Oklahoma at Ohio State football: Preview, predictions, live stream

College Gameday will be in Columbus when Ohio State football meets the Oklahoma Sooners in Week 2. Who wins? The Buckeyes or the Sooners?

More: 5 Reasons why Ohio State will down Oklahoma

Another week, another high-magnitude game that could affect College Football Playoff conversations come the end of the year. Last weekend we were graced with the No. 1 team in Alabama versus the No. 3 Florida State Seminoles.

This week, we have another top ten showdown as the Oklahoma Sooners visit Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

While the loser of this game does not eliminate them from playoff contention, the winner gains a major advantage should the two be in the same discussion at the end of the year. Both teams met a year ago in Norman, with the Buckeyes winning in decisive fashion 45-24. Oklahoma and Ohio State were both in the discussion at the end of the year with regards to making the CFP, yet the Buckeyes were able to snag a spot in the final four. There is a very good chance had Oklahoma won the early-season game against Ohio State that it would have been them in the playoff rather than the Buckeyes.

This will be the fourth ever meeting between the two schools with the Buckeyes winning the last two after the Sooners were victorious in the inaugural game back in 1977.

Date: Saturday, Sept. 9
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Columbus, OH
Venue: Ohio Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Both teams started 1-0, but looked distinctly different. Though a much tougher opening battle, the Buckeyes struggled with Indiana for nearly three four quarters. J.T. Barrett and J.K. Dobbins were the brightest sports for the Buckeyes’ offense, but poor route running and dropped passes helped keep the Hoosiers in it.

Ohio State cannot come out like this against Oklahoma. Facing another potent offense, the Buckeyes will need to not only control the time of possession, but also patch up some of their mistakes from last week. A quick start from Barrett and Dobbins in the run game will help alleviate some pressure from the wide outs.

As for the Sooners, their offense was clicking on all cylinders last week against UTEP. While the offense will get their points, the defense will need to step up to shut down the Buckeye’s big weapons. If Oklahoma can start the game with a few stops and hold the Buckeyes to limited points in the first and second quarter, their offense will be able to take care of the rest.

Prediction

This is back-to-back weeks that all eyes will be on the Buckeyes as College Gameday will make their second straight appearance featuring Ohio State. A night game in Columbus will be hard to beat and the electric atmosphere of week one will be to the Buckeyes’ advantage, as opposed to Oklahoma’s cakewalk last weekend with UTEP.

Next: 5 overreactions from OSU's win over Indiana

It appears Barrett and Dobbins are going to be a tough combo to stop on the ground and this week those two will be able to free up some space in the air, making it too much for the Sooners to handle on defense. A Heisman-like performance from Barrett leads the Buckeyes to the big win.

Final score: Ohio State 38, Oklahoma 30

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