Ohio State Week 3: Western Kentucky Staff Predictions

Ahead of the Buckeyes' Week 3 matchup against the Hilltoppers, here are the Buckeyes Now staff picks for the game.

After winning two straight games to open the season, the Ohio State Buckeyes will take the field Saturday looking to make it three. 

With the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers standing in their way, chances are, that will be exactly the case. 

If the Buckeyes don’t manage to find their rhythm offensively, however, Week 3 could get ugly. 

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However the game goes, it will be an important one to keep the Buckeyes' chances at the CFP alive and well, so ahead of their Week 3 matchup against Western Kentucky, here are Buckeyes Now's staff predictions: 

Timm Hamm, Writer

The offense defines this Hilltoppers team, but will they have anything for this Buckeyes defense? That'll be the key to the game, as Ohio State tries not to overlook each opponent leading up to the matchup with TTUN.

Prediction: Ohio State 31, Western Kentucky 27

Casey Smith, Staff Writer

People might be sleeping on Western Kentucky, but these ain't your dad's Hilltoppers anymore. Since the 2010s, they have been defined by their explosive, air-raid offense. Redshirt junior and reigning Second Team All-Conference USA quarterback Austin Reed returns under center after completing 64.5 percent of his 603 passes for 4,746 yards and 40 touchdowns. When teams throw the ball effectively on the Buckeyes, like against Penn State, Maryland, Michigan and Georgia last season, they struggle. 

I have a feeling this game will be like Ohio State's 2021 matchup against Tulsa, where a pair of late Buckeyes scores makes people forget it was a seven-point game in the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Western Kentucky 24

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer

There are plenty of hills in Kentucky, none of which are too high for Ohio State to conquer. Anything short of a 3-0 start is disappointing.

Prediction: Ohio State 45, Western Kentucky 3 

Matt Guzman, Staff Writer

Despite the Hilltoppers having a strong quarterback-receiver duo, there's a reason Western Kentucky's AD put out a statement regarding the decision to schedule a game against the Buckeyes. Ohio State has the Hilltoppers out-gunned, out-manned, outnumbered and out-planned — to throw a Hamilton reference in there — and this matchup shouldn't bring too much drama to Ohio Stadium, despite it being early in the season. 

The Buckeyes will come out of the gate firing on all cylinders, scoring on offense and defense, to make it a one-sided affair throughout the 60-minute game. 

Prediction: Ohio State 49, Western Kentucky 10