The Ohio State football program fell short in its bid to win back-to-back national championships last season. Losing to Indiana and Miami to finish off the season is not how anyone envisioned things ending. Poor play up front on the offensive line was the big reason why this ended up happening.
Julian Sayin didn't have enough time to survey the field for open receivers. Not just that, but the Buckeyes weren't able to run the ball with any consistency. Quite frankly, the offensive line was the worst unit on the field for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the last two games.
Four of the five starters from that unit return this season. Only Tegra Tshabola is gone. Now, they have to figure out who the other starter is going to be. Ian Moore has been getting a lot of hype as that possible starter, but is he going to be the proper answer this year?
Assessing Ian Moore's chances of being a starter for Ohio State
Moore needed to have a big performance during the spring game. He actually looked overmatched, which was extremely disappointing. While he wasn't as bad as Carter Lowe was, it was still alarming to see someone who is fighting for the starting left tackle spot play so poorly.
To start the spring, Moore was expected to battle with Austin Siereveld for that left tackle spot. Siereveld will be starting this season; it just remains to be seen which spot that will be at. He could move back to right guard now that Tshabola is gone. Moore would then slide in at tackle.
Personally, Moore hasn't shown me enough to be given that left tackle spot. I'd be inclined to let him continue to battle with Siereveld when the Fall rolls around. Even Sam Greer should get some looks. If Daniels isn't able to improve, perhaps they put Greer at right tackle, Moore at left tackle, and Siereveld at right guard.
The offensive line is the big key for Ohio State's offense this season
Perhaps no unit is more important for the success of the Buckeyes this season than the offensive line. The defense should still be as statistically dominant as they were last season with Matt Patricia back as defensive coordinator. Sayin should be better after being a Heisman Finalist a year ago. Jeremiah Smith is the best receiver in the country.
One thing that can derail all of that is poor offensive line play. The blocking has to be solid so that every other position can work in concert. If the Buckeyes are not able to block better, they are going to lose at least two games this season. The schedule is brutally tough compared to last season.
Ohio State feels confident that the unit can improve this year. Moore has everything in front of him as someone who is competing for the starting job at the most important position up front. It will be up to Tyler Bowen to show that he can develop offensive linemen instead of only recruiting them.
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