Ohio State Football: 4 Predictions for the Buckeyes in October
Predictions for Ohio State football in October.
September did not go exactly as planned for the Ohio State football program. Losing to Oklahoma was a setback for a team with playoff championship aspirations.
After three easy wins, the Buckeyes schedule will now get more challenging this month culminating with the showdown against Penn State on October 28.
Here are four predictions for the Buckeyes in October:
J.T. Barrett will pass for 750 yards and 12 Touchdowns
Barrett’s confidence in his receivers is growing and Kevin Wilson is becoming more comfortable in the play calling. They are more in sync with each other which is allowing the offense to find its rhythm more quickly in each game.
We can debate if the progression is due to the strength of the opponents played all day long, seven days a week.
I tend to agree that the weaker schedule is permitting the offensive explosion, but the offense is getting sharper in its execution and Barrett’s performances will continue to get even better.
Parris Campbell will return a kickoff for a touchdown
For all the speed and talent that coach Urban Meyer has had over his last six years as head coach at Ohio State, he has yet to have a return man bust one for a touchdown on a kickoff.
The last Buckeye to do it was Jordan Hall against Michigan in November of 2010.
I think that changes in October.
Parris Campbell has been close a few times already this year. He’s finally going to break one. I’ll make it a double prediction and say it will be against Penn State.
Secondary will get two interceptions against Trace McSorley
McSorley does not cough up the ball too often, but the atmosphere and his determination to play well in the Horseshoe will lead to a few mistakes. He’ll press and throw some passes into tight coverage and the backend will make him pay.
Buckeyes will go 3-0
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Barrett has received a great deal of criticism, including a lot from me, about being 3-2 in the last five big games and for not leading this program to a Big Ten Championship.
Some of that criticism is unfair, but the quarterback has the ball in his hands more than any other player and generally has the most influence on the outcome of the game.
After knocking off Maryland and Nebraska, games that will be a little closer than expected, the road to redemption for Barrett really starts October 28.
Penn State is arrogant and thinks it will roll into Columbus and get the win. The Nittany Lions’ confidence will be high after beating the Michigan Wolverines the previous week.
Next: College Football Playoff implications after week 5
After getting a bye week to rest and prepare, Barrett will have his best career game in beating Penn State, positioning his team for the Big Ten East Division title and more.