It’s another Ohio State football Saturday and we hope you have the day off to park it on the couch, order up some of your favorite foods and beverages and hopefully, take in another victory.
This week, the Buckeyes matchup with a Western Kentucky team that can score a lot of points and will throw it around the yard — a lot. It should be a good test for the defense, you just hope the offense shows more signs of life as well against a Hilltoppers’ defense that hasn’t been that good.
Buy Buckeyes TicketsBefore every game, we ask our writers to predict the score of the OSU contest and provide a little snipper of why and what they think will happen. Here’s what the members of our staff predicted for the first ever matchup with Western Kentucky on Saturday.
Phil Harrison, Publisher/Editor and Featured Writer
Running into Gameday with JUICE 🧃🔋 pic.twitter.com/g4O8ejrYUf
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 16, 2023
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The Prediction
I know Ohio State’s defense has been outstanding so far, but it’s going to be hard to throttle the Hilltoppers’ offense all game long. Western Kentucky will score points, but so will the Buckeyes against a defense that just isn’t very good in defending the pass. Kye McCord and Marvin Harrison Jr. have big, big days and OSU wins a fairly high scoring affair, but comfortably.
Score
Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 27
Mark Russell, Featured Writer
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐥. 𝟑 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐁𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 🍿🔥🎥 pic.twitter.com/WrpY7J047m
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 14, 2023
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The Prediction
Ohio State will see the best passing offense of the year to date when Western Kentucky comes to town this Saturday. Has the defense taken the leap in Year 2 under Jim Knowles? I think we’ll know a little more after Saturday.
However, even if the Hilltoppers can score on the Buckeye defense, they still have to stop the high-octane offensive attack of OSU. The WKU defense has given up points to far lesser opponents. Even with the struggles on the offensive line, there just isn’t a way to keep all those weapons out of the end zone.
The passing attack will get the Hilltoppers on the scoreboard, but it won’t be often enough. Ohio State wins setting up an undefeated showdown with Notre Dame in Week 4.
Score
Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 24
Josh Keatley, Featured Writer
𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 week 3️⃣🔥 pic.twitter.com/EXjW3sdEKi
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 15, 2023
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The Prediction
With the quarterback controversy in the rear view mirror, look for Ohio state to open up the offense and really focus on finding its groove in its last preseason game. Kyle McCord will put up big numbers.
Score
Ohio State 49, Western Kentucky 14
Michael Chen, Featured Writer
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 15, 2023
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The Prediction
The secondary will get challenged today, and we will finally find out if this defense is for real. I tend to lean towards the fact that it is, so the Buckeyes will do a solid job getting the ball back for the offense, who I believe is poised to break out this week. Ohio State cruises to another victory.
Score
Ohio State 45, Western Kentucky 14
Evan Bachman, Featured Writer
Our writers take turns predicting the outcome of the matchup with Western Kentucky on Saturday afternoon. #GoBucks https://t.co/Y8jXHrLNis
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) September 16, 2023
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The Prediction
This matchup will be a good test for both the offense and the defense headed into the Notre Dame game. With McCord named the starter it’s key the offense finds a rhythm and I project McCord will lead some good drives and instill more confidence in the offense headed into next week. The defense, which has been lights out thus far, will face a good test against a good Western Kentucky offense. I believe the defense will bend but not break, conceding a couple of touchdown drives but ultimately the Buckeyes will cruise to an easy victory.
Score
Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 14
Summary of Predictions
On🔝in the @B1Gfootball in passing 💯
@kylemccord16 x @dbrownqb33 pic.twitter.com/sB5HkXk59z— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 15, 2023
Summarizing the Predictions
Phil Harrison | Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 27
Mark Russell | Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 24
Josh Keatley | Ohio State 49, Western Kentucky 14
Michael Chen | Ohio State 45, Western Kentucky 14
Evan Bachman | Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 14
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