With 43 days left until the Ohio State season opener, there is a lot of hype with the 2018-2019 team. Since we are ready for the season to begin, I will take my shot at previewing the games on deck for this season. If I get worked up, let it happen–this offseason has dragged on way too long, but its nearly over with!
The first game of the season will be an out-of-conference game against another Power-5 team in Oregon State. The Beavers have a new head coach in Jonathan Smith and he looks to improve from a 1-11 overall record, going winless in the Pac 12. He will attempt to resurrect his teams spread offense with a brand new starter at Quarterback and a pair of offensive player that look to build on last seasons numbers in JR Artavis Pierce and RS JR Noah Togiai. Pierce had a decent season with 323 yards on 68 carries with just a single touchdown and he also added 128 yards on 15 catches. Togiai, on the other hand, had 34 catches for 461 yards and 2 scores.
On the other side of the ball, they return 4 of their top 5 defenders from last season, which would help the newer players in the long run. Safeties Jalen Moore and David Morris return after recording 75 tackle seasons and a pick a piece and a forced fumble. Jonathan Willis also returns with the entire linebacking core that tallied 155 total tackles between them, 5.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. It is quite the collection of defenders within this multi-scheme based defense. Isaiah Dunn is the lone returnee at Corner and they will need to be aggressive with the Ohio State receivers to be competitive in this game.
On Ohio State’s end, their offense will have a new starter in Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell. Haskins has the advantage, but Martell seems to be making it interesting as we inch closer toward fall camp. I think Haskins will edge out in the end, with Martell getting a package of plays to keep the defenses on their heels. Ohio State also returns a ton of weapons from a season ago, with a battle at Tight End coming with the recent addition of Jeremy Ruckert, the upperclassmen better be ready for a dogfight with the true freshman. Most of the receivers have returned for a season with Haskins and both Running Backs are back as well. It is a potent accumulation of talent that could explode in this game–that could set the table for the rest of the season.
The defense is also returning many starters and they should pick up where they left off with potential NFL draft implications at stake. Nick Bosa, Dre’mont Jones, Damon Arnette, Kendall Sheffield, Jordan Fuller are the more notable members of the defense that are eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft, and I am sure they wouldn’t mind bolstering their stock during this season. A ton of underclassmen will also look to improve with Chase Young and Robert Landers looking to be a disruptive force and a near brand-new group of Linebackers behind them.
Prediction:
The defense will be too much for the Oregon State offense, especially the Offensive Line. With Bosa becoming a full-time starter and Young lining up opposite, and Landers and Jones on the interior, it’ll be great to see them demolish the other team and throw them out of rhythm.
The Linebackers will close the running lanes as the DB’s lock up the Beaver #1 receiving threat Togiai. The Linebackers will be without Borland, who suffered an injury, but his replacement Browning or Mitchell will show their skills.
With all things considered, I think the back seven will suffocate the offensive attack and they’ll come up with a few turnovers–especially with a young, unproven signal-caller, it’ll be ugly. I predict a two-pick game and a fumble type of game.
The Ohio State offense will make a statement after shaking off the rust, the offense will put up points in a hurry afterward. I think 3 receiving scores and 4 on the ground. Campbell, Dixon, and Mack score through the air and Dobbins, Weber, Martell, and Teague rumble it in, with Martell and Teague scoring when the starters get pulled.
Ohio State defeats Oregon State:Â 49-10
Good start to the season previews, but I think you’re being generous with Oregon State scoring 10 points. I think they’ll struggle to get on the board at all.
OSU 52
OrSU 0