The Buckeyes have an FCS team coming to Columbus for the second time in the last three seasons, and will likely get players down the depth chart a good amount of work against Grambling St. on Saturday.
Here’s how the BSB staff sees this game going:
Sam Cipriani: Cipriani: Offense Finds Its Flow, Defense Dominates Again
Against the Longhorns, Ohio State delivered what could be one of the best defensive
performances I’ve ever seen from the Buckeyes, and it was only Week 1. I expect the Silver Bullets to continue their dominance against Grambling State, forcing multiple turnovers en route to a near-shutout.
Offensively, the Buckeyes will finally find their groove, as head coach Ryan Day opens up the playbook and allows quarterback Julian Sayin more freedom to operate. Oh, and expect Jeremiah Smith and Max Klare to rebound from their underwhelming performance (for their standards) with at least two touchdowns combined. The star wideout and tight end should have plenty of opportunities to exploit a weak Tigers secondary.
Even after a strong opening weekend for Grambling State, when quarterback C’zavian Teasett shined with three passing touchdowns, the Tigers are outmatched by the Buckeyes’ talent and will be lucky to find the end zone at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6.
Ohio State 52 Grambling State 3
Bobby Gorbett: OSU Has Ample Time To Play Backups
I assume I’m singing a similar tune to most media members attempting to predict Ohio State’s matchup with Grambling State, but I see head coach Ryan Day’s squad having no issues in week two. Even if the Buckeyes aren’t completely locked in after their season-opening win over Texas, they should have no problems with a Grambling State team, which may not even be very good for the FCS level.
While all the eyes may be on redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin and if he will be unleashed by offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, I’m looking at the running game to get going after a quiet performance against Texas. The Buckeyes averaged only 2.3 yards per carry in the game against Texas. I believe that number will more than triple against Grambling State.
I will be very surprised if Grambling State is able to find any consistent offensive rhythm against a Buckeye defense that may be the best unit in the country. I’m looking for Ohio State’s defensive line to have more of an impact on the game against Grambling State than they did in week one.
Overall, Ohio State should be able to get many players on the field during a dominant win against an outmatched FCS foe.
Ohio State 52, Grambling State 0
Greg Wilson: Buckeyes Shut Out Visiting Tigers
There is not much to say about this matchup other than Ohio State is going to win and it is going to win big. Even the players on the Buckeyes’ roster who will be getting into the game later on during a blowout will have the talent advantage over the Tigers’ starters.
The Buckeyes won’t need to show much in this contest, and we won’t learn much about Brian Hartline as a play caller since the offense should march down the field fairly easily.
Matt Patricia will save his more complex looks for more important games down the line, but the talent on the Ohio State defense should still be enough to make stops.
I’ll predict that three freshmen score touchdowns in this one. To get specific, Quincy Porter, Bo Jackson and Nate Roberts will find the end zone.
Ohio State 63, Grambling State 0
