Preview: #7 Oklahoma vs #2 Ohio State

With the first week of the young CFB season behind us, we look forward to another contest that has once again garnered another College Gameday appearance.  The featured matchup will place two Top 10 teams against each other, and with two big-time and experienced leaders at the Quarterback position, there will be no shortage of big plays and drama.

What To Watch For:

J.T. Barrett versus Baker Mayfield:

In a game filled with great matchups, Barrett versus Mayfield takes the front seat in this contest. Mayfield led the offense to an impressive win over UTEP, while Barrett took some time to get his offense going.  Although it was not entirely his fault, the WR’s failed to break away from the opposing DB’s.

Mayfield looked sharp against inferior and outclassed competition.  He finished 19 for 20 for 329 yards and 3 scores, in a 56-7 drubbing of UTEP.  This week he will face a newly pieced together set of DB’s and he will be looking to test them early and often with his crop of receivers.

Barrett was efficient during his showing and he showed some improvement balancing the running and passing.  He finished with 4 total TD’s and 365 yards, 301 of which were through the air and he also had 64 on the ground.  This balance was needed and he will need to stay focused and sharp against a mostly experienced secondary that has three Seniors to lean on.

This game will most likely fall on the shoulders of both men with ball security, balance and turnovers will be the deciding factor.  There will be no shortage of big plays and offensive fireworks, this is what makes this so exciting.

Trench Wars, Best D-Line versus Best O-Line:

In what is almost another given, the battle in the trenches between Oklahoma and Ohio State is another key matchup to watch in this battle of two Top 10 teams.

Oklahoma has one of the best Offensive Lines in the nation led by LT Orlando Brown and they average out to about 304.4 lbs of humanity tasked to protect Mayfield.

On the other side of the line will be one of the best Defensive Lines in the nation led by Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis.  Behind them, the depth at Ohio State, particularly on the Defensive Line, they are two or three deep at each position.

This matchup will determine the success of either team.  The Sooner line is talented and will be a major test for the Buckeyes line.

Buckeye DB’s versus Sooner WR’s:

I remember people saying that Ohio State will not face another crop of big, physical receivers again this season. Guess what?  They were wrong.  The Sooners top 3 receivers are 6’3″, 6’5″ and 6’5″.  Ceedee Lamb, Mark

The Sooners top 3 receivers are 6’3″, 6’5″ and 6’5″.  Ceedee Lamb, Mark Andrews, and Jeffery Mead are massive, with Andrews, a former Buckeye target being the heaviest at 253 lbs.  Kendall Sheffield, Damon Arnette, and Denzel Ward need to be sharp.  Jordan Fuller and Damon Webb need to stay disciplined as well.

Kendall Sheffield, Damon Arnette, and Denzel Ward need to be sharp.  Jordan Fuller and Damon Webb need to stay disciplined as well.

This could be another shootout, but can the Buckeye secondary cover and force a few turnovers for the defense?  Can the Sooner Wideouts out-muscle their smaller opponents?

Sooner Front 7 versus Dobbins/Weber:

True Freshman J.K. Dobbins received his first start and he surely did not disappoint.  He finished the game with 29 carries for 181 yards and 2 catches for 24 yards.  This week he will share the load with Mike Weber.

Together they face a stout front 7 led by 3 seniors. They will be tasked to stop the ground game and get to the QB.  It won’t be easy, but they gave them fits a season ago, so it’ll be interesting.

The Ohio State line isn’t sorry either, as they average 310.8 lbs as a whole.  Three of the five a 6’7″, with Jones being 6’5″ and Price being 6’4″.  With a major chip on their shoulders, particularly with the right side of the line, Bowen and Prince will be looking to establish themselves.

Can WR’s break open:

Finally, can the Buckeye WR’s break open consistently enough to and make plays?  This will be hard due to the experience opposing them.

They are all talented, but they need to outwork the DB’s to give Barrett a chance to win the game for them.  Barrett wasn’t perfect, and he did miss a few of his guys on errant passes, but the WR’s had a few drops during the game too.

Will they be reliable threats for Barrett?  Will they be able to break free from the coverage and make plays?  Can Zone 6 make the Buckeye Offense, particularly the deep ball sizzle again?

Prediction:

This will be another hard fought game with the Sooners keeping it close in the first half.  Their WR’s will out muscle the DB’s early before halftime.  This game will be a back and forth affair until the Buckeye Defense takes over and forces a few turnovers.

With a combination of second half adjustments and the Buckeye front seven’s relentlessness, the Buckeyes pull away in the second half for a close win at home.

This game will showcase many NFL hopefuls and it will be filled with team scouts.  This game will also feature the next wave of talent, as many Buckeye commits and targets will be present for the show.

Final Score:  41-31 Buckeyes