It is the last week of Coach Meyer’s suspension and the first big test for the Buckeyes is upon us. It is TCU week and there is a lot of excitement from both fan bases, and what better venue than at the AT&T Stadium–the home of the Dallas Cowboys? This is essentially a home game for TCU, but the Buckeye faithful will find a way to paint the stands in scarlet and gray.
For the Buckeyes, we have seen two dominant performances against mediocre teams and the positive momentum that they have gained cannot be ignored. This Buckeye team is talented and they are arguably one of the most talented teams in the nation and they are also one of the deepest teams at just about every position. They will need to bring their “A” game in order to stop this TCU team, who will be their toughest opponent after two weeks worth of dominating performances. Coach Meyer’s input coupled with Coach Day’s playcalling will be key for the Buckeyes to leave Texas with a win–and possibly a resounding victory.
For TCU, they also faced a pair of mediocre opponents and looked sluggish in the beginning before pulling away. They cannot do that against this Buckeye team due to the explosiveness of Haskins and his wide receiver core. They also cannot afford to lose the battle in the trenches against another collection of talented rushmen led by Nick Bosa, Chase Young, Dre’Mont Jones, and Robert Landers because it is going to be a long day for TCU.
Shawn Robinson provides a unique problem that could threaten this vaunted Buckeye defense and it could spell trouble for them with his ability to run and pass. This will be the first dual-threat quarterback in this years docket and it will be their biggest test before diving into the meat of the rest of their BIG 10 schedule. Another funny part about this is that the Buckeyes heavily recruited Robinson, but he chose TCU instead and the Buckeyes ended up with the Gatorade Player of the Year in Tate Martell.
A lot has been said on the message boards on TCU’s end and they claim that the speed from within their program would essentially give the Buckeyes fits for the entirety of the game this weekend. I get it and in practice, you can be faster than your teammates, but be careful what you wish for because the land of make-believe will come crashing down on you once you witness the caliber of athletes on Ohio States roster. Year in and year out, they constantly reload and bring more speed on top of what they already have on the roster. From the offensive side to the defensive side, they are fast at all levels, and they could be shellshocked once the ball gets housed and the difference in overall speed is evident.
Matchups To Watch:
- Haskins vs TCU Defense: This will be his measuring stick and with the increase in overall talent and team speed, this could be interesting. Will Haskins have another dominant offensive performance against one of the best defensive units? Or will he make mistakes and falter?
- The War in the Trenches: You have to win in the trenches before speaking and with another talented group on both sides of the ball, this will be another matchup to watch. Bosa and friends against the best offensive line that they will face during Coach Meyer’s final game of his suspension. On the offensive side, will their line matchup and dominate against a scrappy TCU defense that ranked in the top 15 a season ago? Or will they struggle?
- TCU WR’s vs Ohio State Back Seven:  With the proclaimed speed of Turpin and friends, it is essential that the back seven of the Ohio State defense plays disciplined and focused football and that they trust their instincts and their keys against TCU. Against an inferior Oregon State team and their backup QB they put up 31 points due to miscommunication and inexperience and it is encouraging for this group. If Fuller and pals can matchup and stick with the gameplan, they can shut down this offense with ease, but with the inexperience and the youth of the LB core, we will have to play it by ear.
- Zone 6/Tote Nation vs TCU Defense:  It will be interesting to see this matchup! With a handful of receiving threats and a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, there aren’t enough footballs to give to everyone, so they need to make their time on the field count. TCU has had one of the better defenses in recent years, but will they or do they have enough to stop this talented offense?
- Texans Return:  With a few former Texans on Ohio State’s roster still on the team, how would they perform in front of their family and friends that they left behind? Will the lights be too bright as they no-show? Or will they dominate and show TCU what they missed out on? J.K. Dobbins, Baron Browning, Demetrius Knox, Kendall Sheffield, and Jeffrey Okudah will return to Jerry’s World and face a team that wanted them on their team.
- Special Teams: Jekyll or Hyde: It is no secret that the Ohio State has struggled with the Special Teams units over the years and this year is no different. With a rotation of returners, there comes growing pains and miscues. Fumbles have been an issue and with an offense that can make you pay. On TCU’s side is Turpin, a potent return man who can swing momentum if given the opportunity to do damage. What this matchup in particular because it could determine the game.
Prediction:  With everything considered I am predicting another 50+ point game for the Buckeyes in a near shootout with TCU. It will be close in the first quarter with both teams providing the fireworks. In a statement game and Haskins’ coming out party against a Top-15 team, he will throw for 200+ yards and at least 4 TD’s. The Running Back duo will carve up the defense with Dobbins showing out in his home state of Texas, but Weber will match him with a score as well.
Haskins: 235 yards and 3 TD’s
Dobbins/Weber:Â 155 yards and 2 TD’s
Buckeyes Defense:Â 3 sacks, 1 int, 2 forced fumbles, 1 TD
Final:Â 56-24, Buckeyes defeats TCU
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