Eric Boggs
The Ohio State football team is preparing for their second game of the season this Saturday night, facing a Western Michigan squad that recently gave Wisconsin a bit of trouble. The Buckeyes are aiming to build off their 52-6 win over Akron, a game where they struggled early but dominated the second half. Head coach Ryan Day is focused on getting his team to start faster, and while a slow start may not hurt them against the Broncos, the goal is to sharpen execution from the opening whistle.
This matchup, airing at 7:30 PM on Big Ten Network, offers Ohio State another opportunity to showcase their talent in front of a prime-time audience. With the Buckeyes rarely featured on BTN, the network is counting on Ohio State’s strong fan base to boost ratings. Fans can also stream the game on the FOX Sports app or Fubo TV. Thankfully, DirecTV’s ongoing feud with Disney won’t affect viewing, so most fans should have no trouble tuning in.
Weather conditions at the Shoe should be ideal for football. At kickoff, temperatures are expected to hover around 62 degrees, dropping into the upper 50s as the game progresses. The only potential issue could be wind gusts between 15-20 mph, but Ohio State’s talent on both sides of the ball should mitigate any challenges.
This game serves as another chance for the Buckeyes to fine-tune their new-look offense. After a solid second-half performance against Akron, the offense will look to build momentum and create consistency. Defensively, Ohio State played well in both halves last week, and they’ll aim to keep that energy up against Western Michigan.
While the Broncos may try to replicate the trouble they gave Wisconsin, it’s hard to imagine Ohio State facing much difficulty in this contest. If all goes to plan, backups should see plenty of playing time again, giving the team a chance to further evaluate depth as they continue the season.
