WKU Football: Ohio State Q&A With Eleven Warriors
Eleven Warriors’ Andy Anders stops by to give us the inside look at the task the Hilltoppers have ahead of them Saturday against a Top 10 Ohio State team.
It’s only Week 3, but Western Kentucky will get their stiffest test of the year, if not of the next few years, on Saturday when they head to Columbus, Ohio to take on the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes.
Almost any other matchup against a Power program and WKU fans would feel good about their chances to keep it competitive, if not come away outright with a victory.
When it comes to playing Ohio State, however, it’s a bit of a different story. Under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have lost just six games. Six. In six years.
OSU also hasn’t lost to a non-Power program since 1990, when they fell to Air Force, 23-11, in the Liberty Bowl.
Needless to say, the Hilltoppers have their work cut out for them Saturday afternoon, on a national stage (4 p.m., FOX).
Ohio State is one of the most heavily covered teams, of any sport, in the country, and few places do it better than Eleven Warriors. To help us get the inside look at the Buckeyes, Andy Anders - a five-year veteran of the OSU beat and a reporter for 11W - stopped by to answer some of our most pressing questions ahead of the Tops’ tilt with a national title contender.
The Towel Rack: Someone who is just checking in on Ohio State for the first time this week will see their first two games on paper and think the Buckeyes have struggled a bit to get their first two wins. Is this fact or fiction?
Andy Anders: I wouldn’t call it a struggle to win, as neither opponent seemed a real threat to claim victory at any point in the game. Ohio State’s offense produced less than expected in both contests, however. Much of it has to do with an offensive line that is still gelling, inefficiency on third down and the breaking in of a new quarterback, combined with opposing offenses predicated on running the clock.
TTR: It seems like the biggest question mark for the Buckeyes entering the season was who will fill the role left by CJ Stroud under center. Where is that battle after two weeks?
AA: The battle is settled, as on Tuesday Ryan Day confirmed that Kyle McCord is the man at the position moving forward. McCord was a composite five-star recruit and held an experience advantage over Devin Brown, the other contender, entering the season so it’s not a surprise to see it panned out that way, though Brown certainly gave him a run for his money.
TTR: Under Ryan Day, it feels like Ohio State has become something of a receiving factory, and the latest products are Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. What are the strengths of each player and what would WKU’s best line of attack against them be?
AA: It’s been incredible to watch what Ohio State’s receivers have done since Brian Hartline took over the position room in 2018. Both his recruiting and development have been unparalleled around the country. Marvin Harrison Jr. is widely viewed as the best receiver in the nation this year, he’s a ridiculously skilled route runner with great length, athleticism, hands and ball skills. Emeka Egbuka isn’t that far behind, and probably a tad more explosive after the catch.
Doubling Harrison seems like a must if any team wants to contain him, but that leaves Egbuka singled up in a lot of defenses. Among players that returned to college football in 2023, only Western Kentucky’s own Malachi Corley posted more receiving yards in 2022 than either Harrison or Egbuka. There’s going to be a lot of stress on the Hilltoppers’ safeties to help when needed. I don’t have a solution for how to slow the duo down, and I certainly don’t envy the defensive coordinators that have to try.
TTR: It’s no secret WKU’s bread and butter offensively is its stout passing attack. What does Ohio State do on defense that could make for a long day for Austin Reed and his receiving corps?
AA: Ohio State’s secondary has the potential to be the best it’s been in years. Denzel Burke, the team’s top corner, has locked up every receiver he’s faced this season and has an interception with two pass breakups to show for it. Davison Igbinosun opposite him has the length to challenge passes consistently, and nickel safety Sonny Styles is a dynamic weapon in the slot, though I’d expect to see plenty of Jordan Hancock there too in an effort to match up with Corley. The Buckeyes’ defensive tackles have provided some pressure on quarterbacks thus far this year – even if its defensive ends haven’t performed to expectations so far – so if Reed can be made uncomfortable that will obviously go a long way as well.
TTR: Speaking of the defense, the Buckeyes have only surrendered 10 points this year. Is that a testament to the unit or their schedule?
AA: Not to ride the fence here, but I think it’s tough to say at this point. There’s five- and high-end four-star talent that litters the defense, and despite a poor close to the season the Buckeyes took a big step forward on that side of the ball a year ago. Most of those players are back. Just on recruiting rankings, though, they should have an elite ceiling.
TTR: What is the sense, if there is any, about the challenge WKU could pose? Is this a game Ohio State fans have any trepidations about or are the Hilltoppers seen as a cupcake before they get to the meat of their schedule?
AA: I think there’s a good mix of fans who view this as a game Ohio State should coast in and another segment that see the air raid as a challenge for a team that gave up big plays through the air in big games a season ago. When you talk about improving in that aspect and trying to break in McCord and three new starters on the offensive line, I think the consensus is that Western Kentucky provides a great tune-up before the Buckeyes play on the road at No. 9 Notre Dame next week.
TTR: Finish the sentence: Ohio State will win if…
AA: It takes care of the football. Western Kentucky’s +6 turnover margin is one of the biggest statistics that popped out to me when I was reviewing the team.
TTR: Western Kentucky will win if…
AA: It creates a lot of turnovers on defense, tests Ohio State’s unproven – at least against longer passes – deep safeties and those safeties fail, and holds up against the Buckeyes’ defensive line to win a shootout.
TTR: With Columbus just a 5 hour drive from Bowling Green, there’s sure to be a good crowd of red towel wavers on Saturday. Have any suggestions on must-do’s for the visitors?
AA: Personally I’d recommend checking out Thurman’s in Columbus’ German Village for those that are hungry for a good burger. Franklin Park Conservatory has a wonderful botanical garden for anyone into that, and personally I love Columbus’ craft beer scene, so check out any number of breweries around the city, I’d say. Seventh Son and Wolf’s Ridge are among my favorites.
TTR: Finally, have a prediction for us? Does WKU pull off an upset for the ages or will the Hilltoppers be just another notch on Ohio State’s bedpost?
AA: I could see a scenario where the Hilltoppers’ air raid stresses the defense, inconsistencies continue to pop on Ohio State’s offense and this game is as close as two scores. I personally think the Buckeyes are going to show the best version of themselves to date this season. I have it 49-14 Ohio State.
We’d again like to thank Andy for stopping by to give us the lowdown on the Buckeyes. Be sure you’re following him, as well as the rest of the Eleven Warriors crew, for the OSU perspective throughout the game week.