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Game Thread Western Mich at tOSU, Sat. Sep. 7, 7:30pm ET, BTN

I watched much of their game against Wisky. The front seven on D is decent and they played hard. I imagine that they will load the box just like Akron did but I expect a better run game this Saturday by the good guys. Hopefully we get Donovan back and Q is a bit more patient when running the ball.
I largely agree with you. We expect a better run game.

The odd thing about this is that the Buckeyes ran for 5.2 yards per carry and passed for 7.5 yards per attempt.

The rushing would have been good for 16th in the country last year.
The passing would have been good for 58th in the country last year.

Even though that makes it look like the Buckeyes ran better than they passed (and with Trey, I think they did), I think the most untapped potential so far is in the run game. Sure, the pass game looks like an easy fix with just a couple of drops early; and Ryan said there were some things that WH will see better when he's had a few more reps in the system. But once the OL gets their feet under them, and I think they will, I think the run game is this team's fast ball.
 
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I largely agree with you. We expect a better run game.

The odd thing about this is that the Buckeyes ran for 5.2 yards per carry and passed for 7.5 yards per attempt.

The rushing would have been good for 16th in the country last year.
The passing would have been good for 58th in the country last year.

Even though that makes it look like the Buckeyes ran better than they passed (and with Trey, I think they did), I think the most untapped potential so far is in the run game. Sure, the pass game looks like an easy fix with just a couple of drops early; and Ryan said there were some things that WH will see better when he's had a few more reps in the system. But once the OL gets their feet under them, and I think they will, I think the run game is this team's fast ball.
Indeed. If JJ catches the ball its off to the races. If EE catch is ruled a TD...Thats 14 points. I also think that Q pressed a bit and could have been more patient in a handful of plays. TH is at a different level. I'll take 8.1 ypc any day. If he stays healthy, watch out.
 

College football picks, predictions against the spread for Week 2​

  • Western Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State (-38.5) (7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network)
The Buckeyes started slow in Week 1 against Akron, and that will be a talking point during the week. That's bad news for Western Michigan, who lost 28-14 in the opener against Wisconsin. Ohio State edge rushers JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer will feast off the edge, too. Look for Will Howard to click more with receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, and a more reasonable spread favors the Buckeyes at home.

Pick: Ohio State wins 51-7 and COVERS the spread.
 
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Indeed. If JJ catches the ball it’s off to the races. If EE catch is ruled a TD...Thats 14 points. I also think that Q pressed a bit and could have been more patient in a handful of plays. TH is at a different level. I'll take 8.1 ypc any day. If he stays healthy, watch out.
I loved seeing TH and QJ at like 12-18 carries each. That’s how you keep both guys healthy. Hopefully we can continue that pace and also throw in peoples late in games once they’re out of reach.

one thing I thought was great was Zach Smith mentioned that Will Howard’s completion percentage actually went up to like 80% when he was blitzed. That’s amazing considering McCords went down big when blitzed
 
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I loved seeing TH and QJ at like 12-18 carries each. That’s how you keep both guys healthy. Hopefully we can continue that pace and also throw in peoples late in games once they’re out of reach.

one thing I thought was great was Zach Smith mentioned that Will Howard’s completion percentage actually went up to like 80% when he was blitzed. That’s amazing considering McCords went down big when blitzed
I was impressed with People's as well. Especially his TD. He showed some really good patience down at the goal line but when he saw the hole open he didn't hesitate. If he can produce like Dallan did running the ball we will have the pair and spare that Woody talked about.
 
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"Similar caliber of defense"

I might beg to differ with that guy's definition of "similar"

Akron allowed 5.18 yards per play last year. The Broncos allowed 6.11

That is a huge difference. Akron's number was good enough for 31st nationally. Western Michigan earned a ranking of 106.

Thirty First is not "similar" to One Hundred Sixth by any useful definition of the word.

By contrast, the writer called WMU's offense "better", not "similar".

The WMU offense was ranked 112th vs Akron's ranking of 131 last year. That's a heck of a lot closer to "similar" than the defensive difference, yet the writer seemed to think the opposite. How he came to that conclusion is anyone's guess.

I was looking at some of their '23 stats this morning, and was surprising how decent Akron was on defense. WMU looks to be WKU with a worse offense and less aggression. I assume they'll still drain more clock than WKU, but OSU could have a similar offensive explosion if they start faster.
 
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Lightning Round: Ryan Day Says ”Every Area of Our Game Has to Improve” After Ohio State’s Week 1 Win, Says Western Michigan “Has Our Guys’ Attention” Following Its Close Wisconsin Loss​

Ryan Day says his team has much to improve upon before it clashes with Western Michigan on Saturday. The Ohio State head coach addressed those necessary improvements and more in a brief press conference on Wednesday.

Here's all the news and notes from Day's media session:
  • On the areas Ohio State's defense can improve after Week 1: "I would say everything. Three-and-outs, getting off the field on third down. ... Every area of our game has to improve. ... We have to find those inches."
  • On Gabe Powers and the pick-six he recorded in the season opener: "He needs to be a contributor for us. We need to play as many guys as we possibly can. Plays like (the pick-six) make a difference. Hopefully, that can springboard him moving forward."
  • On Brandon Inniss and the trust Ohio State has in him at punt returner: "Anybody who carries the ball, the whole team is in their hands. We talk a lot about ball security and how important that is. ... These are very big decisions he has to make. ... (Whether or not to field a punt is) a big, big decision. Emeka (Egbuka) has been back there in the past. Brandon is someone we trust. ... If he can continue to make the decisions he made in this past game and take care of the football, then he can be a weapon for us."
  • On Ohio State's tight ends and their involvement (or lack thereof) in Week 1: "They're a big part of our offense. I know they only got a couple of targets this past game, but they'll get more than that. ... I think the unit is improving overall." Day said Ohio State will use more tight ends as the season continues and plans to get them more involved in the offense.
  • On Western Michigan, the threat the Broncos pose to the Buckeyes: "When you watch the film, you're seeing them play a Big Ten opponent (Wisconsin), which gives us more of a barometer for what we're dealing with. ... It looked like a Big Ten-style game overall. I know that has our guys' attention."
  • On Sonny Styles, him filling in at Mike linebacker in the season opener: "He's a very serious young man for his age. Very mature. He came in early, and because of that, he's matured even quicker than we probably thought." Day said Styles puts in work off the field "that nobody sees." Day praised Styles for his work in the weight room with Mick Marotti and the film room with James Laurinaitis. "That's gonna pay off down the road for him. Very versatile."
  • On Arvell Reese and his performance against Akron: "Well, I think in year two, it's kind of that year where you like to see guys take strides. There are things he's still working through, but he plays hard. ... He goes really hard. We can work with guys like that when he gives great effort and has physicality. ... He needs to continue to build on that routine. ... If he does that, he's gonna play a lot of football this season."
  • Day said Cody Simon and Donovan Jackson went through practice with the Buckeyes on Wednesday. "They both practiced today. They're both still day-to-day right now."
  • When asked about Inniss a second time, Day said, "He's done great. ... He is gonna be a big part of our offense this season. We're just getting going with that. The great receivers we've had, they are very much involved on special teams. ... We're gonna find ways to get the ball in his hands." Day called Inniss a playmaker. He also called him contagious and "a guy people like to be around."
  • On where Jeremiah Smith can improve after his standout performance in Week 1: "Just working. Continuing to get better. ... But he's got a great work ethic."
 
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