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Ohio State Football: Week 3 predictions, and some disagreement

By Charlie Lockhart

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches warm ups prior to the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches warm ups prior to the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Scarlet And Game predictions for Week 3 as Ohio State takes on Army.

At Scarlet And Game we like to make our predictions for the upcoming Ohio State game. This week, I’m just going to share Thomas Scurlock’s prediction and my own.

See, Tom and I are always battling to see who has the correct take on a game, and unfortunately for me he is in the lead so far this season. Both of us were wrong last week as Oklahoma defeated Ohio State but Tom had the better take in the season opener versus Indiana.

Well, I’m going to even things up this week, I hope. See what you think after reading our predictions.

Thomas Scurlock:

Hopefully I am not wrong this week.  There is not a better opponent for Ohio State to face this week than Army to put the 31-16 loss to Oklahoma in the rearview mirror.

Army is dead last in the FBS in passing averaging just 8.5 yards-per-game.  They’ve only passed ten times in two games.

The Silver Bullets rank No. 129 in passing yards allowed giving up 403 yards-per-game.

Conversely, Army is No. 2 in the FBS in rushing yards-per-game averaging 417.5.

The Ohio State defense is No. 13 in rushing yards allowed per game allowing just 60.5.

Unless Army spent the off-season working on a passing offense, the defense should be fine as long as they play fundamentally sound assignment football and get off cut blocks.

The Buckeye offense has been unable to get any consistent rhythm going yet.  This week affords them the opportunity to work out the kinks.  The Black Knights are fundamentally sound, but are giving up considerable size and speed up front.

I expect Urban Meyer and Kevin Wilson to establish the running game quickly utilizing J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber in the power and Parris Campbell on sweeps.

In a normal week, Army might be able to keep the game relatively competitive, but not this week. The Buckeyes coming out rolling and cruise to a 48-7 win.

Charlie Lockhart:

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I think Army will have success early in the game because the Black Knights’ offense will be entirely different from what the Buckeye defenders have ever seen. Practice players can give you an idea what to expect, but the Army players have the option offense down to an art.

I see Army getting one or two scores early and then the Ohio State defense will make the needed adjustments and be fine. I agree with Tom that Ohio State has far superior players and will win convincingly, but I’m not so sure there will be an aerial show by the Buckeyes, at least in the second half.

As I wrote in a previous article, Urban Meyer will milk the clock when the Buckeyes have a big lead so as not to appear he is trying to run the score up on Army. After all, he has too much respect for the military to do so.

I see this as being about a 41-14 win for Ohio State, and it could be a little closer.

Next: AP Top 10: Picking against the spread Week 3

Well, these are our predictions for Week 3. Which one of us do you agree with?

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