Defense eager to face conventional offense

Nick Bosa doesn’t mince words, and so it was Wednesday when asked how he thinks he and the Ohio State defense will play Saturday against a more conventional offense in Nevada-Las Vegas.

“Really good; really good,” Bosa said. “I think we’ll shut ’em out, so we’ll see.”

The defense did not play “really good” two weeks ago in a 31-16 loss to Oklahoma but gave up only a couple of drives of note to Army and its triple-option offense last week in a 38-7 victory. But that was an offense in which the defensive linemen were dealing with cut blocks and defending against the run first all game.

The matchup with UNLV better suits the defense’s disposition, he indicated.

“One thing about Army, it’s not fun. It’s not fun for anybody,” Bosa said. “You’re stuffing a dive every single play, especially against the scout team all week. It’s not a fun thing to do. So this week we’re ready to let it fly.”

Perhaps oddsmakers sense that because UNLV was 40-point underdog at midweek. But the Rebels, upset by FCS team Howard 43-40 in the season opener, won at Idaho 44-16 two weeks ago before taking a bye.

Notice that they have scored 40 points or more in their first two games, and with an offense featuring quarterback Armani Rogers, running back Lexington Thomas and receiver Devonte Boyd, they have some weapons.

Early kick no problem

UNLV is coming from Pacific Daylight Time, three hours behind EDT, and taking on the Buckeyes with a noon kickoff. But coach Tony Sanchez said that shouldn’t be a problem, biorhythmically, since the Rebels meet at 6:30 a.m. during the week and start practice before 9, which is noon Eastern.

The Rebels will fly to Columbus on Thursday, stage a workout Friday at a local college field and then have a walkthrough at Ohio Stadium in the afternoon. He said that will give players and others in the party a chance to post messages and photos on social media to get that out of the way before Saturday.

Worley still questionable

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said middle linebacker Chris Worley, who suffered a sprained foot in the second quarter against Army, was still questionable for Saturday. Tuf Borland took Worley’s place and likely will get the start if Worley can’t make it, backed up by freshman Baron Browning.

Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said outside linebacker Jerome Baker could slide into the middle if needed, too.