Each week, I'll be writing 10 thoughts to start Monday morning. Most will be about Ohio State, some will be about the Big Ten and college football as a whole and at least one will showcase my love of music.
Here's my first 10 thoughts this week.
1. Tulsa’s first offensive drive against Ohio State showed me a lot on what needs to be fixed. Despite a good start from the Ohio State defense — forcing a pass incompletion and a one-yard rush by Deneric Prince — the Buckeyes collapsed on their first third down of the game. Despite using two high safeties for the first time all season, Tulsa quarterback Davis Brin found Sam Crawford Jr. wide open in the middle of the field for an 11-yard gain. Brin took advantage of wide-open receivers throughout that first drive: a 12-yard gain for tight end Ethan Hall where three Ohio State defenders were forced to crash around the curl, an 18-yard pass out to Prince wide open in the flat, an 18-yard third-down conversion to Juancarlos Santana — one of three third down conversions in the first Golden Hurricane drive. Palaie Gaoteote made the final stop on third down leading to a 33-yard Tulsa field goal, but Tulsa gashed this defense for 81 yards on 16 plays in 6:30. As Ohio State continues to see better and better offenses, those 16-play drives are not going to end in field goals.
2. But while the defense still has issues, there’s promising talent still there. As I think about the game, I keep going back to Cameron Martinez. He was a name I heard a lot in my last job covering high school football in metro Detroit. I kept hearing about this Ohio State commit from Muskegon that was a force on both sides of the ball at quarterback and defensive back. He was Michigan’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year in 2019, leading the Big Reds to a Division 3 state final appearance. Saturday, he was the bright spot for a defense that didn’t find much success, bringing in three pass breakups and an interception returned for a touchdown. While the Ohio State defensive core seems to be in the middle of growing pains, there is a youth movement there, utilizing players like Denzel Burke and JT Tuimoloau that could be impactful for years.
3. Speaking of a youth movement, look at Ohio State’s quarterback room. CJ Stroud is 19. Each of his direct backups are either redshirt freshman or true freshman — Jack Miller III, Kyle McCord and Quinn Ewers. Yes, Stroud had a rough afternoon against Tulsa, completing 15-of-25 pass attempts for 185 yards with one touchdown and one interception. In comparison, his passer rating against the Golden Hurricanes was 51.5, compared to J.T. Barrett’s 58.8 rating against Virginia Tech in 2014. But it’s not like Ohio State has a veteran option to replace Stroud if he continues to struggle. The Buckeyes would still have to develop someone up, something that gets much harder as conference play lingers.
4. Here’s a freshman that there’s no need to develop. Ohio State punter Jesse Mirco has been a star in each of the past two weeks. In his past six punts, the Fremantle, Australia native averaged 48.3 yards per punt, pinning five inside the 20-yard line and one for more than 50 yards. Mirco is in midseason form replacing Drue Chrisman, who was a three-time All-Conference honoree in an Ohio State uniform.
5. Here’s a quick look at who Ohio State is facing Saturday. Akron: Oh boy, the Zips are not very good at football. Coming into Week 4 with a record of 1-2, Akron has only scored an average of 23 points per game and allows an average of nearly 40. While Zips backs average 3.3 yards per carry, opponents average 5.4 and have scored eight touchdowns. The passing offense has completed over 71% of its pass attempts for an average of 226 yards per game with eight touchdowns. There is more to come on what Akron could bring, but here’s the number that matters: Ohio State opened as 54-point favorites.
6. Speaking of gambling, I’m betting on Michigan’s offense to remain consistent. I know, and I’m sorry. I had to say something. Yes, I know the Wolverines haven’t played anybody, but the numbers are still so dang impressive. Michigan currently holds the No. 1 team offense in the Big Ten, averaging 47 points per game while recording 19 touchdowns and only three field goals. The Wolverines have been incredibly efficient so far against Northern Illinois, Washington and Western Michigan recording 19 touchdowns in 32 total drives: nearly 60%. We’ll learn a lot about the Wolverines in Week 4, taking on the Big Ten’s No. 1 defense: a Wisconsin unit that allows 201 yards per game.
7. Here’s a performance Saturday that should worry Ohio State. Does the name Tagovailoa ring a bell? Tua’s younger brother Taulia Tagovailoa is balling out at quarterback for 3-0 Maryland, which received votes in both the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll ahead of Week 4. Here are the junior’s numbers through three games: 75.5% completion rating for 956 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. The Terrapins’ No. 1 pass offense against the Buckeyes’ No. 13 pass defense in Week 6? That’s really the first real test to see if any change has really happened in the Ohio State defensive room.
