The Ohio State Buckeyes look like a perfect team on paper, but even the mightiest program in the country, that's barely been challenged through its first seven games, and may not be challenged until rivalry week, has flaws it must fix.
Cleveland.com's Stephen Means circled right guard Tegra Tshabola as the primary problem the offensive line has had. Tshabola's shortcomings have helped prevent the running game from taking off. He also allowed a sack this past weekend during an otherwise sterling 34-0 win over the Wisconsin Badgers on the road for OSU.
Means didn't take it easy on Tshabola in calling for change along the OL. Joshua Padilla is Means' proposed trade.
"It’s reached a point at right guard for Ohio State where the next two weeks need to be about making sure Joshua Padilla is ready to play starter-level minutes," Means wrote.
"Tegra Tshabola has been the starter the last two seasons, and his play has often been up and down. But his lows have often outweighed his highs, especially as of late. There’s a reason he’s the only starter who’s rotated with someone all season, and it’s not just because the coaching staff thinks they have enough depth to do so.
"There’s a need for some tough conversations over the next two weeks. Those talks need to conclude with Tyler Bowen making an important switch at what has been the weakest part of the offensive line so far this season.
"Padilla has already clearly jumped Ethan Onianwa in the hierarchy. Now it’s time he jumps another veteran. That gives him four games to get comfortable before Ohio State heads to Ann Arbor."
While it may seem like nitpicking, getting every guy in the trenches right when potentially having to face monsters like the Alabama Crimson Tide's Tim Keenan III or the Georgia Bulldogs' Christen Miller in the College Football Playoff could be the difference between the 2025 season being immortal or almost immortal.
Tshabola has long been criticized as the odd man out, and while it didn't hinder team success the past two seasons, Ryan Day and Tyler Bowen have recruited enough depth to have a competition if play isn't elite.
That's where Tshabola is at. It's not the end of the line for him yet, but he has protecting to do to ensure he's still starting when the going gets rough against TTUN in Week 14, then presumably, the Big Ten Championship Game, and the College Football Playoff.