I know this is the obvious question, but what happened to the team we saw the first half of the season? Originally I assumed it was just the result of facing better defenses. But outside of Iowa, that isn’t really true.

I know everyone is wondering the same thing. Was just surprised looking at the numbers when compared to the rush defense rankings. I have to imagine injuries are accounting for at least some of it.

Rutgers - 12th Rushing Defense
250 Yds Rushing - 7.4 YPC

Wisconsin - 24th Rushing Defense
250 Yds Rushing - 6.0 YPC

Notre Dame - 50th Rushing Defense
172 Yds Rushing - 4.9 YPC

——————————

Iowa - 11th Rushing Defense
66 Yds Rushing - 2.2 YPC

Penn State - 57th Rushing Defense
98 Yds Rushing - 3.8 YPC

Northwestern - 110th Rushing Defense
131 Yds Rushing - 4.7 YPC (Not Including CJ)

Login to view embedded media
Jon Diebler and Greg Oden are joining Thad Matta's staff at Butler

I came into this season 100% confident we were going to absolutely destroy Michigan and win the National Championship. 9 weeks into the season I’m at about 60%.

For as brilliant as Day is when it comes to passing concepts he seems just loss when it comes to good run design plays and I’m guessing Alford and Frye don’t have much answers either.

Yesterday was my first time questioning what Knowles was doing. Northwestern was out there with 6 linemen and 2 tightends that look like lineman and the rb in as the wildcat qb just telling him it’s a run and Knowles still has the 4-2-5 out there. He did adjust but why did it take so long?

The inside scoop on Damon Wilson's visit to UGA over the weekend:

Some thoughts on what’s been good, what’s been bad and how the Buckeyes can be more efficient running the ball.

Do we know when Indiana game time will be?

I try to look at things "Glass half full". I think Ohio State is still a great team and I think while they have issues, I guess I have this weird thing in my brain where I feel like it will still come together when needed. Almost like since the Bye they just haven't really cared or just haven't gotten back into a groove.

So I ask you, fellow Ohio State Internet people - do YOU think they can get things going? Whether its - Yes we can run the ball but we must pass to run or No - We can't run, Doom is coming. Personally, I don't believe the team is soft. We were all praising them when they ran down ND's throat when they had to. I think there are some injuries, scheme issues and overall a lack of focus. But I am curious what do YOU all think. I will not knock you if you are doom and gloom, its just your opinion after all and you just had to read mine so fair is fair.

Certainly impacted how each team called the game.

Into the wind
Ohio State : 32 plays, 139 yards (4.3 yards per play)
Passing: 3-9, 21 yards
Rushing: 23 carries, 118 yards (5.1 avg), 1 TD
71 percent run, 29 percent pass

Northwestern: 35 plays, 93 yards (2.6 yards per play)
Passing: 2-2, 7 yards
Rushing: 33 carries, 80 yards (2.4 avg)
94 percent run, 6 percent pass

With the wind
Ohio State: 28 plays, 134 yards (4.8 yards per play)
Passing: 7-17, 55 yards
Rushing: 11 carries, 93 yards (8.5 avg), 2 TD
40 percent run, 60 percent pass

Northwestern: 41 plays, 192 yards (4.7 yards per play)
Passing: 8-15, 66 yards
Rushing: 26 carries, 126 yards (4.8 avg), 1 TD
63 percent run, 37 percent pass

Thought I would get the thread going. I’m going to the game today early weather looks like we may be good with no rain however it’s windy as hell! Go Bucks!

I'm trying to measure this because I think you three guys who cover this team on this site are some of the best on the beat.

I think the criticism of the oline / running game / offense was completely fair in the re-watch podcast, but has the coverage become almost exclusively negative and permeates your analysis of the entire undefeated team? I'm trying to understand how you, @Birm , believe that guys who have had a year like JT, Harrison, and Mike Hall don't believe they're going to dominate? I get you guys are frustrated with the rotation, but the starting unit up front has been dominant this year.

I do agree none of this matters until NOV 26th, but that has been true all year. They laid an egg on Saturday, but where is the college football champion who hasn't? Still won by 14 and set the FBS record for consecutive games scoring more than 20 points in a game. Not asking for sunshine and rainbows, but isn't there a middle ground where we can celebrate the excellence of jesse mirco?

If they come out against indiana and look this dysfunctional, then i guess all this is moot, but to date they're undefeated and have won every game by double digits. Just some food for thought, understanding that it's probably unpopular.

So who could be a potential replacement or candidate at Guard that may improve our running game ? We need nasty back !

Three thoughts on the win at Northwestern: On the run game, C.J. Stroud and the defense.

Freshman sensation for buckeyes wrestling team took first place at Michigan st open by beating #5 ranked Lucas Byrd in the finals

I know we have talked about how stupid the AP Poll is but I find this hilarious this week.

The AP voter Stephen Hargis saw what happened in the game in Columbus and dropped
Ohio State from 3 to 5....fine whatever I guess...
BUT he dropped ND from 8 to 18!

