Kickoff: 7:30pm EST TV: Big Ten Network
#2 Ohio State vs Marshall
take over the reigns of the program. He brings with him a brand new coaching staff and the hopes of returning the team to the glory they experiences in the 90's. Holliday spent the last two years as West Virginia's Associate Head Coach, and served under Urban Meyer in Florida the three years before that. So he has seen winning programs, the question remains if he can get the type of players he needs for that same type of success in Huntington.
OSU “O”
The Marshall defense has the ability to be strong in Conference USA play, but Thursday night we will see if they can keep up with all the offensive weapons Ohio State will be deploying. The strength of the Herd defense will be their linebackers Maurice Kitchens and Mario Harvey. Harvey is pre-season All-Conference USA and is included in a couple of award watch lists. Yet Marshall lost a couple of DB's in the spring to suspension which might allow quarterback Terrelle Pryor to open up his passing playbook like he did against Oregon in the Rose bowl.
OSU “D”
Marshall have seven returning starters on offense so they should have an excellent core group to work with in 2010. Senior QB Brian Anderson returns after starting all 13 games in 2009. He had 14 TD's last year but also had 13 interceptions. Chimdi Chekwa is expected to start, expect at least one interception for this game by the Buckeyes.
Summary
Expect the Buckeyes to come out fired-up right from the opening kick-off. They should take control in the first quarter and never look back. I am sure Pryor will get a lot of reps but expect to see Bauserman out there for more than just holding for the place kicker. Expectations are for Ohio State to dominate for 4 quarters, and start the season with a solid victory.
Prediction: OSU 41 – Marshall 3
Why OSU will win:
Two many weapons, expect to see a lot of players in this game. In fact, if you are not red-shirting this year, chances are you will be playing in this one.
Why OSU will lose:
Lightning hits Ohio Stadium and fuses the OSU locker room door closed trapping the team inside. Seriously, there are so many things that would have to go against the Buckeyes for Marshall to keep it close.
Bold prediction for the game:
Ohio State will hold Marshall to single digit first downs.
Crazy stats of the game:
Marshall is 2-12 against ranked opponents since moving to Division I in 1997, but they have the best home field advantage with a winning percentage of .866 in Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Alabama is second with a winning percentage of .825..
Last time they met…
2004: Ohio State won 24-21 with a dramatic last second 55-yard field goal by Mike Nugent. This is the only other meeting between these two schools. To again enjoy that last meeting, click here to return to that fantastic finish from our 'Greatest Drives' series.
Herd players to watch:
Senior LB Mario Harvey #30
Senior TE Lee Smith #16
Senior QB Brian Anderson #12
Ohio State—Marshall Extra Points
Marshall junior linebacker George Carpenter is the younger brother of former Ohio State All-American Bobby Carpenter and Marshall assistant Zach Smith is the grandson of former Ohio State Head Coach Earle Bruce.
Second-ranked Ohio State is the second highest ranked team Marshall has ever played. The Thundering Herd's only encounter with a higher ranked team came in 2001 when Marshall played #1 Florida (a 49-14 setback).
Coach Tressel is 9-0 in opening games since coming to Ohio State in 2001.
Coach Tressel is 15-1 against first year coaches.
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September 2, 2010
Ohio Stadium - Columbus, OH
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By Gregg Watson
MyTeamPrints
2010 Marshall
Preview
When you go to the Marshall football web page, it immediately brings to the splash page you see to the right of this text. I realize that Marshall and West Virginia are in state rivals, but to me it seems like they are brushing off the game with Ohio State. It would make more sense to hype their game against the #2 team in the country. Perhaps their marketing department has been drinking too much Stewart's root beer.
None the less, the Thundering Herd enters the 2010 season coming off a winning season after 4 straight losing years. Yet it was not enough to save coach Mark Snyder's job.
Doc Holliday has come riding into town to