8. One more thing about the Akron game: this isn’t going to teach Ohio State anything at all if it goes how it was supposed to. It was scheduled to be a stretch of confidence boosters post-Oregon, refining mistakes made against the Ducks against the bottom of the barrel — Tulsa and Akron — before Big Ten play officially kicks off for good. Instead, I’m not sure what you can take from a win against Akron. If the defense looks better, it should be, scoring nine touchdowns all season, including a 60-10 loss to Auburn in Week 1. It’s a tune up game for the offense, trying to find the balance that’s eluded them for the past three games, but there’s likely no way of telling if it’s capable of being consistent heading into conference play. If it’s a closer game than expected, if Akron holds a lead for any substantial amount of time or comes within three touchdowns, then we can have another conversation.
9. If we’re still talking about impressive performances, take a look at this. I’m sure you saw this interception by Oklahoma defensive back DJ Graham. But if you haven’t, let me indulge you. Let me set the scene: it’s 4th-and-18 in the fourth quarter of a two-touchdown game against Nebraska with just over eight minutes to go. Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez is rushed from the pocket, steps up, runs to the right and throws in stride, a prayer of sorts. Instead of landing in the hands of wide receiver Levi Falck for a first down, Graham dives in front of the Nebraska receiver, reaches up like an outfielder trying to grab a home-run ball and secures the interception. He grabbed the ball with ONE HAND FOLKS. As soon as I saw it yesterday, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, through the Ohio State/Tulsa game, my drive home, when I woke up Sunday morning. The play was unreal, a showcase of athleticism that can’t really be replicated. It’s probably the best play I’ve seen in years. You can be sure that this play will be on a loop in the Sooners football practice facility for years to come.
10. For my last thought, I thought I’d be a music nerd. Music is a huge passion of mine, and I love sharing bands and songs with people. Each week, I’ll provide a song recommendation and a reason behind why you should listen. This week, my pick is “Family Friends” by Wild Pink. Wild Pink is a New York-based indie rock band that put out my favorite record of the year called “A Billion Little Lights,” mixing infectious hooks with an incredible use of the pedal steel guitar. I spent my first Sunday back in Columbus at Rumba Cafe on Summit seeing this band perform with less than 30 people in the crowd, and it was GLORIOUS.
Here's my first 10 thoughts this week.
1. Tulsa’s first offensive drive against Ohio State showed me a lot on what needs to be fixed. Despite a good start from the Ohio State defense — forcing a pass incompletion and a one-yard rush by Deneric Prince — the Buckeyes collapsed on their first third down of the game. Despite using two high safeties for the first time all season, Tulsa quarterback Davis Brin found Sam Crawford Jr. wide open in the middle of the field for an 11-yard gain. Brin took advantage of wide-open receivers throughout that first drive: a 12-yard gain for tight end Ethan Hall where three Ohio State defenders were forced to crash around the curl, an 18-yard pass out to Prince wide open in the flat, an 18-yard third-down conversion to Juancarlos Santana — one of three third down conversions in the first Golden Hurricane drive. Palaie Gaoteote made the final stop on third down leading to a 33-yard Tulsa field goal, but Tulsa gashed this defense for 81 yards on 16 plays in 6:30. As Ohio State continues to see better and better offenses, those 16-play drives are not going to end in field goals.
2. But while the defense still has issues, there’s promising talent still there. As I think about the game, I keep going back to Cameron Martinez. He was a name I heard a lot in my last job covering high school football in metro Detroit. I kept hearing about this Ohio State commit from Muskegon that was a force on both sides of the ball at quarterback and defensive back. He was Michigan’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year in 2019, leading the Big Reds to a Division 3 state final appearance. Saturday, he was the bright spot for a defense that didn’t find much success, bringing in three pass breakups and an interception returned for a touchdown. While the Ohio State defensive core seems to be in the middle of growing pains, there is a youth movement there, utilizing players like Denzel Burke and JT Tuimoloau that could be impactful for years.
3. Speaking of a youth movement, look at Ohio State’s quarterback room. CJ Stroud is 19. Each of his direct backups are either redshirt freshman or true freshman — Jack Miller III, Kyle McCord and Quinn Ewers. Yes, Stroud had a rough afternoon against Tulsa, completing 15-of-25 pass attempts for 185 yards with one touchdown and one interception. In comparison, his passer rating against the Golden Hurricanes was 51.5, compared to J.T. Barrett’s 58.8 rating against Virginia Tech in 2014. But it’s not like Ohio State has a veteran option to replace Stroud if he continues to struggle. The Buckeyes would still have to develop someone up, something that gets much harder as conference play lingers.
