There wasn't much to cheer about on Saturday night when the Ohio State Buckeyes lost to Texas. It was the biggest four-quarter collapse in Ohio State football history. That collapse kept the Buckeyes from getting the best win in college football up to this point.
After the loss, there have been some uncomfortable conversations in the Woody. Players and coaches have been called out so that they can fix those issues. While Ryan Day is still instilling faith in the kicking game that is misguided, there is something positive his team can take away from this game.
Ohio State can still accomplish all of its goals
Despite the loss, Ohio State can still accomplish all of its goals. This non-conference loss doesn't keep the Buckeyes from beating TTUN, winning the Big Ten, or winning a national championship. All of those are still in play for them, although their margin for error is slimmer.
The bigger positive is that Day and his coaching staff identified their issues early in the year. While a loss is never ideal, this one in Week 2 allows Ohio State to address the underlying problems that could keep the team from accomplishing its goals. Now, Day can attack those problems.
It's clear that the offense needs to get the running game going. Arthur Smith was supposed to be able to be a running game savant. Instead, the starters have struggled to do much of anything on the ground. It's deeply concerning, especially since Julian Sayin completed just two passes in the second half against the Longhorns.
Figuring out how to fix that now, before the Big Ten portion of the schedule starts, is better than starting that stretch and taking two or three losses. Defensively, Matt Patricia clearly needs to be more aggressive. Offensively, they need to execute better and find a second weapon in the passing game.
Ohio State has put this loss behind them
Day made it clear that the Buckeyes have already put this loss behind them. They are only focused on what lies ahead and getting better. That starts this weekend against Kent State. However, they will likely have to do so without Phillip Daniels. Their starting right tackle was injured against Texas.
That also affords the Buckeyes an opportunity to learn more about their offensive line, which remains unsettled. Figuring out a receiver who can perform opposite Jeremiah Smith. Smith is the best player in the country, but it doesn't seem that he has any help. Other receivers caught just two passes against Texas.
I would fully expect the offense to come out firing right out of the gate against Kent State. That wasn't the issue against Texas, as they scored 20 points in one half. The issue is finishing. Since Kent State is so bad, the Buckeyes won't get any answers on that front. That will have to wait for a couple of weeks.
There is still some doom and gloom in Columbus. That will be lifted on Saturday afternoon, but it won't truly be lifted until the Buckeyes beat a good team in the future. This is an angry team, and we will see that on Saturday.
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