Running the ball shouldn’t be this hard
#Oregon's defense is beating up the Buckeyes at the line of scrimmage without two of its best players … wow.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 11, 2021
Look, I know the offense has evolved a bit under Ryan Day and there’s simply going to be more aggression down the field. I embrace that and I think we all do. But you can look at almost any game Ohio State has played over the last 20 years and when the Buckeyes win the rushing battle, they almost always win the game. That was way out of whack on Saturday.
C.J. Stroud through for over 400 yards through the air, but OSU lost the rushing battle 269 yards to just 128. Oregon gashed the Buckeye defense for 7.1 yards per carry as opposed to just 4.1 for Ohio State. Even more than that, it seemed to take longer in the game before OSU found its ability to be effective on the ground.
Is it fixable?
Yes, but this feels like more of a product with the level of competition. Oregon was good up front and you won’t see that level of play from most teams Ohio State plays. The rushing game will be fine in most games, but there does need to be more of a concerted effort to stay with the rushing attack by the coaching staff. The Buckeyes could have worn down the Oregon defense much earlier in the contest. What really matters is if OSU can improve and be better against quality competition down the road.