I’m not the kind of person who touts other people’s successes, mostly because it makes me look worse than I already am, but I do feel the need to mention that six of the eight staff predictions last week nailed the TCU score within 10 points.
While almost all of us did pretty well and came relatively close to the 40-28 score, the winner this week is Tom Orr with a prediction of 38-27 for the Buckeyes. But we don’t need to talk about that anymore.
This week, No. 4 Ohio State (3-0) hosts Tulane (1-2) and the Buckeyes are 37-point favorites. While there is very little doubt about the ultimate outcome of this game, we still need to get our guesses out there for all to see.
So let’s get started.
Tony Gerdeman
This could normally be the kind of game where the Buckeyes might stumble a bit because they’re coming off of a big win against TCU and are looking ahead to next week’s trip to Penn State. With Urban Meyer returning to the sideline this weekend, however, don’t expect the team to be anything other than focused.
The weather conditions are going to be perfect, and I expect the OSU offense to come out flying in order to put as many points on the board in the first half as possible. They’ll want to sit starters in the second half, so I don’t expect Dwayne Haskins to throw for 300 yards, but he should have a few touchdown passes.
Defensively, expecting a more disciplined approach against Tulane’s triple-option shotgun passing offense might be a bit much. But it’s not like they’ll be able to keep up with Dwayne and Tate.
Ohio State 63, Tulane 14
Caroline Rice
With Urban Meyer back this week, I think the Buckeyes will be excited and fired up. I just feel bad that Coach Meyer’s anger will be taken out on the Green Wave. This game will not be pretty for Tulane either way, but this week I am more concerned with how Ohio State is going to look than the actual game itself.
Ohio State can respond to last week’s win in either one of two ways: they can fall off a bit and look sloppy because they are too confident, or they can look at this game as another opportunity to have a huge win before heading into State College next week.
I think the Buckeyes will look good — actually, really good. I’m predicting another huge game for the Ohio State offense and Dwayne Haskins (and Tate Martell). What I am really going to be looking for is how Chase Young and Jonathon Cooper can step up for Nick Bosa. He is a huge loss for the Buckeyes and I think they need to figure the defense out in this game while they can.
I hate to look ahead, but the Green Wave don’t pose a threat to Ohio State on Saturday. The Buckeyes need to use this game as an opportunity to prepare for Penn State.
Ohio State 63 Tulane 10
Michael Meihls
In 96 career games coached during the month of September, Tulane head coach Willie Fritz has won 69 of them. After Saturday, that number will still be nice.
Tulane is outmatched in every aspect of the game this weekend. The Ohio State defense will dominate at will, no matter who is out and resting up for Penn State. This would be the perfect game to move players around to get game experience in other positions, like say: Shaun Wade at safety.
On offense, I really believe Coach Meyer will do as he mentioned earlier this week. Expect to see the running game be highlighted and fine tuned, even as the 2nd & 3rd stringers get playing time. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a few designed runs for Haskins while he’s in also.
Ohio State 55, Tulane 7
Brandon Zimmerman
This week, I think we will see Ohio State really try to work on the run game. Sure, Dwayne Haskins could throw for 300+ yards but I don’t think they want to see that. With a young offensive line, I think they will work on their run blocking and build some confidence going into the Penn State game.
On defense, I hope we see Shaun Wade move back to safety and get some experience under his belt. Ideally, he has used these past two weeks to familiarize with the position in practice and this week in game action. In a perfect world, he is starting alongside Jordan Fuller next week.
Ohio State 66, Tulane 7
Tom Orr
One week after the Buckeyes played a game far from home that offered some intrigue and the possibility of an exciting second half, they’re back on that Oregon State/Rutgers B.S. this week.
Tulane runs a vaguely interesting variant on the triple-option from the shotgun. It’ll be intriguing to watch for a few drives.
The Buckeyes have a chance to put up some insane numbers on offense this week. Don’t be surprised if Dwayne Haskins has 250+ yards and 3-4 touchdowns before halftime and then shuts it down.
A few random predictions: At least three quarterbacks throw a pass for the Buckeyes, including Matthew Baldwin. At least four running backs record a carry, and no fewer than 11 players have a reception. Five or more different players score a touchdown for OSU.
OSU is favored by 37, with an over/under of 69. Somewhere around that seems like a nice pick.
Ohio State 52, Tulane 17
Michael Citro
I watched part of Tulane’s opening game and came away without too much of an impression of any players on the Green Wave. I’m not saying the team doesn’t have good players, I’m saying I couldn’t remember any of their names 10 minutes after I stopped watching. They just failed to make an impression on me.
I’m going to use this totally scientific and not-at-all arbitrary measurement to say that Ohio State will roll, even without Nick Bosa and whoever else needs to rest. In fact, most of the starters will probably get to rest for a good bit of this game. They should probably do film study on Penn State right there on the sidelines.
Ohio State 55, Tulane 6
Adam Borland
Dwayne Haskins threw for almost 350 yards and two touchdowns against TCU, while also adding a rushing score. J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber combined for 185 yards on the ground on a combined 36 carries, averaging over five yards per touch. The Buckeye defense allowed 28 points, but also put two touchdowns on the board themselves. In short, their talent level eventually separated them from a TCU team that will likely finish in the top-15 this year.
I wrote all of that to say… Tulane is not TCU. Tulane is not in the same ballpark as TCU. Ohio State will have its way with the Green Waves.
Oh, and Urban Meyer, you may have heard, returns from a suspension this week. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and watch this inspired Buckeye team roll to an easy victory.
Ohio State 56 – Tulane 10