EXAMINER Sports EXtra
The Matchups
OSU RUSH OFFENSE
VS. NEB RUSH DEFENSE
The Buckeyes ranked first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally in rushing last year with 266.8 yards per game. While they may lack an elite back like J.K. Dobbins this season, there are several capable replacements waiting for their turn and they will get to work behind a strong offensive line. Nebraska ranked 11th in the Big Ten in rushing defense last year and graduated numerous starters in its front seven. ADVANTAGE: OSU
OSU PASS OFFENSE
VS. NEB PASS DEFENSE
Justin Fields ignited an OSU passing attack that ranked third in the conference last season. The Buckeyes graduated receivers K.J. Hill, Austin Mack and Ben Victor, but an extremely talented cast of youngsters are ready to show their talents. Nebraska was solid against the pass last year, ranking seventh in the conference and 30th nationally. But they face a big challenge against Fields and Ohio State’s speedy receivers. ADVANTAGE: OSU
NEB RUSH OFFENSE
VS. OSU RUSH DEFENSE
The Cornhuskers were one of the better running teams in the Big Ten last year. They return honorable mention all-conference tailback Dedrick Mills. On the other side, Ohio State had the third-best rushing defense in the Big Ten a year ago and are expected to be stout against the rush again this fall. ADVANTAGE: OSU
NEB PASS OFFENSE
VS. OSU PASS DEFENSE
Adrian Martinez struggled throwing the ball last season, but showed two years ago as a freshman that he has the potential to make plays through the air. Nebraska has a new offensive coordinator in Matt Lubick to help bring some spark to the passing game. Ohio State’s biggest question mark on defense is in the secondary, where three new starters will be getting the call Saturday. They will get a good first-game test against a veteran Big Ten quarterback. ADVANTAGE: NEB
OSU RUSH OFFENSE VS. PSU RUSH DEFENSE
One area that has received negative attention following Ohio State’s win over Nebraska was the slow start for the Buckeye running backs. The Buckeyes did end up rushing for 222 yards, but that total was helped by 54 yards from quarterback Justin Fields. Now, the OSU running game will be challenged with finding holes against a Penn State defense that allowed only 41 rushing yards to Indiana last week. ADVANTAGE: PSU
OSU PASS OFFENSE VS. PSU PASS DEFENSE
Although Penn State’s defense was pretty stout overall against Indiana, the Hoosiers did hit a few big plays through the air. Ohio State will certainly try to do the same with Justin Fields and his group of young receivers. There is a chance star junior Chris Olave will be held out after taking some big hits last week, but Fields has a lot of other talented pass catchers to turn to. ADVANTAGE: OSU
PSU RUSH OFFENSE VS. OSU RUSH DEFENSE
Penn State cranked out 250 rushing yards in the loss to Indiana. Quarterback Sean Clifford ran for 119 yards on 17 carries and that could be a concern to OSU after Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez was able to find space with his legs. However, Clifford is not as dynamic of a runner as Martinez and the Nittany Lions are down to their third running back after Journey Brown was diagnosed with a heart issue during the off-season and Noah Cain suffered a season-ending ankle injury last week against Indiana. Devyn Ford, the current starting RB, was held to 69 yards on 20 carries vs. IU. ADVANTAGE: OSU
PSU PASS OFFENSE VS. OSU PASS DEFENSE
The rebuilt Ohio State secondary had a solid debut last week but Nebraska really didn’t have the firepower in its receiver group to challenge the Buckeyes. Penn State will provide more of a test. Pat Freiermuth is one of the best tight ends in the Big 10 and wide receiver Jahan Dotson is a big-play threat. He had four catches for 94 yards and a touchdown in Penn State’s opener. ADVANTAGE: PSU
OSU RUSH OFFENSE VS. RUTGERS RUSH DEFENSE
Being a defensive guy, it’s no surprise the Scarlet Knights have shown improvement on that side of the ball so far this season. Rutgers has been good against the run, allowing only an average of 80 yards in games against Michigan State and Indiana. However, neither of those two teams possess dynamic running games. The Buckeyes will offer a much stiffer test for the Rutgers’ rush defense. Ohio State running backs Master Teague and Trey Sermon were better against Penn State last week and they will look to continue their progress against the Scarlet Knights. ADVANTAGE: OSU
OSU PASS OFFENSE VS. RUTGERS PASS DEFENSE
