by Ohio State will be back to full strength tonight after back-to-back games without 20 or more players. That will be huge for the Buckeyes.
Many say playing less games is a huge advantage for the Buckeyes. I would have to disagree.
Sure, less injuries happen which is nice but it is hard to get in a consistent rhythm. We have witnessed that issue this season.
Justin Fields started the season on fire. He was even the front-runner for the Heisman for about three weeks. Then the cancelation of the Maryland game happened and the following week, Fields looked like a different player against Indiana. He made unusual mistakes and threw as many interceptions as he had in his whole OSU career.
Then the game versus Illinois was canceled and Fields did bounce back a bit versus Michigan State before the game versus Michigan was shut down.
In the Big Ten Championship game without Chris Olave, Fields made plays with his feet but struggled passing. Playing football every other week at game speed is difficult for any position, especially for a quarterback. It’s tough to really get in that rhythm you would be used to during the course of a season. That leaves us with a huge question, can Fields find a rhythm tonight?
Trey Sermon carried the offense against Northwestern with a rushing record of 331 yards. Sermon and the offensive line will be the key factor for the Buckeyes. Expect many sets with the tight ends lined up tight and helping open up holes for not only the running backs but Fields with his legs. The Buckeyes must control the time of possession.
On defense it’s all about the front seven. The defensive ends just need to set the edge and collapse the pocket. That will allow Haskell Garrett and Tommy Togiai to go to work up the middle.
Baron Browning is a fast, physical linebacker and I would love to see him sent on the blitz most of the game. Pete Werner is the best linebacker schematically to match up against Travis Etienne, making sure he does not leak out in passing scenarios.
In short yardage situations where a run is almost guaranteed, it is great when Marcus Williamson is pulled off for Justin Hilliard. The front seven then turns into a front eight which gets downhill on a mission. Getting Clemson off the field on third and shorts will be critical.
