Ohio State’s offensive line is still sorting itself out, and one injured starter could find his job in jeopardy because of it.
The Buckeyes enter Week 4 with several issues they have to clean up fast. They have been poor on third down, they have struggled to run the ball, and they have had a hard time getting to the quarterback. Those are the kinds of problems that can get exposed even more once Big Ten play gets tougher.
A big part of the run-game trouble has come from the line not creating enough movement up front. The right side has already been altered after Phillip Daniels was hurt against Texas, and that change could stick if the current setup keeps working.
With Daniels sidelined, Ohio State has moved Austin Siereveld to right tackle and plugged Gabe VanSickle in at right guard. So far, that pairing has held up well enough. If the Buckeyes start finding real success running behind that side, Daniels may not automatically get his starting job back.
Daniels is questionable for Saturday’s game against Illinois. If he sits out and the line performs well again, his spot could be in danger.
He also has a chance to re-establish himself if he gets on the field, but he has not exactly built a strong case with the staff. His finish to last season was rough, and that has not been forgotten.
Right tackle may not even be the biggest concern on the line right now. Ian Moore has had his own issues at left tackle in his first season as a starter, and he has been beaten on several rush plays that have forced Julian Sayin to move around.
That leaves Tyler Bowen with a clear job in front of him: help get the line fixed. If Arthur Smith cannot get the run game rolling, Bowen has to do his part by getting the offensive front organized.
The timing matters, too. Ohio State goes to Iowa next week, and the Buckeyes need to be sharper on offense before that trip. Iowa’s defense is strong, and Kinnick Stadium has not been a friendly place for Ohio State in recent memory.
Illinois should be a game the Buckeyes handle if they are playing well, since the Illini are a lower-tier Big Ten team. But Ohio State needs more than just a win. It needs an offense that looks much cleaner, a runner who can get to 100-plus yards, and major improvement on third down.
Ryan Day is not going to be happy unless the team shows real progress. He also knows the margin for error is shrinking for a fan base expecting wins. Ohio State could probably afford one more loss and still make the CFP, but not if that loss comes against a team like Illinois or even Iowa.
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Jeremiah Smith Is Forcing A Massive Ohio State Debate Already
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Urban Meyer recently raised the temperature even more by calling Smith the best receiver in college football history, and it is exactly the kind of claim that invites a bigger argument. The numbers behind Smiths start are elite, but when you stack him against some of the sports other great college receivers, the debate gets more complicated, especially with his NFL future still unwritten. [Read more 🡒]