Ohio State football: Buckeyes could pass to set up the run

Since Ryan Day took over the Ohio State football program, his offense has made it so the run sets up the pass. The opposite could be true in 2021.

The Ohio State football team will have the two best returning wide receivers in the country in 2021. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson have both proved that they are true weapons on the outside. No matter who the quarterback is, it will be hard to stop them.

Now with Trey Sermon gone, they may lean on the passing game even more. Obviously, they won’t have Justin Fields to throw the ball around. Even with Fields, the Buckeyes threw the ball on just 41.67% of their plays in 2020. That was ranked 102nd out of 130 FBS teams.

With all of the weapons the Buckeyes have on the outside, I would expect that number to go up in 2021. It may not quite get up to 50%, but probably close to 46%. They can use the pass to set up the run and help Master Teague and company gain yards on draws and stretch plays.

Day’s offense will always be run-first, which I think is the right philosophy. But he does adapt very well to his personnel from year to year. With how good his wide receivers are and having Jeremy Ruckert coming back, they will be deadly on the outside.

Those weapons will command an immense amount of attention. That should leave the middle of the field open for the backs to run. Holes should be open with linebackers and safeties more concerned with slot receivers and tight ends.

This Buckeye team will have one of the most dangerous offenses in the entire country. I for one can’t wait until the Spring game so I can see what this offense will look like.