Ohio State takes on Nebraska in the first game of the season Saturday at noon. Here is how they can best attack the Cornhuskers offensively.
Ohio State is primed to have one of the best offenses in the country. College football has been going on for a month or so now, so they may have been forgotten in the grand scheme of things. That should change once they are back on TV on Saturday.
The Buckeyes face a Nebraska team that had issues stopping them a year ago in Lincoln. That doesn’t look to change too much this time around either. The Cornhuskers lose 7 starters from their defense, including most of their defensive line.
Because of their lack of experience up front, the Buckeyes should pound the rock early and often. Trey Sermon should get plenty of carries in this one, as should Justin Fields. Running option reads would be a great way to get both players in space and allow them to use their speed.
Fields is going to be able to run the ball a lot more this season now that they have some depth behind him at quarterback. Fear of injury is lower, so he can use his full skill set. Expect Fields to use his legs to attack Nebraska on designed running plays and scrambles as well.
The secondary is where Nebraska has the most experience. The problem for them is that their experience is no match for Ohio State’s talent. Chris Olave should have no problems playing better than he did a year ago when he only caught 3 passes for 30 yards.
A lot of Buckeyes should get playing time in this one. I’m very intrigued to see how freshman receivers Julian Fleming and Jaxon Smith-Nijgba do in their first games. Both figure to see a large amount of playing time, especially late in this one.
Master Teague also figures to see a lot of playing time. He will likely split carries with Sermon early on a 50/50 basis. After that, the majority of snaps will be given to the more productive player. Teague played well last year in Lincoln, carrying the ball 12 times for 77 yards and two scores.
The Buckeyes shouldn’t have any issues moving the ball on Saturday, both on the ground and through the air.