Ohio State football: 5 reasons the Buckeyes will beat Oklahoma

3. The Buckeyes will exploit the Sooners’ defensive weakness.

Usually when there’s returning starters on a unit then it’s a good sign. In this case, the opposite could be true. The Sooners will be returning the bulk of their starters on defense including six seniors. At least they can say their defense is experienced… at playing bad defense.

The Sooners ranked 63rd in the nation in points allowed last season. This also includes allowing over 162 rushing yards per game which was 50th in the nation.

Offensively, the Buckeyes emerged to a slow start in the opener against Indiana with just a field goal in the first quarter and 13 total points at the half. The unexpected absence of Mike Weber was certainly a concern to begin with.

However, true freshman tailback J.K. Dobbins filled in valiantly as he set a school record for rushing yards in a debut game with 181 yards. Dropped passes by the Bucks’ inexperienced receiving corps played a role in the slow start as well.

Weber will be returning to the field on Saturday night. A combination of Weber’s power and Dobbins’ speed should be in store. The daze of the bright lights wore off as the game went on for the inexperienced Bucks receivers, so their explosiveness will make this offense even more dangerous.

The Bucks took full advantage of this lackluster Sooners defense last season so expect much of the same this time around. Expect the Bucks to have their way on offense in this match up.