Game Preview: Ohio State vs Nebraska
Ohio State prepares to welcome Nebraska for their first game back after losing to Oregon in dramatic fashion two weeks ago. The focus of this team has been about figuring out those issues that cost them, and making sure they can correct them as they start the second half of the season with no bye weeks remaining. The loss to Oregon is the first time since 2022 where Ohio State had an in season loss that didnt come at the end of the year, so we will see how the Buckeyes respond to try and push for their National Championship run.
This weekend will be a Scarlet Out the Shoe game, so fans are expected to wear red. This is also homecoming weekend, and not just to welcome the new homecoming King and Queen, but also honoring the 2014 National Championship team for their 10 year celebration. Urban Meyer will be in attendance already since Big Noon Kickoff will be on campus, and start at 10am. Kickoff will be at 12pm on FOX.
Know The Opponent:
Head Coach: Matt Rhule (2nd season)
2024 Record: 5-2
Conference: Big Ten
Location: Lincoln, NE
Ohio State Preview
The Buckeyes are ready to get back to the playing field, and let the loss to Oregon be a thing of the past, but also a chance to implement any changes they have made during the bye week to still chaise their season goals. Ryan Day met with with media this week and it didnt take long for him to answer what his focus is on:
“The defense. Everyone’s working in here, and we’re all looking to get better. But yeah, for certain, that’s an area that I’ve really been spending more time during the last week with and making sure that we’re addressing the things that we got beat with in the game.”
There were a few issues that happened, and Day agreed with Saban about calling the defensive scheme with 4 rushing lineman antiquated. Day spent time with Jim Knowles and Larry Johnson to make sure that changes were made and everyone is on the same page. It has been 5 years since Chase Young was a Buckeye, and I am sure that is an area of concern for Day as he is trying to match that standard in performance.
Day was also complimentary of the Cornhuskers, especially Raiola, who was at one point committed to Ohio State.
“He’s a very talented young man. He’s got good size and a strong arm and he really works at the game. … He doesn’t need a whole lot underneath him to make some of those throws and he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
Will Howard also spoke with the media this week, and pointed out that the team does not want to feel like this again, and they are refocusing their efforts on chasing a National Championship. Howard has passed for 1,574 yards with 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, with a 73.3% completion rate. One of the things he mentioned is that he would like more deep shots, but the defenses have been covering that chance so that is why we are seeing so many shorter passes.
Quinshon Judkins leads the running back room with 71 carries for 491 yards and 6 touchdowns. He did have wrist surgery during the bye week, but is not expected to miss any time. TreVeyon Henderson is second on the team with 52 carries for 424 yards and 4 touchdowns. We might see more of James Peoples this game depending on Judkins’ availability. He has 35 carries for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Jeremiah Smith leads the receiver room with 32 catches for 553 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was announced to be on the Biletnikoff watch list this week. Emeka Egbuka is second on the team with 40 catches for 526 yards and 6 touchdowns. Carnell Tate is third on the team with 15 catches for 232 yards and 1 touchdown.
Nebraska Preview
Nebraska enters this game with a 5-2 record, with losses to Illinois and Indiana, with wins against UTEP, Colorado, Northern Iowa, Purdue and Rutgers. After several losing seasons under Scott Frost, Nebraska let go of their prodigal son in favor of Matt Rhule, who was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2022. Under Rhule, the Cornhuskers were 5-7 in his first year, and have already matched their win total from 2023.
The Cornhuskers are trying to bounce back after a loss to Indiana, and Rhule broke down this week his teams mindset preparing for the Ohio State game:
“We have a heck of a challenge ahead of this week. If you go out there against Ohio State and you don’t challenge them and you just want to bail and play off-coverage and, you know, hope that you don’t get beat, you’re gonna get run off the field by those guys. You got to go out there and compete. If a team beats you because they’re better, they beat you because they’re better. But we’ve got to go challenge people. We weren’t that way on Saturday (against) Indiana to many degrees, so we have to be better.”
He was also broke down the challenge of going against Ohio State’s offense:
“Their run game. It’s Chip Kelly, right? He’s gonna find a way to run the ball. They can run the ball any which way. They have an elite offensive line and defensive line. They have elite guys up front. But they’re not spread tempo anymore. They have a quarterback run game. They’ve got two great tailbacks. Their tailbacks are special. They create all different kinds of angles. They’re gonna run a lot of different run schemes. They’ll play with two tight ends. And then they’ve got outstanding receivers where if you play one-on-one they’ll go them. They’ve got great, great players. They start with the run game to create one-on-ones to throw the ball. Then they have the QB run game, which is a great equalizer. Really outstanding football team.”
Freshman Dylan Raiola has been the starter all season, and has passed for 1,592 yards with 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He has been mobile in the pocket, and has been sacked 14 times already this season. Because of the nature of the games the Cornhuskers have played so far, Raiola has played the majority of snaps at quarterback, with his back ups used sparingly.
Dante Dodwell is their lead running back, with 81 carries for 350 yards and 5 touchdowns. Emmett Johnson is second on the team with 43 carries for 231 yards and 1 touchdowns. Raahmir Johnson and Jacory Barney Jr both have over 100 rushing yards as well and 3 touchdowns between them.
Raiola has spread the ball around with his passes, with 5 players catching 19 or more passes. Jahmal Banks leads the room with yardage at 316 and 2 touchdowns. Isaiah Neyor is second on the team with 19 catches for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns, a including a 59 yard reception. Tight End Thomas Fidone II is third on the team with 20 catches for 218 yards.
The Nebrask defense is one of the better rush defenses in the country, ranking 19th nationally, and they are 18th in the country in total defense.
Buckeye Spotlight
Will Howard. Will Howard has spoken up this past week about how he sees the loss to Oregon as a moment of reflection to get better, and I think how he responds will help dictate if the Buckeyes are still on track on offense, or if they still have things to work on. I have been impressed with his leadership to this point, and think he is critical to if Ohio State is gearing up for a undefeated run for the rest of the season.
Cornhusker Spotlight
Dylan Raiola. I can already hear Joel Klatt and Gus Johnson, and the Big Noon crew talking about how Dylan was once committed to Ohio State, before committing to Georgia, and then committing to Nebraska. The freshman has started every game this season, and despite how much he tries to imitate Patrick Mahomes, Buckeyes fans dont have to worry about the Super Bowl MVP playing in the ‘Shoe.
Water Cooler Stat of the Game
9-1. The Buckeyes lead the series 9-1 overall, with the one loss in 2011, but since that point, the Buckeyes have dominated the scoreboard. Ohio State is currently on a 7 win streak, with their other two wins in 1955 and 1956.
Prediction
The Buckeyes will be working through some line up changes on both sides of the ball, but now they have the strange added pressure of putting up a performance similar to Indiana (what a crazy season.) I think the Buckeyes will rebound from their loss better, getting an extra week to work on some scheme, and refocus on their opponents because all of their goals (outside of an undefeated season) are still on the table. Will Howard will work more into the run game, especially if Quinshon Judkins is limited in his playing time. Ohio State’s offense should be able to get what they want on this defense, and might play more ball control to limit Nebraska’s possessions.
Ohio State 42 – Nebraska 10
Photo Credit: Joe Robbins | Icon Sportswire via Getty Image