No. 2 Ohio State is set to kick off its eagerly awaited season on Saturday afternoon as they host in-state rival Akron. This matchup marks the first encounter between the Buckeyes and the Zips since 2021, making it the fifth meeting overall, with Ohio State holding a flawless 4-0 record in the series since 2001.
Fans will have plenty to keep an eye on as Ohio State takes the field. The Buckeyes aim for an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game and are considered early favorites for the College Football Playoff National Championship.
An offseason of significant changes plays a major role in those expectations. Following three consecutive losses to their top rival Michigan, which knocked Ohio State out of the Big Ten race, coach Ryan Day has made substantial moves, including securing the No. 9 transfer class in the 247Sports Team Transfer rankings and hiring new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who transitioned from his head coaching role at UCLA.
The Buckeyes are eager to make a statement against an Akron team that is expected to struggle. The Zips have a record of 7-47 since 2019, including a 4-20 mark over the last two seasons under coach Joe Moorhead, and have not recorded a winning season since 2015.
Fans can expect live updates as Ohio State faces off against Akron to start the 2024 season.
Details for watching Ohio State vs. Akron live are as follows:
Date: Saturday, Aug. 31 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Free trial available)
What to know about Ohio State vs. Akron:
New additions in Columbus include seven transfers making their debut for Ohio State, featuring the top safety in the transfer portal, Caleb Downs, among others. Notably, freshman standout Jeremiah Smith is set to start at wide receiver.
On the offensive side, the arrival of Chip Kelly is anticipated to have a significant impact. Known for his extensive experience as a head coach in both college and the NFL, he introduces a new offensive identity centered on physicality and a strong inside-running scheme. The combination of quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins aligns perfectly with this vision.
Ohio State has a proven dominance over in-state competition. The last time the Buckeyes lost to an Ohio team was in 1921 against Oberlin. Since then, Ohio State has achieved a remarkable 52 consecutive victories against in-state opponents, not having been challenged closely since 2011 when they narrowly defeated Toledo 27-22.
As for predictions, the Buckeyes are heavily favored in this matchup, with Akron struggling significantly last season, ranking near the bottom in multiple offensive and defensive categories. Ohio State is expected to dominate the game, leading to a prediction that places them as a standout favorite.