Two Voters have Ohio State at #1
Adam Grosbard and Bob Asmussen
They seem smart!

Another crazy one is that 1 person has Sparty at #6 while two have them completely unranked.

Insane how these voters(I know they don't actually watch the games) can vote so differently.

If Iowa showed the conference how to slow down our offense; NW is showing how to use old school running game (with mobile qb) how to beat our D.

we can’t get off the field. Their qb (who is not as good as michigans qb) makes just enough plays w his legs. They run the clock down to zero on every play to shorten the game. And their running back play tough.

This OSU team (and the coaching schemes) are very beatable. I understand, “survive and advance, but the B10 coaches have figured out Ohio State

We just haven’t quite run into a team with equal players. Better get out act together soon.

So Bama has two losses LSU has two losses they both in my opinion should both be out of the playoffs! Clemson should be out! You have Georgia, OSU, Xichigan, TCU, undefeated! Oregon, USC, Tennessee, and Clemson with one loss if I was to rank them my top 10
1. Georgia
2. OhioState
3. Xichigan
4. TCU
5. Tennessee
6. Oregon
7. USC
8. LSU
9. Bama
10. Clemson

Just found this interesting. It seems Alabama is having similar issues with their run game as Ohio State. Statistically it looks like the best in the country, but it’s been getting shut down against decent/good run defenses. I know OLine was their biggest concern coming into this year.

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media

…

On the Marvin Harrison Jr.-C.J. Stroud connection, the defense allowing big plays, a fun matchup to watch on Saturday and more.

WEEK 10​

Wednesday, Nov. 2

Central Michigan at Northern Illinois | 7 p.m. | ESPNU
Western Michigan at Bowling Green | 7 p.m. | ESPN2

Thursday, Nov. 3

UTEP at Rice | 7 p.m. | CBSSN
Appalachian State at Coastal Carolina | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Nov. 4

UMass at UConn | 7 p.m. | CBSSN
Duke at Boston College | 7 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 23 Oregon State at Washington | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Saturday, Nov. 5

Air Force vs. Army (Arlington, Texas) | 11:30 a.m. | CBS
No. 2 Ohio State at Northwestern | 12 p.m. | ABC
Texas Tech at No. 7 TCU | 12 p.m. | FOX
Iowa at Purdue | 12 p.m. | FS1
Kentucky at Missouri | 12 p.m. | SEC Network
Maryland at Wisconsin | 12 p.m. | Big Ten Network
No. 17 North Carolina at Virginia | 12 p.m. | ACC Network
Minnesota at Nebraska | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 19 Tulane at Tulsa | 12 p.m. | ESPNU
Florida at Texas A&M | 12 p.m. | ESPN
Western Kentucky at Charlotte | 12 p.m. | CBSSN
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN3
South Florida at Temple | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Marshall at Old Dominion | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Baylor at Oklahoma | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Georgia State at Southern Miss | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Middle Tennessee at Louisiana Tech | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
No. 1 Tennessee at No. 3 Georgia | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
No. 8 Oregon at Colorado | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
No. 15 Penn State at Indiana | 3:30 p.m. | ABC
No. 20 Syracuse at Pitt | 3:30 p.m. | ACC Network
No. 18 Oklahoma State at Kansas | 3:30 p.m. | FS1
Michigan State at No. 16 Illinois | 3:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Washington State at Stanford | 3:30 p.m. | Pac-12 Network
No. 25 UCF at Memphis | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2
West Virginia at Iowa State | 3:30 p.m. | Big 12/ESPN+
New Mexico at Utah State | 3:30 p.m. | CBSSN
UTSA at UAB | 3:30 p.m. | Stadium
Liberty at Arkansas | 4 p.m. | SEC Network
Navy at Cincinnati | 4 p.m. | ESPNU
South Alabama at Georgia Southern | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
FIU at North Texas | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Troy at Louisiana | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Texas State at UL Monroe | 5 p.m. | ESPN3
Arizona at No. 14 Utah | 6:30 p.m. | Pac-12 Networks
No. 6 Alabama at No. 10 LSU | 7 p.m. | ESPN
No. 24 Texas at No. 13 Kansas State | 7 p.m. | FS1
No. 5 Michigan at Rutgers | 7 p.m. | Big Ten Network
UNLV at San Diego State | 7 p.m. | CBSSN
Houston at SMU | 7 p.m. | NFL Network
BYU at Boise State | 7:05 p.m. | FS2
No. 4 Clemson at Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock
South Carolina at Vanderbilt | 7:30 p.m. | SEC Network
Auburn at Mississippi State | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2
James Madison at Louisville | 7:30 p.m. | ESPNU
Florida State at Miami (Fla.) | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
No. 21 Wake Forest at No. 22 NC State | 8 p.m. | ACC Network
Cal at No. 9 USC | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN
No. 12 UCLA at Arizona State | 10:30 p.m. | FS1
Hawai'i at Fresno State | 10:30 p.m. | FS2
Colorado State at San Jose State | 10:30 p.m. | MW Network