Sep 19, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs into Northern Illinois Huskies safety Marlon Moore (2) and Huskies linebacker Boomer Mays (45)during the second half at Ohio Stadium. The Ohio State Buckeyes won 20-13. Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
KICKOFF: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 9/26/15
SITE: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
TV: ABC/ESPN2
SERIES: Ohio State and Western Michigan are meeting for the first time.
RANKINGS: Ohio State 1st
KEYS TO THE GAME
With the defense generating offense and the offense playing defensively, there’s some concern at Ohio State that the Buckeyes are a bit upside down.
Yes, they are 3-0 and still ranked No. 1 in the country. But the defending College Football Playoff national champions hasn’t been as dominant as expected, and that starts with the offense.
After the offense looked sluggish in a tougher-than-anticipated 20-13 victory over Northern Illinois last week, the Buckeyes will be trying to find their groove against another Mid-American Conference opponent, Western Michigan, this week.
The offense generated only 298 yards and 13 of the 20 points against Northern Illinois. Starting quarterback Cardale Jones experienced some difficulties against a defense that confounded the Buckeyes, completing only 4-of- 9 passes for 36 yards and two interceptions.
J.T. Barrett came on in relief and threw a touchdown pass but also an interception, adding to the Buckeyes’ uncharacteristic five turnovers.
Coach Urban Meyer wasn’t saying who would start behind center, obviously conscious of starting a quarterback controversy. Jones has been No. 1 for the first three games.
“I haven’t decided yet. We’re going to have conversations,” Meyer said. “Today, not one is beating out the other, and they’re not playing great.”
Meyer insisted that he’s content using one quarterback as long as he plays well, rejecting the notion of rotating the two.
“Let’s be clear. I did go with one guy,” Meyer said. “The guy didn’t perform well, so we went with the backup. There is no set thing saying that we’re a two-quarterback system. We’re not. The backup’s a very good player, whomever that may be. So we are going with the guy.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Broncos
–RB Jarvion Franklin had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season last week, rushing for 161 yards on 27 carries in the win over Murray State. He has rushed for 245 yards on 52 carries for the season with one rushing touchdown.
–WR Daniel Braverman record his third straight game with at least 10 receptions with a career-high 14 for 167 yards, also a career high, and two touchdowns. For the season, he has 40 receptions for 398 yards and three touchdowns.
–CB Darius Phillips has Western Michigan’s only interception of the season and is credited with breaking up five other passes. He has 10 tackles in the three games with one for a loss.
Buckeyes
–QB J.T. Barrett could be in line for the start. Cardale Jones has struggled the past two games and Barrett came on last week against Northern Illinois when Jones threw his second interception and completed 11-of-19 passes for 97 yards and one touchdown with one interception
–RB Ezekiel Elliott was kept out of the end zone last week but rushed for 108 yards on 23 carries against Northern Illinois. Elliott scored three times the previous week against Hawaii and is tied for the Big Ten lead in rushing touchdowns with four after three games.
–SS Vonn Bell was a preseason All-American and has played like one so far, anchoring a strong Ohio State secondary. He leads the Big Ten with six passes defensed with five pass breakups and one interception.
