The running game can help the passing game…
Justin Fields off play action: 33-35 for 357 yards (10.2 yds/att) and 3 TDpic.twitter.com/FUj0Ge0a72
— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) November 9, 2020
It seems like an old and archaic philosophy to say use the run to set up the pass, but against a very aggressive Wildcats defense, it might be exactly what needs to happen. Northwestern is giving up 3.79 yards per carry and 121.9 yards on the ground per game. If there is a weakness to the defense it is a struggle to stop the run because of an over-anxious attitude. There were several times this season the Northwestern defense overpursued and allowed running backs to pick up yards in chunks.
As Master Teague III and Trey Sermon wear the defense down, it should open up play-action for Fields and the passing game. As long as the Buckeyes stick to running the ball it will force Northwestern to get outside of its comfort zone on defense. As good as the Wildcats have been on that side of the ball, it has not seen an offense like Ohio State.
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