Saturday, August 30, 2014

NavyMarine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis

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The #5 Ohio State Buckeyes will have a tricky first game on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Navy Midshipmen, who won nine games in 2013.

Ohio State didn't do quite as well as they would have hoped in 2013, but they did go 8-0 in the Big Ten and 12-2 overall. They did lose their last two games, though, including a 40-35 loss to Clemson in the Orange Bowl. The Buckeyes ended up with the third-best scoring offense in the country last year, while their defense finished in the top 30.

Running quarterback J.T. Barrett will now get his chance to lead the Ohio State offense now that Braxton Miller is out for the year with a shoulder injury. The Buckeyes have seven members of their defense returning, so they should be a solid unit in 2014.

Navy didn't play any ranked teams in 2013, but they pulled off multiple big wins and ended up with a solid 9-4 record. No one will be surprised to see that the Midshipmen second in the nation with 325 rushing yards per game, but what is surprising is that they had a top 40 defense.

As was the case last year, if quarterback Keenan Reynolds plays well, there is a good chance that the Midshipmen will win. The junior threw eight touchdown passes last year while rushing for 1,260 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground.

Injuries to Watch

Ohio State Buckeyes

08/19/14 QB Braxton Miller Shoulder out for season
08/19/14 QB J.T. Barrett None expected to start Saturday vs. Navy
08/16/14 DL Dylan Thompson Knee out for season
08/14/14 WR Frank Epitropoulos Personal has left team
08/14/14 LB Kyle Berger ACL out for season
08/02/14 DL Tracy Sprinkle Suspension expected to miss Saturday vs. Navy

Navy Midshipmen

08/22/14 DL Cam Henson Undisclosed out for season
08/21/14 WR Dishan Romine Ankle questionable Saturday vs. Ohio State
08/11/14 WR Colin Osborne Knee out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Ohio State

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