Ohio State faces the Western Michigan Broncos in a primetime matchup this Saturday at 7:30 p.m., looking to build on their 52-6 demolition of Akron in Week 1. With a light early schedule, at least in terms of difficulty, the Buckeyes aim to start the season 2-0 before heading into a bye week. Afterward, they will face another Group of Five team in Marshall, before closing September with a road game against Michigan State. This relatively smooth start allows Ohio State to fine-tune its systems and test its depth before diving into the more rigorous parts of its schedule.
Western Michigan: A Slightly Stiffer Challenge
While Akron posed little resistance to the Buckeyes last week, Western Michigan could offer a slightly tougher test. The Broncos come into this game after nearly upsetting Big Ten opponent Wisconsin, leading 14-13 in the fourth quarter before a special teams blunder gave the Badgers new life. Wisconsin took advantage of the mistake and sealed a 28-14 win. The close call showed that Western Michigan has the potential to compete at a higher level, but Ohio State’s talent is expected to be too much for the Broncos to handle.
Western Michigan’s experience across its lineup, particularly with quarterback Hayden Wolff and leading receiver Kenneth Womack, could help them remain competitive for a stretch, but Ohio State’s depth and physicality will likely take over as the game wears on. Wolff, in his fourth year, has been a steady presence for the Broncos, transferring from Old Dominion last season to lead their offense.
Ryan Day: "We’ve Got a Long Way to Go"
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is keeping his team focused on the big picture, acknowledging that despite the Week 1 blowout of Akron, there’s still room for improvement. "We’ve got a long way to go here, and we want to keep pushing," Day said in a Tuesday press conference. He pointed out the positives from the first game but emphasized that the Buckeyes are still far from where they need to be to achieve their ultimate goals.
Day's message is clear: Ohio State cannot afford to let complacency set in, even with the significant talent gap between them and their early-season opponents. This game will serve as another stepping stone toward fine-tuning their systems, especially with Big Ten competition just around the corner.
Building the Run Game
One area of focus for Ohio State will be their running game. Against Akron, the Buckeyes averaged just 4.8 yards per carry in the first half before improving to 5.5 yards per carry in the second. While they can dominate most opponents through the air, establishing a stronger, more consistent ground attack will be crucial for their success in tougher games down the line. The offensive line, led by center Seth McLaughlin, is determined to clean up missed blocks and capitalize on opportunities for explosive runs.
"We just got to keep working on correcting those one-offs," McLaughlin said. With star running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins in the backfield, the Buckeyes have the potential to be lethal on the ground, but they’ll need better execution up front to unlock that potential fully.
Ohio State’s Defensive Standouts
On defense, Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer will be a player to watch. Although he didn’t record a sack against Akron, he was a constant menace to the quarterback, racking up four pressures and three quarterback hits. Sawyer’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses could be a key factor in limiting Western Michigan’s chances of finding success. Alongside JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State’s defensive front is expected to dominate the line of scrimmage and wear down the Broncos' offensive line.
Western Michigan running back Jalen Buckley will look to break through the Buckeyes' defensive front, but it won’t be easy. Buckley, one of five MAC running backs to rush for over 1,000 yards last season, will need a strong performance if the Broncos hope to stay competitive. Wisconsin held him to four yards per carry last week, and Ohio State will look to limit his effectiveness as well.
Veteran Experience for Western Michigan
While Western Michigan may not have the talent level to match Ohio State, they bring significant experience to the table. Ten of the Broncos’ 11 offensive starters are fourth-year players or older, and their defense is led by veteran safety Tate Hallock, who recorded 75 tackles and two interceptions last season. Linebacker Donald Willis, who tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks in 2023, will also be a key player for the Broncos.
This experience may help Western Michigan avoid the turnover problems that plagued Akron last week, where the Zips gave up three turnovers, including two defensive touchdowns for the Buckeyes. Still, the talent disparity remains large, and Ohio State’s depth should wear down the Broncos as the game progresses.
A Look Ahead
Ohio State’s dominance over MAC opponents is well-documented, with the Buckeyes holding a 37-1 all-time record against the Mid-American Conference. The last time Ohio State faced Western Michigan was in 2015, where they secured a comfortable 38-12 victory. The Buckeyes haven’t lost to a non-power conference team since 1990 and are heavily favored to continue that streak on Saturday.
While Western Michigan gave Wisconsin a run for their money, Ohio State’s superior roster depth, especially along the offensive and defensive lines, should pave the way for another blowout victory. Establishing a strong run game and continuing to develop chemistry between the offensive line and running backs will be a priority as the Buckeyes prepare for tougher tests ahead in Big Ten play.
Final Prediction
The Buckeyes come into this game as 37.5-point favorites, and all signs point toward another comfortable victory. While Western Michigan may provide more resistance than Akron, Ohio State’s offensive and defensive lines should dominate the line of scrimmage, allowing the Buckeyes to control the game and keep their starters fresh for future matchups.
Ohio State should come out with a focused approach, aiming to establish a solid running game while using its depth and talent advantage to wear down the Broncos. If the Buckeyes play to their potential, this game could end with another lopsided score as Ohio State takes a significant step forward from Week 1 to Week 2.
