The Monday After: Taking closer look at Buckeyes win over Western Kentucky
COLUMBUS — The first three weeks were about improvement for Ohio State. This week, however, is all about going on the road and getting a win. In primetime. Against a fellow top-10 opponent.
Yes, the Buckeyes were locked in on their first three opponents, no matter the competition level to date. But the real test will come this weekend in South Bend when the No. 6 Buckeyes take on the No. 9 Fighting Irish.
“We call them matchup games, when you’re playing an opponent who’s of equal skill level as you,” Egbuka said. “So in matchup games, it comes down to effort, playing hard. It comes down to executing. … We’re going to get on the film, we’re going to build up a great plan. I have full trust in the coaches and what they’re doing.
“We’re going to go out there and play our hardest.”
How much progress have the Buckeyes made in the first three weeks of the season, in the buildup to Notre Dame Week? Is Ohio State ready for this kind of road test against the Irish in primetime? Can the Ohio State defense keep up its early-season success against a much better opponent? And can Kyle McCord secure a signature road win to catapult his Ohio State career?
Spencer Holbrook, Andy Backstrom and Tim May are breaking down how the Buckeyes fared with the newest Lettermen Row video: The Monday After. Every Monday following Buckeyes games, Tim, Andy and Spencer will reconvene and chat about what they saw Saturday afternoon, this time after the home-opening win over the Hilltoppers in Columbus.
Don’t miss The Monday After with Spencer and Tim as they take a final look at the latest Buckeyes win — this one coming over Western Kentucky.
Headlines of the weekend
Ohio State stays put in AP Poll
Entering Week 4, Ohio State is staying put at No. 6 in the AP Top 25.
Some notable movement: Florida State dropped from No. 3 to No. 4 after getting a scare at Boston College; Alabama fell out of the top 10 for the first time since 2015, sliding to No. 13 with an underwhelming win at USF; Oregon cracked the top 10 following a beatdown of Hawaii; and Tennessee plummeted 12 spots to No. 23 after losing to now-No. 25 Florida.
Ohio State will play at No. 9 Notre Dame this coming weekend for the first time since 1996. The Buckeyes are getting a different Fighting Irish squad than the one Ohio State took down, 21-10, in last year’s season opener.
Buckeyes are slight favorites over Fighting Irish
After opening all the way back in February as a 8.5-point favorite, Ohio State opens this week as a 3.5-point road favorite over Notre Dame, according to Fanduel Sportsbook.
The total has been set at 57.5, implying Las Vegas believes the Buckeyes will win with a score around 30-27.