Buckeyes Will Dominate the Bearcats and Head into Conference Play with Momentum

After an early-season bye, Ohio State is back in action this Saturday taking on in-state rival Cincinnati at 6 p.m. ET in Ohio Stadium. This is the Buckeyes' last chance to make a good impression in nonconference play.

Ohio State’s season is at a defining point. It has had two weeks to work out the kinks with the offensive line, clean up the sloppiness on special teams and figure out a way to start games with better efficiency. The Buckeyes don’t just need to win this game; they need to dominate the Bearcats to create a buzz around the program again.  

A blowout certainly won’t erase the embarrassing loss to Virginia Tech on September 6, but it will show that the team is progressing. With many of the top teams looking mortal last week and the Big Ten finally showing a pulse, the Buckeyes have a good opportunity to get back into the playoff discussion with a decisive performance.

Here are the keys to the win:

Pass Defense

There were signs of improvement by the secondary against Virginia Tech, but several third-down miscues revealed that there is some work left to be done. The good news is sophomores Eli Apple and Vonn Bell both look as good as advertised. They just need more experience, and they will get it from Cincinnati.

While the Hokies were balanced on offense, the Bearcats are a pass-dominant team. They will provide the first real test in determining how good Ohio State’s pass defense is this year.

Cincinnati is led by quarterback Gunner Kiel, a 6’4”, 210-pound redshirt sophomore. The former 5-star recruit is on fire this season, passing for 656 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in just two games. He is demonstrating why he was a coveted prospect by most major programs three years ago, and Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer agrees, telling Patrick Maks of Eleven Warriors, “Like most really good quarterbacks, he has really good personnel around him. Really good. I see one of the top quarterbacks in the country.”

Kiel likes to spread the ball around, but his favorite target so far is Mekale McKay, who has 12 receptions for 215 yards with three touchdowns. At 6’6” and 195 pounds, McKay is a big target who will threaten the Buckeyes back line all night. Ohio State safety Tyvis Powell is looking forward to the challenge, telling Doug Lesmerises of Northeast Ohio Media Group:

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For the secondary, this is big. Because this is like the best quarterback with the best wide receiver group we're going to see all season. So this is the best time to show the fans that the pass defense has improved.

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Pass, Pass, Pass

Bearcats head coach Tommy Tuberville has a long history of creating elite-level defenses while coaching at the University of Miami, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Auburn. He has yet to find similar success at Cincinnati.  

The Bearcats defense ranks No. 106 in the FBS in total defense, allowing 463.5 yards per game. They are also allowing 29 points per game. These statistics might be fine if Cincinnati was playing teams like Oregon, but it has played Toledo and Miami University. This defense stinks, and the Buckeyes will light it up.

Quarterback J.T. Barrett was terrific against Kent State two weeks ago, passing for 312 yards and six touchdowns. He is ready to show that his inexperience is no longer a weakness. Barrett cannot do it alone against Cincinnati, but he will be the catalyst. He will have a career night against the lowly Bearcats secondary.

Swagger

It is time for this team to play with swagger. The Buckeyes have an abundance of talent and some of the best coaches in the business. Cincinnati is a decent team, but it is not remotely close to the level of Ohio State. The Buckeyes must own the field and send their little cousin back home wishing it never stepped inside of the Horseshoe.

The Bearcats' strategy is hardly a secret. Without a legitimate run threat, Kiel and his legion of receivers are going to try to carve up Ohio State’s defense to win the game. The secondary has a perfect opportunity to prove last year’s ills are a distant memory. Co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash is going to dial up the heat on Kiel, and the back seven will show that they can handle the pressure.

On offense, Barrett and the skill players will get the ball down the field because the line is ready to play up to its capabilities. Averaging 6’4" and 303 pounds, these guys are all model linemen. What’s been lacking is the prototypical nastiness that Buckeye linemen traditionally possess. Their mean streak is about to be unleashed, and this offense is going to explode on the Bearcats.

Analysis

There are obvious grumblings coming out of Central Ohio since Ohio State has underperformed this year. Expectations are always high, and Buckeye Nation is getting a little anxious for a return on the Meyer investment. Don’t worry, it is about to get it.

The rest of this season Meyer is going to deliver the best coaching job of his illustrious career. This is the game where the pieces of the puzzle come together on both sides of the ball. The Buckeyes will trounce Cincinnati 45-17 and, with the win, put the Big Ten on notice that they intend to bring home Meyer’s first conference championship.