COLUMBUS, Ohio — The first bye week of Ohio State’s season has come and gone, and now the opening road test of the year awaits the Buckeyes.
Top-ranked Ohio State plays at Washington on Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS). The contest features an exciting matchup of quarterbacks with sophomore Julian Sayin making his first collegiate road start for OSU while sophomore Demond Williams Jr. hopes to make national noise for UW.
With the matchup approaching, Buckeye Talk Subtext subscribers submitted their most pressing questions about the game. Ohio State beat reporter Stefan Krajisnik provided answers.
When does a change with Brandon Inniss happen, either getting him involved or playing someone else? – 740 area code
Let’s answer this question in two parts, starting with the latter.
It’s unlikely Ohio State turns to someone else. If the Buckeyes rotated their receivers more during the first three games, I’d be open to the discussion.
However, no receivers have played more than 36 snaps outside of Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss. Ohio State is going to stick with Inniss, and part of that goes into the next segment of the answer: he’s playing better than his statistics suggest.
Inniss has caught five passes for 37 yards, but it was evident during the win against Ohio he’s been open and Sayin has either missed him or already thrown a pass to another available receiver.
Inniss has been shaky in the punt return game, but it’s not time to panic yet on offense. In fact, in our outrageous predictions this week, I said I anticipate a breakout game for him.
Are you worried about Ohio State’s run defense? – Bailee from the 330
The running game is the biggest question surrounding Ohio State’s defense heading into this weekend.
Defensive tackle depth was a concern coming into the season, and with Eddrick Houston displaying inconsistency through three games, it remains a question.
CBS analyst Gary Danielson, who will be on the call this weekend, agrees.
“They have to … make sure the middle of that pass rush is getting into Demond Williams’ face and controlling the game,“ Danielson told cleveland.com this week. ”You don’t want Jonah Coleman being able to run the ball like the Lions did against Baltimore.”
What’s more likely: Ohio State cruises or Washington pulls off the upset? – Jack in the 218
I lean toward the former.
Washington has talented players on offense, and the Huskies will deliver some punches early to make the game intriguing going into halftime.
However, UW’s defense is shaky and injured. Ohio State’s defense will find ways to string together stops. I’m not sure Washington’s can do the same.
If Sayin adjusts well to the environment, OSU should pull away in the second half.