An Ohio son will bring his charges to the banks of the Olentangy River on September 9th. Bob Stoops lost to his home-state team last year, but vies for a different result this season. 

To get the victory, Stoops will rely on new players at key positions. Gone are running backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine, wide receiver Dede Westbrook and linebacker Jordan Evans. Mixon was the Sooners' leading rusher in 2016 and all Perine did was finish as Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher. Westbrook was the team's leading receiver and Evans led Oklahoma in tackles and interceptions. That is a lot of talent and experience to replace.

Possible players to step-up at those positions are running back Abdul Adams, tight end Mark Andrews and linebacker Emmanuel Beal of Reynoldsburg. 2017 4★ running back Trey Sermon of Georgia could also be in the mix. 

Two key players returning for Stoops are quarterback Baker Mayfield and linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. Since the close of the 2016 season, Mayfield had some off the field issues. Oklahoma fans are hoping the celebrated quarterback will be able to dodge Ohio State defenders better than he did middle-aged police officers.

The 6'1" 242 pound Okoronkwo led OU with 9.0 sacks last year. Ohio State's new-look offensive line will have to be aware of where the talented linebacker is positioned before every snap.

Game Details

When: Saturday, September 9, 2017 
Where: Columbus, OH, Ohio Stadium

Ohio State is 2–1 all-time against against Oklahoma, but has never defeated the Sooners in Ohio Stadium. This is the second time the Buckeyes have faced OU in Week 2. 

Over the years, OSU is 3–1 when playing a current member of the Big 12 as the second opponent of the season.  

The Last Time...​

• Ohio State played Oklahoma, Urban Meyer's team traveled to Norman and defeated spanked the Sooners 45-24 in front of a national audience during prime time. 
• The Buckeyes played OU in Columbus was 1977. No. 4 Ohio State lost to No. 3 Oklahoma 28-29. A late field goal gave Barry Switzer's team a dramatic victory.
• These teams played in Ohio Stadium, Jimmy Carter was president. 
• Ohio State played on September 9, was 2006. The No. 1 Buckeyes traveled to Austin and beat No. 2 Texas 24-7 in Darrell K. Royal-Texas Stadium.

Game 2, The Last Time...

• The Buckeyes played their second game on this date, they defeated Texas in the game mentioned above.
• Ohio State lost the second game of the season was 2014. Unranked Virginia Tech shocked the eighth-ranked Scarlet and Gray 35-21 in Columbus. The loss stung, but the season turned out to be decent.
• OSU played a Big 12 opponent was the Texas game in 2006.
• The Buckeyes had a Week 2 game go to overtime was never.

Oklahoma's 2016 Season

Record: 11–2
Bowl Game: Defeated Auburn 35-19 in the Sugar Bowl
Coaching Status: Bob Stoops (190–48) is in his 19th season.

Leading Offensive Players Returning From 2016
Passer: Baker Mayfield // 3,965 yards, 40 TDs, 8 INTs
Rusher: Abdul Adams //  283 yards, 0 TDs
Receiver: Mark Andrews // 489 yards, 7 TDs

Leading Defensive Players Returning From 2016
Tackles: Emmanuel Beal (81)
Sacks: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (9.0)
Interceptions: Steven Parker and Jordan Thomas (2)

Notable Missing Players
Bob Stoops needs to replace his leading rusher, leading receiver and leading tackler. Joe Mixon led the Sooners with 1,274 rushing yards. Samaje Perine led the team with 12 rushing touchdowns. Last year, WR Dede Westbrook had 1,524 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Not only did Jordan Evans lead Oklahoma with 98 tackles, but he also had a team-high four interceptions.  

Important Incoming Commits

1. 4★ CB Justin Broiles (.960) of Oklahoma City, OK
2. 4★ SAF Robert Barnes (.953) of Southlake, TX
3. 4★ OG Tyrese Robinson (.951) of McKinney, TX 
4. 4★ WDE Addison Grumbs (.938) of Hayward, CA
5. 4★ RB Trey Sermon (.922) of Marietta, GA

Five Things September 9th

1. This is the third time the Buckeyes have played on September 9th.
2. No. 16 Ohio State defeated Arizona 27-17 in Tuscon in the program's first game played on this date (2000).
3. The Buckeyes are 2–0 when ranked in the Top 20 on September 9th.
4. Ohio State is 1–0  against ranked opponents on the ninth of September (Texas, 2006).
5. Surprisingly, this will be the program's first home game on this date.

2016 Statistical Comparison

OFFENSE
39.4	13th	POINTS FOR	43.9	3rd
245.2	11th	RUSHING OFFENSE	236.8	18th
213.9	81st	PASSING OFFENSE	318.0	12th
459.2	31st	TOTAL OFFENSE	554.8	2nd
.467	17th	3rd DOWNS	.515	4th
.871	40th	RED ZONE	.881	29th
DEFENSE
15.5	3rd	POINTS ALLOWED	28.8	68th
124.5	19th	RUSH DEFENSE	162.6	55th
172.2	7th	PASS DEFENSE	269.4	111th
94.4	3rd	PASS EFFICIENCY DEFENSE	129.9	66th
296.8	6th	TOTAL DEFENSE	432.0	82nd
.322	11th	3rd DOWNS	.426	94th
.725	5th	RED ZONE	.783	25th
SPECIAL TEAMS
5.2	105th	PUNT RETURN	10.2	29th
24.4	13th	KICKOFF RETURN	23.3	22nd
43.1	2nd	NET PUNTING	39.3	32nd
MISCELLANEOUS
+ 1.2	3rd	TURNOVER MARGIN	0.0	67th
6.3	70th	PENALTIES	5.1	29th
11		EDGE	7

Leftovers

Ohio State is 94–29–4 in the second game of the season and is 73–15–2 when the game is played in Columbus.

Between 1972 and 2016, the Buckeyes have only lost three home games during Week 2. The losses were to Virginia Tech (2014), No. 3 USC (2009) and No. 2 Texas (2005).

The Buckeyes are 19–5–1 against current members of the Big 12. Since 2005, Ohio State is 2–2 against when facing a Big 12 opponent.

Between 1978 and 2004, OSU had a record of 10–0 against current members of the Big 12.

The first Week 2 game played against a Big 12 / Big 8 opponent was against Colorado on September 25, 1971. Woody Hayes and the Buckeyes lost to Eddie Crowder's Colorado Buffaloes 20-14 in Ohio Stadium.

Next Week: Army