3. The Ohio State football team must play fast and loose
Tightness has killed the Buckeyes over the years. They have played tight against Michigan in each of the last three seasons, and it has cost them. They've lost all of those games. This year's loss was the worst case of the Buckeyes being tight that I have seen in a very long time.
If they come out and play tight against the Volunteers, they will lose this game. Ryan Day came out and made everyone feel tight, right down to the assistant coaches. Chip Kelly called a tight game because he felt that the team had to win the rushing battle in order to win The Game.
Kelly needs to come out and call plays that help the Buckeyes play fast and loose. The defense hasn't been tight since the Oregon game. You know they are going to bring the intensity and play great. Day needs to make sure that the offense does the same thing.
Ohio State was able to play loose offensively against Georgia, and it almost allowed them to play for a national championship. It remains one of the best games that Day has called offensively. It was just another bad effort from the defense in a season full of allowing big plays.
The defense has fixed those problems since their trip to Eugene this season. It's up to the offense to hold up their end of the bargain. If Howard finds his weapons on the outside, then this team is going to be in a great spot to win this game.
If Howard turns the ball over early in this game, he could start playing tightly again. That can't happen under any circumstances.