The Ohio State Buckeyes are set for a week three matchup today with the Kent State Golden Flashes, where they have to rebound from their loss last week.
The Ohio State Buckeyes get their first opportunity to rebound from their loss to the Texas Longhorns in week two of the college football season. It was a meltdown of the ages, but the Buckeyes still have everything they want right in front of them as they have their sights set on making a National Championship run.
As Ohio State opens the game today as a 52.5-point favorite against the Flashes, the outcome will hardly be in question. So that begs the question: what does success look like on Saturday for Ohio State?
It starts with the realization that today isn't going to wash anything away from the events of last week. The reality is that the Buckeyes had the chance to step on the throat of a really good football team on the road, and they didn't do it. Beating up on the Flashes is not going to change that outcome.
However, it starts today at the line of scrimmage, specifically on defense. The Buckeyes' defensive front was really bad against the Longhorns. Ohio State has a major problem if they cannot generate pressure with their defensive linemen.
It's the trio of transfers in the middle, along with Kenyatta Jackson and Beaut Atkinson, who all have to dominate up front. It will also be on freshman Khary Wilder, who has already shown amazing potential this season.
On offense, the eyes need to be on the skill positions. Jeremiah Smith is on the verge of history today for the Buckeyes, but the rest of the bunch needs to step up. Week one was solid production across the board, but last week was embarrassing.
Outside of Jeremiah Smith, there were only two catches made by wide receivers against Texas. It needs to be better, and they need to find production from anyone who wants to step up.
Head coach Ryan Day commented this week that there is no such thing as "new players" anymore. Everyone in this program has been here long enough, and they need to step up.
That leads me to believe that there is going to be a serious elevation of young players into important, starting roles for the Buckeyes today and as we advance.
The last place to look is at the quarterback position today. Julian Sayin wasn't bad against the Longhorns, but he wasn't good enough. He needs a clean game on Saturday, and the Buckeyes can come out of here having moved on from Texas and having done enough against an outmatched opponent to get better.
Buckeyes and Flashes up at noon on Saturday.
