Lost in the frenzy during the coaching changes on the Ohio State football team this winter was Ryan Day retaining offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.
After the Rose Bowl, most Ohio State football fans were focused on the coaching changes Day was going to make on the defensive side of the ball, notably keeping Larry Johnson and replacing Greg Schiano. The later was a critical move for a unit desperately needing a fresh look coming off its worst season in decades.
Wilson is entering his third season. When Urban Meyer introduced him as his offensive coordinator in January 2017, Meyer was likely envisioning Wilson’s 2008 season at Oklahoma.
Wilson orchestrated many high-powered offenses in his time at Oklahoma, Indiana and Ohio State. None were as thrilling and productive as the Sooners in 2008.
Led by Sam Bradford who finished with 4720 yards and 50 touchdowns, the Sooners’ offense exploded for 51.1 points-per-game. On the year, it had 7703 yards and 96 touchdowns.
Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray both rushed for 1000 yards. Juan Iglesias, Jermaine Gresham, Ryan Broyles, Manuel Johnson and Quentin Chaney all had over 500 yards receiving.
The Buckeyes were close in 2018 finishing with 7565 yards and 74 touchdowns while averaging 43.5 points-per-game.
Is 2019 setting up to be even better?
Saying no is understandable considering the offense is losing key part including Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon, Mike Weber, Dwayne Haskins and Michael Jordan.
The schedule is also a factor. Road games at Northwestern and Michigan coupled with Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Cincinnati mean half the 2019 schedule is against teams that finished in the Top 41 in scoring defense in 2018.
Add in what should be an improved Nebraska defense and odds favor a dip in offensive production.
I still think it will be better.
If Fields is anywhere close to Haskins in terms of accuracy and arm strength, the mere threat of him running the ball will open up the lanes for J.K Dobbins and Master Teague as defenses will have to account for Fields.
The trifecta of K.J. Hill, Binjimen Victor and Chris Olave may not be quite as explosive, but the drop off will be minimal. Austin Mack’s return, Jaelen Gill’s emergence and the potential of Garrett Wilson, Brian Hartline will make the receivers a lethal unit again.
The real improvement will come up front.
The offensive line has been good, but not great over the last three seasons. Lack of depth and shuffling guards into centers has caused inefficiencies.
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Neither should be an issue this year.
Josh Myers is ready to assume full-time duties at center. That alone should be enough to make this a better unit.
Branden Bowen is returning after a season and half out due to injury. He could play either left guard or right tackle. I think he’ll end up a tackle.
Thayer Munford returns at left tackle and Wyatt Davis is back at right guard. This leaves left guard as the open spot. Any number of players could win the competition.
Providing all the players stay healthy, this will be the best line since 2015.
Wilson and Day showed last season what they want to do on offense. The only tweak needed is finding a little more balance. They’ll do it and the offense will flourish in 2019.