Ohio State Football: Buckeyes prepared for Big Ten East gauntlet

The Big Ten East is unquestionably the strongest division in college football this year. The Ohio State football team begins the gauntlet round-robin finish this week against Penn State, and the Buckeyes are prepared.

The Ohio State football team has entered the chat. The Buckeyes never really left, but its unstoppable force of an offense has the entire country mesmerized. C.J. Stroud has returned from his week to rest on a mission, lighting up the scoreboard and stat sheets for 14 touchdowns and zero turnovers.

Until the opening drive of the second half in Bloomington, Ohio State’s first-team offense had scored on 19 straight meaningful possessions (1 FG). The efficiency is off the charts for the Buckeyes through seven games, which is precisely what Ryan Day wants heading into the most brutal stretch of the season. His team has put up 50+ (58 avg) in four straight games while averaging nearly 600 yards of offense per contest.

TreVeyon Henderson’s emergence as the featured back is one of the best assets in the country for an offense. The freshman’s versatility is a nightmare for opposing defenses due to his elite vision and bursts of breakout speed, as well as his credibility as a threat in the passing game.

Day and Wilson will likely increase Henderson’s touches against Penn State – I expect to see it around 15-20 on Saturday night and again against the teams up north.

However, Ohio State’s offense becomes indefensible because of its threats on the perimeter. Chris Olave (30) is arguably the smoothest receiver to wear the scarlet and gray with his sights set on David Boston’s career touchdown receptions record (34). Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba also perform at an elite level every week, making Stroud’s life easier.

The young QB has been a distributor with precision accuracy upon returning from injury. His throw over the middle against Indiana to JSN was an Aaron Rodgers throw. Additionally, the tight ends are equally as talented. Jeremy Ruckert enjoyed a two-touchdown performance that showcased the entire arsenal of weapons the Buckeyes possess.

Despite the offense averaging nearly one point (150) per play (156) with Stroud at the helm since Week 4, the Silver Bullets may be the biggest surprise of the Buckeyes’ recent surge. The defense is adjusting well to the new scheme and is only giving up an average of 11 points per game since the loss to Oregon.

The Buckeyes are giving up only 119.4 yards per game on the ground, which is the strength of both Michigan and Michigan State’s offenses. That mark is identical, however, to Penn State’s weekly output. The Nittany Lions have struggled to run the football at times this season but won’t get many opportunities to try if the Buckeyes blaze out to an early multi-possession lead.

Regardless, the Nittany Lion’s defense will pose a stiff challenge to the Buckeyes’ offense. Both units will be the best either has faced this season. Sean Clifford still looked shaken up last week, so Penn State may not be at full strength.

This matchup will be an evaluator for how far Ohio State has come since the loss to Oregon. I believe the hype is accurate, and Ryan Day has this offense clicking. The Buckeyes have looked scary, and I anticipate the same down the stretch, though it may not generate 50+ points per game.

As for the Spartans and Wolverines, I honestly do not know which team is better. Michigan State’s offense has more big-play ability, but I give Jim Harbaugh’s squad a slight edge. The Ohio State football team has too many weapons to be held in check (under 30) barring an unforeseen meltdown or turnovers, so the teams remaining on the schedule will need to be able to score with the Buckeyes.

I am not yet convinced it can happen, but we will find a few more pieces to the puzzle this Saturday. Buckle up, everyone; we have an incredible round-robin finish coming for the best division in college football.