Ohio State Football: Huskers head For homecoming hurdle

“Once we got into practice on Wednesday, it was time to move on. This is about us, it’s not about all the people across the country. We’re in control of our future and that’s it. Wherever everybody else is at the end of the season, that’s up to them. That kind of energy re-motivates our guys to get back out there and redirect their energy forward and not backwards after Oregon.” - Ryan Day

Ohio State will be under the collective microscope of their fans and the national media as the Buckeyes take the field for the first time since the one point loss at Oregon on October 12th. Ranked 4th in the polls, Ohio State's coaches and players realize that all of their lofty goals for the 2024 season are still attainable, but the margin for error has been significantly reduced.

Next up on the immediate task list for Ohio State are the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska will be making their first trip back to Ohio Stadium since the 2020 season, when the Buckeyes defeated the Cornhuskers 52-17.

Nebraska has a 5-2 record, and is coming off a stinging 56-7 loss at Indiana. Similar to Ohio State, the Cornhuskers will be looking to rectify the issues that plagued them in their last game.

While I will not be in Ohio Stadium for this one, I am looking forward to tailgating with family and friends for this one at St. John Arena. Below are Three Things To Watch From Nebraska when the game kicks off on FOX at 12pm ET.

1. The true moment for Zen

Zen Michalski has been designated as the new starter at left tackle on the Ohio State offensive line. Michalski performed admirably when pressed into duty at Oregon, when starter Josh Simmons had to leave the game due to injury. Now that Simmons is officially out for the remainder of the season, Michalski has an opportunity to showcase his talents along the offensive line for the rest of 2024, while also positioning himself for an open spot in 2025.

Keep an eye on what assistance the Ohio State offensive line gives Michalski on passing downs, as the Buckeyes can lean on the experience of left guard Donovan Jackson to make sure that quarterback Will Howard has enough time against a solid Nebraska defensive line.

2. A Secondary bounce-back?

No whitewashing it, as the Ohio State secondary, specifically Denzel Burke, had a rough outing in their last game at Oregon. Adding intrigue into the equation is the possibility that Lathan Ransom may miss the game, due to an injury that Ryan Day has termed "day to day".

In the event that Ransom does wind up missing the game, it will not be surprising if the Ohio State defensive staff shuffles some personnel for Nebraska. Look for players such as Lorenzo Styles, Jr. to play more, with Jordan Hancock possibly moving to a safety role.

Other possibilities include giving Malik Hartford and Jaylen McClain more playing time at the safety position. Considering how much Nebraska targets TE Thomas Fidone II in their passing game, it will be an area to keep an eye upon to see how Ohio State handles that match-up.

3. "Under Pressure"

More than a classic song by David Bowie and Queen, this is a beseeching request by the Ohio State fan base, and Ryan Day, to see the Ohio State defensive line cause more havoc against the opposing offensive line and quarterback.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola is coming off a game versus Indiana that saw him sacked twice and throwing 3 interceptions, while Ohio State has heard about their anemic pass rush performance versus Oregon. It will be interesting to see if Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson Sr. has adjusted his scheme to impact Raiola and the Nebraska passing game.

As written up above, both teams come into this game with things to prove to themselves, as well as their collective fan bases. For the last two weeks, Ohio State has had to replay and relive the "would've/could've/should've" game of the one point loss at Oregon, while Nebraska was manhandled by Indiana on national television last week.

Considering the inactivity from two weeks ago, plus the reality of a new starter at left tackle, it will not surprise me if Ohio State comes out of the gate a little more tentatively than the fans will want or expect versus Nebraska, but the Buckeyes will start to put their foot on the pedal midway through the first half. I have it Ohio State 38, Nebraska 17.