A flawed but angry Ohio State team with plenty to prove returns to action Saturday.
On the other side is a winless and reeling Kent State team. The homecoming for Kent State coach Paul Haynes, a Columbus native and former Ohio State assistant, takes a backseat to urgent matters for both teams.
Kent State is trying to do the impossible. Ohio State is just trying to put four quarters together and move forward from last week's loss to Virginia Tech, the Buckeyes first regular-season loss under Urban Meyer.
For Kent State -- which has scored 27 points in two games, is averaging 1.9 yards per rush and has only reached the opponent's side of the field eight times in 25 possessions -- there's really nothing to lose.
"It's more about how we go in there," Haynes said. "In games like this, the first four or five series are the key to the game. We have to start well.
"We have to move the chains. We have to do a good job of making sure it's not 28-0 before the balloons leave the stadium."
Haynes was an Ohio State assistant from 2005-11 and the co-defensive coordinator the season before Meyer took over. He was on the other side the last time Kent State visited Ohio Stadium, in 2007, when Ohio State won, 48-3.
Ohio State hasn't lost to an in-state opponent since 1921.
"You're going to see a bunch of Ohio kids who want to beat Ohio State in the worst way," Meyer said of Kent State.
It's probably fair to say Meyer has been a bit more colorful with his players this week.
There are 16 Kent State players who have high school teammates on Ohio State's roster. Safety Najee Murray is in his first year of eligibility at Kent State after transferring from Ohio State. In these Ohio State vs. MAC matchups there are almost always ties between the players and coaching staffs, and a bunch of players who grew up rooting for Ohio State but weren't seriously recruited for the Buckeyes.
"I have a lot of memories (coaching) in Ohio Stadium and I also won a state championship there," Haynes said. "But as far as the game, it's not really (about emotion). It's about playing. There will be 107,000 people there but these kids have played at LSU, at Penn State, at Alabama."
Haynes said he might reference the "Hoosiers" movie in reminding his players that the game is still 60 minutes long, the field is still 120 yards long.
"Ironically, the (Buckeyes) put their pants on the same way we do," Haynes said. "We just have to go play."
Last week, Virginia Tech had the athletes to stack the box and dare Ohio State freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett to make big plays in single coverage. Kent State has different personnel and may have a different plan.
Either way, Ohio State wants to get Ezekiel Elliott and the running game going and take those big-play shots when opportunities are presented. It's been an unpleasant week for the Buckeyes, and it will be interesting to see if an improved Ohio State team shows up early.
Like, as soon as the balloons are released.
"After a loss you get refocused," Haynes said. "They're a good team with a lot of good football players. They'll be ready.
"When I was at Ohio State we always called them 'rush the field' games. No matter who beats them, it's a rush the field game. Michigan, Penn State or Kent State, this is huge for the other team. That's just part of being Ohio State.
"Them being down? Them being unprepared? That just won't happen."
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