COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of the most anticipated seasons in the history of No. 2 Ohio State football kicks off at home on Saturday against Akron. Here is everything you need to know before kickoff.
Game information
Who: Akron (2-10, 1-7 MAC in 2023) at No. 2 Ohio State (11-2, 8-1 Big Ten in 2023.
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus.
TV: CBS, with Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Jenny Dell on the call.
Live stream: Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial), Sling (promotional offers) and Paramount+ (free trial).
Twitter: Follow Andrew Gillis, Stefan Krajisnik and Stephen Means.
Latest line: Ohio State -48.5.
Series info: This is the 10th meeting between the two schools. Ohio State leads the series, 8-1, including a 59-7 win in their most recent meeting in 2021.
Latest Ohio State Buckeyes news
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Catch up on the latest Ohio State news
* Ohio State’s offensive line, fueled by criticism, is out to change the status quo in 2024
* College football in 2024: Your guide to conference realignment, new rules, playoff structure
* Ohio State football vs. Akron score predictions: Will the Buckeyes pitch a shutout?
* Which Ohio State prospects are visiting for the Akron game?
* Why Ohio State football will disappoint its fanbase in 2024 — Jimmy Watkins
* Watch Ohio State football’s hype video for Week 1 vs. Akron
* Ohio State football is changing its pregame routine for 2024
* Is Ohio State in the mix for a five-star 2026 defensive end?
* Projecting Ohio State football’s defensive depth chart against Akron
* Projecting Ohio State football’s offensive depth chart against Akron
* ‘It’s definitely not easy’: How will Ohio State’s in-helmet communication work on defense?
* Can Ohio State end a five-year drought in its season opener? Outrageous Predictions
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Listen to our latest Buckeye Talk podcast
Ohio State opens its season at home as a 48.5-point favorite on Saturday vs. Akron.
So what is there to watch in a game that is expected to be as lopsided as Saturday’s matchup might be? Andrew, Stefan and Stephen discuss that and more in their game preview episode of Buckeye Talk on Friday.
If you’ve never listened to Buckeye Talk, try it now. Subscribe to Buckeye Talk on any of these podcast platforms or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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News from Akron
* ‘Why not now?’: Akron seeks winning season; Ohio State is first test (Akron Beacon Journal)
* Akron Zips football players take ‘level of optimism’ into 2024 season (Akron Beacon Journal)
2023 stat leaders
Passing: Akron: Tajh Bullock, 32-66 (48.5%), 271 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs. Ohio State: Will Howard (last season at Kansas State), 219-357 (61.3%), 2,643 yards, 24 TDs, 10 INTs.
Rushing: Akron: Bullock, 62 carries, 165 yards (2.7 avg.), 2 TDs. Ohio State: Quinshon Judkins (last season at Ole Miss), 271 carries, 1,158 yards (4.3 avg.), 15 TDs.
Receiving: Akron: Alex Adams, 22 receptions, 188 yards (8.5 avg.), 2 TDs. Ohio State: Emeka Egbuka, 41 receptions, 515 yards (12.6 avg.), 4 TDs.
Tackles: Akron: Antavious Fish, 95 tackles. Ohio State: Caleb Downs (last season at Alabama), 107 tackles.
Sacks: Akron: CJ Nunnally, 7 sacks. Ohio State: Jack Sawyer, 10 sacks; Tyleik Williams, 10 sacks.
Interceptions: Akron: Devonte Golden-Nelson, 2 INTs. Ohio State: Downs (at Alabama), 2 INTs; Jordan Hanco*ck, 2 INTs.
Other Big Ten games
Thursday
Illinois 45, Eastern Illinois 0
North Carolina 19, Minnesota 17
Rutgers 44, Howard 7
Friday
Michigan State 16, Florida Atlantic 10
Wisconsin 28, Western Michigan 14
Saturday
No. 8 Penn State at West Virginia, noon, FOX
Illinois State at No. 25 Iowa, noon, BTN
Indiana State at Purdue, noon, BTN
UConn at Maryland, noon, FS1
Florida International at Indiana, 3:30 p.m., BTN
Miami (Ohio) at Northwestern, 3:30 p.m., BTN
UTEP at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m., FOX
Idaho at No. 3 Oregon, 7:30 p.m., BTN
Fresno State at No. 9 Michigan, 7:30 p.m., NBC
UCLA at Hawaii, 7:30 p.m., CBS
Weber State at Washington, 11 p.m., BTN
Sunday
No. 23 USC vs. No. 13 LSU in Las Vegas, 7:30 p.m., ABC
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