COLUMBUS – Ohio State’s game against Oklahoma on Saturday will feature two potential Heisman trophy candidates at quarterbacks but the battle will be fought in the trenches.
(2) Ohio St (1-0, 1-0) vs. (7/6) Oklahoma (1-0), Ohio Stadium, Sept. 9 (7:30 pm./ABC)
The Buckeyes‘ J.T Barrett and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield may have gotten much of the attention but the game is expected to come down to the Sooner linemen trying to protect Mayfield and the Buckeye defenders trying to get to him.
“Very talented,” was how Buckeye head coach Urban Meyer summed up the Oklahoma offensive line Wednesday. “Big guys that protect their quarterback. You know, they control the game.”
When the Sooners have the ball, Oklahoma’s five returning starters on the offensive line will be facing the Buckeyes’ defensive front, both lines considered the best in the nation.
“They’re hyped up as the number one O line and we’ve been hyped up as the best D line for so long that it’s starting to get annoying,” says Nick Bosa, sophomore defensive lineman.
Bosa and his mates will be trying to contain Mayfield, who has a knack for finding receivers downfield after fleeing the pocket.