Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes officially open week as massive favorite over Akron
COLUMBUS — Let the 2024 Ohio State football season officially begin. Yes, it’s finally time for Buckeyes football for the first time in eight months and change.
Ohio State will open its season Saturday inside what should be a packed Ohio Stadium, as the Akron Zips will visit the Buckeyes for the first time since 2021 and just the fourth time this century.
The Buckeyes open their season — and the first game week of the year — as a massive 50.5-point favorite over Akron. It’s the first time the Buckeyes are favored by at least 50 points since they were a 52-point favorite against Rutgers in 2019.
The total is set at 57.5, meaning the folks in Las Vegas project this as a 54-3 Ohio State win.
the Buckeyes held two different opponents to just three points last year; those games came against Michigan State and Minnesota in back-to-back November home games.
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ICYMI: Buckeyes land commitment from 4-star OL Jayvon McFadden
Ohio State needed a win on the offensive line recruiting trail. The Buckeyes got one.
Four-star Washington D.C. Riverdale Baptist interior offensive lineman Jayvon McFadden has committed to Ohio State. The No. 395 overall prospect and No. 31 IOL prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings committed to the Buckeyes over Colorado, Maryland and South Carolina.
McFadden, at 6-foot-3.5, 270 pounds, gives the Buckeyes another versatile option in the offensive line class. While he’s projected as an interior offensive lineman — primarily a guard — McFadden has the arm length for tackle.
McFadden is the third member in the Buckeyes’ offensive line class, joining OT Carter Lowe and center Jake Cook. The Buckeyes are led offensively by five-star Plus+ quarterback Tavien St. Clair.
Ohio State still holds the top-ranked 2025 recruiting class after McFadden’s commitment. The top five are Ohio State, Alabama, LSU, Georgia and Tennessee. The next Big Ten team is Oregon at No. 7 in the On3 Team Industry Rankings.
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READ MORE: What commitment of Jayvon McFadden means for Ohio State
Lettermen Row staff picks: Conference champs and national title picks
The offseason is officially over — for some teams. No, Ohio State didn’t take the field in a Week 0 game on Saturday. And the Buckeyes still must wait another few days before finally unveiling what they’ll bring to the Big Ten and national picture this year. But for some other programs, the season is already underway.
Ryan Day’s team has one of the best rosters in college football; that’ll be unveiled next Saturday against Akron (3:30 p.m., CBS). The Buckeyes believe they have the tools to compete for — and win — the national title. Does the Lettermen Row staff think any differently?
In the spirit of the season kicking off, we’re giving out our staff picks to win each of the four major conferences and then also dishing out our national champion picks. Yes, there’s a heavy Buckeyes presence. But no, it wasn’t unanimous that we think the Buckeyes can win the title.
Let’s get to the 2024 Lettermen Row staff picks.
Counting down
Buckeyes vs. Akron: 5 days
Ohio State at Oregon: 47 days
Ohio State at Penn State: 68 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 96 days
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