As any sports fan worth their salt will attest, nothing beats getting down with pals to discuss and analyze the most (and least) pressing issues in the world of sports. The LGHL’s beloved head-to-head column, You’re Nuts, will now feature that.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL employees will argue vehemently from opposing viewpoints on a single topic. Then, ultimately, you have to decide who’s crazy and who’s right.
Today’s Question: Out of all Ohio State’s games this season, which one is the most risky (not including Michigan)?
My Prediction: Ohio State vs. Oregon on October 12
Whether or not Ohio State can finally beat Michigan is one of the most pressing concerns among Buckeye supporters going into the 2024 season. Even though we won’t know the outcome until November, the Buckeyes’ game against Oregon is just as exciting (and potentially dangerous) as The Game.
In one of the most anticipated games of the season, the Buckeyes will travel west to take on the Ducks at Autzen Stadium on October 12. This will be Oregon’s inaugural season as a Big Ten opponent. The difference between Ohio State and Oregon in many preseason rankings is so thin that the two teams are ranked second and fourth, respectively.
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During the offseason, head coach Ryan Day utilized the transfer portal to recruit several players, including five-star safety Caleb Downs (who had previously left Alabama after Nick Saban’s retirement), quarterback Will Howard, and running back Quinton Judkins. This move stunned the college football world.
To put it clearly, this squad is stacked with returning players like those mentioned above, as well as defensive standouts Denzel Burke and J.T. Tuimoloau, star running back TreVeyon Henderson, and monster wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
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We didn’t have to worry about depth issues in the 2023 season. Last year, we witnessed Jim Knowles’s formidable defense in action; this year, the Buckeyes’ attack should be just as good, if not better.
Day also had a defense for his offensive playcalling, which was a big point of criticism about his coaching ability. Despite Day’s stellar play calling as an assistant, he struggled mightily in big games as head coach, failing to make the necessary adjustments to secure victories. This was even though play calling is typically the offensive coordinator’s job.
This year, it shouldn’t be a problem because he gave that job to Chip Kelly, the new offensive coordinator. Kelly was Day’s mentor and, interestingly enough, the head coach at Oregon when Oregon State played the Ducks in the 2010 Rose Bowl.
The Buckeyes should be well-positioned to win it all this season thanks to their collective summer acquisitions.
It won’t be easy against the Ducks, who have been active in their own right. Entering the Big Ten with a winning record and a plethora of talent, head coach Dan Lanning leads his squad with a new quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, who transferred from Oklahoma and will replace Bo Nix.
Other key players include wide receivers Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson, who combined for the third-most receiving yards in a single season at Oregon in 2023 with 1,182 yards, and returning running back Jordan James. The Ducks have filled every apparent hole on their roster this season because to Lanning’s diligent efforts to acquire depth.
At the beginning of the season, they appear to be in the same position as our Columbus boys in terms of potential for success. However, problems such as injuries or unforeseen gaps could still occur.
The Buckeyes won’t face their first true test until the week before against Iowa, but the Ducks will get their first opportunity to show what they’re made of in this game. Not only do the Ducks have to deal with four tough opponents in a row in November, but they also have to travel to the Midwest every other week, which means they’ll be dealing with time zones and long journeys as they play at home against Maryland, on the road against Wisconsin, and at home against Washington.
With the Big Ten seemingly rife with potential powerhouses this season, the Ducks’ game against Ohio State almost feels like a must-win. They need to win to prove to the conference that they can play with the big dogs and to give themselves a little breathing room in case they lose in November.
The Buckeyes will have even less leeway for mistakes in this away game because Oregon and Ohio State both appear to be capable of contending for the Big Ten title this season. The talent gap between the two teams is razor-small.
The Ducks could win it all if they get hurt in the Iowa game and then have to deal with a time zone difference in a challenging stadium. Irrespective of the outcome, you can anticipate a fierce contest between two teams playing at their peak. Neither side can afford to play sloppily.
Day spent the offseason setting up the Buckeyes to do just that, hopefully into the postseason. However, the Ducks will present Ohio State with its first and biggest challenge.
OSU vs. Penn State on November 2nd, in Matt’s Opinion
I would have probably agreed with Jami if the question had been worded differently. If the question had been, “Which non-Michigan game is Ohio State Moat likely to lose this season?” then there would have been no valid argument over the pick of Oregon. The Ducks aren’t the most scary non-rivalry game for Oregon State, in my opinion. The Nittany Lions, in my opinion, deserve that recognition.
The fact that Ohio State hasn’t lost at Nittany since 2016 and just once at Happy Valey since 2005 is less important to me than the timing, even if I am aware of that. Because of the College Football Playoff’s expansion, the Buckeyes have a larger margin of error than they had in the CFP Era, and we all know that they’ve made it to the tournament before despite losing.
So, even if Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes lose in Week 7 at Eugene (assuming it isn’t a total disaster), they still have seven weeks (plus Conference Championship Weekend) to salvage the season. Michigan, Penn State, and Nebraska would be OSU’s remaining opponents, giving them plenty of opportunities to show the selection committee why they should pick them. Additionally, other teams would have two full months to falter, giving the Bucks a chance to regain a solid position in the conference finals.
When it comes to the PSU game, things are different. The Buckeyes’ remaining schedule would be a lackluster affair if they were to suffer a loss in State College on November 2. Before their regular-season finale against Michigan, they would only face Purdue, Northwestern, and Indiana. Playing opponents that probably don’t deserve to be considered as pretenders makes it hard to prove you’re a contender.
I think Ohio State would still likely still be in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot even if they lose two games in a row. However, they would likely be seeded in the lower part of the conference and could perhaps face a road opponent in the first round. While it’s hardly the worst case scenario, securing a first-round bye will be crucial for ensuring the health of your players and keeping your roster intact.
Therefore, I will take the late-season match because of the threat it poses, even though I think the Oregon game is very important.
