Ohio State Football: 2017 game-by-game predictions
By Shane Lunnen
Ohio State will face UNLV for the first time in football to round out their non-conference schedule for 2017. The Rebels are coming off a 4-8 season in 2016 and don’t look like a team that will improve much.
Eight starters return on offense for the Rebels. They had a solid rushing attack last fall, ranking 15th in the nation. The passing game was putrid though, ranking 114th. Redshirt freshman quarterback Armani Rogers most likely will be tasked with jump starting the passing game. The offensive backfield and offensive line mostly return, so that’s good news. UNLV’s receivers were snake bit last year with injuries so staying healthy will be a key in 2017.
The defense only returns two starters and last year’s unit ranked 112th in the nation in points allowed with over 36 points a game. Maybe new starters will help this unit, but they don’t have a lot of depth in key areas, especially at linebacker.
This will be another opponent that the Buckeyes should dispose of quickly. A heavy dose of Mike Weber will be called upon. J.T. Barrett will use his arm and his legs, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another. The Buckeyes smother the Rebels all day, led by linebacker Chris Worley who will just terrorize the young Rogers for most of the day, sacking him three times. Ohio State gets the easy win and moves back into Big Ten play.