Five things Ohio State needs to win the national championship
The Ohio State football team still has a chance to win a national championship despite their awful loss to TTUN. If they are going to win, they must do these things.
1) Get playmakers the ball
If Ohio State wins a National Championship, they need to get their best offensive players touches regularly. One example was Urban Meyer, who used to write down the names of his best offensive players and make them get a certain number of touches per game.
I understand defenses dictate what happens sometimes, but Ohio State needs to give Jeremiah Smith, and Emeka Egbuka a ton of targets each game in the passing game. Also, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson need to become priorities.
The running game has struggled since they lost two offensive linemen to injuries, but there is no reason you cannot prioritize throwing both Judkins and Henderson the ball out of the backfield. All four players need to be fully involved in the game plan.
2) Figure out the run game
Losing two offensive linemen to the season has hurt the offensive line this season. Run blocking has fallen downhill lately after center Seth McLaughlin was lost to the season, but Ohio State needs to find a way to get a competent run game. They don't need to run for 200 yards per game in the playoffs, but they need to find a way to run in crucial moments.
Chip Kelly is considered one of the best run-play designers in the game, he needs to find a way to get the most out of the running game. One suggestion is to become more of a perimeter run team since the interior offensive line seems to struggle with run blocking. This is a crucial part of winning a championship.
3) Cornerbacks need to play well
Ohio State's cornerbacks were not challenged against Michigan because they have no vertical passing game, but against Oregon Denzel Burke gave up several big plays. If Ohio State is going to win a National Championship, they will face several good quarterbacks along the way.
Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinoson need to play their best ball and make several plays along the way. Will they have to be perfect? No, but they need to play at a high level. Both are talented and capable of playing well.
4) Special teams need to be play better
Special teams are an area that has been up and down most of Ryan Day's career as Head Coach. They have a chance to flip the switch and get it fixed during the playoffs. The return game has shown flashes with Caleb Downs returning a punt for a touchdown against Indiana.
Ohio State has blocked a punt as well this season. They need to have field goal kicker Jayden Fielding make his kicks and Joey McGuire punt consistently. When they last won a National Championship in 2014, they had good special teams. They need to find a way to get closer to that.
5) Play with hair on fire
Ohio State must remember they are one of the top programs in America and they have a chance at winning a National Title. Go play like you have nothing to lose because you don't. There is no reason Ohio State can't play like they did against Indiana. In that game, you saw a team put together 4 quarters and dominate a top team.
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Now, they will play better teams than Indiana in the playoffs, but if Ohio State plays like that against anyone in the country, they will have a chance at winning a title. Finally, play with some passion and heart. Sometimes this team just goes through the motions, they need to find a way to play with passion.