Ohio State vs. Akron is finally here. When the Buckeyes and Zips kick off on Saturday, it will have been 246 days since the ugly Cotton Bowl loss. Now, it’s a brand-new season and Ohio State gets in-state foe Akron to get going.
Heading into this game, according to Fanduel, Ohio State is favored by 48.5 points. That spread is tied with two FBS vs. FCS matchups as the widest in the country in Week 1. The last two matchups between these two finished 42-0 and 59-7 in 2011 and 2021, respectively. Ohio State is a massive favorite this year yet again and considering the talent disparity, it makes sense.
Ohio State vs. Akron: Take Care of Business
What is a Zip?
Initially, Akron adopted the name “Zippers” as a nod to a B.F. Goodrich brand of rubber galoshes with metal fasteners. By 1950, the program shortened the name to “Zips” and it has stuck.
Akron struggled last year. Of the two wins the Zips managed, one was against an FBS team and it was one of the worst teams in the nation, Kent State. This year, it might be just as tough to stack wins because after the trip to Columbus, Akron faces Rutgers, Colgate (FCS), and South Carolina before MAC play.
Ben Finley transferred in from California to take over an offense that finished 127th in scoring and 126 in total offense a year ago. Finley, the younger brother of former NC State and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ryan Finley, is on his third school. This will be his first opportunity to really lead a program, however.
Akron is returning six defensive starters on a defense that was 127th in scoring defense but 31st in total defense. The rebuilding program shouldn’t pose much of a threat to the CFP-contending Buckeyes. If the Zips cover the massive spread, head coach Joe Moorehead should consider it a win.
New Faces on Offense
Ohio State may not have replaced an entire recruiting class via the transfer portal as some Power 4 programs have but the Buckeyes did bring in a handful of contributors. Of the seven incoming transfers, five will likely make an impact (assuming Will Kacmarek is one of the top tight ends).
At the top, is Will Howard. The former Kansas State signal caller won the starting job and has reportedly taken over the Buckeyes’ offense. With Chip Kelly calling plays, the offense is set to look a bit different than it has over the last few years. Head coach Ryan Day actually teased earlier this week about how they’ll use Howard: “If you remember what we did with Justin Fields, it’s probably similar to that,” he said. “There’s always gonna be a part of the game where Will (Howard) and the quarterbacks can impact the game with their feet.”
With a few weeks of tune-up games leading up to the titanic clash at Oregon, any kinks in Howard’s game can be ironed out.
Beside him, Quinshon Judkins joins a top-heavy running back room. Between him and TreVeyon Henderson, the Buckeyes can lean on their two veteran backs. However, as the game goes on, freshmen James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon will get their opportunities.
Snapping the ball will be Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin. The 24-game starter for the Tide was solid but will live in infamy for his snap issues in the Rose Bowl until it’s fixed. Considering he beat last year’s starter head-to-head, the issue may be resolved.
Oh, and true freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith is set to start at wide receiver.
Silver Bullets, Reloaded
If there are growing pains on offense at any point, it’s not outlandish to think the defense of Ohio State vs. Akron will carry. Ohio State had the best secondary in all of college football last year in terms of passing yardage allowed. Despite that, they went out and got one of the top overall players in the transfer portal, Caleb Downs.
Downs would be a first-round selection in next year’s NFL Draft if they allowed sophomores. There is no denying his talent and his addition to an already strong defense could get the Buckeyes to the next level.
Out wide, all three starting corners return. Akron had the 97th-ranked passing offense a year ago. If the Buckeyes come out of this game without an interception, it would be impressive.
Of course, there are mismatches everywhere on the field. The biggest mismatch (aside from wide receiver vs. Akron corners) will be on the line. Last year, Akron allowed 46 sacks, the seventh-most in FBS. If given the opportunity, this should be a multi-sack day for at least one of the NFL-bound defensive linemen for the Buckeyes.
Don’t Touch That Dial
Ohio State vs. Akron is not going to be a game most watch all the way through. Most fans with no affiliation to either program will likely spring to watch another game because early-season buy games are rarely interesting. If all goes right and as it should, this one should be the same.
However, don’t turn the channel when the starters are pulled at half.
The key to sustaining a strong program is rotation. Ohio State is likely going to get many depth players playing time in this one. Could this be the first real look at Julian Sayin?
Defensively, it’s a bit more interesting. Of all of the defensive starters – if all goes right – only Downs will be back in 2025. Rotation in these games will be massive toward making sure Ohio State’s defensive dominance continues past this year. Five-star freshmen Aaron Scott and Bryce West were two of the best defenders in the 2024 recruiting class and should get plenty of time. Defensive lineman Eddrick Houston has been impressive in practice and may get into the rotation later this year. Games like these are when players like Houston can make an impact and show that they are ready for more responsibility.
2024 has the chance to be a special year for the Buckeyes. Step one is dispatching Akron.
