Records
Ohio State (1-0), Cincinnati (1-0)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, September 7
Game Time: Noon ET
Network: ABC
Venue: Ohio Stadium – Capacity – 104,944
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 14-2
Last Meeting: Ohio State defeated Cincinnati 50-28 in 2014
The Buckeyes looked like a team that can be dominating this season, especially in the first 15 minutes against Florida Atlantic. But for a team with little margin for error if they hope to make the College Football Playoff, they will have to learn how to keep the throttle down for an entire game.
Justin Fields looks like the real deal, but stiffer competition is coming and he’ll need to stay sharp.
Speaking of stiffer competition, the Cincinnati Bearcats will be making the 1.5 hour drive up I-71 this Saturday to meet the Buckeyes in the ‘Shoe. Luke Fickell returns to Ohio Stadium, this time on the opposite sidelines entering his third season as the UC head coach.
As a former player and coach at Ohio State, you can bet Fickell has been talking this one up to his guys for a while.
The Bucks better be ready… Cincinnati will pose a much bigger threat than FAU.
Next … The game plan
Ohio State game plan for victory
OSU looked unstoppable in the early goings against Florida Atlantic. Then the Owls made some adjustments and things seemed to stall for the Scarlet and Gray.
After being torched for 28 points in the first quarter, FAU started bringing more pressure and the new look OSU offensive line didn’t seem as comfortable. The holes that were there in the opening quarter of the game vanished. The time Justin Fields had to check down receiving options dwindled quickly. All that to say, Cincinnati saw the same game film and will look to exploit those same weaknesses.
JK Dobbins got off to a somewhat slow start. Hard to say when he was just nine yards shy of 100 for the game, but he just never really established himself. Dobbins needs to be patient and let the holes develop. Several times on Saturday, he would be too quick to try to cut back before giving the line time to create a lane, only to be met by a swarm of white jerseys. Remember, good things come to those who wait.
Defensively, the Buckeye D wasn’t quite back to the Silver Bullet state, but looked much improved from last season. Remember Oregon State putting up 31 points and gashing the Bucks with big plays? That wasn’t the case against the Owls but the defense will need to sure some things up especially against a better overall opponent in Cincinnati.
Next … The key players for Ohio State
Two Key Players For Ohio State
JK Dobbins, Running Back. JK Dobbins is the unquestioned, No. 1 option in the backfield for 2019. No longer splitting time with Mike Weber, Dobbins is expected to put up big numbers. Some even have him as a dark-horse Heisman candidate. But for that to happen, he’ll need to be willing to carry the load and trust a somewhat inexperienced offensive line to lead the way. Dobbins has the skill and will need to run well to alleviate some of the pressure that will come Justin Fields way.
Malik Harrison, Linebacker. Malik Harrison is an athletic freak and he brings a little bit of nasty with him to the field. The outside LB accumulated five total tackles against FAU, including a sack and two tackles for a loss. The Buckeye D will need Harrison to be on his game to contain shifty Bearcat RB Michael Warren.
Next … How it’ll all do down
The prediction
Despite an awful second quarter offensively and a lack of defensive urgency in the second half, the Buckeyes looked like a team on a mission to start the season. My guess is it’s hard to stay focused when you jump out to a 28 point lead. Ohio State will need to stay zeroed in for 60 minutes against Cincinnati.
Luke Fickell has around 70 guys on his team from Ohio, most of which didn’t get serious consideration from the Buckeyes. You can be sure those Ohio natives want to prove they should have been on OSU’s short list.
To be honest, Fickell might feel the same way. Remember, Jim Tressel handed Fickell reigns after he was forced to resign in 2011. Unfortunately, Luke Fickell was not ready for the job with no head coaching experience. It was like handing the keys to a Ferrari to a 16 year old – nothing good can ever come from that. I’m sure, Luke Fickell would love to prove he’s more than capable eight years later and will have the Bearcats ready to run through a wall to get after it in the ‘Shoe.
I see this one being a slug fest. Cincinnati already has confidence, knocking off UCLA in week one and they believe they will be able to do the same in Columbus.
I look for a defensive struggle early on before Ohio State imposes their will with bigger, faster, stronger athletes and more depth. The Bucks will be up by a small margin at halftime before slowing pulling away in the fourth quarter.
Final Score
Ohio State 34, Cincinnati 17
Line
Ohio State -16.5
