Ohio State vs. Western Michigan: 10 things you should know about the game

COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 2 Ohio State is favored by just over five touchdowns on Saturday against another MAC team, Western Michigan. But looking at the Broncos' performance against Wisconsin in Week 1, they could give the Buckeyes a tough fight when the teams meet for the second time ever on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

The Buckeyes started slow last week but eventually defeated Akron 52-6.

Western Michigan lost to the Badgers 28-14 in a game that was closer than the score suggested, but the Broncos were never out of contention.

Saturday's game begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Here are the 10 things you should know this week:

1. Ohio State has earned its seventh consecutive season-opening win under Ryan Day.
2. The Buckeyes and Western Michigan have only met once on the football field. The Buckeyes beat the Broncos 38-12 in 2015.
3. That 2015 game came a week after a game against MAC opponent Northern Illinois. Until this year, that was the last time Ohio State played back-to-back games against MAC schools.
4. Ohio State has a bye next week before hosting Marshall. The bye week after the second game of the season will be the earliest bye week for Ohio State since 1999.
5. TreVeyon Henderson averaged 8.1 yards per carry on eight carries against Akron. It's the eighth time he's averaged over 8 yards per carry in a game in which he had at least five carries.
6. Ohio State's defense had its first game in the last 17 games with 10 or more tackles for loss, with 10 TFLs against Akron.
7. Jeremiah Smith is the first Ohio State freshman receiver to catch two touchdowns in a game since Michael Wiley did so in 1996.
8. Ryan Day served as Ohio State's head coach for 65 games, and in 54 of those games his teams totaled at least 400 yards on offense.
9. The game against Akron was the first game by Ohio State's defense to allow two touchdowns since doing so against Western Kentucky in 2023.
10. The Buckeyes have an overall record of 37-1 against MAC schools. Their last loss was against Akron in 1894.

After the game, you can watch interviews with Ryan Day and the Ohio State players on 10TV+ or the 10TV News mobile app.

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