Ohio State Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Oregon State

Take a look at the Week 1 preview as Ohio State football opens up the season at home against Oregon State.

This Week 1 matchup should answer a lot of questions about the state of the Buckeyes program. They face off against an Oregon State team breaking in a new head coach, while also trying to see what type of quarterback play they will get out of Dwayne Haskins with another offseason under his belt.

Must Read: Starting linebackers for Bucks an impressive group

Before the Urban Meyer suspension, Ohio State was one of the favorites to make the college football playoffs. They face a tough test in Week three against the TCU Horned Frogs, but I think they can manage to come out of this stretch 3-0.

Haskins is a big-time player and will be one of the early favorites to win Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year if he can get on a hot streak to start the season. When you have JK Dobbins and Mike Weber behind you running the ball, chances are you won’t have to worry about the defense only bringing three men to rush you.

The Beavers went 1-11 last year and brought in former quarterback John Smith to right the ship. The defense returns eight of its top nine tacklers from last season so they have the experience, it’s just a matter of how much the offense will help them.

Both of these teams will look to make major statements as we kick off the 2018 season.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Ohio State vs. Oregon State game:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 1
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Venue: Ohio Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

In order for the Buckeyes to win this game, they will need to focus on the ground game. Getting Weber and Dobbins off to good starts will make things easier for Haskins when it’s time for him to take the big shots down the field. Keeping the Beavers in long third down situations will also be a key part needed to secure a victory.

If the Beavers want to pull off the upset they will need to limit their turnovers, and keep Nick Bosa and Chase Young out of the backfield. If Jake Luton doesn’t have time to throw the Oregon State offense has no chance of staying competitive in this one.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of Oddshark

Point Spread: Ohio State -38
Over/Under: 64

Prediction

I don’t expect the Beavers offense to move the ball much in the first half. Ohio State will come out and quickly get two touchdowns early in the first quarter and continue to build the lead in the second. By halftime, Dobbins and Weber should both have already found the end zone, and the defense should have a handful of turnovers.

As the game gets into the second half Haskins and the offense will stretch the field and the game will be almost over by the start of the fourth. Expect a big Buckeyes victory to start the season off on the right foot.

Final Score: Ohio State 49, Oregon State 10