For Ohio State's offensive tackles, Michigan DEs Hutchinson, OJabo pose huge challenge

For an Outland Trophy semifinalist, Ohio State left tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere has stayed a bit under the radar this season.

That’s mostly due to Buckeyes’ dazzling skill at wide receiver and quarterback C.J. Stroud’s emergence as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

But Petit-Frere and Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones will be firmly in the spotlight Saturday for the showdown against Michigan. Petit-Frere and Jones will have primary responsibility for neutralizing Michigan’s star defensive ends, Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo.

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The relentless Hutchinson is projected as a possible first overall selection in next year’s NFL draft. He and Ojabo each have 10 sacks. (The rest of the Wolverines’ defense has nine.) Ojabo also has forced five fumbles.

If Michigan is going to slow an Ohio State offense that leads the country in points and yards, Hutchinson and Ojabo have to lead the way.

Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo pose big challenge

“They're going to be a big challenge for our tackles and for our whole offense,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said.

Petit-Frere is considered a possible first-round pick himself, and a strong performance Saturday would sure enhance his stock. But he downplayed his particular game within The Game. The rivalry, he said, is bigger than any player or matchup.

“It's the Team Up North,” he said. “Enough said. It's The Game. That's what fuels this rivalry. Every single year, names change and jersey numbers change, but the rivalry will never change. This is a rivalry that's been long-standing long before I was here, long before my grandparents were here.”

But Petit-Frere understands the task he and Jones face.

“They're talented,” he said of Hutchinson and Ojabo. “They're fast. They're athletic. They're strong. They're everything that you would imagine a great defensive end to be. They're a great challenge for us this week.”

The Buckeyes faced a premier pass-rusher two weeks ago in Purdue’s George Karlaftis. Ohio State rendered him a non-factor in its 59-31 victory.

But facing two elite ends is a tougher challenge. Day said that containing Michigan’s doesn’t fall solely on Petit-Frere and Jones.

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Nicholas Petit-Frere and Dawand Jones are up for the challenge

“It's going to be a big challenge for our guys in protection, for C.J. and everybody,” he said. “But it's also going to be the receivers, too, to make sure they're getting open with separation. It's everybody across the board. It's the running backs picking up things.”

Petit-Frere was one of six semifinalists for the Outland Trophy, given to college football’s top offensive or defensive lineman. He was not one of the three finalists.

“I think I've played well,” Petit-Frere said. “Every single week, I'm always looking to improve. There's never been a week that I've said that I played perfect. No matter how we graded out or did on the field, there's always room for us to improve.”

Petit-Frere is a redshirt junior who participated in Senior Day last week. Though that was widely interpreted as confirmation that he would turn pro, he said he hasn’t finalized his decision. Petit-Frere said his decision to go through Senior Day was more about his expected graduation next month and wanting to share the moment with his mother. An operations management major, he has earned OSU Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten honors.

Though he’s been on campus for four years, this will be Petit-Frere’s first start against Michigan. It also will be for Jones, a junior.

Jones’ emergence in the offseason prompted Ohio State to shuffle its offensive line. Petit-Frere switched from right tackle to left, and Thayer Munford moved from left tackle to left guard. Jones’ play has justified the switch.

“He's really showing out,” Petit-Frere said. “For his first year playing, I couldn't imagine him having a better season.”

On Saturday, they’ll both be tested like they haven’t been all season.

“It’s just another amazing challenge that we were gifted and afforded,” Petit-Frere said. “It’s an awesome opportunity.”

Bill Rabinowitz covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at brabinowitz@dispatch.com or on Twitter @brdispatch.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State faces task of neutralizing Michigan's Hutchinson, Ojabo