The Buckeyes return to the sector right now after an unconventionally early bye week to conclude the non-convention portion of the common season.
Ohio State’s third recreation of the season in opposition to Marshall isn’t anticipated to be considerably extra aggressive than its first two video games of the season in opposition to Akron and Western Michigan. It’s nonetheless an essential alternative for the Buckeyes to proceed honing their craft in all phases of the sport because it’s the final true tune-up recreation for Ohio State earlier than it begins Big Ten play subsequent week at Michigan State.
With that in thoughts, listed below are our greatest questions, high gamers to observe and predictions for Saturday afternoon’s recreation in opposition to the Thundering Herd at Ohio Stadium.
Questions
How many quarterbacks play?
I requested it within the Last Calls earlier than Akron and Western Michigan, and I’ll ask it once more right here. (I might ask it once more subsequent week – or till Dan tells me to cease). In the season opener, Will Howard took 56 snaps and Devin Brown took 10. The following week, Howard took 48, Brown took 18, Lincoln Kienholz took 5 and Julian Sayin took 4. With Marshall on the town for the ultimate non-convention recreation of the common season, will quarterback snap counts seem like the Akron recreation or the Western Michigan recreation? (I feel I’ll take the previous).
– Chase Brown
Can the protection file one other shutout?
Ohio State's protection posted a zero on the opposing scoreboard for the primary time since 2019 when it confronted Western Michigan two weeks in the past. With the Buckeyes' final Group of Five gimme on the docket for Saturday, Jim Knowles' bunch will undoubtedly be trying do accomplish that very same feat once more. In doing so, OSU might want to gradual Marshall's dashing assault led by A.J. Turner.
– Andy Anders
Will Brandon Inniss give the Buckeyes a spark on kickoff returns?
Inniss gave the Buckeyes an enormous spark on punt returns in Week 1, when he had 60 yards on 4 punt returns, however higher hangtime and punt protection from Western Michigan restricted Inniss’ impression as a returner in Week 2. He might get much more alternatives within the return recreation in opposition to Marshall, nevertheless, as Ryan Day mentioned Wednesday that Inniss took reps at kickoff returner this week.
While Day hasn’t but named Inniss the beginning kick returner over Jayden Ballard, it looks like an inevitable transfer after Ballard misplayed Western Michigan’s solely kickoff in Week 2, leading to Ohio State getting the ball on the 6-yard line. And Inniss has already demonstrated that he’s an enormous play ready to occur within the return recreation, giving him the potential to be a distinction-maker on kickoff returns, too.
Ohio State’s final return landing on both a kickoff or punt got here when Jalin Marshall returned a punt 54 yards for a landing in opposition to Indiana in 2014. It could be becoming if Inniss ended that drought in opposition to Marshall 10 years later.
– Dan Hope
Can Ohio State surpass Georgia within the AP Poll with a blowout win?
My query is comparatively meaningless within the huge image, I'm extra so asking this for curiosity's sake and to alter up the angle when the opponent might be one that may go away Columbus not feeling nice about its self-esteem.
With Georgia idle and the Bulldogs producing a lackluster exhibiting in opposition to Kentucky their final trip, it's a must to marvel if the Buckeyes can supplant Georgia for the No. 2 spot within the AP ballot in the event that they deal with their enterprise in opposition to Marshall, or if the voters will proceed to present the Bulldogs the advantage of the doubt. They're not going to cross Texas it doesn't matter what barring a complete catastrophe from the Longhorns, however I've at all times been somebody oddly curious with the week-to-week fluctuations with the AP Poll, so this might be one thing enjoyable price watching.
– Garrick Hodge
Players to Watch
Donovan Jackson
Projected to be Ohio State's high offensive lineman this season with 26 begins already beneath his belt as a Buckeye, Jackson returns to his left guard place after lacking Weeks 1 and 2 with an harm. How the offensive line performs now that it has its full complement of 5 starters will likely be among the many extra attention-grabbing storylines from Saturday's contest.
– Andy Anders
Ty Hamilton
Marshall begins a sophomore at proper guard named Jalen Slappy, an all-title staff nominee. No matter how Hamilton strains up in relation to Slappy, I anticipate the long run All-Big Ten defensive deal with to feast on him. I gained’t be so daring as to foretell that Hamilton will pancake Slappy as he did Western Michigan All-MAC middle Jacob Gideon, however I anticipate Hamilton to assert his dominance typically on Saturday.
– Chase Brown
Cody Simon
Marshall’s most harmful offensive weapon is working again A.J. Turner, who already has two runs of greater than 60 yards in simply two video games this season. Simon, from his center linebacker spot, will play an important position in making certain that doesn’t occur in opposition to Ohio State. Simon regarded pretty much as good as ever in his season debut in opposition to Western Michigan after lacking the season opener with a decrease-physique harm, and he’ll look to construct upon that with an enormous day because the chief of Ohio State’s protection now that he has a recreation beneath his belt.
– Dan Hope
Emeka Egbuka
Egbuka has been a little bit overshadowed thus far this season, primarily as a result of OSU's offense hasn't wanted to drive-feed him in opposition to lackluster opponents and Jeremiah Smith is solely doing insane issues as a real freshman. But a intestine feeling tells me Saturday could be the recreation Egbuka turns in an enormous efficiency and showcases why he is so extremely revered in NFL draft circles. As you may see beneath, Dan agrees with my considering.
– Garrick Hodge
Predictions
Ohio State finishes its non-convention schedule not permitting a single offensive landing
So far, the Buckeyes' protection has been as marketed, holding Akron to 2 subject objectives and Western Michigan to an enormous zero on the scoreboard. Marshall could have a candy all-you-can-eat NIL cope with Tudor's Biscuit World, but it surely does not have an offense that is going to threaten the Buckeyes persistently on Saturday. I'll give the Thundering Herd a subject purpose on Saturday, however I'm forecasting they're going to be saved out of the top zone and the Buckeyes will head to East Lansing subsequent week with none touchdowns allowed within the 2024 season.
– Garrick Hodge
Emeka Egbuka will rating two touchdowns
Nine totally different gamers have mixed to attain 15 touchdowns for Ohio State by two video games, however none of them have been Emeka Egbuka. He’s overdue to finish that drought, particularly contemplating he probably should have had a touchdown in opposition to Akron. I’m predicting Egbuka does so in an enormous manner by scoring twice in opposition to the Thundering Herd.
– Dan Hope
TreVeyon Henderson rushes for 100 yards
Quinshon Judkins had an enormous day carrying the ball for Ohio State in opposition to Western Michigan; this week must be Henderson's flip. The Buckeyes have saved his carries down early within the season however he is confirmed efficient in his alternatives, gathering 131 yards and two touchdowns in simply 18 makes an attempt (7.3 yards per carry). Henderson is 124 yards away from 3,000 for his profession.
– Andy Anders
Ohio State scores a defensive landing
The Silver Bullets scored two defensive touchdowns within the season opener however recorded zero final week. If the Ohio State protection is to be completely balanced – as all issues must be – then the Buckeyes will want one rating from that aspect of the ball in opposition to Marshall. (I feel we are able to all agree {that a} particular groups landing would be acceptable, too).
– Chase Brown
