Experts make their picks
After beating Indiana and Youngstown State to start the season, Ohio State takes on Western Kentucky for the first time in program history. The passhappy Hilltoppers have won nine games in three out of the past four seasons and are also off to a 2-0 start.
Here is what the writers at The Columbus Dispatch and Bowling Green (Ky.) Daily News predict for Saturday’s game:
Bill Rabinowitz
Ohio State beat writer, The Columbus Dispatch
— Ohio State 54, Western Kentucky 24
This will be the Ohio State defense’s first real test. The Hilltoppers can light it up with quarterback Austin Reed, who led the country with 4,744 passing yards last year. WKU likes to play fast, which will be welcomed by the Buckeyes after Indiana and Youngstown State played at a snail’s pace. But Ohio State should get enough stops to win comfortably because Western Kentucky probably will have a hard time slowing the Buckeyes’ offense with Kyle Mccord now firmly at the controls.
Joey Kaufman
Ohio State beat writer, The Columbus Dispatch
— Ohio State 45, Western Kentucky 17
The Hilltoppers make up a legitimate test, bringing their passhappy Air Raid offense to Columbus. Expect moments on Saturday when Ohio State’s secondary is stressed by this aerial attack led by a proven quarterback in Austin Reed. But the bigger mismatch will be when the Buckeyes have possession, facing a defense that is especially vulnerable in the trenches and too reliant on turnover luck to hold up against all the talent on OSU’S side.
Rob Oller
Sports columnist, The Columbus Dispatch
— Ohio State 49, Western Kentucky 13
The Buckeyes are fortunate that a leopard cannot change its spots. Otherwise, they would be looking at another slow-down game − like Indiana and Youngstown State − in which WKU milks the clock to limit plays and keep OSU’S offense off the field. But genetics being what they are, the Hilltoppers cannot change their DNA. They throw and throw ... and throw at every opportunity, which means if the Ohio State defense can defend the pass in its first real test against a dynamic offense, then Buckeye Nation finally will get to see the full power of Ryan Day’s offense.
Real-time reporter, The Columbus Dispatch
— Ohio State 45, Western Kentucky 24
With Western Kentucky’s nationally-renowned passing game comes an opportunity for the Buckeyes to see where it stands overall on defense, while giving the offense enough time to move downfield and run Ryan Day’s offense like he wants it run. Ohio State’s dress rehearsal for Notre Dame has the chance to be the first real sigh of relief for a team in search of answers in terms of production on the offensive and defensive line. Or it could be a warning of things to come.
Jeff Nations Colin Gay
Western Kentucky beat writer, Bowling Green Daily News
— Ohio State 38, Western Kentucky 21
Western Kentucky is on its third offensive coordinator in as many years with Mike Leach disciple Drew Hollingshead running the show this season, but one thing has been constant during that stretch − the Hilltoppers will throw the ball, a lot. WKU quarterback Austin Reed is tough, smart and has a lightning-quick release out of the pocket, and he has lots of weapons to work with against the Buckeyes. Expect the Tops to challenge Ohio State’s defense, but WKU’S defense will have to continue its turnover-causing ways and stay off the field or it will be a long day at Ohio Stadium.