After we all nailed our week one picks, week two went… not as well. That seemed to be going around.
I was the only person to predict a team’s score exactly, so I’ll declare myself the winner, but really there were no winners last weekend. Except for Oklahoma.
This week figures to go better, both for the Buckeyes and all of us. Probably.
Tony Gerdeman
This might be the shortest game of the year for the Buckeyes. Army is going to try to shorten the game as much as possible, and Ohio State is so gun shy on offense right now that they might not want to go as fast as Kevin Wilson would like. I expect the Buckeyes to regroup this week and rely on their ground forces before going with an air attack.
Army is going to sit back in a zone on defense and come from all different kinds of angles in their run defense, so there might be some feeling out going on early. I’m expecting a pretty low-scoring game simple because of the reduced number of possessions and OSU’s offense coming in a little underconfident.
Eventually, however, Ohio State’s talent will obviously win out. The Buckeyes will run for whatever they want, and J.T. Barrett will hit some shots downfield. The OSU defense might have some struggles early, but they will eventually hold and get stronger. This will be an opportunity for everyone to get back to fundamentals and then carry them onward into the rest of the season.
And J.K. Dobbins is going for 150.
Ohio State 38, Army 7
John Porentas
The Army defense is exactly the tonic that the ailing Ohio State offense needs right now. The Buckeyes should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage and most importantly, establish a running game. When that happens the passing game will miraculously look better too.
The Ohio State defense has been woeful against the pass. Luckily for the Buckeyes Army’s passing game is somewhere south of woeful. What remains to be seen, however, is whether the OSU linebackers can step up against a potent option running game. The linebackers have been as disappointing as the defensive backfield. This is a chance for them to shine. It’s also a chance for them to fail colossally. I’m not convinced they are as good as they need to be, but the OSU offense will make this a win for the Bucks.
Ohio State 45, Army 24
Caroline Rice
While Ohio State is clearly the more talented team in this matchup, I can’t deny the strength of the Black Knights.
The Ohio State and Army matchup will be one of strength against strength. The Black Knights have a strong rush game and the Buckeyes have a strong rush defense. Army is ranked No. 2 in FBS averaging 417.5 yards rushing per game. The Black Knights will be the most dangerous in the red-zone with their talented quarterback, but I don’t think they will score enough points to make this a game. Ohio State ranks second in the Big Ten and No. 13 nationally allowing only 60.5 yards rushing per game, and only one rushing touchdown so far this season.
I think this will be a big game for the Ohio State secondary because Army has attempted 10 passes so far this season and only completed two. This should be an easy match-up for the Buckeye defensive backs despite the Army offense being so unique. It will be tough for the Buckeyes to play against this style of offense because it is a different style of football and it is so unlike what they are used to facing, but I don’t think this will be a problem come third quarter of the game.
The Scarlet and Gray are coming off a tough loss and the Scarlet Knights are coming off a five-game win streak, but I see this only being more motivation for Ohio State to get back on track and win this game.
Ohio State 44, Army 28
Kyle Morgan
After listening to Tony in his most recent episode of “Accost the Field”, I am convinced this game falls at the best time in terms of re-establishing roles, assignments and building trust throughout the defense. To that point, playing Army may be what the passing game needs to clear some hurdles as well.
This will be an interesting game to watch as the fan base looks to see where the play calling trends. Does the offense continue to force the passing game or do they look to pound the running game? Regardless of the plays being called, I’m hopeful for some more creativity from the booth.
The defensive stars of this contest will likely be Chris Worley and an interior lineman. I like the play style of Robert Landers versus this offense as he can neutralize the leverage and pad level played by the Army offensive linemen while still use his quickness to shoot the gaps. I will go out on a limb and predict an interception by the secondary, despite the poor odds.
Offensively, I’m still optimistic the Buckeyes can expose a defense for loading the box, so I will hang my hat on Parris Campbell as the offensive star of the game.
At the end of the day, the Buckeyes fail to cover, but still win handily.
Ohio State 44, Army 18
Tom Orr
Let’s just get this out of the way up front: This game is going to be deeply unsatisfying, just as these service academy games always are when it’s your team playing them.
There is a real beauty to a well-run flexbone triple-option offense, but it’s reeeeeeally hard to see if you’re invested in the team they’re playing.
Army is going to run and run and run and run. Army is going to cut block and cut block and cut block and cut block. The clock is going to run and run and run and run. At some point, Army is going to have a drive that chews up more than half of a quarter. It is going to be maddening to watch; just know that going in.
Ohio State’s roster is so much more talented than Army that this should be a 50-point win. It won’t be. Service academy games never work out that way.
Service academies are like strong FCS teams; if you beat them easily, no one cares. But there’s a very strong chance you won’t beat them easily. In fact, there’s a decent chance you’ll find yourself in a one-score game in the third quarter. Stop scheduling service academies.
Ohio State 35, Army 9