No. 4 Ohio State aims to bounce back this weekend as they host Nebraska at home. The Buckeyes’ last appearance resulted in a narrow 32-31 defeat to No. 1 Oregon, where they fell short in a last-minute attempt for a game-winning field goal. After a bye week filled with reflection and questions about their performance, Ohio State is eager to reestablish their footing.
They now encounter a Nebraska team that suffered a significant loss, falling 56-7 to No. 13 Indiana last Saturday.
This matchup carries substantial importance. For Ohio State, the current scramble at the top of the Big Ten standings means that another loss could severely impact their chances at competing for the Big Ten title and potentially securing a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. They remain the odds-on favorite to win the conference, listed at +150 by BetMGM sportsbook. Meanwhile, Nebraska’s potential second consecutive loss would bring their conference record to 2-3, jeopardizing the positive momentum they built during their strong 5-1 start to the season.
Viewers can catch the Ohio State versus Nebraska game on Saturday, October 26 at 12 p.m. ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. It will be broadcast on Fox and available for streaming on fubo.
Key points to note about the matchup include Ohio State’s impressive record under head coach Ryan Day against unranked teams, going 44-0. There’s ongoing scrutiny of Day’s ability to win high-stakes games, particularly following the loss to Oregon. However, Ohio State has consistently handled their business against teams deemed lesser opponents, while Nebraska has struggled against ranked teams, having lost 26 straight in such matchups.
Nebraska’s quarterback Dylan Raiola has shown early promise but appears to be facing challenges recently. After a solid start to the season and three touchdown passes in the loss to Illinois, his performance has markedly declined, throwing three interceptions and failing to score any touchdowns in October.
Additionally, Ohio State is dealing with the loss of starting left tackle Josh Simmons for the season due to injury. This is a significant setback for their offensive line, which has been crucial to their success, particularly given Simmons’ standout performance in that position. The team will now rely on their tackle depth as the competition for the Big Ten title tightens.
As for predictions, despite their recent struggles, the Buckeyes are still viewed as one of the premier teams in college football. While they may be hindered by injury, their motivation to reclaim dominance will be strong against a Nebraska squad that may not pose the same level of threat. Many analysts suggest that there could be scoring opportunities available to Nebraska if they can capitalize on certain aspects of Ohio State’s defense. The expectation is for a high-scoring game, with picks leaning towards the over on total points.