50 For 50: Buckeyes Putting Up Numbers In The Secondary

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 24 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 26 |

Biggest Buckeye Matchups

Michigan NT Kenneth Grant vs. Ohio State C Seth McLaughlin

The last time Kenneth Grant and Seth McLaughlin matched up against each other, McLaughlin and his Alabama Crimson Tide teammates fell short. It’s an outcome that has stuck with McLaughlin and one that he would no doubt like to avenge. Now in a new offense and stronger than he was last year, McLaughlin’s matchup with Grant in November is going to be a deciding factor in this game. Grant is a massive nose tackle who can occupy the line of scrimmage like a squatter with a legal background. McLaughlin’s job will not be easy, but he wouldn’t have transferred to Ohio State if he was looking for easy.

Most Important Games

Ole Miss Rebels at LSU Tigers, October 12

There is a thought in the SEC that with Nick Saban gone, there is an opportunity for another program to ascend past Alabama and sit next to Georgia among the nation’s elite. Ole Miss and LSU are two such thinkers, which makes their October 12 game so intriguing. A Lane Kiffin team is receiving playoff talk, which should concern everybody who is buying stock in the Rebels right now. Meanwhile, Brian Kelly is going to try to keep LSU in the picture despite the loss of Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Tigers come into this game off of a bye week while Ole Miss will play at South Carolina the week before this one, so at least we know who the SEC wants to win.

Things To Look Forward to

Josh Simmons in his second year at left tackle.

Josh Simmons came to Ohio State last year from San Diego State as a redshirt sophomore with one year of starting experience at right tackle. He was immediately moved to left tackle and the entire season ended up being a learning process in both position and level of play. Simmons responded well, however, and played better and better as the season went on. Now he’s in year two at left tackle and should be able to pick up beyond where he left off last year. He now knows the position and what it’s like to play at Ohio State, which is also good news for the Buckeyes’ eventual starting quarterback.

National College Football Predictions

Miami quarterback Cam Ward will throw double-digit interceptions.

Cam Ward was one of the prized free-agent pickups this season. He transferred from Washington State to Miami. As a Cougar quarterback the past two seasons, Ward threw for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns each season. What he never did, however, is throw double-digit interceptions. That will change this year with the Hurricanes. Miami has put a lot of eggs in the Cam Ward basket. Some of those eggs are going to get cracked this year.

Big Ten Football Predictions

USC QB Miller Moss will throw for more TDs than Caleb Williams last year.

USC had an eventful but ultimately disappointing two years of Caleb Williams as the Trojans’ starting quarterback. He won the Heisman in 2022 but did not repeat his feat last year as USC went 8-5 on the season. Williams threw for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns last year, but he is now off to the NFL. Replacing him is junior Miller Moss, who played in the bowl game last year and threw six touchdowns in a win over Louisville. Now, even though I’m predicting Moss to throw at least 31 touchdowns this season, I’m not expecting six touchdowns every week. I will happily settle for three per week.

Ohio State Football Predictions

Every starting defensive back will have an interception.

Not since 2019 has every starting Ohio State defensive back recorded an interception. And way back then there were only four starting members of the Buckeye secondary. With Ohio State starting five defensive backs in Jim Knowles’ defense, this becomes an even bolder prediction than you originally thought. The Buckeyes almost did it last year but cornerback Davison Igbinosun was shut out. This year he won’t be. Every starting member of the Ohio State secondary is an All-Conference candidate. The least each of them can do is pick off a pass or two.

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