Bold Predictions: Iowa
Ohio State has already experienced one hostile road environment this season. Saturday’s trip to Kinnick Stadium will present a completely different test.
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Monday Musings for Week 5: Iowa
Jeremiah Smith delivered 217 yards, four touchdowns and another place in Ohio State history. Julian Sayin and the third-down offense took a major step forward, too. But after the Buckeyes allowed Illinois to gain 462 yards, are they ready for an undefeated Iowa team, a sold-out Kinnick Stadium and College GameDay? Our Monday Musings separates the progress from the warning signs before a top-15 Big Ten matchup. #GoBucks #Buckeye50
Read moreGame 4 Recap: Ohio State 42 – Illinois 19
Jeremiah Smith delivered another historic performance as No. 7 Ohio State opened Big Ten play with a 42-19 win over Illinois, finishing with 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns. The Buckeyes moved to 3-1 and kept the Illibuck in Columbus, but the final score did not tell the whole story. Illinois piled up 462 yards of offense, including 199 on the ground, raising some legitimate defensive questions as Ohio State prepares for a road test at Iowa.
Read moreGame Preview: Ohio State vs Illinois
The Buckeyes answered their first loss with a rout. Now the standard changes: No. 7 Ohio State must prove that its response can hold up against a Big Ten opponent capable of testing the exact areas that remain unresolved.
Read moreBold Predictions: Illinois
Illinois arrives in Columbus with the same 2–1 record as Ohio State after defeating Southern Illinois 48–10. Quarterback Katin Houser passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns in the win, giving Matt Patricia’s secondary something legitimate to prepare for. The Fighting Illini are still substantial underdogs, but they represent a meaningful step up from Kent State and an opportunity for the Buckeyes to begin conference play by showing measurable improvement.
Read moreMonday Musings for Week 4 – Illinois
Ohio State delivered the response it needed against Kent State, but a 59–3 final did not answer every question. This week’s Monday Musings looks at Jeremiah Smith’s record, the emergence of the Buckeyes’ young receivers, the run-game and third-down concerns still lingering, and what the return of the Illibuck means as Big Ten play begins.
Read moreGame 3 Recap: Ohio State 59 – Kent State 3
A week after watching a 20-point fourth-quarter lead disappear in a crushing 24-23 loss at Texas, the Buckeyes returned to Ohio Stadium with plenty to correct, plenty to prove and little margin for another sluggish afternoon.
Read moreGame Preview: Ohio State vs Kent State
Now comes Kent State, an opponent Ohio State should beat comfortably and a matchup that will not answer every question created in Austin. The Golden Flashes cannot reproduce Texas’ talent, depth or environment. They can, however, give the Buckeyes an opportunity to reveal how they handled a difficult week.
Read moreBold Predictions: Kent State
Kent State now comes to Columbus at the right time for an Ohio State team that needs to correct its mistakes, rebuild some confidence and prove it can maintain its standard for four quarters. The final score should not be in much doubt, especially with the Buckeyes entering as a heavy favorite. The more important question is what Ohio State does with the opportunity.
Read moreMonday Musings for Week 3 – Kent State
The Buckeyes showed they can control a game against an elite opponent in Austin. A 24–23 loss to Texas showed just as clearly that control means little if it disappears in the fourth quarter.
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