5 questions with Ohio State expert
To learn more about Oregon State's opponent this weekend, BeaversEdge.com chatted with BuckeyeGrove.com publisher Kevin Noon, who covers the Ohio State Buckeyes.
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1. What has been the general reaction in Columbus to the Urban Meyer suspension? How has the fan base and media reacting to it?
Noon: "There was a wide range of opinion when the news first came out but as time went on and more questions were presented about the actual story of what went on, it appeared that the majority of fans were ready for the whole thing to be done and Urban Meyer to be released from his exile. As we know, he now has three games to sit out and that does not sit well with most Ohio State fans.
"But it also does not sit well with the national media, many who seemed hellbent on seeing Meyer pay for the situation with his job. There were many media members who were not following the case on a daily basis, taking one side of the story as gospel and had already passed judgment and sentence on the Ohio State head coach.
"There is a great deal of fatigue over this story in Columbus and beyond in 'Buckeye Nation' but Ohio State fans know they are not done hearing about it and this will be something that will remain in the national eye for weeks to come."
2. Do you expect much to change with Ohio State's game plan and execution with Meyer out?
Noon: "While Meyer may not be there, this is his system, and these are the players he recruited and the coaches that he hired. A cheetah is not going to become an ostrich just because other cheetahs are not around. This team will be who they are in terms of game plan and schemes (meaning, Ohio State is not going to suddenly line up in a Wing-T offense or any serious departure from who they are).
"As for execution, you just have to wonder how the team is going to reach without Meyer on the sideline. He will be missed over there but I don't see it being a major distraction in the way where Ohio State will not play its game. There is a much great chance that Ohio State may look like a team playing its first game of the season more than Ohio State looking sloppy because its head coach is 20-some miles away watching the game from his house.
"I do expect Ohio State to try and come out and send a message however which won't be good for its opponents in terms of trying to get up early and big on its opponents. That is the point of the game however, there really should not be a team who doesn't want to achieve that goal, but I would expect to see an angry Ohio State team that will try and score as many points as possible and allow as few as possible. Ohio State will need to keep its emotions in check however because coming out too emotional would be a departure from the norm and could lead to some stagnation problems."
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3. Who are the main players to watch on Ohio State's offense?
Noon: "Ohio State will be breaking in a new quarterback with Dwayne Haskins starting his first game for Ohio State. He is not J.T. Barrett on the ground, but he is also not J.T. Barrett in the passing game. He is a much more confident and accurate passer than his predecessor.
"Ohio State has a one-two punch at running back with JK Dobbins and Mike Weber, each having their own 1,000-yard seasons as freshmen. Weber got healthier last season and the year went on and showed a gear that most people had not seen out of him, it is a very dangerous tandem for any defense to handle.
"At receiver, Ohio State returns everyone in the room, but Parris Campbell will be the one that Oregon State fans will key in on. He has not proven yet in his career to be a deep threat in terms of hitting him on a 30-yard pattern, but he is the kind of guy who can take a six-yard pass and take it 60 yards. Legitimate track athlete that only needs to make one guy miss to take it to the house."
4. Who should Oregon State fans know about on the Buckeyes' defense?
Noon: "Oregon State fans only need to look down the coast to the Chargers to see Joey Bosa at defensive end, well, his little brother Nick Bosa is now a junior with the Buckeyes and could be a top-five NFL draft pick as well. Ohio State's defensive line is as good as any line not named Clemson and the depth and talent is staggering. Chase Young on the other side at end is a monster as a true sophomore and opposing offensive lines have to decide which guy they want to double.
" Baron Browning will be playing MLB for the Buckeyes and while he might be a more natural OLB, he is going to be one of the most talented players on the field whenever he is on it.
"Jordan Fuller is Ohio State's next great defensive back at his safety position but keep an eye on Ohio State's cornerback rotation of Kendall Sheffield, Jeffrey Okudah and Damon Arnette. All three can play at a high level and Ohio State's rotation will cut down on their snaps and keep them fresh into the second half."
5. What is your score prediction for the game and why?
Noon: "This was a bad match-up for Oregon State under the best of circumstances. Now with Ohio State being angry and looking to send a message, the poor Beavers are standing in the way of a pissed off team that has a lot of talent. Last season, Colorado State hung 58 points on the Beavers in the opener, and I feel that Ohio State will top that with a strong debut by Haskins and a power running game with Dobbins and Webber. Oregon State did put 28 points up in that game [against Colorado State] in 2017 but I don't see them getting anywhere close to that number as the Ohio State defense is very much in a different league than what the Rams brought to the table just a year ago. Ohio State 63 Oregon State 7"