The second improvement week theme in 2024 for the Buckeyes is "Change"

"And all I really want is some patience. A way to calm the angry voice. And all I really want is deliverance..." ~ Alanis Morrissette, "All I Really Want"

A quick confession for all of you - prior to the one-point loss at Oregon last week, my thoughts about this week's column were going to be one of focusing on the various Big Ten games that might take up your Saturday afternoon this week. After all, Ohio State has another bye week, and there are several notable games that are worthy of your viewing attention.

The reality is that no Ohio State fan has truly moved past the oh so close loss at Oregon last week. Even Ohio State head coach Ryan Day acknowledged as much on his weekly radio show, saying,"You don't just move on. I wish we wouldn't have lost that game...It hurts.".

John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”. It is that backdrop theme that I believe Ryan Day, the coaching staff, and the players all need to embrace as they pick up the pieces and regroup for the final six games of the 2024 regular season.

Mandatory changes along the offensive line

An unfortunate injury to starting left offensive tackle Josh Simmons that will keep him out of game action for the foreseeable future means that the coaching staff needs to use this week off to shuffle players in and out of the crucial left tackle spot.

Zen Michalski came in and played well for Simmons, and Coach Day has indicated that Michalski will be given the first opportunity to earn the spot for this upcoming week. Starting left guard Donovan Jackson could also be given a chance to play the position, which would then require Ohio State to move Austin Siereveld into the starting lineup at guard. Other players who could be in the mix are Tegra Tshabola and Luke Montgomery.

No matter who winds up playing the position, it is imperative that Ohio State makes whatever adjustments necessary to develop some cohesiveness along the offensive line. Protecting starting quarterback Will Howard while also maintaining the strong running game that Ohio State displayed in their first five games are the priorities (yes, I know Ohio State as a team rushed for 141 yards at Oregon, but the running game was not nearly as effective in the second half versus the Ducks).

Will Ryan Day lay down the law to Larry Johnson and Jim Knowles?

This was not something mentioned on Coach Day's radio show, but the rumors persist online of a disconnect schematically between Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson and Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

The results, or lack thereof, speak for themselves at Oregon, as Ohio State did not sack Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel even one time. The secondary did not play especially well against the Ducks, but a substantial reason is when an opposing quarterback has plenty of time to find an open receiver.

Something has to change on the Ohio State defense, as Ohio State will not be able to defeat the better teams they will be hoping to play in The College Football Playoff with their current defensive philosophy. It will bear watching how Ohio State adjusts when their season resumes on October 26th versus Nebraska.

"The focus is on moving forward" ~ Ohio State head coach Ryan Day

Another point made by Coach Day on his weekly radio show, and that is something that falls under the category of "easier said than done". One of the worst things that Ohio State's coaches and players can do is let this loss linger too long and then come out flat versus a good Nebraska team. By allowing themselves to wallow in sadness for too long, it could be argued that the Buckeyes would have allowed the Ducks to have beaten them twice.

It is with that thought in mind that Coach Day is urging his coaches and players to "Get rest. Get away.". For his part, Coach Day is going to take advantage of this weekend to go watch his son play high school football in Cincinnati, while also using it as an opportunity to recruit in the area.

How am I going to move forward? Well, this Saturday morning, my beautiful wife and I are going to join my lovely sister-in-law in a local Alzheimer's Walk, as both of my in-laws passed away from that dreadful disease. After the walk, I have no doubt that I am going to be interested in perusing some of the various Big Ten games that will be on throughout the day. The 3:30 pm ET game on CBS with Michigan at Illinois has me especially intrigued.

As Coach Day has noted, Ohio State still has all of its lofty goals within its reach for the remainder of the 2024 season. Here is to focusing on making necessary changes and improvements, and looking forward to what should be some entertaining football for the Buckeyes.