The Bye Week

The Ohio State Buckeyes entered their bye week with a 5-1 record, which comes at a key time to heal banged-up players and prepare for a backloaded second half of the season. After the loss to Oregon, the Buckeyes have won the remainder of their games in increasingly dominating fashion, signaling momentum is with them.

 

The defense was dreadful the first two games, giving up a total of 66 points and 913 yards while getting a paltry two sacks and one turnover. Secondary Coach Matt Barnes started calling the defenses against Tulsa, with more Cover 2 and blitzes. Tulsa still put up 501 yards, but there was some progress, including a pick-six. Ohio State’s defense stiffened considerably, forcing seven turnovers against Akron, Rutgers, and Maryland, 24 tackles for loss ,and 15 sacks. In all five wins, Ohio State’s defense has scored a touchdown (five pick-sixes and one fumble return). Ronnie Hickman leads the way in tackles with 50 and he and Craig Young each have two interceptions, and each has returned one of them for a touchdown. The improved defense has seen the likes of Teradja Mitchell, Cody Simon, and Tommy Eichenberg make big plays of their own, as well as Tyleik Williams who leads the team in sacks with four.

Ohio State’s offensive line was expected to be a strength and they have not disappointed. Thus far, they average 1.33 sacks allowed per game, good for 23^rd in the nation and 6.22 yards per carry on running plays, good for 3^rd in the nation. This has paved the way for TreVeyon Henderson’s breakout game against Tulsa and enabled him to be a threat to go all the way every time he gets the ball. Miyan Williams, Master Teague, Marcus Crowley, and Evan Pryor, along with Henderson, have lost only eleven yards combined. No question, C.J. Stroud struggled over the first few weeks as inexperience, a shoulder injury, and pressure combined to produce some ups and downs. After sitting out against Akron, Stroud was unstoppable against Rutgers and Maryland, completing 73 percent of his throws for 736 yards and ten touchdowns against no interceptions. Of course, the competition hasn’t been elite, but it’s clear Stroud has grown tremendously over the last few weeks. In the six games, he’s racked up nearly 1700 yards through the air and 18 touchdowns. Garrett Wilson leads the way with 31 receptions, just ahead of Chris Olave’s 30. Jaxson Smith-Njigba has stepped up his game, becoming a reliable route runner in catching 23 passes.

The back half of the season gets tougher. Indiana has disappointed so far, but Ohio State has to play them in Bloomington next week and the Hoosiers gave undefeated Michigan State a game before losing. Then comes a home tilt against Penn State, which should once again determine the B1G East representative in Indianapolis. They go on the road against Nebraska before a home matchup against Purdue, who just knocked off Iowa. Then, two tough contests to close out the regular season: at home against Michigan State and on the road against Michigan. Ohio State will be favored in all those games and should take care of business if the defense can continue their solid improvement.