The opening week of Ohio State’s season is finally here.
The Buckeyes are 50-point favorites over Akron for Saturday afternoon’s game at Ohio Stadium, so the anticipation is much different than the 2022 opener against Notre Dame or even last year’s opener at Indiana.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day was not asked a single question in his weekly press conference about the challenge the Zips could pose.
Even the Buckeyes themselves don’t have many pressing questions entering this season. Day named Kansas State transfer Will Howard the starting quarterback a few weeks ago. He confirmed that Tegra Tshabola would start at right guard, as would Sonny Styles at weakside linebacker and freshman Jeremiah Johnson at wide receiver.
Here are more takeaways from the press conference, which also included Howard and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles:
The success on Saturday
As clear favorites, the Buckeyes know that a win alone is not a sufficient measure of success on Saturday.
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Day said he wants as many players as possible to achieve the “Champion” grade, which requires a pass rate of at least 80%. He also said he wants OSU to live up to its expectation of being the hardest-playing team in the country.
“We’ll repeat that all week and hold them accountable on Saturday,” Day said. “Then we’ll come in on Sunday and see what went well and what didn’t and keep drumming up that, also knowing that we’ll have to improve our scheme as the season goes on.”
No decision on a starting running back
This is really much ado about nothing, as TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon are considered equal at the position. Day said running backs coach Carlos Locklyn will make the decision.
“We haven’t really talked about that yet,” Day said. “The guys are in great shape and will both be doing a lot of reps on Saturday.”
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Day said freshman James People has emerged as the third running back and will play on Saturday.
“He’s made really good progress,” Day said. “Now he’s going to show it on the field and play games. That’s different than just doing it in practice.”
Chip Kelly will coach from the locker room
Day said offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will be in the coaches’ booth in the press box and not on the field.
He said it was easier for Kelly to stay organized and call plays from that position.
“When you’re on the sidelines, it’s hard to get the next series done,” Day said. “When you’re up there, you get a desk. You can sit down. You can organize your thoughts for the next series. You can communicate well.”
Day said quality control coach Tim Drevno and analysts Billy Fessler (a former Akron offensive coordinator) and Tony Johnson will assist Kelly in the box.
Knowles also considers Hicks a starter
Although Styles will start at linebacker alongside fifth-year senior Cody Simon, Knowles said junior CJ Hicks will get plenty of playing time.
“Just like Cody (last year), I consider CJ a 1,” Knowles said, referring to a starter.
Knowles said Styles knows the responsibilities of a middle linebacker well enough to play there, so Hicks could back him up while Simon takes a break.
“Sonny is extremely trainable,” Knowles said. “He’s one of those guys you tell him something and he gets it. We have a certain versatility there.”
“I think all three of these guys are considered number 1s and should play equally well.”
Howard is looking forward to his debut with the Buckeyes
Will Howard has played on big teams in the Big 12, but is excited about his starting debut in the Horseshoe.
“I can’t stress enough how excited I am,” he said. “I’ve played a lot of places at this point in my career. I’ve played in front of hundreds of thousands, but the shoe and the atmosphere here, it’s different, man. I’m really excited to experience it all.”
Day informed Howard on August 15 that he had secured the starting spot.
“It’s a privilege and I don’t take it lightly,” Howard said. “There are a lot of really good players in that (quarterback) room and it’s an honor to be named a starter in a group like ours.”
“I’m honored. I’m blessed. It’s going to be fun.”
