Staff Picks: With Hilltoppers in town, Ohio State expected to take next step offensively
COLUMBUS — Two weeks into the season, and Ohio State hasn’t been nearly as efficient offensively as it would like. The Buckeyes are tied for 114th nationally and last in the Big Ten in third down conversion rate. They’ve especially struggled on 3rd-and-short, in other words, when there are four yards or fewer to gain on third down. In those instances, Ohio State is 3-of-11 this season.
Part of the reason why the Buckeyes have been rocky in short-yardage situations is because their running game is inconsistent.
Ohio State is 12th in the Big Ten right now with 133 yards per game on the ground. Luckily for the Buckeyes, they’re going up against a Western Kentucky team that allowed 374 rushing yards to USF in Week 1.
Saturday is an opportunity for the Ohio State offensive line to get right and, really, for the entire Buckeyes offense to break out.
WKU can put up points, too, but keeping pace will be a tall task for head coach Tyson Helton and the Hilltoppers.
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Viewing Guide: How to watch Ohio State vs. Western Kentucky
By the Numbers: Comparing Ohio State and Western Kentucky
What Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton said about the Buckeyes
The Lettermen Row crew believes WKU quarterback Austin Reed will have his moments. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day labeled Reed as an NFL signal caller this week, after all. But staff writers Andy Backstrom, Tim May and Spencer Holbrook also think the WKU defense is no match for a Buckeyes offense that, sooner than later, is primed for a touchdown clinic.
Check out our score predictions below:
Andy Backstrom: 49-20, Buckeyes
“I think it’s interesting because Western Kentucky, Ryan Day said it, they have an identity. Not only do they want to score a lot of points on offense, but that defense is complementary. Because they fly around, and they force takeaways. They were No. 1 in the country last year with 32 takeaways. They’ve already got six this year. I do think they’ll score some points. I think they’ll get 20. I think Ohio State will get 49, though, and this won’t be a very close game. But I do think this is a test for this defense, and I do think [Western Kentucky] will throw some haymakers as Tim would like to say.”
Tim May: 52-13, Buckeyes
“I think this is the week Ohio State gets to the 50s because there are going to be ample opportunities to score touchdowns in this game. I thought the same thing last week. They’ve had two touchdowns taken off the board, unjustly. Seriously, that starts to bother you a little bit — I know it’s bothering Ryan Day — because of how questionable it was, both of them. I’m thinking something like 52-13.”
Spencer Holbrook: 51-21, Buckeyes
“I’m going to go 51-21. I agree with you, Tim, I think Ohio State’s going to score a lot of points. I agree with you [Andy]: 52, 49, 51 [points] — we’re all in that range, we think that Ohio State’s going to get it together. It might help a little that Western Kentucky’s defense is a little susceptible to some yards given up. But also they’re OK with that because they live and die with chaos. … [But] if Ohio State wants to establish the run and make sure that it feels good about its ground game going into Notre Dame, you might see a lower-scoring game.”
