MY THOUGHTS.....Illinois

 

Ohio State opened conference play with a 42-19 victory against Illinois, which revealed some strengths and some glaring deficiencies.

  

                The Jeremiah Smith Show…ie the Ohio State offense rolled to the tune of 518 total yards, averaging over seven yards per play, no doubt aided by the 72-yard touchdown pass to Smith, who completely juked Illini defender Mac Resetich and walked into the end zone.  The Jeremiah Smith Show produced a career-high 12 receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns.  The four touchdown receptions tied Ohio State’s school record for touchdown catches in a game, while Julian Sayin also set a career high with five total touchdowns (four passing, one rushing).  Nate Roberts and Devin McCuin also st career highs with four catches a piece, while Bo Jackson caught three passes out of the backfield.  In addition to a couple of timely pickups by Sayin, including a play in which he somehow eluded the grasp of a couple Illinois defensive linemen and scrambled for the first down, Ja’Kobi Jackson led the way with 56 yards and a touchdown on the ground, while Bo Jackson picked up 53 yards and Isaiah West picked up 15 yards on a couple of carries in relief.

                It wasn’t a great day for the Ohio State defense, who seemed to take a step backward in allowing more than 400 yards and a few times lost contain allowing Illini running backs to turn the corner and pick up big yardage.  They allowed the Illini 199 yards on the ground, giving defensive coordinator Matt Patricia some issues to work on going forward.  Jaylen McClain had a good day in the secondary and led the way with eight tackles, while Davin Sanchez and Jermaine Mathews Jr. had seven each.  Riley Pettijohn made his presence felt from the LB spot with a pair of TFLs and a sack, while Beau Atkinson and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. were in the Illini backfield quite a bit and disrupted the Illinois passing game.

                Needless to say, the Sayin-to-Smith duo is unbeatable, but the competition ramps up significantly beginning with next week’s road trip to Iowa.  The run game and the defensive front seven showed they are still works in progress and need to take a step forward starting next week.

GAME 4: Ohio State v Illinois

September 26 Predictions

MY THOUGHTS.....Kent State

 

    

Ohio State’s game against Kent State was a “get well” game after last week.  In some respects, they did “get well”.  Julian Sayin was his usual accurate self, completing over 80 percent of his throws for 241 yards and two scores and Jeremiah Smith became Ohio State’s all-time leader in receiving yards.  The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on each of their first four drives.  The “Hail Mary” at the end of the first half to Brandon Innis was a thing of beauty and the Buckeyes didn’t need an extra second.  Chris Henry Jr. got into the act with a 75-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter and Jamir Perez became probably the heaviest Buckeye to score a touchdown with his 25-yard scoop-and-score.

Bo Jackson led the rushing attack with 73 yards and a touchdown, while Ja’Kobi Jackson scored twice and Isaiah West once.  Jeremiah Smith led the receivers with five catches for 85 yards, while Brandon Innis hauled in four receptions for 78 yards and a score.  Jason Moore and Will Smith Jr. led the way on defense with five tackles a piece and Riley Pettijohn had perhaps his best game with four stops and an interception. 

                 The Ohio State offense was a surprising one-of-eight on third down conversions but converted two-of-four fourth down tries; probably the first time this has happened in such a lopsided game.  Next week, conference play begins as Ohio State hosts Illinois in the ‘Shoe.

GAME 3: Ohio State v Kent State

September 19 Predictions

MY THOUGHTS.....Texas

 

Ohio State built a 20-point lead through three quarters, then became completely undone in losing by one point to the Longhorns in Austin.  It marked the biggest blown lead since October 8, 2011, when the Buckeyes blew a 27-6 lead at Nebraska and lost 34-27. 

                Play calling became a bit predictable once the Buckeyes had built up the lead and the Longhorns were able to tighten their coverage on Jeremiah Smith and the other Ohio State receivers.  It would be too easy to lay the blame on kicker Connor Hawkins as his missed field goal late would’ve made it a two-score game.  The truth is the defense wore down late and were unable to stop Texas, particularly on key third and fourth down situations; any of which would’ve sealed the game for the Buckeyes. 

                Julian Sayin had a good game, at least through three quarters, throwing for 278 yards and a touchdown against one interception.  The “wow” factor of this offense was Jeremiah Smith as he hauled in eight catches for 164 yards and a touchdown.  Bo Jackson showed his versatility out of the backfield, catching four passes for 37 yards.  But, as I mentioned to someone at halftime, I felt that Ohio State should’ve had a larger lead.  Red zone struggles again surfaced, prompting field goals on a couple of occasions when a touchdown could’ve put the game out of reach before halftime. 

                The defense may have been hung out to dry a bit by the stagnant offense in the second half and once they allowed the Longhorns to get their first touchdown, the defense was on their heels the rest of the way.  An inability to get off the field on a few crucial third and fourth downs did them in.  Despite that, I was impressed with the play of senior safety Earl Little Jr., who seemed to be all over the place in leading the defense with 11 tackles.  Payton Pierce also had an impressive game, with nine stops and forcing the fumble on the first play from scrimmage.  Devin Sanchez had eight stops and Jay Timmons six stops as well as the fumble recovery leading to the first Ohio State score of the game.

                Only time will tell how this loss will affect the Buckeyes for the rest of the season.  It is hopeful the team responds as they did in 2014 after losing to Virginia Tech.  The road back begins next week with Kent State.