Ohio State football must not take Cincinnati lightly in Week 2

Ohio State football welcomes New Year’s Six hopeful Cincinnati to Columbus for an interstate matchup at Ohio Stadium. Can the Buckeyes get it done?

There are high stakes in this high noon game between Ohio State and Cincinnati. The Buckeyes need this one to be in the playoff picture for the duration of the season. A victory for the Bearcats would be a monumental feather in their caps as they build their resume to be the Group of Five representative in the New Year’s Six this postseason.

Both teams come off of impressive wins in their Week 1 games. The Bearcats decimated the UCLA Bruins at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati 24-14. The Bearcats defense looked in mid-season form as they sacked quarterback Dorian-Thompson Robinson twice and picked him off twice in the victory.

The Buckeyes were equally impressive in their 45-21 dismantling of the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ohio Stadium. Justin Fields had a field day — coach and player pun intended — against the Owl defense in an impressive debut by the Georgia transfer.

It will be strength on strength as the tough and rugged Bearcats defense attempts to slow the athletic fast offensive assault of the Buckeyes in this Week 2 tilt. Here’s how to watch:

Date: Saturday Sept. 7
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Venue: Ohio Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

If the Bearcats want to shock the world, and pull off the monumental upset, they have to play perfect football on Saturday. They must take out the raucous Buckeye crowd early. They have to run the ball effectively, and not make any mental errors. They can’t have false start, or holding penalties on offense and they can’t have any automatic first down penalties on defense.

They have to get the running game going early and often. Not only is the run game their bread and butter, it’s also and effective way to keep Ohio State’s offense on the sidelines and off the field. Most importantly, Cincinnati can’t settle for field goals; they have to score touchdowns. Ohio State is too good to kick field goals. They need six, not three.

Ohio State simply needs to be who they are, and they are the better team in this game, and they need to play like it. Cincinnati is not to be taken lightly. If the Buckeyes do, they can be beaten by a team like the Bearcats. Ohio State needs to know they will get Cincinnati’s best effort, and they need to be ready for that. Chase Young and the defensive line must take advantage of an inexperience Bearcats offensive line, and the offensive skill players need to have good games.

Prediction

The Bearcats will keep this one close for at least a half. Luke Fickell will have his team ready to play. They need a good showing in this game. However, as the game wears on, Ohio State’s depth and athleticism will eventually take over. Between Fields and Dobbins running the ball, Ohio State will wear down an undersized, undermanned Cincinnati defense on their way to a win that is closer than the score indicates

Final Score: Ohio State 35, Cincinnati 14