Ohio State Football: Two surprise games that can give OSU trouble in 2020
The Ohio State football team is expected to be one of the best in all of college football in 2020. Here are two games that could give OSU a surprise test.
With spring ball under way the Ohio State football team has officially turned the page onto the 2020 season. With high expectations and a Heisman trophy candidate playing quarterback, this Buckeye team is poised to make a run at a National Championship.
Ohio State certainly took care of business last season as well. Putting away teams that had no business on the same field with the Buckeyes was a staple of the team a year ago. But that is usually not the case as most seasons have a game or two where Ohio State struggles to put a way an inferior opponent.
Take for example the 2018 team. An ugly loss to Purdue and an over-time one point victory over Maryland caused Ohio State to be left out of the College Football Playoff.
Which two games can give the Scarlet and Gray unforeseen trouble this season? Let’s take a look.
Ohio State vs. Nebraska, Oct. 31 in Columbus
Is this the season the Nebraska can finally prove it’s ready to play with the big dogs of the Big Ten? The Cornhuskers will get their chance on Halloween in Ohio Stadium.
Coach Scott Frost is looking for his signature win to jump-start the program and there are high expectations for quarterback Adrian Martinez this upcoming season.
This game for Ohio State will come after a brutal three game stretch in October, starting with Iowa at home followed by both Michigan State and Penn State on the road. Will there be a let down after playing three consecutive tough Big Ten games?
An opportunity is available for Nebraska to defeat Ohio State on the road.
Ohio State vs. Illinois, Nov. 21 in Champaign
The Buckeyes have to travel to a vastly improved Illinois team one week before the Michigan game. If ever there was a time to be caught looking ahead it would be here.
Traveling to the middle of nowhere to play probably a middle of the road Big Ten opponent with The Game one week away could be an easier said than done task for Ohio State.
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Lovie Smith had his breakout win last season against the Wisconsin Badgers when they were caught looking ahead to the Ohio State game. Can the Buckeyes keep this game in perspective and truly take every team seriously? That will be the challenge for this game on the road against the Fighting Illini.