Turnovers The bottom line is Western Michigan can’t afford to have any and the Broncos need the Buckeyes to make mistakes like they did last week when they turned the ball over five times in a 20-13 win over Northern Illinois. WMU is minus-six in the turnover margin so far this season with three lost fumbles and five thrown interceptions to one fumble recovery and one interception. Ohio State is even in the turnover margin with eight lost (4 fumbles, 4 interceptions) and eight gained (3, 5). Last week, NIU threw two interceptions. The Buckeyes turned the first into a field goal in the first quarter to cut NIU’s lead to 7-3. The second interception came late in the game with NIU trying to mount a game-tying touchdown drive. Pass protection It’s unlikely that Jarvion Franklin and WMU’s rushing attack will have much success against Ohio State’s defense, which is giving up 106 yards per game on the ground, but quarterback Zach Terrell showed in the season opener that when he had time to throw he picked apart the Michigan State secondary at times. But, unlike MSU’s secondary in the opener there aren’t many question marks in the OSU secondary. Ohio State is giving up 119 passing yards per game, which is the fifth-best mark in the country. Ohio State has 12 sacks on the season. Linebacker Darron Lee, defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis and defensive end Sam Hubbard each have 2.5. Find a momentum-changer With such a tall mountain to climb – the Buckeyes were favored by 31 points at last check – the Broncos need to find a way to make an unexpected play…
Continue Reading: Ohio State vs. Western Michigan: 3 keys and a prediction from David Drew
