Ohio State Football: Will Buckeyes get the running game going?
Prior to the season it was expected one of the strengths of the Ohio State football team would be the running game but that hasn’t been the case.
Coming into the Purdue game there is one thing the Ohio State football team needs to improve on and that’s the run game. Yes, the defense has been bad so far this year giving up 22 plays of 30 or more yards, which is 6th worst in college football.
When you lose five guys to the NFL Draft on the defensive side of the ball that is going to happen. However, I don’t think anybody expected the running game would be an issue but it is.
Ohio State has only had two 100-yard rushers all season. Mike Weber rushed for 186 yards against Oregon State in the season opener and J.K. Dobbins ran for 121 versus TCU.
It’s hard to believe with these two backs the Buckeyes haven’t had a 100 yard rusher the last four weeks.
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The offensive line obviously has to play better and open holes for Dobbins and Weber to run through. But as talented as these two backs are they must find the holes when they are there. Ohio State has one of the best, if not the best, running back duos in the country and they simply have to play better.
With Dwayne Haskins being a more pro typical quarterback and in the hunt for a Heisman, people might think there is no reason to try to run the ball so much. But if Ohio State were to finally get the running game going, the passing game would open up even more for Haskins.
Purdue’s defense is ranked 53rd in the country and Ohio State’s rushing offense is ranked 53rd as well. Ohio State should at least be in the top 20 in rushing offense with the talent we have in the backfield.
Hopefully this weekend there is a heavy dosage of Weber and Dobbins getting touches out of the backfield and tiring Purdue’s defense out.
Next. A look at the biggest games of week 8. dark
On Saturday, look for Weber and Dobbins to both have around 10-15 carries and hopefully bring this running game back to life. If Ohio State wants any shot at making the CFP, establishing the run game will be all important and hopefully that begins Saturday against Purdue.