Game Preview: Ohio State vs Western Michigan
The adage that the biggest growth is from week 1 to week 2 will be on full display for game 2, as Ohio State prepares to take on Western Michigan under the lights in their first night game of the season. As a fan, a 46 point win against an overmatched opponent in Akron was fine, especially since the Buckeyes were able to play 70 different players in week 1, but to rest on their laurels would be going against what the coaches have said this week after getting a chance to watch the game film, and prepare to take the next step against the Broncos.
In his weekly press show on Thursday, Ryan Day said these were the areas of improvement for this team, “”I would say everything. Three-and-outs, getting off the field on third down. … Every area of our game has to improve. … We have to find those inches.”
The Buckeyes out-talent their opponent for the second straight week, but in week 1, Wester Michigan challenged Wisconsin at Camp Randell. “When you watch the film, you’re seeing them play a Big Ten opponent (Wisconsin), which gives us more of a barometer for what we’re dealing with. … It looked like a Big Ten-style game overall. I know that has our guys’ attention.”
Focus will be the key as well to this game, as the Buckeyes will look to build from week 1 successes, and want to keep healthy leading into their first bye week of the season.
Saturdays game will be also the recognition of the Alumni band, so there is a good chance we will get to see 4 Script Ohio’s take the field. BTN will cover the game, and kickoff will be at 7:30pm.
Know The Opponent:
Head Coach: Lance Taylor (2nd season)
2024 Record: 0-1
Conference: MAC
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Ohio State Preview
The Buckeyes took care of business in week one against Akron, winning 52-6, but they were not satisfied with their performance. They started off slow due to execution issues, and were only up 17-3 at halftime, not the outcome you would expect from the second ranked team in the country when playing against an opponent they outmatch in every aspect in regards to talent. They finally made the necessary adjustments and scored 35 points in the second half, including 2 defensive touchdowns. Ryan Day expects a better start for his team as they go into week 2.
“The effort across the board was solid,” he said. “We got a long way to go here, and we want to keep pushing. There were certainly some great clips (last) Saturday, but we’re nowhere near where we need to be. We’ve got to keep building. It’s a long season.”
Will Howard did will for his first game, but had 4 incompletions to start the day, which in part had to do with some untimely drops. He finished the game stronger though, and passed for 228 yard with 3 touchdowns, and no turnovers. He also made some plays with his legs, extending some protection brreakdowns, and rushed 4 times for 18 yards, and element that can make him a key player for Ohio State as they get deeper into their schedule.
TreVeyon Henderson leds the running backs with 65 yards on 8 carries, while Quinshon Judkins ran for 55 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown. James Peoples was able to get into the game as the third running back, and added 30 yards on 6 carries and got his first touchdown ever as a freshman.
Jeremiah Smith was as advertised in game one, but his youth showed in a few moments of the game, especially a dropped pass where he had a chance to take it 60 yards to the house. He had 6 catches though 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. not bad for a Freshman. Carnell Tate had 4 catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Emeka Egbuka added 51 yards on 4 catches, and had a touchdown called back.
The defense stepped up week 1, and will need to continue to play well this week, forcing 3 turnovers, 5 sacks, and recording 10 tackles for a loss. Donovan Jackson and Cody Simon are listed as day to day, so they might be out for the second straight game, but Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese did a great job at linebacker.
Western Michigan Preview
Western Michigan (not the true TTUN) opened up their season on the road against Wisconsin, and pushed the Badgers throughout the game. They enter this week as a 5 score underdog, but if you ask their head Lance Taylor, he feels that his team is right there, just need to finish.
When you look at that game, for three-and-a-half quarters, we played really well,” Taylor said. “Disciplined, smart, sound football. For the last 10 minutes we didn’t. We did some things we didn’t do at other points in the game. And ultimately, that cost us the game.”
He does know that there is a difference this week going against the number two team in the country.
“Not only are they really good players but they are a disciplined football team,” he said of the Buckeyes. “They don’t beat themselves, they’re where they should be, and they make the plays they should. Really good football teams do that. So it will be a great challenge for us.”
Veteren quarterback Hayden Wolff leads the Broncos, passing for 141 yards, and through 1 interception last week against the Badgers. He can move around in the pocket, but will need to make quick decisions against a very talented Buckeye defense if he wants to try and help his team move the ball.
Jalen Buckley at running back is one of their best players, rushing for 64 yards on 16 carries last week, and scoring 2 touchdowns. He also caught a pass for 24 yards. Zahir Abdus-Salaam is the second leading running back on the team, rushing for 22 yards on 5 carries.
Malique Dieudonne is the teams leading receiver, catching 2 passes for 45 yards. Tight End Blake Bosma is the second leading target with 2 catches and 23 yards. The offense likes to use their running backs in the pass game, so it will be key for the line backers to keep track of them in short yardage situations.
Buckeye Spotlight
Will Howard. I would like to see how much he can improve this week, especially after the slow start. He knows that the offense runs through him, and of the starting quarterbacks who are hunting for the playoff this season, he needs to help himself standout more, especially in games like this one where he can build confidence.
Bronco Spotlight
Jalen Buckley. The running back might be the best weapon for Western Michigan, and I think he will be used more in the passing game if the offensive line is not able to contain the rush attach of the Buckeye defense.
Water Cooler Stat of the Game
These two teams have only met one other time, and that was in 2015, so this stat will be about the opponent Western Michigan’s brown and gold color scheme. The first two years of the school’s existence, the athletic teams wore brown-and-gold ribbons and sporting brown-and-gold pennants at games in the spring of 1905, which match the brown-eyed Susan flowers that bloomed on campus.
Prediction
Ohio State will be under the lights for this game, and the energy will be much greater for this one, and I anticipate that the Buckeyes will score on their first four possessions. Will Howard will pass for 3 touchdowns and over 250 yards, while TreVeyon Henderson and Judkins combine for over 200 yards on the ground, knowing that the run game is something both Day and Chip Kelly want to make a strength for this offense. The Silver Bullets will step up again, forcing 2 turnovers, and holding the Broncos under 200 yards of total offense. The second team should be in the game going into the third quarter, and Ohio State coasts to a 2-0 record entering their bye week.
Ohio State 56 – Western Michigan 6
Photo Credit: Land-Grant Holy Land
I say 49 ton 13, Bucks Larry