Ohio State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018

Oregon State was bad a season ago. It was so bad in Corvallis, the Beavers lone victory came against Portland State by three points. Third year coach Gary Anderson resigned mid-season. It was a disaster of a season from start to finish, one that Oregon State fans would sure like to forget.

The Beavers have a new coach this season in Jonathan Smith. It is his first year with a head gig after spending the last four seasons as Washington’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Smith is returning to his alma mater, where he was a four-year starting quarterback for the Beavers and leading them to their greatest season ever in 2000 at 11-1, a shared Pac-10 title and a victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. The expectations are high for Smith to lead his school back to greatness.

Unfortunately for Smith and Oregon State, drawing the Buckeyes is not the best way to get off on the right foot. It will be a long day for Oregon State in Columbus. Replacing J.T. Barrett at quarterback will be no easy task, but this will be a great tune-up opportunity for Dwyane Haskins in his first start under center. Haskins will throw for 250 and four scores, score another on the ground and the Buckeyes win in a route to begin the 2018 campaign.

Final: Oregon State 6, Ohio State 45 (1-0)