And it’s go time. We’ve been without Ohio State football since early January, but it seems so much longer. In fact, a lot has changed since then. Gone is Urban Meyer, and gone is quarterback Heisman finalist Dwayne Haskins. New to the program is an overhauled defensive coaching staff and a new quarterback under center with a high, high upside.
So there’s a lot that’s unknown, but a lot to be excited about. And we get to see it all unfold for the first time Saturday against Florida Atlantic.
We asked some of our Buckeyes Wire staff to provide some predictions for the game to get you going, and here’s what they all had to say. Also, check out the College Football News preview for the game or read our preview below.
Next … the predictions
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
Ohio State 51, Florida Atlantic 17
Ohio State will roll, but there will still be things to work on offensively. The defense will look much improved and rule the day,
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
Ohio State 56, Florida Atlantic 10
the Buckeyes prove to be too much for the Owls. Ohio State takes a healthy lead into halftime before pulling away in the third quarter and giving the backups some playing time in the fourth.
Contact/Follow Brent Reeves
Ohio State 52, Florida Atlantic 17
OSU is simply better and deeper than FAU. That said, I predict some early moments of frustration as the emotion of the first game for both Day and Fields take a quarter or so to calm.
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
Ohio State 42, Florida Atlantic 14
It won’t be smooth sailing in the beginning (think the Miami (OH) game on Urban’s debut when Ohio State trailed in the second quarter). But the Buckeyes will ride the legs of J.K. Dobbins (Prediction: 175 rush yards, 3 TD) to help Justin Fields settle in for a couple series before he gets going. Buckeyes have too much talent in the end for the Owls go hand around.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyeWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
