You know it’s real when the staff picks show up. How does everyone here see the game going? Well, I’ve only read my own picks, but I’m assuming there’s going to be a whole lot of Scarlet and Gray pickin’ going on. Which players will be picked to shine? Will there be any random predictions? Is there a hater among the bunch? Read and find out.
Tony Gerdeman
I don’t know if Dwayne Haskins will throw for 300 yards this week, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to have at least 230 yards passing in the first half. Expect Parris Campbell to have 100 of that.
The Buckeyes will do what they want in the run game, and we might even see a freshman go over 100 yards in this one.
Defensively, the Buckeyes will have to tackle because quarterback Jake Luton will be getting rid of the ball quickly. I don’t see Oregon State running the ball well, or doing much of anything well. They may punt nicely.
They will not block Nick Bosa all that well.
Ohio State 62, Oregon State 14
Tom Orr
After one of the more bizarre and controversial lead-ins to any season in Ohio State history, the Buckeyes and their fans finally get to actually enjoy a few hours of football. Given the nearly month-long media blackout, we have even more unanswered questions than normal this year.
The left tackle spot is still unsettled and we’ve never seen the five projected offensive line starters play together. Dwayne Haskins is a first-time starter. No one outside of the program has ever seen Tate Martell take a “live” snap, and it’s not clear how he’ll be deployed.
The passing down package for the defensive line, known as the Rushmen, still isn’t set. Is Tuf Borland going to play? How settled is the depth chart at linebacker? Is Isaiah Pryor really set as the starter opposite Jordan Fuller, as the depth chart suggests? Or will Pryor and Jahsen Wint rotate, as Greg Schiano said?
Is this the year Demario McCall finally makes an impact on special teams? What will the Buckeyes do about the new kickoff rule?
Fortunately for Ohio State, there is one question that has a definite answer. Is Oregon State an even remotely competent opponent? No. No, they are not.
Ohio State 48, Oregon State 6
Caroline Rice
This game will show the strengths of the Buckeyes. We’ll be able to see how this Ohio State team looks with all of the changes that have taken place. This will be a good opportunity for the Buckeyes to test their offense out a bit and see what they are made of with Dwayne Haskins behind center. I’m expecting a huge game for Haskins as well as J.K Dobbins and Mike Weber. The Beavers have a very weak and thin defensive line that will not be able to stop the Buckeye offense.
The Beavers are just not that good right now. They have some talented players and an experienced running back in Artavis Pierce, but the team is just not good. It’s as simple as that. They haven’t been able to beat a conference opponent, and I don’t think they’ll be able to to beat this Ohio State team. The Buckeyes will come out hungry and angry.
Ohio State 63, Oregon State 7
Mike Meihls
If the NCAA instituted a relegation rule, Oregon State would have been moved down years ago.
On paper, this game isn’t close. Even without Urban Meyer, Ohio State’s underclassmen team would win.
I expect a few things: to see the defense dominate, a little bit of Haskins getting to air the ball out to prove to to him he can do it, a steady diet of JK & Weber, and a lot of backups playing.
I want to say this is a 63-3 or 63-10 game, but Ohio State seems to give up a fluke TD in these games, so I’m going 63-17, in favor of the good OSU.
Ohio State 63, Oregon State 17
Chip Minnich
Every indication is that Ohio State will rout Oregon State easily.
Oregon State may be in the Pac-12, but it would be fair to say that new head coach Jonathan Smith has a major rebuilding project ahead of him, and starting on the road against one of the most talented teams in the nation is quite a chore.
Even without Urban Meyer on the sidelines, the talent differential between these two teams is stark, and Ohio State will be able to have their starters out by halftime, if they choose to do so.
Ohio State 56, Oregon State 3
Adam Borland
With almost no focus this past month on the team, players, and actual football, I’d imagine these Buckeyes are as motivated and mad as they come. Not like, “My computer just started doing updates” mad. More along the lines of, “That driver in front of me just came to a complete stop inside of the roundabout” mad.
Sure, Ohio State is without its head coach for the opener. However, this team is one of the most talented in the country, is playing at home, and has a chip on their collective shoulders.
Opposite the Buckeyes, the Beavers of Oregon State are not good at football.
Ohio State 56, Oregon State 14
Brandon Zimmerman
I’m really excited to see a Dwayne Haskins run offense.
I’ve mentioned many times that I feel like this offense has the potential to be the most explosive we have seen at Ohio State and that says something.
On defense, I just want to enjoy the trio of Chase Young/Nick Bosa/Jonathon Cooper wreaking havoc on the Oregon State offense.
I expect a lot of quick routes by the Beavers with some success early.
In the end, this angry team is going to score a lot of angry touchdowns and not give up many angry points.
Ohio State 73, Oregon State 13