It’s been just over 24 hours since Ohio State Football defeated Youngstown State 35-7 in it’s home opener.
We all know that the Buckeyes dropped in one poll, but that doesn’t really matter at this moment. There are more pressing issues at hand, that have nothing to do with how anyone outside the Woody Hayes Athletic facility thinks.
Buy Buckeyes TicketsHead coach Ryan Day is still assessing his 2023 group, because at this moment, there are more than a few questions surrounding this team. It’s the day after, with penalty of Buckeye thoughts still on my mind. Find out below what has continued to stick out to me after Ohio State improving to 2-0 on the season.
This is Kyle McCord's team
Again‼️
Kyle McCord finds Marvin Harrison Jr. for their second TD connection of the first quarter.
📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/pwmpJrhcZF
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 9, 2023
Thoughts
We have seen enough, the keys to the offense need to be officially handed over to Kyle McCord. He has played well, not exceptional, but good enough to be confident that his unit can put up enough points to win games. I thought that he improved from his play against Indiana to Youngstown State, something that many of us needed to see. McCord completed 70% of his 20 attempts for 258 yards and three touchdowns. He won the job by remembering how to …
Throw to his high school teammate
Kyle McCord on his first-ever collegiate touchdown connection to Marvin Harrison Jr.
"It's been a long time coming." pic.twitter.com/WUu0JKrU5P
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) September 9, 2023
Thoughts
McCord remembered what helped him become a 5-star recruit, throwing to Marvin Harrison Jr. The two connected plenty with two of the scores coming from this combo. After many questioned the lack of receiver targets and production against Indiana, this group was great against YSU.
This defense still isn’t fixed
🌰 The Buckeye defense turned on The Waterworks vs Youngstown State yesterday with an Interception and only allowed one Touchdown‼️ #GoBucks | @The_Waterworks pic.twitter.com/3pPT3M1KW2
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) September 10, 2023
Thoughts
On the peripheral, it looks like this group is one of the best in the country. Tied for second nationally in points allowed per game at 5, and fourth in yards allowed per game with 193.5 shouldn’t make me fell uneasy, but it does. It’s due to seeing the same potential issues pop up from last year.
The Jim Knowles scheme works very well against undermanned opponents, but the cutback lanes are still there due to not having someone protect the backside. Safeties are still being asked to cover receivers and not performing well (more on the that later). This feels like last years, which faltered down the stretch. There are a few things that need to improve or it will be Deja vu all over again. Let’s dig into that.
More production from the defensive ends
Jack Sawyer really disappoints me, I thought he was going to be the next elite DL from Ohio State honestly.
Unfortunately he’s just an average player.
— CFBLIVE247 (@CFBLive247_) September 9, 2023
Thoughts
So far this year the defensive ends as a unit have struggled mightily, 13 total tackles from starters Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau. There have been no sacks from either, barely any pressures, and no big plays. Yes, teams are trying to get the ball out quick, but they still need to perform. Maybe the rotation needs to be trimmed down so they can make a bigger impact, but their backups aren’t doing much either, so why not give them some reps. caden curry is the only other member of this group with a tackle and he’s only got 4. This team desperately needs more production from this area.
Safety rotation
Sonny Styles BIG hit pic.twitter.com/psvxNIb6CH
— Buckeye Realm (@BuckeyeRealm_) September 9, 2023
Thoughts
Sonny Styles and malik hartford should be the guys here because they’ve both played well enough to be getting the lion’s-share of reps. Cam Martinez and Latham Ransom don’t cover well enough to be playing in that back end of this defense. They continue to get burned over the top, something this scheme just can’t allow. A rotation is fine but on obvious passing downs, it should be the two youngest contributing members of this group on the field, at least from what we’ve seen so far.
Offensive issues
Emeka magic 🪄 pic.twitter.com/4SYz1MB8wj
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 10, 2023
Thoughts
This is pretty obvious and they go hand-in-hand with third down short yardage situations. Against YSU, the Buckeyes went 5-of-12 on the money down, which comes out to just 41.6%. Fiven the opponent is not a great result. A much better showing than against the Hoosiers, but on the season a third down conversion percentage of just 29.1%. Part of it is play calling, and part of it is execution. Day made this an emphasis this week and it improved, but the offense need to keep getting better in this department.
Speaking of play calling
Ryan Day said they're used to scoring 60-70 points in games like today. He credits this to both a lack of efficiency on offense, but also how quickly the clock moves on first downs with the new rule. pic.twitter.com/tKrSjrkPFo
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) September 9, 2023
Thoughts
Overall, it wasn’t bad, I just have one issue, personnel. For as great as Harrison Jr. is, he shouldn’t be getting jet sweeps. That job should go to Emeka Egbuka or Xavier Johnson, maybe even TreVeyon Henderson. I understand getting the ball into the hands of your best players, but the choices here have to be better, then I believe the results will be better as well.
Offensive line
🌰 WIN COLUMNS‼️@TreVeyonH4 averaged 1️⃣1️⃣ yards per carry and found the end zone for the ✌️ time today 😤 pic.twitter.com/o8D4VUwx0i
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) September 9, 2023
Thoughts
This group as a whole did well, but like many, can be better. Josh Simmons didn’t start the game very well but made strides in-game and cleaned up some of his issues. The penalties on him hurt, so he’s really got to focus on that. Carson Hinzman had a hold also, so Simmons wasn’t the only culprit. I wonder if moving Josh Fryar back to the left side would help him out. The need is ther to develop a nasty streak and I don’t think that would hurt either.
Around the conference
Michigan State's Mel Tucker has been suspended, without pay.
Here's Alan Haller's full opening statement.
💻: https://t.co/iHPLhfWYkT pic.twitter.com/hczXQdHw6y
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 10, 2023
Thoughts
The transition to the Luke Fickell era for Wisconsin hit a road bump, as the Badgers fell to Washington State. Illinois, who was a dark horse West division contender, got beat soundly at Kansas. Chaos in Michigan State with head coach Mel Tucker, while Nebraska’s matt rhule is experiencing early troubles in Lincoln after losing to Colorado and starting 0-2.
Penn State looks to have found a big time quarterback in drew allar and we wonder if the Buckeyes missed out on the Ohioan? Michigan won easily against UNLV and — though not in the conference — so did Notre Dame. That leads me to think about the upcoming schedule …
This team isn’t championship caliber…
What's the best thing about 2️⃣ – 0️⃣ ❓ pic.twitter.com/4VnYd9pjOG
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 9, 2023
Thoughts
Yet. The pieces are there for this to be another Buckeye team that makes the College Football Playoff. They aren’t nearly close to being a contender, there needs to be some growth and fast. The Irish trip looms in two Saturdays, so this coming game against Western Kentucky is very important. There are lots of units this team can improve on, but the talent is there.
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