2024 Ohio State Football

[Zahns Corner]

Zahn, here is a good article in regards to your question for red. Looks like Johnson is holding him back trotting out that four man front and not letting him use the jack. Day will have to shake things up eventually between those guys if he wants to keep his job.
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/ ... owles-2024.

Interesting read. Both Sawyer and Tuimoloau have had a few monster games in the past. I can see a philosophical schism, but as to use of a jack or roving back, is Ohio States line backing Corp just so lacking in coverage ability they use the DE's in pass coverage instead of pass rush? I am just guessing, I don't think anyone has the answer.

[Zahns Corner]

Ohio State hosts Nebraska this Saturday for a noon kick on Fox.

The Buckeyes should win by two to three scores, so the main interest will be seeing if OSU can gin up any pressure on Nebraska's QB and how well Zen Michalski holds up as a replacement in the injured Josh Simmons offensive tackle spot.

[cbolt]

My gawd! Last week it was defense now this week it's the offense. Howard having his worst game and that line is hot garbage! Can this team beat the Kittens next week? I'm having my doubts!

[Geronimo]

OSU struggled !!!

[9.5 INCHES]

Never thought I would say this but after seeing this clunker my boys might have a better chance than I thought. You all would love to see them 4-peat, go luckeyes!

[Zahns Corner]

My gawd! Last week it was defense now this week it's the offense. Howard having his worst game and that line is hot garbage! Can this team beat the Kittens next week? I'm having my doubts!

Howard was 13 of 16 for 221 yds with 3 TDs against 1 Int. The interception was awful and Howard missed some reads, but he did engineer a winning come from behind drive, so all in all not a bad outing. He just is not gifted enough to carry a team to a championship on his own .

States' defense while not lockdown, did get a key 4th and goal stop and either held the Huskers to FG's and got off the field at the end. That and multiple tackles for loss. Defense was not the problem.

Also lost in the discussion is giving Nebraska its due. Rhule coached a hell of a game and their players executed until late in the fourth quarter. Also the Huskers got jobbed on a couple OPIs. The Cornhuskers deserved to win.

Which brings me back to other observations:

Ohio States line play Is substandard for the fourth straight year. Coaching? Recruiting? Player development? All of the above?

Finally, I think we have to ask is Ohio State's talent really that good in athleticism ? Aside from the wide receivers, States' players look no better than their opponents in terms of speed, strength and quickness?

The Buckeyes are still a good football team, but a program with flaws. The common denominator going back to 2021 is the inability to be dominant on both sides of the line of scrimmage which is on the Head Coach. I am a Ryan Day fan, but I get the feeling his days are numbered. We are in year 13 of the Meyer/Day regime. Changing coaches may not be an automatic improvement, but doing the same things over and over again but expecting different results is one definition of insanity. Ohio State just might need a leadership change to get energy back into the program.

[cbolt]

I wrote that in frustration shortly after the int. he threw. After the game I looked at the numbers and I realized he did a pretty good job, considering the poor line play and hardly any rushing game to help out. It wasn't pretty esp. after seeing Indiana totally destroy the same team the week before. One bright spot was the defense. I and others were critical of them last week but I'll give them credit when they deserve it and today they saved the day. A win is a win, onto Mt. Nittany to visit the Kittens!

[LICKING COUNTY FAN]

Inconsistent

[Zahns Corner]

#4 Ohio State (6-1) [3-1] vs. # 3 Penn State (7-0) [4-0]

Ohio State faces elimination from the Big 10 championship race as they travel to Happy Valley to face undefeated Penn State. The Lions have talent across the board and seemed to have gotten over the hump of past James Franklin coaching blunders. PSU may not have a 100% healthy Drew Allar at QB, but his back up, Beau Pribula may be a bigger threat to Ohio State with his dual threat ability.

As to Ohio State, their championship or bust season is close to busting. There is something clearly wrong in Columbus with the offensive line, running game, team consistency and focus. Maybe they can right the ship and pull out a close win on the road at State College. Maybe they will collapse as a team and get blown out. No outcome would be surprising.

[cbolt]

I don't see them getting blown out but another loss wouldn't surprise me if the blocking and running game doesn't improve. Going out on a very flimsy limb here but I'll say TOSU 24 - PSU 21

[cbolt]

And improve it did! I see why Day went out and got Will Howard now. The mental toughness and the way he kept his composure after that pick six was impressive! The reworked offensive line surprised today by dominating the line of scrimmage. The game clinching block by Judkins on the Howard keeper. The defense showed up for the second week in row after that embarrassment in Eugene. The pick in the end zone and the goal line stand were epic moments for the defense. Great day to be a Buckeye! What do you think of that, inches? Lol. The Indiana game is looking huuuge!

[Zahns Corner]

Well the Buckeyes found the wherewithal to overcome inconsistent prior performances, self inflicted mistakes, and a hostile environment to defeat Penn State 20-13. OSU won the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and the revamped offensive line became dominant as the game progressed. Maybe, just maybe, the Bucks have found the chemistry to start and reach their potential. PSU is not Georgia or Oregon, but the Bucks performance is a positive to build on.

[Geronimo]

Beat a Good Penn State team !!!

[Zahns Corner]

State 45 Purdue 0.

Not really awe inspiring but a solid win.

[cbolt]

One more practice game then the biggest battle of all!!

[Zahns Corner]

Well Northwestern proved to be a bit more than a practice game, giving the Buckeyes some problems before falling 31-7.

Again Ohio State demonstrated moments of devastating dominance in all phases of the game. Then there were moments of meh in first quarter where Northwestern dominated taking a 7-0 lead.

With Cinderella Indiana (10-0) coming to Columbus, the Bucks will need four quarters of dominance to defeat the Hoosiers and have a chance to play for a conference championship.

[Geronimo]

:Indiana vs Ohio State very interesting matchup !!!

[Zahns Corner]

Well, Ohio State's championship aspirations took a serious blow.

Seth McLaughin, the anchor of Ohio State's offensive line at center, is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footb ... er-report/

[cbolt]

Another great game from Will Howard. He's been rock solid all year. Defense after the first possession started bringing the house at Rourke and Indiana was never the same. Kind of wish they would have just taken a knee at the end. Henderson would have been better off scoring than trying to score after that. Oh well, still an impressive win. Now Day gets the game he been wanting the most of all. I imagine his intensity will be through the roof this week

[smurray]

Another great game from Will Howard. He's been rock solid all year. Defense after the first possession started bringing the house at Rourke and Indiana was never the same. Kind of wish they would have just taken a knee at the end. Henderson would have been better off scoring than trying to score after that. Oh well, still an impressive win. Now Day gets the game he been wanting the most of all. I imagine his intensity will be through the roof this week

It’s now officially Xichigan week. The intensity better be off the chart.