After all of the build up to Ohio States season opener against Notre Dame, theres a different feeling in the air heading into this weeks matchup with Sun Belt Conference foe Arkansas State.The Buckeyes enter as a 44.5-point favorite against the Red Wolves, and shouldnt have any i sues with an overmatched opponent. Still, head coach Ryan Day recognizes the opportunity to build off the victory over the Fighting Irish rather than be complacent with the top-five win.The games start coming at you fast, Day said during his media availability this week. Youre going to wake up in a few weeks here and youre going to be a quarter of the way through the season. It just comes at you fast after the preseason.We have to continue to build and Sandy Koufax Jersey grow and enhance what were doing in all three phases, and thats part of the challenge If were the same team we were in four weeks, then were going to get pa sed up. Weve got to keep growing each week, and this is an opportunity to do that on Saturday.When watching the film, Day found several areas in which his team needs to improve moving forward, including cleaning up false start penalties on offense, being more disciplined on special teams and executing at the end of the half. Those are all things Ohio State can addre s against Arkansas State.A lot of people say the biggest improvement comes from Week 1 to Week 2, Day said. Certainly there are a lot of things we need to learn from and grown from in that last game. We were far from perfect. There were a lot of plays we wish we had back in all three phases. Well try to make those adjustments this week and grow.Date: Sept. 10, 2022Where: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)Expected Weather: 74 degrees, cloudyKickoff: 12 p.m. ETSpread: Ohio State (-44.5)O/U Total:68.5Betting: Check out the new !Television: BTNStreaming: (get a 7-day free trial)Announcers:Mark Followill(play-by-play), Joshua Perry (analyst) and Elise Menaker (sideline reporter)Local Radio: Flagship: WBNS 97.1 The FanAnnouncers: Paul Keels (play-by-play), Jim Lachey (analyst), Matt Andrews (sideline reporter), Skip Mosic (pregame/halftime/postgame host and producer)No previous matchups* OSU record at home: 0-0* At Ohio State: 4th Season, Record: 35-4* Overall: Same* At Arkansas State: 2nd Season, Record: 3-10* Overall:87-64The biggest storyline coming out Ross Stripling Jersey of the victory over Notre Dame was the health of junior wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first quarter and finished the game with two catches for three yards.Though we wont know his availability until Saturday morning, Day said earlier this week he wont return until hes 100 percent. That means fifth-year senior Xavier Johnson (two catches for 34 yards and one Hyun-Jin Ryu Jersey touchdown) and sophomores Emeka Egbuka (nine catches for 90 yards and one touchdown) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (five catches for 56 yards) will have to step up again in his absence.To see Xavier come in and play like that was excellent, Day said. Hes really worked hard to get where hes at and to be at competitive excellence He practices, and thats why he was ready for that moment.On the flip side, Smith-Njigbas absence would give sophomore quarterback C.J. Stroud a chance to build a rapport with Egbuka and Harrison, who are only starting the second and third game of their careers, respectively.They played a lot, and that was good, Day said. As we go into this game, the more they play, the more they realize what it means to be a starter Thats a growing proce s that well continue to build on.The only other question mark heading into Saturdays game is the status of redshirt sophomore center Luke Wypler, who could be seen leaving Ohio Stadium in a walking boot following the win over the Fighting Irish.Hes had a good week, Day said. Hes been practicing, so we should be good there, but well continue to evaluate him.Scroll to ContinueAfter winning just two games last season, second-year Arkansas State head coach Butch Jones revamped his roster, bringing A. J. Pollock Jersey in whopping 25 players through the transfer portal, headlined by formerOhio State running back Brian Snead, who was suspended and ultimately dismi sed from the team amid sexual a sault allegations in 2018.When you look at where theyre transferring from, theyre very respectable programs, Day said. Itll be a good challenge. Theyre well coached and have good players.The Red Wolves are led offensively by sixth-year senior quarterback James Blackman, who started 22 games at Florida State from 2017-20. Hes completed 61 percent of his pa ses for 6,989 yards and 53 touchdowns with 30 interceptions during his career.That includes 1,344 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions in five games at Arkansas State last year before he went down with a season-ending back injury. Hes fully healthy this fall, though, and was a big part of the Red Wolves 58-3 win over Grambling last Saturday.Hes a guy that has some big-time experience in some great environments, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. Were going to have to pre sure him and make sure he feels that pre sure and that were doing a good job of collapsing the pocket around him.Snead, meanwhile, arrived in Jonesboro this offseason after stops at Iowa Western Community College and Austin Peay, where he rushed for 1,051 yards and 10 touchdowns in two seasons. He carried the ball 12 times for 57 yards and one score in last weeks win over the Tigers.Theyre a good football team. They really are, safeties coach Perry Eliano said. Theyre a tempo offense. They go Joc Pederson Jersey as the quarterback goes He stands tall in the pocket and theyve got really good skill around him. Weve got our work cut out.This marks Ohio States second-ever game against a Sun Belt Conference opponent, joining Troy in 2008. Marshall, which joined the conference this year, was a member of the Mid-American Conference (2004) and Conference USA (2010) when it came to Columbus.Former wide receiver Billy Anders (1965-67), end Charles Bolden (1915-17), cornerback Shawn Springs (1994-96) and punter Tom Tupa (1984-87) will be honored during the game for their induction into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.Arkansas State defensive coordinator Rob Harley played safety at Ohio State fro