The Ohio State Buckeyes have lost their best player and the man who was anchoring the most important position on the field. Will they be able to hold strong against the Navy Midshipmen?
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Navy Midshipmen – Game In Baltimore
Saturday, August 30th – 12:05 PM ET
Odds: Ohio State -16.5
Why Ohio State Can Cover The Spread
They still have Navy outclassed at every other position on the field. The reality of playing against a service academy team is that if you’re an elite program such as Ohio State, you have more size, muscle, and speed than that academy team. Navy can beat a lower-end team from a major conference such as the Big Ten. It beat Indiana last season on the road, and Navy could probably also beat Illinois and Purdue and maybe even Northwestern. However, the Midshipmen just can’t match up with bigger, stronger teams that everybody knows about. Navy couldn’t stop Notre Dame’s offense last year simply because the Fighting Irish had way too much size and beef on the offensive line. Ohio State doesn’t play as much of the power running game as Notre Dame does. Ohio State likes a quick-hitting and more speed-based running game, but it can certainly mix in the power as well. The Buckeyes won’t need quarterback J.T. Barrett to be that great a passer. Barrett just needs to protect the ball and make basic decisions well. Ohio State can physically overpower Navy and not have to get cute in terms of its playbook.
Why Navy Can Cover The Spread
They know that if Ohio State can’t ram the ball down their throats, they have a very legitimate chance of not only staying close in this game, but winning it. No one knows how J.T. Barrett will perform as Braxton Miller’s replacement. Everyone has an opinion, but nobody knows how everything’s going to go down. Miller would have given Ohio State much more than just a proven player and a stable leader of the offense. Miller is a dual-threat quarterback. He wasn’t just a runner or a passer. He was capable of doing both, and the particular item of interest here is that if a passing play broke down, Miller could save it with his running. If Barrett gets into a pass play, will he be able to run for a first down, or will he throw the ball away immediately, due to instruction from his coaches to not take any risks in this game? If Barrett and Ohio State are very conservative with their decisions, they will want a conservative, running-oriented game plan to work. If Navy can stuff the tackle box and take away the run up the middle from Ohio State, will the Buckeyes have a plan B in this game? If they don’t, Navy could win, especially if the Buckeyes commit a few turnovers in crucial parts of the contest.
Outlook
If Barnett plays just a solid game, Ohio State could blow Navy out. However, Barnett is probably going to struggle. Yet, the Buckeyes have too many athletes to actually lose the game outright. Navy will come close and cover, but Ohio State will win.
Pick: Navy +16.5
