MY THOUGHTS.....Miami

 

The issues that cropped up during the B1G Championship game loos to Indiana reared their ugly head once again in Dallas as the Ohio State Buckeyes crashed and burned against the Miami Hurricanes, ending their season.

                The Buckeyes fell into an early hole they were unable to get out of.  The offensive line issues were completely exposed as Julian Sayin was sacked five times and threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.  The well-coached Miami defense came in with a plan and executed that plan, holding the Ohio State offense to a paltry 1.88 yards per carry on the ground and a sad 45 total yards rushing.  The sad rushing attack managed a mere two runs over ten yards.  Bo Jackson had 55 yards on the ground, and the lone rushing touchdown and C.J. Donaldson managed a couple of decent runs, gaining 31 yards.  Sayin was picked one other time as he ended up with 287 yards through the air and a touchdown throw to Jeremiah Smith.  Smith led the receiving effort with seven catches for 157 yards, perhaps the only bright spot in this dismal performance. 

                The Ohio State defense played well at times but had trouble getting off the field in key third-down situations, particularly in the fourth quarter when a stop could’ve gotten the offense the ball back with a decent chance to pull the game out.  Davison Igbinosun led the defensive effort with ten tackles, while Caleb Downs and Kayden McDonald each had eight.  Eddrick Houston also played well, garnering two sacks and so did Sonny Styles, with two tackles for loss including a sack.

                The Buckeyes thus return home after concluding their season with a 12-2 record.