Scarlet Sunrise: Heading into South Bend, Buckeyes in 'much different place' than Week 1

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Heading into South Bend, Buckeyes in ‘much different place’ than Week 1

Ohio State has its first “matchup game” of the year Saturday night. The No. 6 Buckeyes will be taking on No. 9 Notre Dame in South Bend for the first time since 1996, as the historic programs complete their home-and-home series.

It’s a highly-anticipated showdown, one that Ohio State feels ready for after three weeks of working out kinks and answering important questions.

For one, the Buckeyes have their quarterback. Before the start of the season, there was still uncertainty at the position, and, now, Kyle McCord has proved why he is and should be QB1.

Defensively, the Buckeyes have passed each test brought their way so far. After cratering late last season, coordinator Jim Knowles’ unit has allowed a combined 20 points in three games. It’s a group that adapted on the fly to the triple option at Indiana in the opener and, this past weekend, held arguably the best Group of Five offense, at least through the air, to 284 total yards and 10 points.

“I’m glad that we went through those three games to get to this point,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said Tuesday. “With some of the new faces that we had, we did work out some of the issues, and so I’m excited to get get on the field and go play this one now. I think we have a pretty good idea of who our team is and where we’re at. So now it’s time to go play.

“But, yeah, we are in a much different place than we were Week 1.”

The Ohio State offensive line has been a talking point since the start of the offseason because the Buckeyes were replacing three NFL draftees up front. That five in the trenches has needed every bit of the first three weeks to gel, especially in the run blocking department.

The O-Line’s progress hasn’t been linear, but it’s detectable. Running the ball efficiently against Western Kentucky is one thing. Doing it versus an opponent like Notre Dame — albeit a somewhat weaker Fighting Irish defensive front than in years past — is a taller task.

So as much as there is reason for confidence, there is also reason for caution.

The same goes for the defense, which Knowles said he’s always looking at with an eye toward improvement.

“I never feel good,” the Buckeyes’ second-year DC said. “I mean, there’s not there’s not a time that I feel good. And that’s not something that I should — it’s a constant striving to get better. Now, you emphasize the positives. You see things, you build on that. And that builds confidence. So I think we just need to keep getting better at that confident approach.

“The more reps you get, the more plays you make, those all count. So, to me, it’s just all about a continued mindset of confidence and controlling the game on defense, It’s really just continue to push the mindset.”

Ohio State will need that mindset, and need to take another step on both sides of the ball, Saturday night. But there’s no denying the Buckeyes are in a different spot than they were earlier this month.

And that’s a good thing for Day and Co.

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‘They don’t give you a lot of freebies’: Ohio State aware of challenge Irish back seven presents

Notre Dame has one of the best young corners in college football, plus a veteran linebacking corps.

As much as Saturday’s game will be won at the line of scrimmage, the strength of the Fighting Irish defense is its back seven, which Ohio State will try to keep off balance with a myriad of weapons.

Lettermen Row took a stab at breaking down that matchup.

Check it out here.

Buckeyes reportedly add home game against Ohio to 2025 nonconference schedule

Ohio State is adding a home game against Ohio for the 2025 season, according to a report from FBschedules.com on Tuesday afternoon.

The in-state clash is reportedly scheduled for Sept. 13, 2025.

That rounds out the 2025 non-conference slate for Ohio State. The Buckeyes also play Texas at home on Aug. 30 and, midway through the Big Ten schedule, UConn at home on Oct. 18.

For more, go here.

Ohio State 2023-24 hoops schedule now complete with Big Ten slate reveal

The Ohio State football season is just getting rolling, but the basketball season isn’t too far out.

We got one step closer with the Big Ten’s schedule reveal Tuesday, meaning that the Buckeyes’ 2023-24 calendar is now complete.

They will once again play 20 league games, 10 at home and 10 on the road. Ohio State is set to square off against Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State, Rutgers and Wisconsin both in the Schottenstein Center and on the road. The Buckeyes will also host Illinois, Maryland and Purdue. And they’ll travel to Iowa, Michigan State and Northwestern.

To check out this season’s full schedule, head on over here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame: 3 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 66 days

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