Ohio State left guard Luke Montgomery dubbed quarterback Julian Sayin "Money Manziel Julian" after his legs started making things happen against Illinois in a 42-19 win at the "Shoe" last weekend.
Sayin had a seven-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that could've been a thrown-away pass in a past life.
Montgomery was excited after the game. He boldly proclaimed that defenses will have to start game-planning for Sayin escaping the pocket.
“For a guy to put his body on the line, as a quarterback, that’s the utmost respect,” Montgomery said. “Defenses are going to have to start having a game plan for Money Manziel Julian.”
Of course, Montgomery wants defenses to think that. Sayin's bread is buttered in the passing game, where he has future Sunday superstar wideout Jeremiah Smith to throw to. Smith had a historic game last Saturday, amassing 217 receiving yards and four touchdown catches.
Gotta throw them all off the scent, after all.
Still, when the Buckeyes hit the road this Saturday for the first time all year to face Iowa, Sayin will need to continue being money in those moments when Smith isn't open.
Julian Sayin could help cover for OSU's severe offensive deficiencies
Against Power 4 competition, we've seen Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson have strong performances. The former, expected to be one of the Big Ten's best this year, has looked more like a committee back than a lead. The Florida transfer Jackson has surprised with his hustle, but the room is lacking a true leader that opposing teams need to stay up at night thinking about.
Enter "Money Manziel Sayin." If he can pick up the slack and help out his talented backs, as Johnny Football did back in the day, Ohio State's offense will be tough to game plan against.
Frankly, there's a truly unpredictable element missing from Arthur Smith's offense so far.
Sayin actually being a threat on the ground solves that. So far, he's been using his newfound elusiveness as a defense mechanism to avoid the pass rush rather than attacking defenses with it.
Ohio State's offensive line has to help Julian Sayin be 'money'
Manziel was able to win the Heisman as a redshirt freshman because the protection in front of him was elite.
If Montgomery wants Sayin to be money, he and his offensive line mates need to bring him to the bank.
Week 4 was a strong start. Joshua Padilla was particularly strong in his 43 snaps on offense, while Austin Siereveld showed marked improvement at the right tackle spot he was thrust into after Philip Daniels' injury.
That needs to continue as the schedule continues to offer more challenges similar to Texas.
All the pieces work in tandem in an offense. Sayin is only unleashed if the protection helps him. He and the running backs all become more dangerous the more they move the chains and convert on third downs.
There are reasons to be optimistic. Let's hope Sayin delivers on the massive expectations his left guard just put on him.
"Money Manziel" carries a lot of weight as a comparison.
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