Saturday in Columbus gives Ohio State a clean chance to get something important straightened out: the run game.
Through three games, the Buckeyes have flashed enough on the stat sheet to make the numbers look better than the reality. That’s the issue. The box scores say one thing, but the actual consistency on the ground has been shaky enough to leave real questions about whether Ohio State can run the ball when it matters.
That concern matters now because the Buckeyes are going to need a reliable ground attack against stronger opponents down the line. At the same time, they still have time to fix it, and Saturday sets up as the best opening they’ve had to do that.
The opener against Ball State is a perfect example of why the raw totals can be misleading. Ohio State piled up 237 yards on 35 carries, which sounds strong on its face.
But two explosive runs of 65 and 49 yards inflated the day, and once those are stripped away, the picture changes fast: 123 yards on 33 carries. That version of the run game wasn’t nearly good enough.
The Texas game showed a different kind of problem. For three quarters, Ohio State was fine on the ground.
Then the fourth quarter arrived, and the Buckeyes couldn’t get anything going. That lack of production helped lead to two three-and-outs, and those empty possessions ended up costing them in the fourth quarter.
Last week against Kent State, the production from the top two backs was a little better, but the overall efficiency still wasn’t where it needs to be. Bo and Ja'Kobi Jackson both averaged more than 5 yards per carry, yet the team average dropped to 3.8 yards per carry.
That would be workable against a team of similar caliber. Against Kent State, it wasn’t enough.
Ohio State’s offensive line has its own challenge to handle today, too. Phillip Daniels is out again at right tackle, just as he was last week, and that means this group is still trying to settle in. This will be week two for the line working in this setup, and it has to start to mesh.
Ryan Day also made it clear where he wants more from his lead back. He said Ja'Kobi Jackson ran it much harder than Bo did last week and was more of a weapon for the Buckeyes offense.
So the expectation is a heavier mix of both Bo and Ja'Kobi in the backfield today, with Ohio State trying to find a real rhythm on the ground. If the Buckeyes can get that part moving, it helps immediately and also gives them something they’ve been missing as the schedule keeps moving forward.
In Other News...
Ohio State Defense Faces A Road Test Iowa Can Expose
Ohio State heads into a ranked road matchup at Iowa with the kind of test that can sharpen a defense or expose a flaw. The Buckeyes will have to deal with a difficult environment and an Iowa offense that leans on quarterback Hank Brown, a productive backfield and a defense led by linebacker Cam Buffington and safety Zach Lutmer, while the bigger worry for Ohio State is whether it can hold up against the run and stay sound in coverage against tight ends.
The Hawkeyes have enough moving parts to make this more than a routine Big Ten trip, especially at home where the crowd can turn every series into a grind. Ohio States defensive front will be under pressure to set the tone early, because if Iowa can keep the Buckeyes guessing and force them to chase the game, this matchup could become a lot more uncomfortable than the rankings suggest. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Defense Isnt In Trouble But One Concern Isnt Going Away
Ohio States defense has spent enough time under the microscope already this fall, and a former Buckeye who has been watching the unit closely sees a group with real room to grow rather than a unit in panic mode. He pointed to the kind of issues that can show up early in a season, including miscommunications and the absence of veteran star power, while still saying defensive coordinator Matt Patricia remains effective in his job. He also gave credit to Illinois quarterback Katin Houser for making the defense work for it.
The bigger takeaway, though, is that the concerns do not appear to be structural in his view. He expects the Buckeyes defense to keep improving and believes it will be good by the end of the season, even if the ceiling may not be quite elite. For a program used to treating every defensive hiccup as a minor crisis, that is a useful reminder that some early-season problems can be real without being fatal. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Day Sounds Different As Ohio State Heads Into Kinnick
Ryan Day spent part of the week laying out where Ohio State stands as it heads to Kinnick Stadium, and the conversation touched just about every corner of the roster. He gave updates on player availability, pointed to Julian Sayins continued growth, and said the running backs have made progress as the Buckeyes keep sorting out roles for Jeremiah Smith, Khary Wilder and Kyle Parker. It was the kind of check-in that comes with a road game like this, where the details matter and the margin for error tends to shrink.
Kinnick has a way of making even experienced teams feel uneasy, and Day acknowledged the challenge while framing Ohio States current state as a product of steady development since the season began. He also left open a few questions about how the lineup will look once the Buckeyes get through the week, including one involving Legend Bey and how much he can get done in practice before a decision has to be made. [Read more 🡒]