50 For 50: Keep An Eye On Sonny Styles

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 35 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 15 |

Biggest Buckeye Matchups

Michigan DT Mason Graham vs. Ohio State LG Donovan Jackson

Most of the Preseason All-American teams you’ll see this summer will include Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham and Ohio State left guard Donovan Jackson. Both players were First-Team All-Big Ten selections last season. The team that runs the ball better wins this game. When Ohio State hosts Michigan on November 30, Jackson’s ability to neutralize Graham is going to be key in the Buckeyes’ quest for their first victory over the Wolverines since 2019.

Most Important Games

Tennessee Volunteers at Georgia Bulldogs, November 16

This game would be much more interesting if it was taking place in Knoxville. Amazingly, the last time these two teams played in Athens it was No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Georgia. The Bulldogs won by two touchdowns. The Volunteers are very unlikely to be ranked so highly this time, especially with a road game at Oklahoma in week four and a home game against Alabama in week eight. If Tennessee can secure those victories, however, expect to start hearing more and more about Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Things To Look Forward To

Sonny Styles making plays as a Swiss Army Knife.

With Sonny Styles now at linebacker, it is going to be interesting to see how Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles uses him in this year’s defense. Knowles’ defense has continued to grow from year to year and now in year three, it will be more capable than ever. How will Styles factor into this? With his athleticism and skill set, quarterbacks are going to have to be aware of him. This will be Styles first full year at linebacker. It should be exciting to see what it looks like.

National College Football Predictions

Florida State will miss the playoffs again.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but just like last season, Florida State will not deserve a bid to the College Football Playoffs. The Noles have home games against Clemson and Florida, but it will be the road games at Miami and Notre Dame that will likely end their shenanigans. There is also a sneaky game at SMU the week before FSU plays Clemson. Florida State could sneak in with three losses if they somehow win the ACC Championship Game, which isn’t out of the realm of possibility. But it may be out of the realm of probability.

Big Ten Football Predictions

Michigan State is finally getting back to a bowl game.

Michigan State opens with road games at Maryland and Boston College within the first month of the season this year. If they’re going bowling this year, they can afford to lose one of those games, but not both. If they win both, then they’ll start the season 4-0 before back-to-back games against Ohio State and at Oregon. The Spartans have not been to a bowl game since Mel Tucker’s $95 million season of 2021. I’m not saying Michigan State is going to make it to a bowl game easily, but I have faith in new head coach Jonathan Smith — mostly because there is no middle initial “L” in his name.

Ohio State Football Predictions

Ohio State will once again average 500 yards of total offense.

The Ohio State offense produced just 407.9 yards per game last year, which was the Buckeyes’ worst mark since 2011 (317.9). In Ryan Day’s seven seasons at Ohio State as the head coach or offensive coordinator, the Buckeyes have averaged less than 500 yards of total offense for a season just twice — the past two seasons. That streak is going to end this season. Ohio State’s offense will be back over the 500-yard mark this season. Am I putting too much faith in the Buckeyes’ quarterback play? Undoubtedly. But if you’ve got Ryan Day, Chip Kelly, and the offensive skill the Buckeyes have, you should be able to make it work.

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