Carnell Tate and Sonny Styles were the stars as the Buckeyes move to 9-1 and set up a showdown with Indiana
The No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes comfortably defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 31-7 at Wrigley Field to move to 9-1, behind strong performances from Carnell Tate, Sonny Styles, Quinshon Judkins, and a host of others.
Here is who and what we are high and low on after the tenth game of the season for this week’s Stock Market Report.
Blue Chip
Carnell Tate
I don’t have to go into too much detail about why this was a great day for the Chicago native because Ryan Day said it best during and after the game. The Sophomore receiver finished with four catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns and it was impossible not to feel how meaningful that was for him after all he has been through.
Solid Investments
Sonny Styles
In my opinion, this was Sonny Styles’ best game as a linebacker. He was all over the field, registering six total tackles, five solo tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Arvell Reese was great, too, and it really feels like this is a linebacker unit that is finding its stride and the perfect time.
Third quarter efficiency
Ohio State is the best third-quarter team in the country, and that is a positive sign for fans who have defended the coaching staff. That statistic means that the halftime adjustments have been quick and effective all season with the coaching staff, and that is a great advantage to have in your back pocket moving forward.
Junk Bond
The Will Howard deep-ball narrative
After this one, we can start to put to bed the narrative that Will Howard cannot throw the deep ball. He has been one of the best intermediate passers in college football, but the deep pass has not always been there.
I don’t think it is an arm issue; I think he has been aiming the deep ball instead of just letting it go. However, after three good deep balls Saturday, Howard seems to be more settled and ready to let it rip with more confidence moving forward.
Buy/Sell
Buy: Strong running
TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are talented backs, but they are also strong and determined. The offensive line’s run blocking wasn’t great on Saturday, but the two backs kept multiple drives alive by breaking tackles and running over Northwestern defenders. Northwestern has a good run defense, and the Buckeyes ran for over five yards a carry at Wrigley. They will have to continue that against a strong Indiana front seven.
Buy: Meaningful games
In an ideal world, Ohio State has six games left in the season: Indiana, Michigan, and the Big Ten Championship. With a win in the Big Ten Championship, they would have three playoff games to earn the national championship.
Five of these games will be against five of the top 12 teams in the country, and the other one is The Team Up North, and I don’t have to explain how meaningful that game is. This is going to be a fun end to the season and hopefully, it isn’t close to being over.
Sell: Playing at Wrigley Field
I gave it a fair shake, and I did not have a problem with it because I enjoyed the idea, but after the game, I don’t think I liked it. The camera angles were weird, and it did not have the atmosphere I thought it might. I did like the “seventh inning” stretch and the fact that no one got hurt running into the ivy. I am happy for the fans that went as I am sure it was cool, but I am glad it was a one-time thing.
Sell: Finishing sacks
Ohio State has done a good job getting pressure on the quarterback, and they have a high win rate, but guys like Jack Sawyer, C.J. Hicks, and others have to do a better job getting them on the ground. The top quarterbacks in the playoff will make you pay for that.