On Saturday, Ohio State will travel across the country to take on Washington in its first conference game of the season. The 3-0 Huskies will be no cakewalk for this Buckeye team, as they have looked exceptional this year, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Matt Patricia and the defense aren't afraid of the test, but they will have their work cut out for them. Let's take a look at three players from this Washington offense that will require extra game planning from Patricia and the defense.
1. Demoon Williams Jr.
Let's start with the obvious. Demond Williams has been a force to be reckoned with. He has been one of the best throwers of the football in the country early in the season. So far this year, he has gone 50-68 for 778 yards and six passing touchdowns.
He is coming off the best game of his young career so far, going 16-19 for 298 yards and 4 passing touchdowns against Washington State in the Apple Cup. Aside from his precise throwing, Williams is also an exceptional runner. He has an exceptional ability to feel pressure and escape the pocket for big gains.
As a runner this year, he has 34 carries for 220 yards and two touchdowns. His true dual-threat ability makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators to game-plan for. Expect Matt Patricia to keep a spy on him throughout the contest to try to make his game one-dimensional.
2. Jonah Coleman
With a lot of attention on QB Demond Williams, Jonah Coleman has slid under the radar to start the season. However, it is time to take note that Coleman has been one of the best running backs in college football over the first few weeks.
Coleman is currently leading the FBS in rushing touchdowns with nine on the year so far. What makes this stat even crazier is that, similar to Ohio State, Washington has already had a bye week. No other player in college football has more than seven rushing touchdowns on the year, yet Coleman sits atop the list with one fewer game played than most players.
He is a contact seeking power back who runs like a bowling ball. But if he hits the open field in second gear, he has breakaway speed that makes it hard for defenders to catch up. Ohio State should expect him to get a healthy dose of touches in this weekend's game.
3. Denzel Boston
Similar to Coleman, Denzel Boston has not received the respect he deserves this year. When he gets into the zone, he is one of the most unstoppable wide receivers in the country. In this young season, the Huskies' top pass catcher has tallied 16 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns.
Standing 6'4" and weighing 210 lbs., Boston is a contested catch specialist, with the size to challenge any defender. Although he doesn't have elite breakaway speed, he excels at creating separation at the line of scrimmage, allowing him to get open frequently.
Luckily for the Buckeyes, they have one of the best secondaries in the country and are aiming to contain Boston and the other Washington receivers. Expect Ohio State to press Boston at the line of scrimmage often to prevent him from getting game-changing separation.