Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Phil Harrison

Ohio State vs. Western Kentucky Buckeyes Wire staff predictions

It’s another Ohio State football Saturday and we hope you have the day off to park it on the couch, order up some of your favorite foods and beverages and hopefully, take in another victory.

This week, the Buckeyes matchup with a Western Kentucky team that can score a lot of points and will throw it around the yard — a lot. It should be a good test for the defense, you just hope the offense shows more signs of life as well against a Hilltoppers’ defense that hasn’t been that good.

An offer for Buckeyes fans

For the best local Columbus news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to The Columbus Dispatch.
Buy Buckeyes Tickets

Before every game, we ask our writers to predict the score of the OSU contest and provide a little snipper of why and what they think will happen. Here’s what the members of our staff predicted for the first ever matchup with Western Kentucky on Saturday.

Phil Harrison, Publisher/Editor and Featured Writer

Follow Phil Harrison

The Prediction

I know Ohio State’s defense has been outstanding so far, but it’s going to be hard to throttle the Hilltoppers’ offense all game long. Western Kentucky will score points, but so will the Buckeyes against a defense that just isn’t very good in defending the pass. Kye McCord and Marvin Harrison Jr. have big, big days and OSU wins a fairly high scoring affair, but comfortably.

Score

Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 27

Mark Russell, Featured Writer

Follow Mark Russell

The Prediction

Ohio State will see the best passing offense of the year to date when Western Kentucky comes to town this Saturday. Has the defense taken the leap in Year 2 under Jim Knowles? I think we’ll know a little more after Saturday.

However, even if the Hilltoppers can score on the Buckeye defense, they still have to stop the high-octane offensive attack of OSU. The WKU defense has given up points to far lesser opponents. Even with the struggles on the offensive line, there just isn’t a way to keep all those weapons out of the end zone.

The passing attack will get the Hilltoppers on the scoreboard, but it won’t be often enough. Ohio State wins setting up an undefeated showdown with Notre Dame in Week 4.

Score

Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 24

Josh Keatley, Featured Writer

Follow Josh Keatley

The Prediction

With the quarterback controversy in the rear view  mirror, look for Ohio state to open up the offense and really focus on finding its groove in its last preseason game. Kyle McCord will put up big numbers.

Score

Ohio State 49, Western Kentucky 14

Michael Chen, Featured Writer

Follow Michael Chen

The Prediction

The secondary will get challenged today, and we will finally find out if this defense is for real. I tend to lean towards the fact that it is, so the Buckeyes will do a solid job getting the ball back for the offense, who I believe is poised to break out this week. Ohio State cruises to another victory.

Score

Ohio State 45, Western Kentucky 14

Evan Bachman, Featured Writer

Follow Evan Bachman

The Prediction

This matchup will be a good test for both the offense and the defense headed into the Notre Dame game. With McCord named the starter it’s key the offense finds a rhythm and I project McCord will lead some good drives and instill more confidence in the offense headed into next week. The defense, which has been lights out thus far, will face a good test against a good Western Kentucky offense. I believe the defense will bend but not break, conceding a couple of touchdown drives but ultimately the Buckeyes will cruise to an easy victory.

Score

Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 14

Summary of Predictions

Summarizing the Predictions

Phil Harrison | Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 27

Mark Russell | Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 24

Josh Keatley | Ohio State 49, Western Kentucky 14

Michael Chen | Ohio State 45, Western Kentucky 14

Evan Bachman | Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 14

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.