Cody Simon Ohio State is cruising through one of the gentler nonconference schedules in college football this season, and it’s showing. The Buckeyes kicked off their year with a resounding 52-6 victory over Akron, setting the tone for a less challenging start compared to last year’s road battle against Notre Dame.
This season, Ohio State has sidestepped the gauntlet of major nonconference matchups. Instead, their slate is padded with more manageable opponents. This week, they’re up against another MAC team, Western Michigan. Following their first bye of the season, they’ll face Marshall before diving into the more demanding Big Ten schedule.
The luxury of an easier schedule means the Buckeyes have the flexibility to rest some of their key players. Last week, Ohio State was without starting linebacker Cody Simon and starting guard Donovan Jackson due to minor injuries. Head coach Ryan Day has been keeping a close eye on their recovery. According to Dan Hope from Eleven Warriors, Day described both players as being “day-to-day,” and their availability for the Western Michigan game will be assessed later in the week.
The day-to-day status of Simon and Jackson doesn’t seem to be cause for major concern, given that the injuries aren’t severe. There’s no pressing need to rush their return, especially with the more critical games still a few weeks away. Ohio State’s main challenge will come when they hit the road to face Oregon on October 12th, though they first need to navigate a potentially tricky matchup against Iowa on October 5th.
As the season progresses, the Buckeyes will face stiffer competition. After Oregon, they’ll head to Penn State to clash with a formidable Nittany Lions squad, and the season finale against Michigan looms as a pivotal showdown.
Ohio State’s current easy schedule is a blessing in disguise, offering them a chance to fine-tune their game and ensure all their key players are at their best for the high-stakes battles ahead. The road may be smooth now, but the Buckeyes will soon find themselves in the thick of some of college football’s most intense matchups.