Scarlet Sunrise: ESPN experts predict Buckeyes deep run in CFP after Week 1

COLUMBUS — Ohio State got an easy win on Saturday over Akron, and the Buckeyes will expect to race past Western Michigan in similar — but more impressive — fashion.

ESPN experts Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura released their weekly bowl projections after the first week of the season, and they have the Buckeyes making a deep run in the College Football Playoff already. They’re buying that this is a championship roster.

Both Schlabach and Bonagura have the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl as the No. 2 seed — earning a first-round bye into the CFP quarterfinals. Bonagura has Ohio State facing — and beating No. 7 seed Notre Dame, while Schlabach has the Buckeyes beating No. 10 seed Ole Miss in that game.

On to the semifinals at the Cotton Bowl, where both Bonagura and Schlabach have the Buckeyes winning to get to the national title game. Bonagura predicts Ohio State will beat No. 6 seed Texas in that game, while Schlabach as the Buckeyes taking down No. 3 seed Miami.

Both have the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes taking on No. 1 seed Georgia in the national title game in Atlanta.

It’s only been one week, but both experts are buying the Ohio State hype.

ICYMI: Former Michigan linebacker Joey Velazquez, now with Buckeyes, loses black stripe

Joey Velazquez was a part of the Michigan football team for all three of the Wolverines’ three wins over Ohio State in the last three seasons. Now the Central Ohio native is working to help Ohio State turn the tides of the rivalry and win a pair of gold pants for the Buckeyes.

Velazquez, a graduate senior linebacker, took a big step in his attempt to carve out a role for the Buckeyes on Wednesday, shedding his black stripe after practice ahead of the second game of the season.

The former St. Francis De Sales star did not appear in a game last season during the Wolverines’ run to the national championship. He appeared in 20 games, mostly on special teams, during his time with the Wolverines program. According to On3’s Michigan site, The Wolverine, Velazquez was recruited to Ann Arbor to play the VIPER position in former UM defensive coordinator Don Brown’s system.

Velazquez was a three-star prospect and the No. 1,076 player in the country in the 2019 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

Lettermen Row story on Eddrick Houston…

Note: This is a preview of a premium Lettermen Row story.

COLUMBUS — Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun said last fall that defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is part of “BIA,” or “Best in America,” the tag line the Buckeyes’ secondary goes by and strives to live up to, both in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and on game day.

Williams tied with Igbinosun and fellow Ohio State defensive back Jordan Hancock for third on the team with five passes defended in 2023. For reference, no other Buckeyes defensive lineman deflected more than two passes last year.

This fall, though, Williams might have some competition. True freshman defensive end Eddrick Houston got a piece of two passes during the 52-6, season-opening win over Akron last weekend.

“I think it’s great,” Williams said Wednesday. “He got long arms. He put them to use.”

Actually, wind that back: Williams first said Houston has “long ass” arms before putting his hand over his mouth and restarting a profanity-free sentence. But Williams’ innocently candid remark rings true.

READ MORE: Eddrick Houston’s season-opening pass deflections a tip-off that ‘he’ll be real good’

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Western Michigan: 1 day
Ohio State at Oregon: 36 days
Ohio State at Penn State: 57 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 85 days

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