Ohio State is licking its wounds at halftime against Alabama in the national championship game, down 35-17 at the half.
The game started pretty much like everyone thought where it looked like it would be a shootout. Trey Sermon going down looked like it would be a huge hit for the Buckeyes, but Master Teague has done a solid job replacing him. However, the offense has not been clicking on all cylinders. There are more issues than scoring points though.
The Buckeyes are extremely thin at defensive tackle because of Tommy Togiai not being available, and Taron Vincent going down, which has hurt them in getting consistent pressure on Mac Jones. When they have brought pressure, Jones just checks the ball down and off Alabama goes. The defense has no answer for DeVonta Smith and without pressure, it looks to be a long second half.
To get pressure Ohio State has to find ways to get Baron Browning and Haskell Garrett into favorable matchups and get into the face of Mac Jones. The Buckeyes will have to start using their linebackers smarter as Jones is just using his check-downs to get behind the blitz. Disguising the play and forcing Jones to panic is the best path forward.
To adjust to DaVonta Smith, the Buckeyes need to disguise their coverage better and find ways to divert Smith off the line better. Currently, the Buckeyes are playing off and allowing free releases. Mac Jones is just getting the ball into the playmakers’ hands and letting them make all the plays. Finding a way to get Jones uncomfortable is the easier of the two options to slow down Smith, but even that might involve some voodoo magic.
Mac Jones's 342 yards is the most passing yards a quarterback has recorded in one half of a CFP National Championship Game. DeVonta Smith already has a CFP Championship record with 12 catches. (Previous high was 10.)
— Lori Schmidt (@LoriSchmidt) January 12, 2021
On offense, the Buckeyes have been behind the chains, although the offense has been able to move the ball for the most part. Fields needs to start looking up the seam as Alabama has shown a weakness there. Ryan Day can not panic in the playcalling and let the game come to the Buckeyes one play at a time. There is still time, but slowing down the Alabama offense has to be key adjustment number one.
It’s a tough uphill climb at this point.
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