The season now steps into week two for Ohio State Football, and there are still plenty of questions surrounding this team.
Some of those have been answered — at least after one week of observation, like the defense being much more sound, but there are plenty that still need to be answered by the Buckeyes. I’m sure your questions are a bit different than mine, but feel free to @ me on social if you see one come up that interests you.
Buy Buckeyes TicketsHere are a few of those questions that I would love to see Ohio State football answer in their home opener against the Fighting Jim Tressels, I mean, Youngstown State.
Has Kyle McCord taken positive steps?
This throw by Kyle McCord throwing thirty yards opposite hash for a touchdown is elite. The only reason we aren’t talking about it more is because Marvin Harrison Jr. stepped out of bounds running the route.
Ryan Day needs to open up the playbook and let Kyle McCord sling it. pic.twitter.com/0hQG5Z248D
— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) September 3, 2023
Why
We all know why this is a big question. McCord had a few elite throws, but there were some bad ones mixed in as well. It was certainly not a Heisman-level performance, but this team doesn’t necessarily need that from whomever is the starter. McCord has to show growth from Indiana to this weekend and we will find out soon if he has.
What will the quarterback rotation look like?
Day said McCord will start again. Said he wants to get Devin Brown more playing time than he got against OU.
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 5, 2023
Why
Head coach Ryan Day continued to say that Devin Brown will get some playing time, but the question is how much? Brown was on the field for six snaps against the Hoosiers, which isn’t nearly enough to evaluate his abilities. If McCord makes a significant leap from Week 1 to this week, Brown will fall behind again. If they both play well, the controversy continues. This week’s rotation between the two of them will go a long way as to who will eventually win the job.
Will this defense continue it’s progress?
Davison Igbinosun is a big fan of Ohio State's defense and the complexity of it.
"I personally feel like the Silver Bullets are back." pic.twitter.com/txNieNYfw8
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) September 7, 2023
Why
Last week was a major step in the right direction for this defense, even though the competition wasn’t very high. The three points given up was a great job, and this week they face a Penguins team that has less talent than Indiana. Back-to-back impressive performances will go a long way for the confidence of this group.
What will the running back rotation look like?
Chip Trayanum on the crowded RB room of five different guys:
"We love to see each other succeed." pic.twitter.com/OR9ifzTUor
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) September 7, 2023
Why
Like the quarterbacks, this will be an ongoing situation until someone emerges. The coaching staff is trying it’s best to have TreVeyon Henderson be that guy, but he wasn’t all that impressive in the opener. You know who was? Chip Trayanum, who in my eye deserves to get 15-plus touches with the way that he ran against Indiana. With five backs that are capable of helping this team win games, it will be interesting how the coaching staff handles this opportunities as well.
Will we see any takeaways?
LB @steeleC22 on the changes to the Buckeye defense
“We are a lot closer as a defense compared to last year. Our mindset going into every single game is don’t let up any points. So we are definitely mad when we let up 3… We’re going for a shutout every game. That’s the goal.” pic.twitter.com/3hL3praiVT
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) September 7, 2023
Why
You know the thing that was missing from last week’s impressive defensive effort? Taking the ball away. The Buckeyes were great, but didn’t force any turnovers, something that has been a bit of a bugaboo since Jim Knowles took over. For this offense to put up more points, the defense has to create extra chances by forcing turnovers or even scoring themselves, especially with the new clock rules that shorten possessions.
How about sacks?
Hero Kanu sack alert pic.twitter.com/l8pwLlYFq3
— Colton Denning (@Dubsco) September 2, 2023
Why
If you had Hero Kanu as the first Buckeye to register a sack in 2023, you need to start playing the lottery immediately. That isn’t a knock on the defensive tackle, it’s just that it seemed like some of his teammates, who get more playing time, would have done it and much earlier than in the fourth quarter. Some of it had to do with the Hoosiers not throwing much, but it did seem like many of the defensive linemen were a step too late getting home. Hopefully, they get there this weekend.
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