50 For 50: Running Downs A Dream

Welcome to our daily feature that I am calling “50 for 50” where I attempt to get us to Big Ten Media Days — which are 34 days away — with a daily sampling of what we can look forward to this upcoming college football season.

We will do this via the following categories: the 50 biggest individual matchups for the Buckeyes this season, the 50 most important college football games this season, 50 Buckeye things to look forward to this season, 50 national predictions, 50 Big Ten predictions, and 50 predictions involving the Buckeyes.

Previous: Day 16 |

Biggest Buckeye Matchups

Ohio State DE JT Tuimoloau vs. Oregon LT Josh Conerly

JT Tuimoloau is a two-time All-Big Ten selection with the potential to completely take over any game at any time. When the Buckeyes head to Oregon for their October 12 matchup, Tuimoloau will be facing off with junior left tackle Josh Conerly. Conerly was an Honorable Mention All-Pac 12 selection last year after starting in all 14 games and allowing just one sack and 17 pressures in 511 pass blocking opportunities. If Tuimoloau can make this one of those games he dominates, the Buckeyes should be able to come away with the win.

Most Important Games

Penn State Nittany Lions at USC Trojans, October 12

Penn State and USC have played just 10 times, with the Trojans holding a 6-4 edge. They haven’t met in the regular season since 2000, which USC won 29-5. That won’t be the score in this one because USC’s defense will likely be incapable of scoring a safety. The Nittany Lions are a five-point road favorite, which is right where Lincoln Riley wants James Franklin. The Trojans are being pretty well disregarded right now, but they could change that narrative with a win at Michigan in September and/or a win over Penn State in October.

Things To Look Forward To

Caleb Downs running the ball.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day mentioned on Tuesday that starting free safety Caleb Downs could factor into the Buckeyes emergency running back plans if worst comes to worst. That may sound crazy, but keep in mind that Ohio State has had to move a linebacker and a receiver to running back for significant carries the past two years. Day and Downs talked about the possibility of carrying the ball both in high school recruiting and portal recruiting, so don’t be completely shocked if there is a random carry or two sprinkled throughout the season. Don’t expect it, but be aware.

National College Football Predictions

Ollie Gordon will repeat as the Doak Walker Award winner.

Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon won the Doak Walker Award last year as the nation’s best running back. He rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns but only had 19 carries over the Cowboys’ first three games. This year there will be no such slow start and the Pokes replace Texas and Oklahoma on the schedule with the likes of Colorado and Arizona State. The Pokes have playoff aspirations and if Gordon can become the first running back to repeat as the Doak Walker winner since Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor in 2018 and 2019, they just might get there. Assuming Caleb Downs doesn’t win the award, of course.

Big Ten Football Predictions

Iowa will score an offensive touchdown against a ranked opponent.

I will have you know that Iowa has failed to score an offensive touchdown against their last four ranked opponents. They were shutout in all three such contests last year, and only scored a defensive touchdown against Ohio State in 2022. Their last offensive touchdown against a ranked opponent came in the fourth quarter of their 2022 game against Michigan. (Connor Stalions may have had to leave early that day.) The Hawkeyes scored two offensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter against the Wolverines. Their last offensive touchdown against a ranked opponent that didn’t occur in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand was the Citrus Bowl after the 2021 season. Their last first-half offensive touchdown against a ranked opponent came against No. 4 Penn State on October 9, 2021. Their last first-quarter offensive touchdown against a ranked opponent was the season opener in 2021 against No. 17 Indiana. I am not going to be so bold as to predict an offensive touchdown in the first half of a game against a ranked opponent this year, but they’ll at least get one in the second half.

Ohio State Football Predictions

A freshman quarterback will throw at least three TDs this year.

Not since Braxton Miller in 2011 has a true freshman thrown for at least three touchdowns in a season for the Buckeyes. This year, Julian Sayin or Air Noland — or both — will accomplish the feat for Ohio State. It won’t be easy, of course. Heck, the last time the third-string quarterback threw three touchdowns in a season was … let me go research this one for a few minutes. Oof, the answer is 1969. These were never supposed to be bold predictions. They were just supposed to be predictions. I’m in too deep to turn back now, though. I think my only real chance of nailing this one is a freshman winning the backup job.

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