50 For 50: Ethan Onianwa The Next Big Thing At Left Tackle

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 37 days away — with a daily sampling of what we can look forward to this upcoming college football season. Today’s edition features Ohio State left tackle Ethan Onianwa, running back James Peoples, linebacker Payton Pierce, and more.

As always, 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.

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Biggest Buckeye Matchups

TEXAS LB ANTHONY HILL, JR. VS. OHIO STATE RB JAMES PEOPLES

Anthony Hill, Jr. led Texas in tackles (113) and tackles for loss (16.5) last year, and finished second with 8.0 sacks. He was a Second-Team All-American a season ago and is a Preseason All-American this year. He’s on just about any award watchlist available to a linebacker. Hill will be one of the defenders to watch when the Buckeyes and Longhorns open the season on August 30. In fact, he will probably be the main defender that OSU running back James Peoples will be watching. This will be the biggest game Peoples has ever played in, as well as his biggest role as a Buckeye. It’s going to be fun to watch.

Most Important Games

GEORGIA BULLDOGS AT TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS, SEPT. 13

The third week of the season will be the first time Georgia gets tested. They open against Marshall and Austin Peay before heading to Knoxville to face the Vols. If people are ready to dismiss the Bulldogs, a loss to Tennessee would help those folks along. The Vols will be tested a little bit in their season opener, facing Syracuse in Atlanta, but not in their second game. Both UT and UGA face an FCS opponent before they meet each other. If Tennessee wants to announce their candidacy for SEC supremacy, a win here would make people pay attention.

Things To Look Forward To

ETHAN ONIANWA STEPPING IN AT LEFT TACKLE FOR THE BUCKEYES.

When the Buckeyes went and grabbed Josh Simmons out of the transfer portal in 2023, it took him a little bit of time to get comfortable at left tackle. Ohio State won’t have that same luxury this year with Ethan Onianwa, but they also shouldn’t need it. Simmons was a redshirt sophomore when he signed with OSU, whereas Onianwa is a fifth-year senior with multiple years of starting. In fact, Onianwa started against Texas in a season opener back in 2023. The Texas game will just be the starting point of Onianwa’s time and advancement at Ohio State. There’ll be no other way to go but up following the opening against the Longhorns.

National College Football Predictions

BAYLOR WILL BEAT AUBURN TO START THE SEASON.

Auburn is on the cusp of being a top 25 program, but they’re still straddling the ledge of being able to lose to just about anybody. The “anybody” this year is Baylor, who will host Auburn on the Friday night of week one. This will be the game that throws Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson into the national spotlight.

Big Ten Football Predictions

BRYCE UNDERWOOD WILL THROW FOR 1,679+ YARDS THIS YEAR.

Michigan threw for a total of 1,678 yards last year. Five different players attempted a pass, including a running back and wide receiver. This year, Michigan will still roll out the usual surprise throw from somebody other than a quarterback, but they shouldn’t have to try three different starting quarterbacks like they did a year ago. (It will be two, tops.) Transfer Mikey Keene may get the start to open the season, but eventually they’ll turn to freshman Bryce Underwood. And you can expect “eventually” to happen pretty early. Like Maybe after the Oklahoma loss in week two.

Ohio State Football Predictions

PAYTON PIERCE WILL FINISH WITH 44+ TACKLES.

Sophomore linebacker Payton Pierce will be the third linebacker for the Buckeyes this year. Over the past three seasons, that third linebacker has seen a lot of action. Arvell Reese was that guy last year, and Cody Simon did it the two seasons prior. The third linebacker has averaged 44 tackles per season in that stretch, which is just one below Reese’s actual number a year ago. Pierce had an outstanding spring and there have only been glowing things said about him. That should continue in a larger role this season.

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