50 For 50: Buckeye Offensive Line In Line For Accolades

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 14 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 36 |

Biggest Buckeye Matchups

Ohio State RT Josh Fryar vs. Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton

Dani Dennis-Sutton is expected to be another in the long line of disruptive — and possibly dominating — Penn State defensive ends. Even though he started just three games last year, Dennis-Sutton still posted 6.5 tackles for loss and was named Third-Team All-Big Ten. He will team with Abdul Carter to be a nightmare pass-rushing duo this year for Penn State. Stopping one half of that duo will be the responsibility of Ohio State right tackle Josh Fryar, who earned First-Team All-Big Ten recognition last year. Fryar and his coaches have spoken openly of the improvement he has made since last year. He will need to show every bit of it when the Buckeyes take on the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley this year. The history of this series is littered with defensive ends having incredible impacts on this game. That fact won’t be lost on anybody.

Most Important Games

Missouri Tigers at Alabama Crimson Tide, October 26

There are people projecting Missouri to make the College Football Playoffs this year. If that’s going to happen, it would sure be nice to see them win a significant road game. Having spent their entire SEC lives in the East Division, they’ve been able to avoid the full brunt of the conference. That will start to change now that divisions have been eliminated. Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz is 2-7 against ranked SEC teams on the road, with the lone wins coming against No. 25 South Carolina and No. 24 Kentucky. And even having said all of that, this may be a bigger game for Alabama and new head coach Kalen DeBoer. This isn’t a game that Nick Saban would lose.

Things To Look Forward To

Getting a first look at freshman receiver Damarion Witten.

Spring ball featured all kinds of excitement regarding freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. He made a number of plays in camp and earned raves from his teammates. When that died down, the interest in fellow five-star freshman receiver Mylan Graham picked up among fans and media. Graham was not enrolled for the spring, but the excitement is beginning to grow. While everyone is focused on that duo, let’s not forget about the third receiver in the group — Damarion Witten. There should be some opportunities early in the season for Witten to see some action. As long as the Buckeyes are still throwing the ball, don’t be surprised when Witten makes some plays late in those blowouts to give everyone a glimpse of what to expect down the road.

National College Football Predictions

Oklahoma State is going to the playoffs.

If this sounds unlikely to you, I’ll remind you that somebody from the Big XII is going to make the College Football Playoffs, so why not Oklahoma State? The Pokes return 19 starters and get conference-favorite Utah at home. They avoid Arizona, Kansas, and UCF. They have veterans everywhere and a head coach who is A MAN. Yes, it is difficult to ignore their blowout losses last year against South Alabama and UCF, but not impossible.

Big Ten Football Predictions

A high-scoring Floyd of Rosedale game.

If this sounds unlikely to you, I’ll remind you that this prediction is relative. A high-scoring game between Iowa and Minnesota could be 21-17. In six overtimes. Last year’s game was won by the Gophers 12-10. The year before, the Hawkeyes came away with a 13-10 win. If we’re following the trends, Minnesota will win this year’s game 11-10, which would be incredible. Instead, I’m expecting at least 35 whole points to be scored between these two teams. Don’t blink or you might miss a touchdown. (And if you miss one, you might miss them all.)

Ohio State Football Predictions

Every offensive line starter will earn All-Big Ten accolades.

If this sounds unlikely to you, I’ll remind you that they did it in 2022. All five starters earned at least Third-Team All-Big Ten honors two years ago. With so many starters returning this year, the same will happen in 2024. Three starters earned nods last year, including returning starters Josh Fryar and Donovan Jackson as first-teamers. Josh Simmons has started for two years but has yet to receive any kind of all-conference notice. That will change this year.

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