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Ohio State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2019 season

By Jake Mitchell

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Acting head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Acting head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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BOCA RATON, FL – OCTOBER 26: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Florida Atlantic Owls reacts on the sideline after a penalty call against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the second half at FAU Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL – OCTOBER 26: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Florida Atlantic Owls reacts on the sideline after a penalty call against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the second half at FAU Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

In 2018, FAU began the season on the road at Oklahoma. In Kyler Murray‘s first start, the Sooners ran away with a 63-14 victory. It was the beginning of a season that included a Heisman Trophy for Murray and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes hope they can follow a similar path.

This will be the first start for Justin Fields. He’ll face a massive amount of pressure from the college football world, but not from the opposing defense. FAU is on its third defensive coordinator in three years, and new man Glenn Spencer is faced with a tall task in Week 1. This unit finished 92nd in the country in scoring defense last season.

With a new scheme and two key transfers in Noah Jefferson and Charles Cameron, there should be some improvement, but this defense still has a long way to go.

Prediction: Win (1-0)

In a season with a number of unknowns, Ohio State has a couple early games where they can afford to work out the kinks. How does Justin Fields command the offense? Have the Buckeyes shored up their rush defense? Those questions won’t be fully answered in one game, but we’ll have a much better idea of what this team’s ceiling can be in 2019.

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