Ohio State vs. Toledo: Prediction and preview

Ohio State continues its 2022 campaign in search of a 3-0 start when the Buckeyes face Toledo this Saturday at 7 p.m. Eastern time on FOX. It will the second primetime game for the Buckeyes so far this season.

Ohio State vs. Toledo preview

The Buckeyes enter Saturday’s game with a 2-0 record and much-improved defense so far this season. Ohio State’s defense has allowed just 22 points across the first two games of the season and has yielded just one touchdown in the first two games.

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The big key for the Buckeyes on the defensive side of the ball so far is a rushing defense that has yielded 64.5 yards per game to start the season. That mark ranks 4th in the B1G entering Week 3.

That defense will at least have a decent test when Toledo comes to town. Though the competition of the Rockets has been questionable, Toledo is averaging 230 rushing yards per game while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Toledo is led by dual-threat quarterback DeQuan Finn who has thrown for 388 yards and rushed for 138 in the first two games of the season. Jacquez Stuart and former Maryland running back Peny Boone also anchor the rushing attack of the Rockets.

It should also be noted that Toledo has a solid head coach in Jason Candle. Since taking over for Matt Campbell at the end of the 2015 season, Candle has gone 47-27 overall and has never posted a losing season with the Rockets.

All that being said, the driving force in this game remains Ohio State’s offense. Even without Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming at wid receiver, the Buckeyes posted 45 points in a Week 2 win over Arkansas State.

Marvin Harrison Jr. was a breakout performer in Week 2 with a huge receiving number and a trio of touchdowns for the Buckeyes. He helped CJ Stroud throw for 351 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win.

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In the backfield, Ohio State continued to employ a two-man plan with TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams splitting 18 carries for over 100 yards. Both players have been effective this season, so we’ll see if the Buckeyes continue to utilize the two-RB approach.

Ohio State vs. Toledo prediction

The matchup between the Rockets and Buckeyes presents some interesting numbers, but it must be reiterated that Toledo’s competition has not been fierce to this point of the season.

On the other side of the equation, Ohio State is not about to suffer a letdown heading into conference play, and there have been just enough issues in the first two weeks of the season for Ohio State to come out with an edge against the Rockets. Oh, and don’t forget Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming are expected to be back for the Buckeyes.

Prediction: Ohio State 56, Toledo 16