Ohio State Buckeyes

Barrett, Buckeyes out to build resume against Sooners again

Published Sep. 7, 2017 10:14 p.m. ET

Some things to watch in the Big Ten this week:

GAME OF THE WEEK

Oklahoma at Ohio State. The second-ranked Buckeyes host No. 5 Oklahoma for the first time in 40 years in a matchup of two of the all-time winningest programs and 2017 College Football Playoff hopefuls. J.T. Barrett threw four touchdowns in a 45-24 win in Norman, Oklahoma, last year that helped get Ohio State into the CFP semifinals, and he's coming off a sharp second-half performance against Indiana last week. Oklahoma is riding an 11-game road win streak, and QB Baker Mayfield will be a huge challenge for an Ohio State secondary that allowed 420 yards passing to Indiana.

BEST MATCHUP

Ohio State defensive line vs. Oklahoma offensive line. It's a matchup of the nation's best lines. Remember a month ago when Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said his D-line was the most talented one he's ever coached, including the ones he had as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012-13? Against Indiana, ends Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes, Sam Hubbard and Nick Bosa combined for four sacks and 10 tackles and tackle Jashon Cornell had a sack and forced fumble. The Buckeyes probably won't go against a better offensive line the rest of the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Penn State enters its home game against Pittsburgh on a streak of scoring 35 or more points in a school-record eight straight games. It's the longest streak among power-five teams. ... Iowa was among 12 FBS teams that didn't allow a touchdown last week. In fact, Wyoming never penetrated farther than the Hawkeyes' 24-yard line. ... WR D.J. Moore leads all Maryland receivers with a reception in 22 straight games, the longest streak for the Terrapins since Torrey Smith finished his career with a 30-game streak from 2008-10. ... Michigan State, which held Bowling Green to 67 rushing yards, has held 43 opponents under 100 yards rushing since 2011, most in the Big Ten. ... Minnesota heads to Oregon State 5-0 when RBs Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks score in the same game. ... Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson threw for what was then a career-high 320 yards in last year's win over Duke, this week's opponent. ... Rutgers, 103rd nationally in sacks allowed in 2016, gave up just one against Washington, on the last play of the game. ... Wisconsin has the Big Ten's longest home nonconference win streak at 38 games.

LONG SHOT

Nebraska is a two-touchdown underdog at Oregon. This game could signal the direction this season will go for third-year coach Mike Riley. The Cornhuskers beat Arkansas State at home in an opener that went down to the final play, and now first-year starting QB Tanner Lee has makes his road debut in the raucous Autzen Stadium. The Huskers beat the Ducks 35-32 in Lincoln last year.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Michigan RB Chris Evans, who carried a career-high 22 times for 78 yards against Florida , is poised for a big game against Cincinnati. The Bearcats lost their top three tacklers and all three linebackers from last year, when they surrendered 190 yards a game on the ground, and FCS Austin Peay dented them for eight runs of 13 yards or longer last week.

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