Buckeyes Welcome Zips to Columbus for 2024 Season Opener

Buckeyes | Brutus Buckeye leads the team onto the field — Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network

The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the 2024 season with massive expectations on their shoulders, and for good reason. Ranked No. 2 in the AP Preseason Top 25 Poll, the Buckeyes will be seeking a College Football Playoff bid for the first time since the 2022 CFP. With an impressive 67-5 record at home since the start of the 2010 season, Ohio State will be eager to give the Akron Zips a rude awakening in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd at "The Horseshoe." Kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. EST on Aug 31.

Head-to-Head

Ohio State and Akron last clashed on the gridiron in 2021 when the Buckeyes steamrolled their way to victory by a score of 59-7. In the all-time series, Ohio State has dominated with an 8-1 record over its in-state counterpart. Believe it or not, the Zips lone victory over the Buckeyes came in 1894. Yes, it has been 130 years since Akron defeated Ohio State in football.

Buckeyes to Watch

QB Will Howard: On paper, very few teams around the country have as much talent as this year's version of the Buckeyes. For starters, the most important offensive position on the football field will look different for Ohio State this fall. Tasked with leading this dynamic offensive attack will be Kansas State transfer Will Howard.

A year ago, Howard amassed 33 total touchdowns (24 passing, 9 rushing) en route to leading the Wildcats to a 9-4 record and an appearance in last year's Pop-Tarts Bowl. A dual-threat wizard with the football in his hands, Howard may be up to the task of leading the Buckeyes to a national championship.

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch

WR Emeka Egbuka: In light of his status as one of the more skilled wideouts in the sport, the announcement of Egbuka's return was music to the ears of Buckeyes fans everywhere. Already considered a top draft prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, Egbuka possesses the necessary speed, size and hands to take over the college football world in 2024. Named to the 2024 Biletnikoff Award List, don't be surprised if Egbuka proves to be a thorn in the side of the Akron secondary all afternoon long.

S Caleb Downs: A home-run get for the Buckeyes on the defensive side of the ball, the transfer safety from Alabama is an absolute ballhawk. Ranked as the No. 1 transfer player in this year's portal cycle, Downs might be the most skilled defender on Ohio State's roster. During his tenure with the Crimson Tide, Downs demonstrated his dynamic play in both pass coverage and run support with three interceptions and 99 total tackles last fall. A bonafide superstar at the safety position, the Zips could be in for a long day offensively with Downs patrolling the Buckeyes secondary.

Caleb Downs makes a play for the Crimson Tide

Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Zips to Watch

QB Ben Finley : Earning the starting job for the Zips this season, Finley also played college ball at California and NC State before finally finding himself at Akron for his junior season. While Finley has experience at other schools, this will be his first stint as a starter at the college level. In limited action last season with the Cal Golden Bears, Finley completed 54 of 94 passing attempts for 572 yards. The 6-foot-3 signal caller also fired 3 touchdown passes.

RB Charles Kellom: Kellom has accumulated just 6 carries and 32 yards over two years with Akron. However, as a sophomore, he is now poised to spearhead the Zips' rushing game. Kellom faces a significant challenge replacing last year's starter, Lorenzo Lingard, who has moved on to play with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His ability to lead the running game will be tested early, especially against one of the top defenses in the country.

DT CJ Nunnally IV: The good news for this Akron defense is that almost every name on the first two levels of the depth chart is slated as an upperclassman. Not needing an introduction, senior defensive tackle CJ Nunnally IV will be responsible for making life difficult for Ohio State's pass protection and disrupting the Buckeyes' run game. Registering a whopping 7 sacks in 2023 and earning first-team All-Mid-Atlantic Conference honors, Nunnally serves as the top dog on an Akron defense that needs to get a consistent push up front to have a chance in this one.

Key to the Game

In any Power Four versus Group of 5 matchup, games are frequently determined by the battle in the trenches. Akron’s seasoned front line could pose challenges for Ohio State’s newly restructured offensive line.

This Buckeyes unit struggled with both run and pass blocking in 2023, highlighted by a rocky performance in their Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri, where they allowed four sacks in a 14-3 defeat. Undoubtedly, head coach Ryan Day has made it a point of emphasis to find improvement in this position group during the offseason. All in all, the Zips' underrated front seven will be a good measuring stick of how far the Buckeyes offensive line has come from last season.