First Posted: 9/2/2014
QUARTERBACKS
J.T. Barrett calmed some nerves with his performance against Navy (12 of 15 for 226 yards, 2 TDs, 50 yards rushing). But don’t expect to see him running the option play too often.
Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer completed 23 of 30 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns for Virginia Tech in a 34-9 win over William and Mary in the Hokies’ opener. It was his first start since high school in 2010.
Advantage: Ohio State
RUNNING BACKS
Ohio State will continue to rotate Ezekiel Elliott, Curtis Samuel, Dontre Wilson, Rod Smith and Jalin Marshall. Does this mean there is great depth or that there is no clear No. 1 back?
Virginia Tech has gone young in its offensive backfield after finishing No. 101 nationally in total offense last season. Freshman Shai McKenzie rushed for 106 yards on 9 carries last Saturday but the freshman who might become the No. 1 back soon is 230-pound Marshawn Williams.
Advantage: Ohio State
RECEIVERS
Devin Smith’s 80-yard touchdown catch in OSU’s 34-17 win over Navy was his sixth career TD reception of 50 yards or more. Michael Thomas looked like a credible threat and coach Urban Meyer liked Devin Spencer’s blocking.
Freshmen were the standouts at receiver, too, for Virginia Tech last week. Wide receiver Isaiah Fox caught 4 passes for 43 yards and had a touchdown. Freshman tight end Bucky Hodges also had a touchdown catch.
Advantage: Ohio State
OFFENSIVE LINE
Ohio State’s rebuilt offensive line got a thumbs up from Meyer for its second-half performance last week but he was far from enthusiastic about the way it began the game. Interestingly, the only blocks he singled out came from a running back (Smith) and a receiver (Spencer).
While OSU has only one returning starter, Virginia Tech has starters back at every offensive line position except right guard. But Tech averaged only 119 yards a game rushing in 2013.
Advantage: Virginia Tech
DEFENSIVE LINE
Navy ran for 370 yards but OSU’s defense did hold the Midshipmen to one touchdown in the first half when the Buckeyes’ offense stalled in the red zone and produced only a pair of field goals.
Virginia Tech’s Luther Maddy had 13.5 tackles for losses and 6.5 sacks last season and Dadi Nicolas had 4 sacks as a backup when Virginia Tech allowed only 110 yards a game rushing.
Advantage: Ohio State
LINEBACKERS
Ohio State’s linebackers got lots of work against Navy’s run-dominated offense and the results were mixed. Improvement is still needed in this area. Darron (don’t call him Da-Ron) Lee scored on a 61-yard fumble return.
For Virginia Tech, Kyshoen Jarrett is coming off a season in which he had 71 tackles and two interceptions. Deon Clarke is a highly regarded player who was suspended for the last four games last season.
Advantage: Ohio State
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Since Navy was only 1 for 4 for 20 yards passing, Ohio State ranks No. 3 nationally in passing yards allowed.
Virginia Tech cornerbacks Kendall Fuller (6 interceptions) and Brandon Facyson (5 interceptions) lead a strong Hokies secondary.
Advantage: Virginia Tech
SPECIAL TEAMS
OSU freshman kicker Sean Nuernberger looked like a veteran when he was 2 for 2 on field goals.
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer is known as a special teams guru, but the Hokies missed 11 field goal attempts and allowed three kick returns for touchdowns last season.
Advantage: Ohio State
