The sting of the Oregon loss still smarts a bit and all of Buckeye Nation is wondering if the Ohio State football team is as good as advertised or a product of a weak schedule. The only way to find out is to get back at it on the field of play. Next up… the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Nebraska looked like it could be a formidable foe until it got embarrassed this last weekend against Indiana. Will the Huskers come in already defeated or angry and ready to prove the beatdown at the hands of the Hoosiers as an anomaly? Time to find out as we get ready for Homecoming Weekend in the ‘Shoe with our complete preview and prediction for the Buckeyes game against the Huskers.
Records and Broadcast Information
Records
Ohio State (5-1), Nebraska (5-2)
Broadcast Information
Date | Saturday, October 26Game Time | Noon ETNetwork | FoxVenue | Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio) Capacity – 102,780All-Time Series | Ohio State leads 9-1Last Meeting | Ohio State defeated Nebraska 26-17 in 2021
Ohio State Potential Game Plan for Victory
We’ve been saying it for a while now, and honestly, we’re getting tired of beating the same drum. Ohio State simply has to be better in the trenches. While the offensive line has been much better than anyone could’ve thought this year, the defensive line has not. Most of us thought Jim Knowles was holding something back for Oregon because, quite frankly, he didn’t need to do anything special against the Buckeye’s early opponents. Turns out Knowles didn’t have a better plan or what we thought was the strength of the defense, a senior-laden, five-star-studded defensive line just doesn’t have it.
We’re hoping it’s the first because game plans can and should be adjusted. If it’s the second, this team will be in a great deal of trouble. OSU is getting ready for a six-game stretch that is going to determine if this season will be a success or a dud. The defensive line must come out and show the nation they are in fact a force to be reconned with.
Dylan Raiola has been sacked 13 times in the last four games. The Buckeyes didn’t get to Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel once in the loss to the Ducks. That has to change and it has to change starting Saturday. There is simply too much talent on this defensive line not to get more pressure on opposing QBs.
Offensively, the Buckeyes should continue trucking. Indiana just put up 56 points and almost 500 yards of total offense on this black-shirt defense. The OSU offense can score and should continue to move the ball on Saturday. However, it will be interesting to see what happens on the offensive line and how they respond to losing Josh Simmons for the season.
If there’s a position group that lacks depth, it’s the O-line. Simmons has been rock solid, and someone will have big shoes to fill, most likely Zen Michalski. Again, it comes down to the trenches. Can Ohio State run the ball effectively and protect Will Howard in the absence of Simmons? If so, the Bucks should roll.
Key Offensive Player for Ohio State
Quinshon Judkins – Running Back
Rumors are swirling that Judkins had a “procedure” on his hand. If so, will this affect his holding on to the ball? Ohio State needs a healthy Quinshon Judkins to help carry the load in the run game. Nebraska gave up over 200 yards on the ground to Indiana this past Saturday so the Bucks need to establish the running game. And the Ole Miss transfer is a vital part of that attack.
Key Defensive Player for Ohio State
Jack Sawyer – Defensive End
The defensive line must get pressure on Dylan Raiola. We thought maybe it would be J.T. Tuimoloau against Oregon. It wasn’t, and to be fair, no one did. Maybe it’ll be Jack Sawyer this week against Nebraska. The defensive line has to start getting home and causing mistakes. With Raiola being a true freshman, pressure can rattle the kid. Look no further than four interceptions thrown in the past two games. But he’s too talented to allow him to stay comfortable in the pocket.
The Prediction
How It’ll Play Out
Ohio State had an extra week to get things straightened out. The seniors on this team came back with specific goals in mind and all those goals are still within reach. However, the margin for error got a whole lot smaller.
Expect the Buckeyes to come out angry and on a mission. Nebraska got beat up pretty badly in Bloomington and will come into Columbus a little shell-shocked. Ohio State takes advantage of a Cornhusker team that just had its confidence rocked and reasserts itself as a legit title contender.
Final Score
Ohio State 45, Nebraska 17
Line: Ohio State -25.5
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Nebraska preview and prediction
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