No unit on the field took more criticism in the last week than the Ohio State football team's offensive line. They were shredded after their performance against Nebraska at home, and for good reason. They just didn't have any push in the running game and Will Howard didn't have a lot of time to throw.
Backup left tackle Zen Michalski was hurt in that game and wasn't available for the Penn State game. It actually ended up working out because Donovan Jackson slid out to left tackle and was a much better option, even though he wasn't great in certain moments. He did allow a couple of sacks.
Carson Hinzman got his first start of the season after starting all of last year at center. He was put at left guard and actually played pretty well. After eight games, it seems the Buckeyes have finally found the best offensive line combination for them: Jackson, Hinzman, McLaughlin, Tshabola, and Fryar.
The Ohio State football team's offensive line did a really good job vs. Penn State
After running for just 2.1 yards per carry against the Cornhuskers, Ohio State ran for 4.7 yards per carry, good enough for 179 yards. The line got better as the game went along too. Their best drive was the final one of the game. Ohio State just ran it down Penn State's throat to seal the game.
Starting the drive at their own one-yard line, the Buckeyes ran the final 5:15 off the clock thanks to their running game. The offensive line wore down the Nittany Lions and that showed a level of toughness we haven't seen from that unit at any point this season.
This is the offensive line combination we should see for the rest of the season. Obviously, it would be better if they still had Josh Simmons. But this is the best lineup for them moving forward. That final drive of the game confirms that.
This Ohio State football team now has a ton of confidence. They showed that they could be one of the best teams in the country. A national championship is back in play.