The No. 3 Buckeyes look to improve to 2-0 on the young season this week as they host the San Diego State Aztecs.
The Buckeyes came out the gate fast last week against Buffalo before turnovers and the youthful inexperience of their defense allowed Buffalo to keep the game closer than was expected by myself and most college football analysts.
The Aztecs were among a handful of FBS teams that fell to FCS opponents last week, suffering a 40-19 defeat at home to Eastern Illinois.
On paper, this game should translate to an easy victory for tOSU, but only if the Buckeyes protect the ball better and improve defensively from last weeks performance.
Here are this weeks historical-data-tidbits and a few recent and/or ongoing trends for your consideration that might be of interest.
Ohio State—Buffalo History Lesson
And Recent Trends• Urban Meyer coached teams are 74-14 when ranked in the Top 25.
• Ohio State is 67-7 at Ohio Stadium since the start of the 2002 season.
• Ohio State is an astounding 276-0-1 all-time when scoring 35+ points.
• Head coach Urban Meyer is 43-4 in his career in games played in August/September.
• Ohio State's defense has only allowed 13 100-yard rushers in their last 62 games.
• Ohio State's defense has held opponents to 10 points or less 37 times since 2006.
• Ohio State looks to preserve the nation's longest winning streak, currently 13 games.
• Ohio State has held 74 opponents to 21 points or less since the start of the 2005 season.
• Ohio State has won 62 consecutive regular-season non-conference home games against unranked opponents.
• Ohio State is 3-0 all-time vs. San Diego St. and 7-1 all-time vs. current members of the Mountain West Conference.
A Couple Thoughts and Score Prediction
Last week, I, like many others, underestimated Buffalo. They had 17 or 18 returning starters from 2012 and as far as individual players, Bulls outside linebacker Khalil Mack might be as good of a pro prospect, though very much less heralded than, South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney.
After a lightning fast start in the first quarter, the Buckeyes jumped out to a 23-0 lead. That lead was cut to 10 twice after turnovers put the inexperienced Buckeye defense against the wall.
The good news is they say the biggest improvement all year comes in game two — AND — the Buckeyes are the big fish in the pond compared to the minnow that is San Diego State football.
Also, let's not forget that Ann Arbor's current coach was the SD State coach just a couple years back, so that's worth at least 2-3 extra "running it up" TDs in my book.
For the sake of bookies and/or betting men everywhere, hopefully the trends hold true for favored Ohio State this week.
Ohio State 66
San Diego State 10
"It takes a little something special to be a great player. We don't have enough great players. TO HELL WITH THAT! We don't want to coach average! I don't wanna be around ya, why be around average?! Did you push yourself to be great today?" - Urban Meyer
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