EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, September 15^th, the (2-0) Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the (2-0) TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Ohio State 36.7 – TCU 24.5 with an over/under of 61.1.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Ohio State 38 – TCU 24.

Mark is predicting a final score of Ohio State 38 – TCU 27.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Ohio State 350.0 PPG > TCU 209.0 YPG

Rushing offense: Ohio State 300.0 YPG > TCU 237.0 YPG

Scoring offense: Ohio State 64.5 PPG > TCU 48.5 PPG

Scoring defense: TCU 9.5 PPG > Ohio State 17.0 PPG

Passing defense: TCU 106.0 YPG > Ohio State 130.5 YPG

Rushing defense: TCU 107.5 YPG > Ohio State 132.5 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Ohio State +1.0 > TCU -1.0

Summary:

Ohio State will be without Head Coach Urban Meyer for the third straight game but the Buckeyes are undefeated after victories over Oregon State and Rutgers.  The Buckeyes rank 2^nd in the country averaging 64.5 points per game.  Dwyane Haskins is clearly the best throwing quarterback Meyer has had in Columbus and the electric Tate Martell hasn’t been fully unleashed yet.  Haskins, an early Heisman contender, is completing 79% of his passes for 546 yards with nine touchdowns to just one interception.  The backfield duo of J.K. Dobbins (5.4 YPC) and Mike Weber (7.8 YPC) might be the best in all of college football.  The Buckeyes defense is led by All-American defensive end Nick Bosa who is the best pass rusher in the country.  If Ohio State has a weakness it is their inexperienced secondary especially after Denzel Ward left for the NFL.

TCU won their first two games over Southern and SMU in blowout fashion.  Head Coach Gary Patterson will have to rely heavily on his dual threat quarterback Shawn Robinson to make plays.  Robinson has completed 62% of his passes for 336 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.  Robinson is also the team’s leading rusher averaging 11.2 yards per carry.  TCU’s defense has been stingy this season allowing just 9.5 points per game.  The Horned Frogs defensive front should be able to make some plays but they will have their hands full trying to contain Ohio State’s bevy of playmakers.

Bottom Line:

The speed and athleticism Ohio State has will allow them to slow down Shawn Robinson who is basically TCU’s entire offense.  The way to beat the Buckeyes is to attack their secondary but Robinson is not the accomplished passer to do that.  Look for the Buckeyes to lean heavily on their running game and wear down the stout TCU front.  Haskins will make the necessary plays when the Horned Frogs stack the box and Ohio State will win comfortably.

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