PREDICTIONS

Bill Rabinowitz

Ohio State beat writer

The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State 59, Akron 3

If the Buckeyes struggle with the Zips, that would be worse than anything that’s happened in the first three games. But that’s unlikely. The Buckeyes should roll. The most intriguing part of the game will be the play of the OSU backups in the second half after the game is presumably in hand.

Joey Kaufman

Ohio State beat writer

The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State 59, Akron 14

As lifeless as Ohio State looked in Saturday’s win over Tulsa, allowing the Golden Hurricane to hang around in what became just a one-score game in the fourth quarter, don’t expect a similar situation this week. Akron is among the worst teams in the FBS and has been noncompetitive in recent games against Power Five Conference teams, most recently losing to Auburn 60-10 in this season’s opener. It’s time the Buckeyes win in convincing fashion.

Rob Oller

Sports columnist

The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State 56, Akron 0

They don’t call Akron the Zips for nothing. After struggling to put away Minnesota, losing to Oregon and too often looking anemic against Tulsa, Ohio State finally puts a big fat defensive goose egg on the board against the Zips/zeros. Put it this way: Anything more than 10 points allowed would be disastrous. And the offense uncorks a big one, too.

George Thomas

Akron beat writer

Akron Beacon Journal

Ohio State 52, Akron 14

The Zips have played this tune already this season when they went to Auburn and lost. In actuality, they should not even be in this game given they’re smaller and not as fast at the Buckeyes across the board. That being said, here’s betting that quarterback DJ Irons starts, despite progress made by injured starter Kato Nelson earlier in the week.