OSU looks to playoffs; Huskers eye rebound
Here is the scouting report for Saturday's Ohio State-nebraska game:
The last meeting
Ohio State and Nebraska played at a similar time in the calendar last year (Oct. 24), but it was the season opener because of the delay caused by COVID-19. That game went the way of most of the Buckeyes' games against the Cornhuskers — a Buckeye rout. After the game was tied at 14 in the second quarter, OSU blew it open for a 52-17 victory. Justin Fields completed 20 of 21 passes for Ohio State, which beat Nebraska for the sixth straight time.
State of the Buckeyes
Ohio State's run of blowout wins ended when Penn State took the Buckeyes to the limit before OSU prevailed 33-24. Ohio State struggled in several areas — red-zone offense, penalties, run game — in the first half. Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford threw for 361 yards. But the Buckeyes did enough to prevail. The feeling among the Buckeyes is that the test will serve them well down the stretch. It needs to if the Buckeyes are to qualify for the College Football Playoff for the third straight year.
State of the Cornhuskers
The Scott Frost era has not gone as planned. The former star Nebraska quarterback was undefeated in his last season coaching Central Florida, but he has not been able to return his alma mater to glory in his four years in Lincoln. Now his future is tenuous. The Cornhuskers simply haven't been able to get over the hump. They have lost three straight to fall to 3-6, all of their losses coming by eight points or fewer. But it's not just bad luck. Nebraska has consistently made crucial mistakes at key times, many by veteran quarterback Adrian Martinez. He threw four interceptions last week against Purdue, which rallied from a 21-17 halftime deficit to win 28-23.
When the Buckeyes have the ball
Ohio State’s offense: Last week was the first time since September that the Buckeyes weren't unstoppable. Credit only some of that to Penn State. The Buckeyes were out of sync much of the night. But even so, Ohio State did score 33 points. The Buckeyes have no real weaknesses on offense. Both their passing and run games are potent. The offensive line will be looking to dominate.
Nebraska’s defense: It's a unit that's been excellent at times. In the second half of its 23-20 overtime loss to Michigan State, Nebraska held the Spartans without a first down and only 14 yards. It also held high-powered Oklahoma to 23 points and 408 yards. Eight Huskers have at least 15 career starts. Linebacker Jojo Domann, cornerback Cam Taylorbritt and lineman Ben Stille are the defense's anchors. Linebacker Luke Reimer had 19 tackles against Purdue.
When the Cornhuskers have the ball
Nebraska’s offense: Most Cornhuskers fans are ready to see the Adrian Martinez era end. The fourth-year quarterback's talent has been overshadowed by his propensity to commit costly mistakes. He has completed 62.5% of his passes with 12 TDS and seven interceptions. Martinez is also the team's leading rusher with 451 yards. Rahmir Johnson is the primary running back. He averages 4.5 yards behind a young offensive line. Montana transfer Samori
Toure has emerged as Nebraska's best receiver. He is averaging 19.6 yards on 29 catches. Nebraska ranks 16th nationally in total offense (470.1 yard) but only 53rd in scoring (29.9 points per game).
Ohio State’s defense: The Buckeyes are playing considerably better than they did early in the season. It's been a combination of inexperienced players gaining needed snaps and schematic changes after Ryan Day turned playcalling duties to secondary coach Matt Barnes. But much work remains for OSU to have a championship-caliber defense. Linebacker play has been spotty, and rising star Steele Chambers will miss the first half because of his targeting ejection against Penn State.
OSU player to watch
C.J. Stroud. After playing nearly perfectly against inferior competition for three games, the redshirt freshman wasn't always pinpoint with his accuracy against Penn State. Nebraska's defense is good enough to present another challenge. Stroud has been reluctant to run, and defenses know it. He's fast enough to move the chains, and It would be smart if he would do it enough that defenses respect that possibility.
Nebraska player to watch
Adrian Martinez. He has been such an enigma during his career. Martinez showed so much promise as a freshman three years ago but has been unable to build on it because of turnovers.