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Ohio State football must not overlook sneaky FAU team in Week 1

By Richard Kimball

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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Ohio State football enters a new era under Ryan Day. A Week 1 win over a sneaky FAU would start things off right but the Owls must not be overlooked.

New coach, new quarterback but still the same expectations for Ohio State Football heading into the 2019 season. Despite significant changes, a Big Ten title, a spot in the College Football Playoff and a win over rival, Michigan, are what is expected from new head coach, Ryan Day, in his first season.

However, Day has the perks of starting off his tenure with the number one quarterback from the 2018 class, Justin Fields. Alongside Fields is a group of some of the most skilled players in the nation, including running back, J.K. Dobbins, and wide receiver, K.J. Hill. So for Day and the 2019 Ohio State Buckeyes, it should be business as usual.

On the other side of the field are the FAU Owls, led by head coach Lane Kiffin. Expectations were high last season for Kiffin and the Owls but a disappointing season had them finishing a game below .500. But the Owls hope to turn things back around and contend for an at-large bid for a New Year’s Six Bowl and an upset victory over the Buckeyes would be the perfect start.

It’s the first ever meeting between these two schools and rather it be a landslide or a shootout, we should expect a lot of points scored in this one.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s game between Ohio State and FAU:

Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Venue: Ohio Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go | FuboTV

Keys to Victory

Ohio State is the clear favorite in this Week 1 match up, but while an upset is unlikely, the Buckeyes need to stay grounded and make sure they stick to the game plan. This game will be used to work out some kinks on both sides of the ball and get the team primed for another run at a conference title.

FAU will need to be near perfect to take down the Buckeyes. The offense will need to strike early, while the Owls defense will need to step up and force several turnovers to give their offense extra opportunities to score. An early deficit could put the Owls down and out.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Point Spread: Florida -27.5
Over/Under: 63

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Prediction

Ohio State is ready to silence the offseason chatter and for FAU, this is a wrong time, wrong place scenario for a potential upset. Fields and Hill connect early and often, as the Buckeyes jump out to a quick, commanding lead and never look back. FAU manages to put some points on the board before the final whistle but Ohio State sends them back home with an embarrassing defeat.

Final: FAU 13, Ohio State 59

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