Ohio State had a thrilling win over previous No. 1 Texas last week. Now the new No. 1 Buckeyes get ready for what most predict will be a rout.
The Buckeyes host Grambling State at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Ohio Stadium.
Both teams are 1-0, with Grambling’s opener a 55-7 win over Langston. The Tigers were 5-7 last season.
Stream Ohio State vs. Grambling State
How do the teams match up? Who do the experts think will win?
Ohio State vs. Grambling State odds, betting information
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of Sept. 5.
Moneyline: N/ASpread: Ohio State by 54.5Over/under: 62½
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Ohio State vs. Grambling State predictions, picks for college football Week 2
Bill Rabinowitz, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 56, Grambling State 0. This is a mismatch. The competition between the schools’ elite marching bands will probably be more exciting than the game. Look for the Buckeyes to open up the offense after keeping it conservative against Texas. Grambling won its opener 55-7 over Langston, an NAIA school. Hard to imagine a bigger jump in competition than the Tigers face against the Buckeyes.
Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 48, Grambling 7: Ohio State’s recent history with the lower half of Division I does nothing to suggest this will be anything more than a romp. In four games this century against FCS teams, including three versus Youngstown State, the Buckeyes have won by an average margin of 45 points and just once allowed a touchdown. The combined score: 193-13. The only real question is how much they’ll push their foot on the gas. The Buckeyes can pick their score.
Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 52, Grambling 0. This outcome of this one-sided swatter vs. fly matchup was decided when the game was scheduled. The biggest challenge for the Buckeyes will be trying to keep Grambling out of the red zone. As for the Tigers reaching the end zone, fuggetaboutit. Grambling knew what it was in for, and the $1 million in appearance money will make the beatdown easier to swallow. At least for the athletic department. But the players still have to take it on the chin, and everywhere else.
Ohio State vs. Grambling scouting report: What we’re watching
Bill Rabinowitz: Ohio State will almost certainly be more aggressive offensively than it was against the stout and speedy Texas defense. Look for the Buckeyes to open up the passing game and get their running game untracked after it was mostly bottled up last week. And then look for backups to play most of the second half.
Joey Kaufman: Will the Buckeyes be more explosive this week? Following the opening weekend, they were one of only four teams in the FBS not to have a run of at least 10 yards and just two of quarterback Julian Sayin’s 13 completions went for 15 yards or more. There are obvious caveats. Ryan Day acknowledged they kept it conservative on offense, and Texas has one of the best defenses in the country. A barrage of big plays never beckoned, but it would nonetheless be an encouraging development for an offense, especially against an overmatched opponent, to show some quick-strike potential.
Rob Oller: The Buckeyes know what Julian Sayin can do with the passing game, after watching him hold his own against Texas. Less clear is whether the running game is well-oiled enough to help win games down the road against teams that provide more push back than Grambling State. Expect Ryan Day to get the message across to play caller Brian Hartline that he wants at least 100-yard rushers against the Tigers.
Bold predictionsGrambling will gain less than 100 yards
Bill Rabinowitz: Ohio State’s defense will limit Grambling to less than 100 yards of offense. The Tigers’ best chance for more will come if the Buckeyes empty the bench in the second half.
Ohio State allows a touchdown
Joey Kaufman: While it’s happened only once in Ohio State’s last four games against FCS opponents, don’t be surprised if it allows Grambling to reach the end zone. Between the hangover following a matchup with the nation’s top-ranked team and the potential for points in garbage time, the Buckeyes will (gasp!) give up seven points.
Lincoln Kienholz to throw 2 touchdown passes
Rob Oller: Back-up quarterback Lincoln Kienholz will throw two touchdowns against the Tigers in what should be his most minutes seeing the field this season.