Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Ohio State Football: 5 reasons why Buckeyes will beat Oklahoma

By Connor Muldowney

BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a two point conversion during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a two point conversion during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated UTEP 56-7. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) *** local caption *** Baker Mayfield;
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated UTEP 56-7. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) *** local caption *** Baker Mayfield; /

3. Baker Mayfield not used to facing elite secondaries

There’s absolutely no doubt that Baker Mayfield is one of the top quarterbacks in college football. The senior gunslinger has been pegged as the Big 12’s best chance to win the Heisman, along with Mason Rudolph, but he doesn’t seem to face many elite secondaries.

That will change on Saturday.

While the Buckeyes did allow Indiana’s Richard Lagow to put up some big numbers in Week 1, but Buckeyes have plenty of talent that is still developing in the defensive backfield. Guys like Kendall Sheffield and Denzel Ward are soon-to-be stars and could give Mayfield a tough time.

Related Story: Ohio State Football: 5 overreactions to Indiana win

Outside of Big 12 defenses, which are known for being poor, Mayfield hasn’t done much against Power Five foes through the air. While he did pass for over 300 yards against Clemson in the College Football Playoff in 2015, he only had 187 yards on 19-of-39 completions against Tennessee earlier that season.

In 2016, he struggled against these same Buckeyes, going 17-of-32 for 226 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. The Buckeyes will have an advantage in this one as Mayfield isn’t used to these elite secondaries.

Home/Ohio State Buckeyes