
James Peoples: 1 touchdown
Ohio State defense: 3 takeaways (2 INTS, 1 fumble recovery)
Connect with Matt Tamanini
Online Portfolio: authory.com/MattTamanini
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The only Ohio State game day podcast you need.
Before every Ohio State football game, Matt Tamanini will get you ready with all of the information that you need for that day’s game on the “Land-Grant Tailgate” podcast.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (-48) vs. Akron | over/under 57
Game Date/Time: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 3:30 ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
TV: CBS
Radio: 97.1 FM/1460 AM
This is going to be one of those name-your-score games. If Ohio State wanted to win by 70, they could win by 70. The question will be what they want to get out of this game. Given the potentially sloppy conditions at The Shoe this afternoon, it might be an even briefer appearance for the starters than I had initially believed.
Nonetheless, I am going to project this game as if the weather is not a major factor. I am on record as saying that the defense will be even better than it was last year when it allowed just 11.2 points per game, good for second nationally. So, if they are going to flirt with allowing fewer than 10 points per game, as I believe they will, they are going to need some early season shutouts, and I think that is on the minds of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and his players.
So, I believe that the D will be aggressive and dialed in throughout the game, even if third-teamers end up playing a significant portion of the second half.
Over on offense, I don’t envision this unit competing with the high-scoring teams from early in Ryan Day’s tenure, one, because of the new clock rules that limit possessions, and two because this offense — especially with Chip Kelly calling plays — is built to run the ball, and I think they will.
While I do expect a fairly equal balance of touches for TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins this season, I think as a senior captain, Trey will be fed early and often against the Zips, so I am giving him three total touchdowns, while Judkins will have 2 and James Peoples will have one as well.
I think that Will Howard will throw for two TDs — including one to Henderson — and will exit the game with 218 yards through the air.
On defense, the Buckeye defense will cause 3 turnovers, 2 INTs, and 1 fumble recovery. Last season, the Zips were 116th, throwing 15 interceptions in 12 games. New starting quarterback Ben Finley has 7 career touchdown passes and 9 career INTs, in three seasons spread across N.C. State and Cal.
So ultimately, I do expect them to average a pair of touchdowns per quarter.
Matt’s Prediction: Ohio State 56, Akron 0
Will Howard: 218 yards passing, 2 touchdowns
TreVeyon Henderson: 3 touchdowns, including 1 receiving
Quinshon Judkins: 2 touchdowns
James Peoples: 1 touchdown
Ohio State defense: 3 takeaways (2 INTS, 1 fumble recovery)
Connect with Matt Tamanini
Online Portfolio: authory.com/MattTamanini
Music by: epidemicsound.com
Continue reading...