Ohio State Football: Can Buckeyes still win the Big Ten?

An in-depth look at if the Ohio State football team can rally together and still win the Big Ten as well as how they can do it.

Following a disappointing defeat against Purdue, Urban Meyer and Ohio State are headed back to the drawing board. For the last couple of weeks it seemed as though the issues the Buckeyes have had were blatantly obvious to everyone but the coaching staff itself. However, that is not the case.

Meyer held his assistant coaches and coordinators back from the recruiting trail early last week and had them review and adjust strategies and game planning instead. Ohio State has not been in a situation such as this in nearly a decade. The 2018 Buckeyes have been a team of extremes and inconsistencies so far this season.

In the areas in which Ohio State does well, they are as good if not better as any team in the country. Unfortunately, that methodology also works in reverse. Where the Buckeyes are weak, it is glaringly obvious and teams continue to exploit those holes just as the Boilermakers did the last game.

The current state of the Ohio State football team is not really all that bad if the big picture is involved because everything is still in front of them. Nevertheless, if the Buckeyes wish to contend for the Big Ten title and even consider making the CFP, they must adjust in a few major key areas with urgency.

Teams like archrival Michigan have begun hitting their stride as an entire football team. On the other hand, Ohio State is still trying to find itself.

The Wolverines’ defense is ranked amongst the top in nearly every statistical category. While the offense with transfer quarterback Shea Patterson is capable of scoring points, they are more consistent in regard to doing what is necessary, or enough, as opposed to a fireworks display.

To begin the preseason, the Buckeyes were the favorite to win the conference, but after the Zach Smith investigation commenced the narrative quickly changed to them being underdogs. The preseason is comparable to the present as Ohio State proved its worth early on but has since hit a lull in the ground game and is a head-scratcher defensively.

Ohio State is a tradition-rich program with a history of being able to pound the ball between the tackles while playing stout defense. However, the Buckeyes have not been able to do either this season and I do not think the issues last much longer.

I expect Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson to restructure the offense appropriately to be able to run between the tackles instead of trying to set the edge and get outside on teams. The Buckeyes need to get back to their bread and butter and run the football up the gut and wear teams out.

Mike Weber and JK Dobbins are both 1,000-yard backs chomping at the bit to run through opposing defenses, but they have not had much of a chance due to poor blocking up front.

Sure, moving Michael Jordan from Guard to Center has had its growing pains, but it is the middle of the season with the stretch run approaching fast. If this young offensive line is going to play up to its potential now would be the time. If not, the Buckeyes could be in for a couple of long weeks this November.

On defense, Greg Schiano needs to go back to the basics, such as tackling. The root of all of the problems this year for the Buckeyes has been missed tackles or poor tackling angles.

The big yardage plays given up by Ohio State, for the most part, can be linked back to not getting the ball carrier to the ground (i.e. Rondale Moore) or defenders such as the linebackers or defensive backs completely whiffing in space.

If Ohio State can mend the offensive line, regain its historic ability and identity as a power run team and learn to consistently tackle they will find themselves in a much better position come November 24th and beyond. The Game will have everything on the line as the now the arguable Big Ten favorite Michigan Wolverines make the trip down to Columbus.

The pressure has suddenly shifted onto Michigan as they are one of the nation’s fastest improving teams. Some are even writing Ohio State off and inserting Michigan into the College Football Playoff without a second thought.

In that case, enter Urban Meyer who thrives when his team is slotted in the underdog role (i.e. 2014).

Expect a refreshed and revitalized Ohio State football team this Saturday afternoon in The Shoe as there have been a lot of positive takeaways from the bye week looking in from the outside. The loss in West Lafayette has awakened the sleeping giant.

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I fully anticipate a group of juiced up players and coaches drinking firewater to burst out of the tunnel in Columbus en route to getting back on track to complete their mission – getting to Indy. The road for the Buckeyes is clear, win out and you get to Indy.

Repeating as Big Ten Champions would also likely punch Ohio State its third ticket to the College Football Playoff.

Do not count the Buckeyes out because of a loss and a seemingly hopeless set of issues. Instead, have faith in one of the greatest coaches of this modern era and his staff to right the ship and get the most out of their team.

For all the naysayers disregarding Ohio State, as I said prior to the season, proceed with caution when labeling the Buckeyes.