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Ohio State Football: What to expect from running back committee

By Alex Austin

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 28: Running back Trey Sermon #4 of the Oklahoma Sooners scrambles against the defense of the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 28: Running back Trey Sermon #4 of the Oklahoma Sooners scrambles against the defense of the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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It has been several years since Ohio State has had a question mark at running back to start a season. Will a new running back stake their claim as the bell-cow, or will the Buckeyes employ running back by committee?

Ohio State has had the privilege of seeing J.K. Dobbins, Mike Weber, Ezekiel Elliott, and Carlos Hyde lead the running back room over the last few years.

The continuous run of great tailbacks has caused many fans to forget what question marks at the position look like. This year, however, there are questions Ohio State will need to answer if they are going to add another Big Ten title.

Is there one player on the roster that can take over, or is a committee approach best for Ohio State?

The two players that are most likely to battle it out for snaps this season are transfer Trey Sermon and Master Teague.

Both players are coming off injuries last year, so there is a hope that at least one will be 100% ready to go by the time the season comes, but indications show that the players are improving each day.

Statistically, Sermon and Teague put up similar numbers when healthy, both averaging 5.8 yards per carry in their last healthy season.

While Sermon did put up more yards, Teague did not see the field often except for garbage time blowouts and when Dobbins was hurt.

The big teller about Teague is how he did against the top level of competition. Against Penn State, Michigan, and Clemson Teague averaged 2.14 yards per carry.

This is something Teague will have to work on in order to be considered the main tailback.

On the other side, Sermon transferred because he fell down the depth chart enough at Oklahoma that he was looking for playing time elsewhere. After suffering an injury, it is hard to tell what skill level Sermon still posses.

If both of these backs are injured, Sermon looks like he is in line to get the starting role because of how he has performed in the past. Earning more yards and touchdowns than Teague will count for something.

Next. Buckeyes could play big games in September. dark

Both of these backs will likely get time to play (if healthy) but expect Trey Sermon to lead the way in carries when the game matters most.

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