Ohio State Football: Ground game could fuel championship run
The rushing attack of the 2019 Ohio State football team could be the driving factor toward fueling a national title run in Ryan Day’s first year.
In 2018 the Ohio State backfield featured a two-headed monster in JK Dobbins and Mike Weber Jr. Nearly everyone anticipated each of the duo to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark en route to a monster ground game output.
The threat of Dwayne Haskins’ arm was also enough to open up the rushing attack, so we thought. Last year it is safe to say the ground game under-achieved. That could be largely in part to the near zero threat of Haskins taking off…until late in the season, but sometimes even then.
This upcoming season the Buckeyes return Dobbins and will feature a mixture of Master Teague and Demario McCall alongside him and transfer QB Justin Fields. Fields is a very capable make-you-miss kind of runner who will force defenses into pick your poison situations between himself and his RB counterpart.
Ohio State’s offense will seemingly operate similar to the style of offense played in the Braxton Miller era. During that period the Buckeyes torched and burned their opponents on the ground and that was their identity.
Whenever an Ohio State football team has won a national championship, the Buckeyes have had a power running back and a strong offensive line that bullies the opponent the entire game. With that combo, the defense usually wears out late in the game.
No better example than that then in the over Alabama.
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If Ryan Day will re-insert the Buckeyes bread and butter style of play next season with a modernized twist, they will be able to wear down their opponents while amplifying the threat of Justin Fields’ feet and cannon of an arm.
Spreading the field will be crucial for success next season and all the tools necessary are available. Brian Hartline’s wide receiver room is loaded with talent to compliment the run game and stretch the field.
If the Buckeyes are able to get the running game rolling it will spark the offense and likely have it ranked among the top in the country for the second year in a row.
A big annoucement coming soon. dark. Next
The Ohio State defense will be much more solid in 2019, so with a strong defense and a potent balanced offense the Buckeyes could find themselves in the midst of a national title run.