Ohio State Set for Clash Against Marshall in Big Noon Showdown

This Saturday, Ohio State‘s football team is gearing up for a Big Noon showdown at Ohio Stadium as they face Marshall, marking their final tune-up before delving into the rigorous Big Ten schedule. Continuing their winning momentum, the Buckeyes aim to maintain a spotless 3-0 record following an early bye week, having already demonstrated their prowess by decisively defeating Akron and Western Michigan with an astonishing combined score of 108-6.

Ranked third nationally, Ohio State is expected to continue their dominant performance under the leadership of Head Coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes are set to take on Michigan State in East Lansing next week and hope to carry forward their defensive and offensive excellence. Marshall, their upcoming opponent, shares a 1-1 start to the season, having overwhelmed Stony Brook 45-3 before succumbing to a strong Virginia Tech, all while grappling with performance issues from their quarterback, Stone Earle, who struggled against the Hokies.

Ohio State’s secondary, inspired by standout Caleb Downs, is poised to challenge Marshall’s offense, which ranks toward the lower end of the Football Bowl Subdivision in advanced metrics, including a concerning completion rate of just 44% from Earle.

The upcoming match has garnered significant attention, with sports analysts offering various predictions. Bill Rabinowitz from The Columbus Dispatch anticipates a straightforward victory for the Buckeyes, suggesting a 52-7 outcome in Ohio State’s favor. Rabinowitz commented, “With the Thundering Herd’s below-par quarterback statistics, they face an uphill battle against Ohio State’s imposing defense.” Additional predictions from the Dispatch’s Joey Kaufman and Rob Oller reinforce expectations of a solid performance by Ohio State, with potential scorelines of 48-0 and 56-7, respectively.

In preparation for the game, Fox‘s Big Noon Kickoff pre-game show sets the stage for the confrontation with live commentary from renowned broadcasters Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt, and sideline updates from Jenny Taft.

This game represents the third matchup between the universities. Ohio State previously defeated Marshall 45-7 in 2010, with their closest contest occurring in 2004 when the Buckeyes narrowly emerged victorious 27-24. While the Buckeyes boast an impressive 41 consecutive wins against unranked opponents, Marshall carries the distinction of having recently conquered a top-ranked opponent in 2022, adding an unpredictable element to the Saturday showdown.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, available for viewing on Fox, as well as streaming options on platforms like Fubo and Fox Sports Go. As always, the outcome remains unpredictable until the final whistle, with football fans eagerly anticipating whether Ohio State can secure another emphatic win in their early season campaign.