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Ohio State Football: Buckeye Blitz Week One

By Peter Burtnett

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 18: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes run out on to the field prior to the start of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 18, 2017 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 18: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes run out on to the field prior to the start of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 18, 2017 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Ryan Day looks on during the second half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Ryan Day looks on during the second half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

It’s almost here. Last week we got an appetizer of college football, but this week we get the main course as Ohio State football will be back in just two days. 

Last week, we saw Florida squeak by Miami in an ugly game and Hawaii upset Arizona with a last-second tackle inside the 1-yard line.

Now, we have a full course of games starting tonight. For the Buckeyes, their match-up with Florida Atlantic on Saturday will kick off their 2019 campaign to reach the College Football Playoff.

Let’s start with a quick look at that Buckeyes-Owls match-up before going over a few other key games.

Florida Atlantic at #5 Ohio State (-27.5, O/U 64.5) — Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

Looking purely at the line, there is no reason the Buckeyes should not win by four touchdowns (or more). From as much of unbiased standpoint as possible, Ohio State simply has more talent and should take advantage of one of C-USA’s worst defenses in 2018.

It may be a new year, but several of the same players return for FAU, and against a high-powered Buckeye offense, the Owls stand little chance to stop the Ohio State offense from scoring more than once or twice (Drue Chrisman shouldn’t be too busy).

The one area Lane Kiffin could use to stay in the game is to simply keep scoring on a Silver Bullet defense that was anything but that last season. Multiple impressive offenses weapons (discussed in in-depth analysis of FAU) could trouble the Buckeye defense, but look for an improved and ravenous defense to taper the Owls offense.

Ohio State should triumph by right around what the line indicates, and I predict that the defense will embark on a successful season that will vary greatly from last season’s struggles. Buckeyes by 28.

Ohio State 48, Florida Atlantic 20

Now, let’s take a quick look at a few other interesting and key games of the weekend.

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