Ohio State Football: Scarlet And Game Round Table, Predictions Week 1

Willie Lutz: Well, if we’re talking offense, I see a situation where Mike Weber doesn’t see a ton of touches, but his rushes will, in effect, seal the game early. Weber is explosive to say the least, and while we’ll see a Barrett-Dobbins duo picking up cheaper yards, Weber might be good for two or three runs of twenty or thirty yards plus.

Last season, the Hoosiers gave Barrett fits from the pocket, but something in me sees the senior tearing through what’s normaily been a proven secondary. The Heisman contending Barrett has nothing to prove to fans or teammates, but he’s got more to prove to himself. I’m waiting on JT to sit back and deliver bullets to Marcus Baugh, Johnnie Dixon, and DeMario McCall with relative ease.

Meanwhile, I think we will see some rust on the defensive side of the ball, at least from the secondary. Nick Bosa, Sam Hubbard, and Tracy Sprinkle are going to give Richard Lagow fits, and their pressure might carry the Buckeye defense. I’m not quite sold on Jordan Fuller, Denzel Ward and Jeffery Okudah; afterall, this unit is replacing three first round NFL selections.

I say this with an asterisk, as I think a pair of interceptions gives this secondary that Hooker-Conley-Lattimore confidence that boosted the 2016 Silver Bullets. If that happens, expect another top-rated scarlet and gray defense.

On paper, this game is about as clear cut as it gets. I expect the Buckeyes to run it up fast and get the second unit some work by the half time break. The No. 2 Buckeyes roll over the Hoosiers 48-9.