Even before Braxton Miller went down with a season-ending injury, Ohio State’s season opener with Navy was hardly viewed as a warmup game for the Buckeyes. The Midshipmen’s triple-option offensive attack is certainly a unique challenge for any opposing defense and one unlike any other on Ohio State’s 2014 schedule.
Throw in redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett making his first career start at quarterback for the Buckeyes, and this weekend’s Ohio State-Navy showdown has all of the makings of one of the most intriguing matchups of college football’s opening weekend. Playing away from the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium doesn’t bode well for the Buckeyes either, as the Midshipmen will serve as the host team in Baltimore for this weekend’s game.
Add it all together, and Ohio State faces its most uncertainty in a season opener since perhaps 2002, when the Buckeyes welcomed Kliff Kingsbury’s Texas Tech squad into Columbus. Led by a freshman running back named Maurice Clarett, that proved to be the start of a magical run for Ohio State, which ended with the Buckeyes hoisting the crystal ball in Tempe, Arizona.
Will another freshman step to the forefront this weekend and ease the mounting concern in Columbus this year? Only time will tell. But until then, here’s everything you need to know about Ohio State’s matchup with Navy:
Date: Saturday, Aug. 30
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Place: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
TV: CBS Sports…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Navy Midshipmen Complete Game Preview
