What To Expect: Navy

It's finally here. Game week. The opponent : The Navy Midshipmen. A triple-option terror that has a recent history of playing BCS conference opponents tough. It'll be a test for a new linebacking corps that arrives with a bevy of hype but only marginal experience.

It's hard to know exactly what we'll be seeing this Saturday out on the field in Ohio Stadium, since we haven't seen this team in genuine game-time action yet. There are so many unknown quantities, not just for the Buckeyes, but for the Middies as well.So, let's brainstorm. Most Buckeye partisans are hoping that this game, as a tune-up for USC, will be an offensive and defensive showcase, and that by the half, all fears of an upset will be fully allayed. Looking at the statistics about Navy's defense and its passing game (or lack thereof), it's difficult to imagine Navy staying close without Ohio State giving the ball away on at least two separate occasions. Even then, Navy would probably need fortuitous field position to capitalize on said mistakes. Here are a few things you should and shouldn't bank on come the opening kickoff.

What To Expect

- Navy to get over 100 yards rushing. No team has held the Midshipmen under that mark in the past five years. If this linebacking corps does it, it's time to get very, very excited.

- Navy to get at least one significant pass of 20+ yards, but also to have a team completion percentage of less than 50 percent

- Ohio State to surrender at least one first half touchdown to the Midshipmen, as part of a "feeling out" process early in the game

- The Ohio State defensive line to dominate the trenches after the first quarter with superior athletes.

- Doug Worthington to be a major factor in pursuit. If he fails to show up, Navy will be getting 4-5 yard chunks with ease.

-  Jermale Hines on the field for 45+ plays. Most wouldn't consider Navy a "spread" team, but they do operate out of 3 WR sets more than you'd think. Hines, with his range and help in run-support, should be a big factor for the Buckeye defense.

- DeVier Posey to struggle early, Dane Sanzenbacher to have not missed a beat

- At least one "OMG send a letter to that poor guy's mother" hit from Brian Rolle

- More passes to the tight ends and to RBs in the flats. Hopefully, Ohio State has worked on its blocking for the guys in the flats, because last year, that wheel route by the RB was a disaster more often than not.

- No sacks allowed. Navy has been atrocious at getting after the passer the past few years, ranking 96th, 115th and 45th in sacks.

What Not To Expect

- Sacks. The triple option simply doesn't put the quarterback in the pocket very often. In 12-15 genuine dropback passes (assuming the Navy offense is in catch-up mode starting in the second-half), anything more than two sacks would be a godsend.

- Big passing plays. This will be a recurring theme throughout the early part of the season; the scrimmage and, to a lesser extent, the spring game, have both shown that Pryor's deep ball still leaves a lot to be desired.

- Ohio State to score more than 45 points. This may seem like a given, with Tressel's inexplicable hatred of running up the score.