Ohio State will open its season at home in Ohio Stadium against the Akron Zips today. The Buckeyes are currently 48.5 point favorites according to ESPNBET, so fans should not exactly be expecting a tight matchup. Ohio State has not lost to an in-state opponent since 1921. They haven’t lost to Akron since 1894. Both of those streaks will likely continue this weekend.
Today’s game will mark the first start as a Buckeye for new transfer portal quarterback Will Howard. Coach Day named him the starter last Thursday after subtly dropping hints of his likely decision throughout camp. Day often praised Howard’s improvements since spring practices and his command of the offense. Fans will all keep an eye on Howard’s play after the struggles of the offense last season under Kyle McCord before departing to Syracuse in January.
Many other Buckeyes will also make their debut in the horseshoe this weekend against the Zips. Star transfer Caleb Downs at safety will be one to watch as he helps lead the defense. Quinshon Judkins a running back who previously played at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin will see time along with veteran TreyVeon Henderson. The last major debut will be for the No. 1 wide receiver from the 2024 recruiting class, Jeremiah Smith. He has been the talk of Brian Hartline’s unit all offseason and his first snaps will come immediately after he was named a starter earlier this week.
Akron head coach Joe Moorhead previously stepped foot in the horseshoe as offensive coordinator for the Oregon Ducks in 2021. The Buckeye defense was repeatedly beat by Moorhead’s offense and would lose to the Ducks 35-28. Moorhead also faced Ohio State prior to that matchup as the offensive coordinator of Penn State in 2016 when they fell to the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley. Despite his track record against the team, Akron should prove to be minimal competition for the stacked Buckeye roster.
Akron has finished 2-10 each of the first two years under their head coach. They will have a new starting quarterback in Ben Finley, the transfer from Cal. Finley does have a tendency to turn the ball over often and the Buckeye defense will be well aware and looking for their opportunities. The Zips do return two key players on defense in linebacker Bryon McCoy and cornerback Devonte Golden-Nelson. McCoy finished 2023 with with 95 total tackles to go along with his forced fumble and recovery for a touchdown. Golden-Nelson also scored on defense last year returning an interception for a touchdown.
Key Players to Watch For the Buckeyes
Offense: Carnell Tate
The sophomore receiver saw time last year after the nagging injuries to Emeka Egbuka throughout the year. He impressed in his limited time hauling in 18 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown. He will see the field as a primary starter in 2024 but hasn’t perhaps received the attention he warrants with the return of Egbuka and the addition of Jeremiah Smith. Tate will very likely quickly remind people how great of a prospect he was and why he receives such praise from current and former teammates. Marvin Harrison Jr. told the media in 2023 that “Carnell’s probably at a better point right now than I was going into my sophomore year.” Fans should keep a close eye on Tate, because that is high praise from a young man who does not volunteer much information to the media.
Defense: C.J. Hicks
The third-year linebacker has gathered attention each offseason and it may finally come to fruition this year. Hicks is not technically a starting linebacker as Ohio State only names two in their depth chart. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles however stated that he considers Hicks a starter. He will most likely work in as a pass rusher from the second level for most of his snaps. That is something Ohio State has rarely used and could be an enormous addition to the defensive scheme. Getting an early look at how Knowles utilizes Hicks will be something to watch for Saturday afternoon.
This is not going to be a game that fans get excited for in terms of it being a great matchup. Fans should however tune in to get a glance at the new-look Buckeyes and of the young talent that should see significant time once the score is out of hand.
The Buckeyes will take on the Zips on CBS at 3:30 p.m. EST.
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