Ohio State Football: How Urban Meyer suspension impacts Buckeyes’ first three games

Oregon State comes to Columbus for the season opener on September 1. The Beavers will be playing their first game under new head coach Jonathan Smith, formerly the co-offensive coordinator under Chris Petersen at Washington. Smith has never been a head coach before, and he will certainly feel less pressure against another neophyte in acting Ohio State head coach Ryan Day.

At the same time, though, Smith is at a decided disadvantage in terms of personnel at his disposal. Jake Luton is back at quarterback, after splitting time with Darrel Garretson last season. Ryan Nall is no longer in the backfield, and Duck-turned-Beaver Thomas Tyner used up his one year of eligibility.

More: Ohio State projected 2018 depth chart

Even with seven starters back on each side of the ball, it wasn’t like a team that ranked outside the top 100 in the country in points scored and points allowed was going to have much of a shot against the Buckeyes. Breaking a streak of 11 straight losses against FBS competition is Smith’s first goal as a head coach.

But before that streak can be broken, it will first be extended to 12 games by the Buckeyes. Oregon State, if anything, provides the perfect foil for Day to ease into his interim role at the helm. Ohio State should still win by double digits even without Meyer patrolling the sideline.