Ohio State Football: Ranking 2021 opponents by toughness
By Shane Lunnen
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Lincoln, Neb.. Nov. 6. Nebraska Cornhuskers. 6. player. 810
Nebraska needs to show progress as head coach Scott Frost enters his fourth year in Lincoln. Getting to a bowl game would be a start.
The Cornhuskers will need to rely on their defense this season. The bulk of their starters return here, including five sixth-year seniors because of the special COVID-19 eligibility. The rush defense was in the top 30 in the nation last season and could be even better this season.
Adrian Martinez returns this season after being benched midway through the 2020 season. There are some talented receivers around him but not much in the way of production. They’ll need to prove it on the field.
Nebraska has only beaten Ohio State once in their history, the 2011 season and the Cornhuskers first in the conference. Coincidently, that year’s Buckeyes team was their worst of the 21st century. The Huskers host this year but it will be tough for them to pull the upset.
Pick Analysis. Michigan Wolverines. 811. 5. player. Scouting Report. Nov. 27. Ann Arbor, Mich.
There was a time when Michigan was Ohio State’s toughest game, year in and year out. Not so much anymore. While of course, The Game is still a big deal to the two schools, it has been a one-sided affair in favor of the Buckeyes as of late.
The Wolverines right now do not have a starting quarterback but that will certainly be settled by the time they meet the Buckeyes in late November. The running back situation is more settled this season and they will look to improve behind an offensive line returning four starters.
The defense will be revamped. Don Brown is out and Mike Macdonald is in at defensive coordinator. He’s installed a 3-4 defense but this is still a young group who struggled last season. They will have the services of their best player, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson who returned for his senior season instead of leaving for the NFL.
At some point Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines have to knock off Ohio State, right? Although Harbaugh recently received a contract extension, if he does not beat the Buckeyes this season, the calls for his job from the fans may hit a fever pitch.