4. Here’s a freshman that there’s no need to develop. Ohio State punter Jesse Mirco has been a star in each of the past two weeks. In his past six punts, the Fremantle, Australia native averaged 48.3 yards per punt, pinning five inside the 20-yard line and one for more than 50 yards. Mirco is in midseason form replacing Drue Chrisman, who was a three-time All-Conference honoree in an Ohio State uniform.
5. Here’s a quick look at who Ohio State is facing Saturday. Akron: Oh boy, the Zips are not very good at football. Coming into Week 4 with a record of 1-2, Akron has only scored an average of 23 points per game and allows an average of nearly 40. While Zips backs average 3.3 yards per carry, opponents average 5.4 and have scored eight touchdowns. The passing offense has completed over 71% of its pass attempts for an average of 226 yards per game with eight touchdowns. There is more to come on what Akron could bring, but here’s the number that matters: Ohio State opened as 54-point favorites.
6. Speaking of gambling, I’m betting on Michigan’s offense to remain consistent. I know, and I’m sorry. I had to say something. Yes, I know the Wolverines haven’t played anybody, but the numbers are still so dang impressive. Michigan currently holds the No. 1 team offense in the Big Ten, averaging 47 points per game while recording 19 touchdowns and only three field goals. The Wolverines have been incredibly efficient so far against Northern Illinois, Washington and Western Michigan recording 19 touchdowns in 32 total drives: nearly 60%. We’ll learn a lot about the Wolverines in Week 4, taking on the Big Ten’s No. 1 defense: a Wisconsin unit that allows 201 yards per game.
7. Here’s a performance Saturday that should worry Ohio State. Does the name Tagovailoa ring a bell? Tua’s younger brother Taulia Tagovailoa is balling out at quarterback for 3-0 Maryland, which received votes in both the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll ahead of Week 4. Here are the junior’s numbers through three games: 75.5% completion rating for 956 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. The Terrapins’ No. 1 pass offense against the Buckeyes’ No. 13 pass defense in Week 6? That’s really the first real test to see if any change has really happened in the Ohio State defensive room.
8. One more thing about the Akron game: this isn’t going to teach Ohio State anything at all if it goes how it was supposed to. It was scheduled to be a stretch of confidence boosters post-Oregon, refining mistakes made against the Ducks against the bottom of the barrel — Tulsa and Akron — before Big Ten play officially kicks off for good. Instead, I’m not sure what you can take from a win against Akron. If the defense looks better, it should be, scoring nine touchdowns all season, including a 60-10 loss to Auburn in Week 1. It’s a tune up game for the offense, trying to find the balance that’s eluded them for the past three games, but there’s likely no way of telling if it’s capable of being consistent heading into conference play. If it’s a closer game than expected, if Akron holds a lead for any substantial amount of time or comes within three touchdowns, then we can have another conversation.
9. If we’re still talking about impressive performances, take a look at this. I’m sure you saw this interception by Oklahoma defensive back DJ Graham. But if you haven’t, let me indulge you. Let me set the scene: it’s 4th-and-18 in the fourth quarter of a two-touchdown game against Nebraska with just over eight minutes to go. Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez is rushed from the pocket, steps up, runs to the right and throws in stride, a prayer of sorts. Instead of landing in the hands of wide receiver Levi Falck for a first down, Graham dives in front of the Nebraska receiver, reaches up like an outfielder trying to grab a home-run ball and secures the interception. He grabbed the ball with ONE HAND FOLKS. As soon as I saw it yesterday, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, through the Ohio State/Tulsa game, my drive home, when I woke up Sunday morning. The play was unreal, a showcase of athleticism that can’t really be replicated. It’s probably the best play I’ve seen in years. You can be sure that this play will be on a loop in the Sooners football practice facility for years to come.
10. For my last thought, I thought I’d be a music nerd. Music is a huge passion of mine, and I love sharing bands and songs with people. Each week, I’ll provide a song recommendation and a reason behind why you should listen. This week, my pick is “Family Friends” by Wild Pink. Wild Pink is a New York-based indie rock band that put out my favorite record of the year called “A Billion Little Lights,” mixing infectious hooks with an incredible use of the pedal steel guitar. I spent my first Sunday back in Columbus at Rumba Cafe on Summit seeing this band perform with less than 30 people in the crowd, and it was GLORIOUS.
