Ohio State’s remaining schedule is paper thin.
Actually, what’s thinner than paper thin? Whatever that is, that’s what the rest of the Buckeyes’ schedule is.
Seriously, look at it and confidently name one team outside of No. 5 Michigan State you feel can challenge the Buckeyes for four quarters. I’ll wait … and I’ll be waiting until my hair is completely gray.
The Buckeyes’ first game wasn’t a breeze, I’ll give them that. Virginia Tech had Ohio State in the first half but couldn’t hang on in the second.
Hokies quarterback Michael Brewer was driven into the ground in the third quarter, shoulder first. Brewer’s collarbone was fractured, and the Hokies chances began to crumble.
Basically, Ohio State couldn’t pull away until Virginia Tech was forced to use its backup quarterback.
Now we get to watch the Buckeyes throttle the teams remaining on their nonconference schedule before outclassing the rest of the Big 10. The Buckeyes have nine more games until they face a ranked team.
Following the opener at Lane Stadium, Ohio State has three consecutive home games against Hawaii, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
After that, the Buckeyes have Indiana, Maryland, Penn State, Rutgers, Minnesota and Illinois before they finally meet a ranked team in the Spartans. After its one ranked matchup, Ohio State plays Michigan, and although anything can happen in a rivalry game, it’s hard to see the Wolverines posing a challenge this season.
Ohio State has one serious test during the remainder of the regular season, and it comes at home against the Spartans.
The Buckeyes are talented (what other team has a guy who used to play quarterback making diving catches and hitting spin moves out of NCAA Football 2003?), and they are capable of beating any school in the country.
But it’s a shame they’re going to be a double digit favorite in just about every game this season when all the other elite programs have at least a few games where they will really be put to the test.
I know it’s not the Buckeyes’ fault the Big 10 may be down again this year, but it’d be nice if they at least had a tougher nonconference slate. Virginia Tech was a decent test, but a nonconference matchup against a ranked team would’ve been welcomed by college football fans.
The Buckeyes’ main threat in the Big 10, Michigan State, is preparing to handle No. 7 Oregon’s high-octane offense this weekend. Meanwhile, Ohio State is getting ready to square off against the Rainbow Warriors. That says it all, really.
Ohio State, you’re good at football. In fact, you’re great at football.
But your schedule is abysmal. We aren’t impressed when you beat a vastly overmatched team by seven touchdowns. We know you’re talented, but we just want to see you put that talent to the test.
Jack Woods is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Jack_TDR.