By the Numbers: Comparing Ohio State and Western Kentucky

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has combined for 58 points through two games this season. Last year, the Buckeyes entered Week 3 having scored 66 total points and then erupted for 77 against Toledo.

Could head coach Ryan Day’s team be in for a similar offensive explosion this time around?

Saturday has the makings of a breakthrough on that side of the ball for the Buckeyes. They’re facing a Western Kentucky team that often finds itself in shootouts. The Hilltoppers know how to put points on the board, too. They’ve been top 15 in scoring offense each of the last two seasons and, at the moment, are currently tied for 14th in that department.

With WKU throwing the ball as much it does — the Hilltoppers are tied for third nationally with 44 pass attempts per game — the new clock rule should have less of an effect on the number of plays Ohio State wants to run.

So there could be some afternoon fireworks in Ohio Stadium Saturday.

But, first, Lettermen Row is taking a more comprehensive look at how Ohio State and WKU compare, by the numbers:

Scoring Offense

Buckeyes: 29.0 points per game (T-71st nationally in FBS, 8th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 46.5 points per game (T-14th nationally in FBS, 1st in CUSA)

Total Offense

Buckeyes: 431.0 yards per game (53rd nationally in FBS, 6th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 449.0 yards per game (42nd nationally in FBS, 3rd in CUSA)

Passing Offense

Buckeyes: 298.0 yards per game (30th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 327.0 yards per game (12th nationally in FBS, 1st in CUSA)

Rushing Offense

Buckeyes: 133.0 yards per game (T-89th nationally in FBS, 12th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 122.0 yards per game (99th nationally in FBS, 7th in CUSA)

Scoring Defense

Buckeyes: 5.0 points per game allowed (T-2nd nationally in FBS, T-1st in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 23.0 points per game allowed (T-68th nationally in FBS, T-4th in CUSA)

Total Defense

Buckeyes: 193.5 yards per game allowed (4th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 456.5 yards per game allowed (121st nationally in FBS, 8th in CUSA)

Passing Defense

Buckeyes: 108.5 yards per game allowed (6th nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 189.5 yards per game allowed (50th nationally in FBS, 5th in CUSA)

Rushing Defense

Buckeyes: 85.0 yards per game allowed (31st nationally in FBS, 5th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 267.0 yards per game allowed (131st nationally in FBS, 9th in CUSA)

3rd Down Conversion

Buckeyes: 30.43% (T-114th nationally in FBS, 14th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 42.31% (T-69th nationally in FBS, 5th in CUSA)

Opponent 3rd Down Conversion

Buckeyes: 40.0% (T-72nd nationally in FBS, 11th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 45.45% (98th nationally in FBS, 7th in CUSA)

Sacks Per Game

Buckeyes: 1.50 (T-89th nationally in FBS, T-12th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 2.50 (T-56th nationally in FBS, 3rd in CUSA)

Sacks Allowed Per Game

Buckeyes: 1.00 (T-27th nationally in FBS, T-4th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 0.00 (T-1st nationally in FBS, 1st in CUSA)

Turnover Margin Per Game

Buckeyes: 0.00 (T-63rd nationally in FBS, T-8th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 2.50 (T-3rd nationally in FBS, 2nd in CUSA)

Time of Possession

Buckeyes: 28:58.00 (88th nationally in FBS, 11th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 34:31.00 (12th nationally in FBS, 4th in CUSA)

Penalties Per Game

Buckeyes: 5.5 (T-57th nationally in FBS, T-9th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 6.5 (T-85th nationally in FBS, 7th in CUSA)

Punt Average

Buckeyes: 44.67 (42nd nationally in FBS, 6th in Big Ten)
Western Kentucky: 42.00 (T-75th nationally in FBS, T-5th in CUSA)