Matchups to watch in OSU’s spring game

April, 11, 2014 Apr 11 3:00 PM ET COLUMBUS, Ohio — Spring weather has just now finally arrived for Ohio State, but its camp is already about to come to a close. Ahead of Saturday’s exhibition game to wrap up the 15 workouts spread through March and April, the final look at things to watch will breakd own some intriguing matchups now that the official rosters have been unveiled. + EnlargeAP Photo/David DurochikWith a tough matchup in Ohio State’s spring game, Darryl Baldwin could prove he can lockdown the starting RT job.Scarlet QB Cardale Jones vs. Gray secondary The redshirt sophomore has strengthened his case to fill the backup role at quarterback behind Braxton Miller with strong practice performances throughout camp, but he’s shown some signs of nerves at times during scrimmages and could benefit from a productive outing in a live setting in front of a big crowd. Urban Meyer typically focuses his attention and play-calling on the passing attack during spring games, and with the Gray having what appears to be the full starting secondary with Tyvis Powell and Cam Burrows at safety and Doran Grant, Armani Reeves and Gareon Conley at cornerback, Jones will be tested.

Gray LB Raekwon McMillan vs. Scarlet RB Ezekiel Elliott The hype is only building for the touted early enrollee on defense, and McMillan might be the most closely watched player in the Horseshoe as he’s thrown into a lineup that includes two projected starters next to him at the outside linebacker spots. The true freshman has impressed the coaching staff during the 14 workouts so far, looking the part physically and embracing the culture Meyer is working so hard to reestablish. Even if finishing camp with some solid work against Ohio State’s front-runner at tailback and three first-team offensive linemen doesn’t help McMillan reel in senior Curtis Grant on the depth chart, it could still bode well for his chances to help provide depth in the fall — and start building even more buzz for next season.

Scarlet RT Darryl Baldwin vs. Gray DE Noah Spence Tougher spring game assignments than what Baldwin will face on Saturday are hard to come by, and really, the redshirt senior isn’t likely to take on many pass rushers better than Spence when the real season arrives. So if Baldwin can hold his own against one of the fastest, most tenacious players off the edge in the Big Ten this weekend, that would go a long way toward solidifying a starting job and easing some of the uncertainty still swirling around an offensive line that must replace four starters. The Scarlet line as a whole caught a bit of a break with the first-team defensive line being split up, but Spence still has Adolphus Washington alongside him and ready to wreak the kind of havoc that stole the show in last year’s edition of the spring showcase.

Covers Ohio State and the Big Ten.Joined ESPN in 2012.Attended the University of Wyoming. Tags:Ohio State Buckeyes, urban meyer, cam burrows, ezekiel elliott, Raekwon McMillan, Armani Reeves, Adolphus Washington, Noah Spence, Curtis Grant, Doran Grant, Gareon Conley, Cardale Jones, DArryl Baldwin, Tyvis Powell

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