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Ohio State Football: Better discipline will be key for Buckeyes in 2020

By Peter Burtnett

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers is wrapped up by Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers is wrapped up by Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Ohio State football team coasted through the 2019 season before being tripped up by penalties in their College Football Playoff Semifinal against Clemson.

With 55 penalty yards per game, the Buckeyes ranked 73rd in the country last season. That number will have to change for the Buckeyes to take the next step in the 2020 season.

Whether the penalties called in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl were the right calls is a debate for another time. However, both the targeting against Shaun Wade on a sack of Trevor Lawrence on third down in the second quarter and a roughing the kicker call in a third quarter punt led to touchdowns. Those plays would have given the Buckeyes the ball and taken 14 points off the board for the Tigers who won 29-23.

The 2020 season could be a race between two teams, and if the Buckeyes do face the Tigers again discipline will need to be a focus for head coach Ryan Day.

During the 2019 season, most of the Buckeyes’ game weren’t close. In the two closest games of the season before the match-up with the Tigers — 28-17 over Penn State Nov. 23 and 34-21 over Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game Dec. 7 — the Buckeyes committed a combined 8 penalties for 65 yards. Against the Tigers, the Buckeyes were called for 8 penalties for 77 yards.

For the 2020 season to be a success, coach Day will have to emphasize discipline when practices resume. Unless a penalty appears to blatantly be the wrong call it often gets little attention, especially if a team keeps winning comfortably as Ohio State did last season. But if a team commits too many, just a couple can make a difference and that’s what happened against Clemson.

dark. Next. CFP Outlook, two team race for title? 

Senior experience can be a major factor in whether a team commits a few penalties or many, and the 2020 Buckeyes will need the senior (and experienced juniors) to step up and make smart plays. If the Buckeyes can nail down their discipline, they could be in for a run at a ninth national championship.

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