How can Ohio State football beat Akron? Three keys for the Buckeyes' season opener

Here are three keys for No. 2 Ohio State against Akron on Saturday:

Ohio State Buckeyes can't get ahead of themselves

There was no shortage of hype surrounding the Buckeyes this offseason, analysts gushing over the accumulation of talent on the roster and championship expectations rising seemingly by the month. National title or bust has been the feeling in Columbus. With anticipation swirling, will this bunch be caught up in the adulation as they open the year with a game that looks to be lopsided? Beginning potentially the longest season in program history, the Buckeyes would be well served to keep from getting too eager at the onset.

Ohio State must pressure the quarterback

Akron is expected to start Ben Finley at quarterback, and the Buckeyes should swarm the pocket as a result. A graduate transfer with starting experience at California and North Carolina State, Finley has often had trouble as a passer while facing a stiff rush. His career completion percentage is cut in half while under duress, going from 63.2% with a clean pocket to 31.8% while under pressure, according to data from Pro Football Focus. It is far from certain he’ll get much help from an offensive line that allowed 46 sacks last fall. Only six Football Bowl Subdivision schools allowed more.

Quarterback Will Howard must be accurate

Not many passers diced up the Zips’ secondary last season. Quarterbacks completed just 55.9% of their passes against them, the 13 ^th -lowest mark in the FBS in 2023, and the 6.7 yards per pass attempt they allowed also ranked No. 30. Between the return of cornerback Darrian Lewis and addition of Oregon transfer safety Daymon David, they figure to remain capable in the back end of their defense. Will Howard, the Buckeyes’ newly named starting quarterback, will need to be in sync with his new cast of receivers to keep them on schedule.

Key matchup

Ohio State offensive line vs. Akron defensive line

Though Akron, which has finished 2-10 in each of the last two seasons, does not serve as much of a measuring stick for Ohio State, it might offer a useful barometer in at least one phase. The Zips have an experienced front seven led by CJ Nunnally IV, a defensive end and returning All-MAC first-team selection who led them with seven sacks a year ago. Considering the performance of the Buckeyes’ offensive line in their last appearance in the Cotton Bowl , their response will be revealing on some level.

Key stat

32: Average margin of victory of Ohio State’s four previous wins over Akron, including a 52-point rout from three years ago.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com .

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How can Ohio State football beat Akron? Three keys for the Buckeyes' season opener