Ohio State has one of the easier nonconference schedules a college football team has this season, and last week, the Buckeyes opened up their year with a 52-6 win against Akron.
Last year, the Buckeyes had to go on the road to beat Notre Dame in an epic nonconference matchup, but this season, Ohio State has no major school they will face out of conference. This week, they will see another MAC school, Western Michigan. Then, two weeks after their first bye, they will face Marshall before getting into Big Ten play.
Ohio State has the advantage of not playing any big-time games in the next few weeks, and they can sit some star players who are dealing with minor injuries.
Last week, starting linebacker Cody Simon and starting guard Donovan Jackson both missed the game against Akron with injuries. Head coach Ryan Day provided some updates on both players on Tuesday.
Ohio State Gives Updates On Simon And Jackson
According to Dan Hope from Eleven Warriors “Ryan Day says Donovan Jackson and Cody Simon are “day-to-day.” Ohio State will evaluate them this week before deciding whether they will play against Western Michigan on Saturday.”
Ryan Day says Donovan Jackson and Cody Simon are “day-to-day.” Ohio State will evaluate them this week before deciding whether they will play against Western Michigan on Saturday.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 3, 2024
It doesn’t sound like Jackson and Simon’s injuries are serious since they are day-to-day, and there is no reason to rush them back until they are fully ready.
Ohio State won’t need the two until they go on the road to play Oregon on October 12th, but if Iowa is a serious threat, they do play them a week before they travel to play the Ducks, so the two must be back by October 5th.
The Buckeyes will need everyone to be healthy for their matchup with Oregon. A few weeks later, they travel to Penn State to play a great Nittany Lions team. Of course, they play Michigan at the end of the season in a game they must win.
Ohio State might start the season with an easy road, but they will end it with some of the best competition in college football.
