Everything you need to know about Ohio State’s spring game

It might not count in the regular season standings, but there will be Ohio State football played on Saturday, even if it’s the annual spring game. The Scarlet and Gray squads will face off in what will be their final chances to make their way into the starting conversations before fall camp starts in earnest in a few months. A solid performance in the spring, is usually enough to garner the coaches’ attention heading into the season.

A bunch of schools have been forced to cancel their annual Spring Games due to expectedly bad weather, but instead of the Buckeyes packing it in, they decided to push kick-off up a bit to avoid any afternoon storms. If you’re going to the game, gates will now open at 10 a.m. ET and parking is free in the lots around the stadium and across campus.

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s Ohio State scrimmage.

How to watch Ohio State’s Spring Game

• Time: 11:45 a.m. ET** (NOTE: the game was moved up due to inclement weather)
• Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Oh.
• TV: Big Ten Network
• Online: BTN2Go
• Radio: 97.1 The Fan

Who are the teams?

To be announced. The official Scarlet and Gray rosters have not yet been announced, but when they are, we will let you know.

Who are the Honorary Coaches?

This year’s duo of Honorary Coaches are a draw for fans themselves. Handling things for the Scarlet team is former linebacker OSU Ryan Shazier. The Buckeye legend was just reaching elite status in the NFL before a scary injury near the end of the 2017 season sent him to the hospital, eventually requiring spinal stabilization surgery. His injury was felt through the league and Buckeye Nation, and, with the most recent news that he has regained feeling in his legs and is able to begin walking rehab with support, his presence on the sideline will be extra special.

It isn’t a one-sided popularity contest, though. While it would be easy for Buckeye fans to support Shazier and Team Scarlet, the most recent Super Bowl-winning Ohio State alum is taking over for Team Gray. Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins will be working with the other group of Buckeyes heading into this scrimmage. Having just won his second Super Bowl ring, Jenkins has been a vocal leader for criminal justice reform, and goes above and beyond to be an asset both on and off the field.

Ohio State chose two excellent representatives to serve as the 2018 Honorary Coaches.

Is it played like a normal game?

Not really. The scrimmage is set up as four, 10-minute quarters, with the third and fourth quarters operating on a running clock. Urban Meyer has been known to make things interesting for his field goal kickers and punters, so how he handles that aspect will probably be decided off the cuff.

Similar to a regular game though, Ohio State fans know how to pack The ‘Shoe. Buckeye fans won’t be able to claim (yet, another) attendance record for their inter-squad scrimmage, due to construction limiting the number of seats, but the available 79,000 tickets sold out quickly. OSU is expecting to be at capacity for the event.

Any Ohio State alumni expected to attend?

There are going to be SO MANY BUCKEYE alumni at Saturday’s event. In addition to the Honorary Coaches, more than 25 other OSU football alums are expected to attend.

Just about everyone from last year’s Big Ten and Cotton Bowl championship team who either declared for the draft or ran out of eligibility, is expected to be in the stadium (about 19 former players). Not to mention the host of players from the 2016 and 2017 draft classes, like Joshua Perry and Michael Thomas, and Marshon Lattimore and Malik Hooker. The newly minted top-paid OG (offensive guard, not the other OG, but maybe that too) in the NFL, Andrew Norwell, is also expected to be in Columbus for the scrimmage.

What to pay attention to

Sure, all eyes will be on the quarterbacks, but that isn’t the only offensive position with some competition. Granted, trying to pinpoint the next starting tight end, isn’t quite as critical as naming a new starting QB.

There’s currently a three-way battle to take over for J.T. Barrett, between Dwayne Haskins (the guy who was Cardale Jones-esc in 2017), Joe Burrow (who was the No. 2 guy in 2016, but then got injured), and Tate Martell (a well-rounded talent who could see snaps at other positions).

Meyer has gone on record throughout spring practice to say that there hasn’t been a clear leader in the QB race as of yet. But, we all know that the coaches probably have at least some idea of whom they’re looking to lead the first-team heading into the season.