The Ohio State football team has struggled in special teams over the last couple of years. Look no further than The Game a year ago when the Buckeyes missed two field goals against TTUN. Jayden Fielding missed two short kicks, and it was the difference in the game.
Heading into Saturday, and this version of The Game, the Ohio State Buckeyes have fixed their kicking woes. This season, Fielding has only missed two field goals. He also has only attempted 15 field goals on the season, so he doesn't have a lot of opportunities to boot it through the uprights.
TTUN, on the other hand, has a massive field goal kicking issue. Their kicker, Dominic Zvada, has been an absolute disaster. He is making just 63 percent of his kicks, missing seven field goals so far this year. This gives Ohio State a massive advantage on Saturday afternoon.
Special teams could prove crucial for the Ohio State football team
Michigan has issues even making short field goals. Zvada is just 7-11 attempting field goals from inside 40 yards this season. That could be a massive problem, as Ohio State has the best red zone defense in the country. They simply do not give up touchdowns close to the goal line.
In a game in which the Buckeyes have more talent on the roster than the Wolverines, they are going to be starved for any points that they can get. If this game comes down to kicks late in the fourth quarter, Ohio State has to feel good about its chances to win.
The Buckeyes have issues spunting the ball, but they don't punt the ball very often. The goal is that they don't trot Joe McGuire out on the field at all on Saturday. TTUN has a better punter, but Ohio State's return game has improved. Ryan Day should feel good about the advantage they have in this phase of the game.