The Ohio State football team's biggest positional advantages in Week 1

The Ohio State Buckeyes 2024 season kicks off tomorrow August 30 against the Akron Zips, at 3:30 pm at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes enter this game as overwhelming favorites. With significantly more talent across the board, they have an advantage in nearly every facet of this game, but there are two matchups to keep an eye out for.

The Ohio State Rushing Attack versus The Akron Front Seven

For the Buckeyes offense, their biggest positional advantage will be their rushing attack.
The talent in the Buckeyes' star-studded backfield is something that Akron can’t replicate in practice. The one-two punch of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins is a rare mix of size, vision, and explosiveness that can break off big runs on any play. The Buckeyes will also use quarterback Will Howard in the rushing game, especially near the red zone, where he thrives in option reads.

One of the position groups for the Buckeyes that has the most to prove in 2024 is their offensive line, which will enter this game with a chip on their shoulder. Establishing the rushing attack early in the season will be a point of emphasis for offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.

Akron's front seven returns five starters, however, they consistently struggled in their run fits last season. The Zips allowed nearly 163 yards per game on the ground in 2023, and aren’t more equipped to fix that trend this season.

The Ohio State Defensive Backs versus The Akron Wide Receivers

On the defensive side of the ball, the Buckeyes will have an advantage across the board, but their biggest edge is in the secondary.

Ohio State returns all of its starters in the secondary and adds SEC Freshman of the Year, Caleb Downs. In a game that should be a blowout, the game script is likely to flip for the Zips, forcing them to throw the ball—playing right into the Buckeyes' hands.

Ohio State naturally runs a 4-2-5 defense, which puts five defensive backs on the field at all times. This will allow the Buckeyes to mix in different coverages and disguise their looks, making it very challenging for an opposing quarterback to read the defense.

Akron will be starting a new quarterback, with an inexperienced wide receiver room. Big plays from the Zips' offense will be few and far between in what should be a field day for the Buckeyes' secondary.