Ohio State Football; Buckeyes proved they are ready for stretch drive
The Ohio State football team proved to be one of the best in the country with the dominating win over Wisconsin and ready for the stretch drive.
Some doubted the Ohio State football team before Saturday because of strength of schedule. The Buckeyes proved they are for real and ready for the stretch drive with the dominating 38-7 win over the Wisconsin Badgers.
Every great Ohio State football coach in the past pointed to the November stretch drive as the key to a successful season and a chance to win the Big Ten Championship. This year’s group of Buckeyes proved Saturday they are up to the challenge.
Big Ten teams often have to deal with cold, nasty weather late in the season and that was the case Saturday with temperatures reported to be in the low 50s, with wind and rain as well. On days like that a team had better be able to run the football and stop the other team from doing so.
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Wisconsin is built for that style of football with the top defense in the country and one of the top running backs in Jonathan Taylor. But Ohio State was more than up to the task and played smash mouth football even better.
Early in the game head coach Ryan Day discarded the passing attack to establish the running game. It took a while for the offensive line to start creating holes for RB J.K. Dobbins, but when they did he took advantage.
Dobbins finished the game with 163 rushing yards on 20 carries. His backup Master Teague added another 76 yards. The Buckeyes had 264 yards rushing on the day.
On the other hand, the Ohio State defense wasn’t going to let Wisconsin have success running the football. Heisman Trophy candidate Taylor was limited to 52 yards in 20 carries and the Badgers only had 83 yards on the ground.
Next. Chase Young deserves to win the Heisman. dark
Coach Day often says he wants his team to be known as a tough one. After Saturday’s win over Wisconsin there can be no doubt it is. And that leads me to believe the Buckeyes are ready for the November stretch drive.