But on Saturday when No. 3 OSU (2-0) goes to No. 14 Oklahoma (1-1) it will face a quarterback and a cast surrounding him that is probably at least a level or two up from the type of competition it saw against Bowling Green and Tulsa. The only touchdown scored on the Buckeyes came on an interception return. But, have they been tested? This is a young team, and they need to have fun.
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By erasing Oklahoma’s running threat, Ohio State could experience the same success Houston enjoyed during their memorable upset.
And both teams use styles that, while not exactly alike, are essentially similar. OSU has hammered out 313.5 rushing yards per game so far.
Ohio State ranks second in the FBS in scoring (62.5), third in first down (30.5) and fifth in total offense (596.5). But the guys Houston torched two weeks ago, with few exceptions, will be the same ones trying to contain J.T. Barrett, Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson on Saturday.
OU’s offense hasn’t reached its prime yet.
JOE MIXON: Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine is closing in on all kinds of school records, but Mixon is having the better season. The Nittany Lions previous year lost for the first time in 40 meetings with the Owls. They’re itching to explode.
Baker Mayfield: There’s pressure on Mayfield to be the team’s leader from start to finish. So maybe that player emerges for the Buckeyes with with aforementioned advantageous match up this OU defense presents. This week, I want to see them settle on Noah Brown and Parris Campbell as their every down wide receiver … for the most part.
Parrish Cobb: How quick do the Buckeyes challenge the true freshman at cornerback?
“We’re ready. That’s all I can say”. “… Hopefully, that will turn”. I’ve got so much I’ve been taught from players (he worked with) and coaches I played for.
It may be a long night for Ohio State should Oklahoma’s talented trio find their groove on the ground. That’s because Houston coach Tom Herman was a former offensive coordinator in Columbus. However, this season, Colorado has turned heads a bit by putting away its first two opponents – hated in-state rival Colorado State and Idaho State – by a combined score of 100-14.
If they succeed in shutting down the Buckeye ground attack, Barrett can toss the pigskin to Samuel, who is just as unsafe catching the ball with 14 grabs for 261 yards and a couple of scores. This will be a game where someone has to emerge and make plays against a very, very opportunistic Ohio State secondary. Mayfield is one of the best distributors of the ball in the country and that ability mixed with his athleticism make him a very risky dual-threat passer. He totes the same dynamic as Houston’s Greg Ward Jr. He must make sharp decisions. The left side of the offensive line will block the defensive line down to the right, and the right tackle will pull around to block the defensive end. Compounding this issue for the defense is the fact that the safety also has a responsibility in the run game, which can put him in a compromising position on play action passes.
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Both teams have great punters who can flip the field.
