Buckeyes open as heavy home favorite over Western Kentucky

COLUMBUS — Ohio State is still not playing up to its potential.

Sure, the Buckeyes have won their first two games by double-digits against far inferior opponents. And yes, it’s still early in the season. But this program has to begin showing it can hit the next gear soon.

And one week before the Buckeyes go to Notre Dame for an epic top-15 matchup on the road, they’ll have one more chance to impress before that pivotal early-season showdown. The next challenge, however, will be a home date with Western Kentucky.

Ohio State opened as a 26-point favorite over the Hilltoppers, according to Circa Sports book. The total has been set at 60.5, the highest total of the year so far for the Buckeyes.

If Ohio State is going to blow Western Kentucky out before the Notre Dame game, the Buckeyes will need to be more efficient than they’ve been in the first two weeks of the season.

The Buckeyes saw some better efficiency from the offense in Kyle McCord’s second start, but that’s a department they need to keep getting better in.

“One, maybe not as efficient as we’ve been,” Day said. “But I thought we were pretty decent in the first half. But then to just the way that it’s going with this clock and teams huddling and snapping it inside of 10 seconds, and it doesn’t take much to get a couple first downs. And before you know it, you’ve looked up and you’ve had three plays in the third quarter, and there’s like four minutes to go. So something we just have to recognize. And I think we saw it coming. I talked to [Ohio State sports information director] Jerry [Emig] about that going into the first game, I said ‘this is going to be an interesting year because of this rule.’ And man that that clock just keeps keeps seems to keep running.

“And so we’ll just have to be more efficient and do a great job, especially in the first half of coming out of the gates and being really good.”

Ohio State has one more week to improve its efficiency numbers and show it can reach the next gear as an offense before the massive Notre Dame showdown.

The Buckeyes will do so this week as a large double-digit favorite.

Ohio State vs. Western Kentucky betting trends

Ohio State is 0-2 against the spread this season, failing to cover against both Indiana and Youngstown StateThe Buckeyes have not went over the total in either of their first two gamesOhio State has not started 0-3 against the spread under Ryan DayOhio State is 7-10 against the spread against nonconference opponents under Ryan DayWestern Kentucky is 0-5 against the spread as a double-digit underdog under head coach Tyson HeltonWestern Kentucky is 1-1 against the spread this season, failing to cover against Houston Baptist last weekendOhio State is 1-0 against the spread all-time when facing a current Conference USA member. The only previous meeting came in 2009 against New Mexico State

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