The Ohio State Buckeyes' season gets underway, finally, on Saturday against the Ball State Cardinals in a game in which the Buckeyes want to have a good showing. 

The Buckeyes still have a nasty taste in their mouths from the way that last year ended, and Saturday is the first opportunity they get to avenge the terrible end of their season last year. 

One thing is for sure: these types of games are always the hardest for a player. A good coaching staff elevates the standard that the team has to clear in games like this to a point that is very hard to achieve. The Buckeyes are massive favorites in this game, and they are more than likely going to win the football game. To a coach, that doesnt matter. 

Playing well matters, and the Buckeyes are looking to execute with their new-look offense. Here are three Buckeyes to watch on Saturday.

I am so curious as to how the Buckeyes are going to look under Smith. There have not been very many coaches who have stepped down from the NFL to a coordinator job with the expectation of being there for a long time.

This is more than a rehabilitation spot for Smith; this is a spot that he could be in for the next five years. That will only happen if his offense looks good, and there is no reason it shouldn't. This game will be fairly vanilla from a play-call standpoint, as the Buckeyes won't show much before Texas. 

However, they will show what their base is going to look like, they will show what their personality is, and if the Buckeyes get into any tough spots, they will show who Smith's emergency button is. 

Ian Moore is one of the most important players for Ohio State this season. He comes into the year projected to take over the left tackle spot for the Buckeyes, which will move Austin Siereveld down to right guard. 

Saturday will be the first time that Moore gets his opportunity to compete at the left tackle position without the threat of being benched looming in his mind. He will get a long leash to make mistakes, as he is no longer a backup, but he is the man. It is important that he makes a great first impression on Saturday.

Enjoy it every second. There will never be another Jeremiah Smith to come through Ohio State. He is the best player in the country this year, and he is the greatest Buckeye wide receiver ever to play. 

It's hard to believe that this is already his final season, but it is here, and it is critical that you enjoy every single snap that he takes because it is going to go fast.