Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Today’s Question: What does Ohio State most need to continue to do to win the Cotton Bowl?
Jami’s Take: Solid offensive line play
In both of Ohio State’s recent playoff victories, first against Tennessee in mid-December and then against Oregon at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, the Buckeyes have done a spectacular job of taking control early by playing aggressive football and controlling the tempo of the game.
In large part, that’s been because of star players like quarterback Will Howard and his arsenal of talent, especially wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
But a key part of Howard’s ability to lead his team and utilize guys like Smith has been rock-solid performances from the offensive line, something Texas could prove a test for.
Despite being plagued with injuries this year, forcing the coaching staff to reimagine how they are using guys on the o-line, the offensive line looked sturdy and unflappable against both Tennessee and Oregon. Oregon, in particular, has an exceptional defensive line, so the Buckeyes’ ability to give Howard time to make plays, keep him out of pressure situations, and create space for the run game was a critical part of OSU’s Rose Bowl victory.
It will need to continue against Texas on Friday.
Though I believe Oregon’s defensive line is the best Ohio State faced or will potentially face this season, the Longhorns are still formidable defensively. If the Buckeyes’ offensive line gives them any breathing room, it opens the door for Texas to pose a threat.
In particular, the Buckeyes will have to prevent any funny business from Colin Simmons, Texas’ edge rusher who beat out Smith for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award. The freshman has been known to wreak havoc on opposing offenses, logging 44 total tackles this year—including 29 solo tackles—along with nine sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.
In summary, he is a monster, and Ohio State’s offensive line cannot allow the beast to be unleashed.
By keeping Simmons and his teammates away from Will Howard, Ohio State’s offensive line is going to be a key factor in how well Howard is able to connect with his wide receivers. This, in turn, will force the Longhorns to come up with an answer for Smith—something no one has been able to do so far.
Controlling the line of scrimmage also creates opportunities for OSU’s running corps to make big plays. Even if Texas were to, say, find an answer for Smith, the offensive line has the potential to force them to find answers for everybody: Egbuka, Tate, Judkins, Henderson.
From there, the Buckeyes can continue to control the tempo of the game—and the game clock—and wear the defense down.
Not controlling the line of scrimmage, conversely, could have season-ending consequences. With guys like Simmons ready to capitalize on even the smallest error, turning minor mishaps into game-changing turnovers, the Buckeyes need to establish their upper hand early.
The Buckeyes cannot bail Texas out by making it easy for them to pressure the quarterback or shut down the run game, but if we continue to see the level of play we’ve seen from the offensive line through two playoff games, they could just hold the keys to going all the way.
Matt’s Take: Pressure the quarterback
I certainly agree with Jami that Ohio State will need to continue its solid offensive line play to have the best shot at winning, but I think even if the o-line doesn’t play outstanding, the game plan and play callings can help neutralize that. Like, I don’t know that the offensive line has been stellar through the first two games, but they have admirably done what they have been asked to do, and that’s all you can ask at this point.
Personally, I don’t think that there is a defense in the country that doesn’t play on Sundays that can slow down Ohio State’s offense, so the real test will be if the Buckeye defense can continue to be excellent. I believe they will be, but to make that happen, they will need to pressure their old friend Quinn Ewers.
The Texas quarterback has been sacked five times in his team’s first two playoff games, which is not a huge amount, but getting pressure on the former Buckeye is huge. In the playoffs, he has only completed 5-of-14 passes (35.7%) under pressure for a total of 63 yards (4.5 yards per attempt). Those throws have led to zero touchdowns and two interceptions; not an anomaly for Quinn.
On the season, Ewers is just 43-of-82 while under pressure, leading to just 525 yards, 3 TDs, and 4 INTs. I see the Texas offense as being very similar to Indiana’s. Now, it has better talent than the Hoosiers do, but I see them as being similar where they do really well against average to below-average competition but struggle against better defenses.
In six games against teams in the top half of FBS passing defense (Kentucky- 21, Georgia- 38, Oklahoma- 43, Clemson- 53, Michigan- 63), Ewers is 117-for-209 (56%) for 1,407 yards (234.5 ypg), 10 TDs, and 5 INTs. Ohio State has the No. 1 pass defense in the country.
So, if the Silver Bullets can make Quinn — who is still nursing an injured oblique and ankle — the Horns will have to become one-dimensional, and there is no way that Texas’ running game is going to lead them to victory against OSU.
Against Indiana, Jim Knowles called a lot of blitzes to disrupt Kurtis Rourke, but in the first two CFP games, he hasn’t had to because Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams, et. al have been able to generate pressure on their own. Either way, the more time that Buckeyes can spend in the backfield, the better it will be for the team’s chances to punch a ticket to Atlanta to face off against Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish.
Let us know who you are agreeing with: