Scarlet and Game
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Keys for Ohio State to make the College Football Playoff

By Peter Burtnett

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Raekwon McMillan #5 and Joshua Perry #37 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after the defense sacked quarterback Jake Rudock #15 of the Michigan Wolverines (not pictured) in the third quarter at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Raekwon McMillan #5 and Joshua Perry #37 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after the defense sacked quarterback Jake Rudock #15 of the Michigan Wolverines (not pictured) in the third quarter at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 20: Rondale Moore #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter as Sevyn Banks #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes falls at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 20: Rondale Moore #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter as Sevyn Banks #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes falls at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Limit the 30+ yard play, offensive explosions

More than anything else in 2018, the Buckeyes’ inability to limit the big run and deep pass downfield was their Achilles’ heel.

Against Purdue, Rondale Moore went for 170 yards through the air, while D.J. Knox added 128 on the ground.

Versus Maryland, Anthony McFarland decimated the Ohio State defense, rushing for 298 yards, almost single-handedly eliminating the Buckeyes for good from the 2018 playoff race.

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The outbursts of 40+ yard plays has to stop in 2019 if the Buckeyes want to see themselves in that top 4 come December 8th.

For the Buckeyes to return to the CFP in 2019, they must limit these massive chunks of yardage. By Chase Young getting into the backfield, linebackers Malik Harrison and Baron Browning stopping the ball carrier in his tracks, and DBs like Jordan Fuller and Jeffrey Okudah stopping the deep ball the Silver Bullets defense will return, and with it much success.

Ohio State had an impressive season in 2018, going 13-1 and winning the Big Ten and the Rose Bowl, but even that wasn’t to the Buckeyes illustrious winning standards. With a championship only 5 years ago, Buckeyes fans are hungry to return to that exceptional level once again.

dark. Next. Look for outstanding season from Jeffrey Okudah

By focusing on all opponents equally, bringing the juice and limiting the big-play ability of their opponents, Ohio State will find themselves back in the College Football Playoff again in 2019, starting the Ryan Day era with a massive success.

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