Ohio State got the kind of response it wanted against Kent State. After the frustration of blowing a 20-point fourth-quarter lead against Texas, the Buckeyes came out with purpose and turned the game into a rout, racing to a 35-0 halftime lead and never letting the Golden Flashes into it.
But a lopsided score can hide some stubborn problems, and Ohio State still has a couple of them staring right back at Ryan Day.
The first is short-yardage running. Twice in the opening half, the Buckeyes failed on third- and fourth-down plays when they needed only a yard on the ground.
There was no push, no surge, no answer at the line of scrimmage. It was the same issue that showed up against Texas, and it is hard to overlook when it happens against a MAC opponent.
Bo Jackson’s production looked decent on paper - 11 carries for 73 yards - but the burst that made him stand out last year still hasn’t fully shown up this season. He emerged as the starter as an freshman, but he hasn’t quite looked like the same runner. Ja'Kobi Jackson, meanwhile, has appeared to be the better back.
The larger point is simple: Ohio State has to be able to get one yard. Against MAC teams, against Big Ten teams, against anyone.
The Buckeyes have made it clear they want to keep leaning on the run in those spots, but that only works if the offensive line and backs start generating real push. Right now, too many of those snaps are ending with Ohio State running straight into a wall.
The other issue is pressure on the quarterback. Through three weeks, the Buckeyes have only four sacks, and just two of those have come from starters before the backups entered in mop-up duty. That’s not enough, and it’s becoming a real concern.
Matt Patricia did dial things up more aggressively against Kent State, and the blitzes created confusion. Even so, Ohio State still needs to finish those plays and actually put the quarterback on the turf. That has to get cleaned up before the Big Ten schedule arrives.
It’s worth remembering that this was a defense that finished 23rd in the country in sacks during the regular season a year ago. With all the talent Ohio State lost from that group, this version of the unit hasn’t found its edge yet.
A 59-3 win is nothing to apologize for. Ohio State got the blowout it needed after the Texas loss. Still, Day and his staff have plenty to study on the film and two clear problems to keep working through.
In Other News...
Ohio States Clutch Kicking Reputation Might Not Match The Full Story
Ohio States kicking history in tight games has long lived in the space between memory and myth, and the numbers since 2000 help explain why. The analysis breaks those attempts into money kicks, when the Buckeyes were tied or trailing by three or fewer, and clutch kicks, when they were protecting a one-score lead, giving a clearer picture of how often the pressure has really fallen on the leg of the kicker.
What stands out is that the Buckeyes have actually done better in those safer, late-game situations than in the true win-or-lose moments, where the makes have come at just over half the rate. The ledger includes both painful misses and big answers, along with Mike Nugents 55-yard walk-off winner in 2004, a reminder that the programs late-kick reputation has always been shaped by a few unforgettable swings rather than a simple curse. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Lanning Just Gave Ohio State Fans More Reason To Hate Him
Oregon put up a program-record 84 points in its win over Portland State, a lopsided result that already had plenty of people talking before the final moments even became a talking point. With Ohio State set to see the Ducks again on Nov. 7, any chance to size up Dan Lannings team is going to get extra attention in Columbus, especially with the recent history between the programs.
What drew the loudest reaction was Lannings choice late in the game, when Oregon kept pushing instead of simply letting the clock run out. That kind of decision tends to linger when two high-profile teams are on a collision course, and for Buckeye fans, it only adds another layer to a matchup that already figures to carry plenty of edge. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Needs More Than A Win To Calm Growing Doubts
Ohio State heads into its matchup with Kent State looking for more than the kind of routine win that should come with being heavily favored. After a rough stretch that sent the staff into a deeper internal review of both sides of the ball, the Buckeyes are using this week to get back to basics, with particular emphasis on getting the running game moving and settling an offense that has not looked as sharp as expected.
The bigger concern, though, is whether this can be more than a tune-up. The coaching staff still has pressure to show the team can respond cleanly after last weeks collapse, and the line figures to look different because of an injury, which only adds to the sense that this is a reset game for a group trying to steady itself before the schedule gets more demanding. [Read more 🡒]