WHO WILL WIN? EXPERTS MAKE PREDICTIONS

Bill Rabinowitz

Ohio State beat writer

The Columbus Dispatch Ohio State 45, Oregon 27

These are not Marcus Mariota’s Ducks, and a defense that is unlikely to have star Kayvon Thibodeaux at full strength probably won’t be able to slow down the Buckeyes enough. Oregon needed three Fresno State turnovers to prevail in its opener. Assuming Ohio State doesn’t do the same and its defense makes some progress from a so-so opener, the Buckeyes should win fairly comfortably.

Joey Kaufman

Ohio State beat writer

The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State 38, Oregon 21

This version of Oregon is unlike what the Buckeyes faced when the teams last met in the national championship game to end the 2014 season. It’s more physical than finesse, an imprint left by coach Mario Cristobal, a former offensive line coach who took over the program in 2018. But the tradeoff is the Ducks are without a premier talent at quarterback, and if a team is going to upset Ohio State, it needs a passing game able to trade shots with Ryan Day’s juggernaut offense.

Rob Oller

Sports columnist The Columbus Dispatch Ohio State 38, Oregon 21

Playing in front of a full house in the Horseshoe is worth seven points to the Buckeyes. Chris Olave and the OSU tailbacks are worth 31 more. As for the defense, it has to be better than it was against Minnesota, right? Add it up and a Nike school handles THE Nike school.

Chris Hansen

Oregon beat writer

Eugene Registerguard

Ohio State 38, Oregon 30

Will Kayvon Thibodeaux play? Can Oregon’s young linebackers remain tenacious on the national stage? Will the rebuilt secondary hold up against Ohio State’s star receivers? If the answer to at least two of those questions isn’t yes, the Ducks could be in for a long day. Oregon scored four TDS against Fresno State last week but will need more sustained drives or explosion plays from QB Anthony Brown and the offense.