All right, I've been putting this off for too long.
I'm finally looking back at the Michigan game to see what went wrong, and what trends could affect Ohio State moving forward into whatever bowl game it plays.
Here's the notes on the first quarter.
First quarter
Defense
Michigan’s gameplay was set against Ohio State’s defense. And it was the exact opposite of what the Buckeyes were planning to do: run the ball first with a pass accessory. But the goal was the same: keep the offense on schedule.
That started immediately. Michigan was getting consistent third down and short yardage situations, with Hassan Haskins bursting through for 15-plus-yard gains in two of those situations on the first drive. When Michigan didn’t run the ball, it passed horizontally, mimicking the Ohio State approach targeting receivers in the flat or on the curl and allowing them to do work in the space given. It was enough to help A.J. Henning score the first TD of the day, with QB Cade McNamara faking the throw to Haskins in the flat, handing the ball off in his left hand to start the end around with all the Ohio State defenders looking the other way.
The Buckeyes were fooled Saturday. That first drive was the start of something that would continue for the entire game.
And it started again in the first play of the second drive with McNamara lacing one into a soft spot in Ohio State’s zone for a 24-yard gain, but seemingly thwarted by an interception by Ohio State S Bryson Shaw, a simple reading of McNamara’s eyes to see where the ball was going.
Offense
The first drive for the Ohio State offense was very representative of how its day would go.
On the first play, QB C.J. Stroud stepped up trying to change the play, but instead getting a snap from C Luke Wypler.
The second play, Stroud saw a level of rush he’s never really faced before, seeing Michigan LB Junior Colson in his face immediately and overthrowing WR Garrett Wilson.
And on the third play, with a third down and long situation, Stroud tried to force the ball downfield into double-coverage.
Three-and-out. Michigan’s strategy worked.
When the Ohio State run game found a bit of rhythm and the methodical offense returned, a drop in the end zone by WR Chris Olave on a late through by Stroud, a false start by WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a sack by Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson kept the Buckeyes, you guessed it, off schedule.
What this means for Ohio State
Really, for both sides of the ball, the trend of the drive comes from Ohio State’s success on first and second down.
Defensively, can Ohio State keep opponents from four-yard gains, whether it’s in the pass or run game, disrupting the original schedule.
Offensively, can Ohio State use the horizontal pass or run game to get average more than four yards in those situations, not putting pressure on Stroud to make a play?
Whoever Ohio State has next, that will be the focus: letting first and second down dictate the path to success of the Buckeyes.
I'm finally looking back at the Michigan game to see what went wrong, and what trends could affect Ohio State moving forward into whatever bowl game it plays.
Here's the notes on the first quarter.
First quarter
Defense
Michigan’s gameplay was set against Ohio State’s defense. And it was the exact opposite of what the Buckeyes were planning to do: run the ball first with a pass accessory. But the goal was the same: keep the offense on schedule.
That started immediately. Michigan was getting consistent third down and short yardage situations, with Hassan Haskins bursting through for 15-plus-yard gains in two of those situations on the first drive. When Michigan didn’t run the ball, it passed horizontally, mimicking the Ohio State approach targeting receivers in the flat or on the curl and allowing them to do work in the space given. It was enough to help A.J. Henning score the first TD of the day, with QB Cade McNamara faking the throw to Haskins in the flat, handing the ball off in his left hand to start the end around with all the Ohio State defenders looking the other way.
The Buckeyes were fooled Saturday. That first drive was the start of something that would continue for the entire game.
And it started again in the first play of the second drive with McNamara lacing one into a soft spot in Ohio State’s zone for a 24-yard gain, but seemingly thwarted by an interception by Ohio State S Bryson Shaw, a simple reading of McNamara’s eyes to see where the ball was going.
Offense
The first drive for the Ohio State offense was very representative of how its day would go.
On the first play, QB C.J. Stroud stepped up trying to change the play, but instead getting a snap from C Luke Wypler.
The second play, Stroud saw a level of rush he’s never really faced before, seeing Michigan LB Junior Colson in his face immediately and overthrowing WR Garrett Wilson.
And on the third play, with a third down and long situation, Stroud tried to force the ball downfield into double-coverage.
Three-and-out. Michigan’s strategy worked.
When the Ohio State run game found a bit of rhythm and the methodical offense returned, a drop in the end zone by WR Chris Olave on a late through by Stroud, a false start by WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a sack by Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson kept the Buckeyes, you guessed it, off schedule.
What this means for Ohio State
Really, for both sides of the ball, the trend of the drive comes from Ohio State’s success on first and second down.
Defensively, can Ohio State keep opponents from four-yard gains, whether it’s in the pass or run game, disrupting the original schedule.
Offensively, can Ohio State use the horizontal pass or run game to get average more than four yards in those situations, not putting pressure on Stroud to make a play?
Whoever Ohio State has next, that will be the focus: letting first and second down dictate the path to success of the Buckeyes.
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