No. 2 Ohio State will start its much-anticipated season on Saturday afternoon by taking part in host to in-state foe Akron. This would be the first assembly between the 2 groups since 2021 and fifth all-time, with the Buckeyes holding a 4-0 sequence benefit since 2001.
There’s a lot to look at for when Ohio State lastly takes the sector. The Buckeyes have their eyes set on a Massive Ten Championship Recreation look, they usually’re one of many early favorites to make all of it the best way to the Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship.
An offseason stuffed with change is an enormous purpose why. After three straight losses to prime rival Michigan that eradicated Ohio State from the Massive Ten race, coach Ryan Day went all-in with the No. 9 switch class in 247Sports Staff Switch rankings and the hiring of recent offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who left his place as UCLA’s head coach to affix Day’s workers.
The Buckeyes will surely prefer to make an announcement in opposition to what needs to be an overmatched Akron crew. The Zips are 7-47 since 2019, together with a 4-20 file over the previous two seasons below coach Joe Moorhead. They have not had a profitable season since 2015.
LIVE UPDATES: Observe alongside reside as Ohio State battles Akron to open the 2024 season
How one can watch Ohio State vs. Akron reside
Date: Saturday, Aug. 31 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ohio Stadium — Columbus, Ohio
TV: CBS | Dwell stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Attempt It Free)
Ohio State vs. Akron: Have to know
New faces in Columbus: Ohio State went high quality over amount in its 2024 switch class, which ranks as top-of-the-line within the nation regardless of its comparatively small quantity. There shall be seven transfers making their Buckeyes debut, together with the portal’s prime security in Caleb Downs, prime operating again in Quinshon Judkins and former Kansas State beginning quarterback Will Howard. However most eyes shall be on freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith, who’s set to begin at huge receiver instantly.
Peek at Ohio State’s offense: None of Ohio State’s offensive additions had been as impactful as that of Kelly. He brings years of expertise as a head coach, each within the NFL and in school. A majority of his time spent outdoors has been on the offensive aspect of the ball. He’ll carry a brand new identification to the Buckeyes’ offense, predicated upon physicality and a troublesome inside-run scheme. Howard, together with his 6-foot-5 body, and Judkins, whose greatest work is completed between the tackles, match that ideology like a glove. Will probably be fascinating to see what new wrinkles Ohio State employs when it takes the sector.
Buckeyes dominant in opposition to in-state opponents: You would need to return to 1921 to search out the final time Ohio State misplaced to a crew from Ohio. The Buckeyes dropped a good 7-6 contest in opposition to Oberlin, a crew that they beforehand outscored 211-0. Since then, Ohio State has gained 52-straight video games in opposition to in-state foes. It hasn’t even come inside one rating of dropping to an Ohio crew since 2011, when the Buckeyes eked out a 27-22 win in opposition to Toledo.
Ohio State vs. Akron prediction, picks
This recreation has an enormous unfold. To name the Buckeyes heavy favorites could be the understatement of the 12 months. Nevertheless it is smart once you dive into the numbers. Akron had the MAC’s second-worst scoring offense (16.3 factors per recreation) and fourth-worst scoring protection (28 ppg) a 12 months in the past. In two video games in opposition to power-conference competitors final season, the Zips scored a mixed 30 factors — 27 of which got here in opposition to a hapless Indiana squad — and allowed 64. Ohio State ought to be capable to rating at will whereas its ridiculously loaded protection retains Akron on its aspect of the sector for a lot of the recreation. Decide: Ohio State (-50)
Which school soccer picks are you able to make with confidence in Week 1? Go to SportsLine to see which groups will win and canopy the unfold — all from a confirmed laptop mannequin that has returned effectively over $2,000 in revenue since its inception — and discover out.