Ohio State offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has produced mostly dominant performances through his first three games calling plays. Of course, outside of a 17-minute stretch against Texas that will forever live in infamy.
Though the Buckeyes have outscored opponents 139-29 through Week 3, Ohio State owns a loss against the Longhorns that saw the Scarlet and Gray blow a 20-point fourth-quarter lead and incredibly underwhelming rushing totals.
As Bucknuts' Patrick Murphy notes, the run game is suffering from both under-aggressive running backs and so-so blocking up front.
"Ohio State's running backs can help by hitting holes more quickly, making defenders miss and breaking tackles, an issue that goes back to last season. However, they need better blocking up front," Murphy wrote.
"The Scarlet and Gray need to run the football better. Period. While Saturday's win may have lifted spirits among players, coaches, and fans after last week's disappointment, the run game still has to improve as Ohio State begins Big Ten play next week."
Ohio State could've used Kent State and Ball State to establish the run
Bo Jackson is playing well, but we've still not yet seen that dynamic, memorable performance that announces him on the Big Ten stage again.
Ja'Kobi Jackson has been great against MAC squads, but he had a bit of a disappearing act going on in Austin.
Isaiah West has firmly looked like a depth option after looking like a potential breakout candidate during the opening days of fall camp. West was highly ineffective in Week 3 after getting just two carries in Week 2. We haven't seen the same killer in live game action.
Legend Bey has yet to look like the prince that was promised and has even gotten on Ryan Day's bad side. Bey left the Week 3 game against the Golden Flashes with an ankle injury, and his next steps are unclear.
Smith is focusing the offense on getting the ball to Jeremiah Smith in the passing game downfield, which has been a largely successful game plan. Still, there will be a point where establishing the run will be imperative.
Can OSU accomplish that? The hope was that it would show up in spurts against inferior competition. It showed up some, just not enough for the fanbase's liking.
Ohio State's offensive line still a work in progress
Without Phillip Daniels at the right tackle spot, the Buckeyes didn't have their starting five in Week 3. Ohio State relied on Gabe VanSickle at the right guard spot and moved Austin Siereveld over to the tackle spot.
It's unclear what combination will boost the run. There's still a shocking lack of push in short-yardage situations and even missed assignments. The Buckeyes have a veteran group, so that shouldn't be as much of a thing, even in a new offense.
Arthur Smith's honeymoon period ended when the team took the field at DKR Stadium. With the last non-conference cupcake now out of the way, it's time for the offense to look whole.
His integration looked on track to be as smooth as Matt Patricia's, but the fourth quarter of the Texas game has put an anxious cloud over the program until it can rack up signature Big Ten wins.
That time is now. We'll see if Smith's offense cleans up its act and gets the run going to match.
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