Ohio State Football: Look for Day to have Fields let it loose in 2020

The Ohio State football team will be more dependent on throwing the ball than in years past in Justin Fields’ second season under center.

The Ohio State football team’s offense should look vastly different from what it did a season ago. Having a second-round talent in JK Dobbins in the backfield led coach Ryan Day to lean on him heavy last season, especially in the biggest games.

In games against Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin again, Dobbins carried the ball 120 times for a 30 carry per game average. Day effectively used Dobbins and the rushing attack to open up things in the air for Justin Fields to exploit.

Next season, it will be the other way around. Ryan Day is going to have to use Justin Fields much like he did Dwayne Haskins in 2018. And if Fields can replicate that sort of performance than the Buckeyes should be in great shape.

With a transfer from Oklahoma in Trey Sermon expected to be the featured back due to Master Teague’s questionable injury situation, the Scarlet and Gray will be throwing the ball more often than not in big games.

But that is what makes Ryan Day so special. He does not pigeon hole an offense to his liking. He is adaptable and plays to his players’ strengths year in and year out, even game in and game out.

With an experienced go-to receiver in Chris Olave running sure routes and the super talented Garrett Wilson entering his second season in the program, the air attack can be at an all-time great level for Ohio State.

Expect the receivers to rotate series less than they have before due to the massive amount of young players behind Wilson and Olave. But as the season progresses that can change if players such as Jameson Williams, Julian Fleming and Jaxson Smith-Njigba start to emerge.

But once Fields and these receivers start to gain confidence, look out. This offense could wind up looking like a Big 12 run and shoot offense more than your traditional Ohio State offense of seasons past.