Justin Fields and the OSU passing attack is off to a sensational start and the Buckeyes will attempt to stay hot against a Rutgers pass defense that is allowing 279 yards per game. The Scarlet Knights will be challenged in a big way by Fields and his two favorite targets, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Nebraska and Penn State struggled to contain that trio. ADVANTAGE: OSU
RUTGERS RUSH OFFENSE VS. OSU RUSH DEFENSE
The Buckeyes were able to bottle up Penn State’s running game and now ranks 38th nationally and seventh in the Big 10 against the run at 131 yards per game. Rutgers has yet to get its running game on track. The Scarlet Knights are averaging only only 114 rushing yards per game, which is 85th nationally and 11th in the Big 10. ADVANTAGE: OSU
RUTGERS PASS OFFENSE VS. OSU PASS DEFENSE
It’s been a long time since Rutgers has been able to put together a respectable passing game and it continues to be a work in progress this season. The Scarlet Knights have settled on Nebraska transfer Noah Vedral at quarterback. He has shown some positives at times, but does not look like a big-play QB. Rutgers ranks 94th in the nation in passing offense at 148 yards per game. ADVANTAGE: OSU
OSU RUSHING OFFENSE VS. MARYLAND RUSHING DEFENSE
There has been some consternation from fans and sports writers about Ohio State’s running game so far this season. Master Teague and Trey Sermon have not been quite as explosive as fans have hoped for, yet the Buckeyes rank a respectable 27th nationally in rushing at 209 yards per game. On the flip side, Maryland is allowing 227 rushing yards per game, which ranks 108th in the nation. ADVANTAGE: OSU
OSU PASSING OFFENSE VS. MARYLAND PASSING DEFENSE
The combination of Justin Fields and wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave has given opposing defenses fits so far this season. The Buckeyes are averaging 303 passing yards per game. The Terrapins gave up 340 passing yards to Penn State last week and are allowing 247 per game. ADVANTAGE: OSU
MARYLAND RUSHING OFFENSE VS. OSU RUSHING DEFENSE
Terrapins running back Jake Funk ranks third in the Big 10 in rushing with 112 yards per game, but as a team, Maryland is averaging a modest 156 yards per game on the ground. The Terrapins ran for just 64 yards on 21 attempts in a season-opening loss to Northwestern. ADVANTAGE: OSU
MARYLAND PASSING OFFENSE VS. OSU PASSING DEFENSE
The Terrapins have opened a lot of eyes with their passing attack, which is powered by Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa, the brother of current Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Taulia has bounced back after a rough opener vs. Northwestern with two standout games. He threw for 394 yards and three touchdowns against Minnesota two weeks ago and went for 282 yards and three more TDs in last week’s win over Penn State. Ohio State’s defense has given up some chunks of yards through the air. The Buckeyes are allowing 224 passing yards per game, which is 50th nationally. ADVANTAGE: MARYLAND
OSU RUSH OFFENSE VS. ILLINOIS RUSH DEFENSE
Ohio State’s rushing attack had its best performance of the season against Indiana with 307 yards on 50 attempts. Master Teague led the way with 169 yards and two touchdowns. Trey Sermon had 60 yards on nine carries and quarterback Justin Fields added 78 yards and one TD on 15 rushes. Illinois has not been good against the run, allowing 189 yards per game on the ground. ADVANTAGE: OSU
OSU PASS OFFENSE VS. ILLINOIS PASS DEFENSE
While Justin Fields was not his typical self with three interceptions in the narrow win over Indiana, the Buckeyes still reached 300 passing yards. Receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson continue to make big plays. Illinois’ defense held Nebraska to just 177 passing yards last week, but the Fighting Illini rank 106th nationally in passing yards allowed. ADVANTAGE: OSU
ILLINOIS RUSH OFFENSE VS. OSU RUSH DEFENSE
The bread and butter of the Illinois offense is its rushing attack. The Illini rank second in the Big 10 behind Ohio State in rushing with 222 yards per game. Running backs Mike Epstein and Chase Brown both went over 100 yards in last week’s win over Nebraska and backup quarterback Isaiah Williams has been brought in at times to take advantage of his running skills. The Buckeyes held Indiana to minus-one yard rushing last week, but the Fighting Illini will provide a much tougher challenge. ADVANTAGE: ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS PASS OFFENSE VS. OSU PASS DEFENSE
After an ugly day against Indiana, Ohio State’s secondary will look for redemption against an Illinois offense that has struggled in the passing game. Illinois is averaging only 148 passing yards per game, which ranks 113th nationally. No other Big 10 team has thrown for fewer yards than the Illini. ADVANTAGE: OSU

