(Photo: On3.com)
Saturday Spotlight
(2) Ohio State Buckeyes at (3) Oregon Ducks
Ohio State: The last three years haven’t been ideal for them. The talent is there, and the coaching is solid, but they have lost three consecutive games to a team they once dominated and that’s the Michigan Wolverines. That game decided their ultimate fate for the last three years. Back when C.J. Stroud was the starting Quarterback, their defense wasn’t where it needed to be for them to compete. Ryan Day fixes the issue and hires Jim Knowles which I thought was the best thing he did. There’s always a team I’m high on as the season approaches and these Buckeyes were one of them. They took full advantage of the transfer portal and filled key positions. The first was Will Howard from the Kansas State Wildcats and they also landed Quinshon Judkins from the Ole Miss Rebels. Their biggest star this year is a 17-year-old Wide Receiver named Jeremiah Smith. I know all the talk has been about Alabama’s Ryan Williams, but Jeremiah is just as good and has all the potential in the world. Everything is there for this Buckeyes team to make a run at a National Championship. They have a potent offense, the defense has been great and by far, this has been the best team Ryan Day has had. Tonight, they will make a trip to Eugene, Oregon for a showdown with the Ducks.
Oregon: After years of competing in the Pac-12, they changed conferences and are now members of the Big Ten. In the first two games of the year, they didn’t look as sharp as many expected. For a team that’s had one of the best offenses in the country, Idaho held them to 24 points in week one, and in week two against the Boise State Broncos, they won that game by three. In the Civil War, they handled business against Oregon State and did what they had to do against the Michigan State Spartans. Dillion Gabriel came in to replace Bo Nix which I thought was a nice addition. He’s a veteran Quarterback who knows how to command an offense and he’s seen everything imaginable. I like Dan Lanning as a Head Coach. He’s a gritty guy who came from the Kirby Smart tree. Dan was the guy who ran that stingy Georgia defense in 2021 en route to their first National Championship since 1980. He has a way of keeping his players motivated and hungry which are the best coaches to play for. As you can see, they leave everything on the field for him. I was high on the Oregon Ducks entering the year, even if they were transferring to another conference. They are as well-rounded of a football team as any other in the country. The offense isn’t as fast as it was, it’s more methodical, yet potent at the same time and they know how to pick their spots the defense is stingy and works well collectively as a unit. Tonight, they welcome blue blood to town.
Ohio State X-Factor: Caleb Downs– The Alabama transfer! You brought him to your program for a game such as this! Caleb is as well-rounded a Safety as they come. This is an Oregon Ducks defense that can attack the middle of the field in the passing game and they run the ball effectively as well. Caleb can cover ground in the back end and can hover around the line of scrimmage as a tackler against the run. He has improved in each game this year and the Buckeyes need him to be a difference maker tonight.
Oregon X-Factor: Jordan James– Everyone on this team must be crucial tonight, but Jordan James will be needed early and often. Unfortunately, the running game is something that Oregon has yet to get going. If they can do that tonight, they will be in phenomenal shape to win this football game. I know for a fact the Buckeyes will pay all the attention in the world to Dillon and the Ducks’ passing attack. This is where they can attack and use Jordan. Ohio State has shown some weaknesses when it comes to stopping the run in big games.
Final Thoughts: These two played in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Title game. I remember a Running Back named Ezekiel Elliott running circles around the Oregon defense en route to a championship. In 2021, these two met in week two and shockingly, Oregon left the shoe with a victory. Tonight, these two will meet in Eugene as members of the Big Ten. When I previewed college divisions, I picked these two to also meet in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game. Ohio State has been the best defensive team in the country this year and that’s a credit to Jim Knowles. They rush the passer, stuff the run and get off the field. Oregon has been just as stingy and stout on the defensive side as well. Can Ohio State win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football? Also, can Will Howard make some big throws with his arm? He really hasn’t had to be that guy to take games over with his arm because they’ve relied heavily on ball control. Another key for the Buckeyes, or should I say keys will be Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. Oregon has struggled to stop the run at times. Winning the rushing battle will be key for either team tonight. For Oregon, shutting down the pass is important. We know Ohio State will attack with the ground game, but if the passing attack gets going, it will be a long night. Next, score when the opportunity presents itself. In other words, do not leave points on the table!! Oregon must also win the turnover battle and take the ball away. This is another opportunity for Dan Lanning to win that “big game” as he lost both to Washington last season. This will come down to who can win the battle of the trenches and I think the Buckeyes do just that. Ohio State gets a big-time win on the road tonight.
Prediction: Ohio State 31, Oregon 27
