For the second play of this opening Saturday slate we have a play in Big Ten country. We head out to Columbus, Ohio for the tilt between Ohio State and Akron. Below I will breakdown the matchup and tell you who I have my money on. So let’s dive in… See you in the DEEP WATERS!!!
Akron is coming off a disappointing 2023 season, going 2-10. They did have three losses in overtime but still this was not a good team at all. Coach Moorhead is a good mind offensively and he will need to be because they lost their top running back and top two receivers from last season to the portal. However he does get a transfer QB in Ben Finley to come in and be the starter. Finley has not had a great or even good career by any means, but he is a former starter at the power 5 level with two different programs. Maybe he can provide some much needed stability at the most important position on the field.
Defensively Akron wasn’t much better than their offensive unit. They do bring back multiple starters, including top two linebackers and best defenders. This unit will have their work cut out for them today against an ELITE offensive unit in Ohio State.
Ohio State is loaded on both sides of the ball but in particularly on the defensive side which is a different touch from them. They return nine starters from a defense that ranked second in points per game allowed and third in yards per game last year. Having that many defensive starters come back is almost unheard of in this era of college football.
Offensively Ohio State will be loaded as well, Running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins headline the best backfield in the country. Judkins comes to Ohio State after rushing for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns last season for the Rebels, while Henderson is the mainstay after 926 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023.
These two will be the featured players for Ohio State, and should both average over 5.0 yards per carry with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly calling the plays.
QB1 was an issue for this team last year but with Will Howard in town, he now provides stability at quarterback after a good career at Kansas State, and he won’t be lacking in receiving targets with the return of Emeka Egbuka and the emergence of true freshman Jeremiah Smith.
Point blank period, this game should be out of hand early. Extreme mismatch in talent would be an understatement. I do think Ohio State will cover the number of 48.5, however my money is not with them today. I will be playing the total, with the Over 55.5. Not only do I think that Ohio State will continue to score and cover this number themselves, but I do think they get those elite defenders off the field early and Akron scratches across some points. I like Ohio States backups on offense more then the backups on defense.
Let’s take a look at my three major factors for this game below.
- Ohio State will be able to move the ball at will against this Akron defense. I look for a lot of explosive plays via the air and ground. They also typically do not let the foot of the gas and run up the score. After how last season ended, I do not see Ryan Day calling the dogs off early and this can and will get ugly on the scoreboard.
- Akron is not good offensively and although I do see them scoring late in this game after it is out of hand, I think we see some turnovers from them that lead to great field position for Ohio State. That leads to quick points for us and hitting the over.
- Lastly Ohio States backups. Ohio State offensively will have Devin Brown as most likely QB2. Brown saw time as a starter last year and will not be stopped by Akron’s first team defensive unit or if he is playing backups he will definitely not be stopped.
OFFICIAL PLAY: Akron vs Ohio State Over 56.5, 1.1 units to win 1 unit
Season Record: 2-0
Plays Pending; 8/31- Illinois State vs Iowa Under 42.5
