Ohio State Football: Three keys to beating Minnesota
By Ryan Stano
Run the ball early and often
The Buckeyes are breaking in a brand new starting quarterback in C.J. Stroud. He has never thrown a collegiate pass and only got a few snaps in blowouts a year ago. He’s going to be nervous, no matter how well he prepares this week in practice. It’s simply an environment he’s never been in before.
To help him settle in, Ohio State needs to run the ball early and often in this game. They were one of the best running teams in the country last year and should be one of those great teams again this season. Their running back room is full of great players and they have a huge offensive line.
Running the ball well early will also open up the play-action pass game. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are both excellent deep ball threats and would love to get some opportunities down the field in this contest. Running the ball early gives them those chances.
Ryan Day has kept this team a run-first team since Urban Meyer left. That won’t change this season either. The running game will be the focal point of the offense all season long. Both Master Teague and Treyveon Henderson will get plenty of carries in this game.
Stroud will still play well in this game in my opinion. But the last thing you want to do is throw your young, inexperienced quarterback to the wolves right away. Setting the tone early on the ground will help him succeed not just in this one, but in other games too.
The second key to a Buckeye victory has to do with the defensive line.