Ohio State is seemingly set to return right guard/tackle Austin Siereveld to the lineup against USC this Saturday. Siereveld missed the past two games against Indiana and Maryland with an undisclosed illness.
As Day revealed during Monday night’s Buckeye Roundtable show, the offensive line should be fully healthy when the program travels to LA Memorial Coliseum to take on the Trojans. Day gave the group credit for inspiring confidence in Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair, who are competing for the starting job after Julian Sayin's season-ending throwing shoulder injury.
“(We) should have a full week of practice and a full arsenal of guys up front," Day said. “We're going to lean on them more to be the guys who lead this team. You got a young quarterback right there, I mean, they're going to be looking at him, but he's going to be looking at them. And I got to give them credit already, they're already building up the confidence of our young quarterbacks.”
The Buckeyes will be returning a number of defensive starters as well. Nickelback Jay Timmons and defensive tackle John Walker are expected to be back, though Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is a bigger question mark.
When it comes to the offensive line figuring out the best combination of guys to fit around Siereveld, though, there are only a few better Big Ten opponents to face than USC.
Why USC is perfect opponent to figure out Austin Siereveld's role
Siereveld is flexible, being able to play on either side of the line and at the guard and tackle spots. He was the planned right guard heading into the season, but right tackle Phillip Daniels' injury opened the door for Siereveld to slide over to the edge. Gabe VanSickle has impressed at the right guard spot.
Figuring out who belongs where midway through the season is tough, but at least the Trojans provide a bit of relief when it comes to pressure (or lack thereof).
While USC has talented linebackers and a strong secondary, the first level is a massive weakness. Pressure is hard to come by, making actual TFLs and sacks even rarer. Trojans safety Kennedy Urlacher leads the team with three sacks.
All the blitzing USC has to do to make up for the lack of push from the defensive front leaves the secondary out to pasture. Gary Patterson isn't usually a blitz-heavy play-caller. Patterson has had to go against his instincts to make up for the lack of performance from the Trojans' defensive line.
Perhaps Patterson has the hang of it now, and the talent up front is ready to show up for USC. Then again, if Halloween is anything like the previous eight games for the Trojans, the Buckeyes' offensive line should face a mild test in Exposition Park.
Siereveld hasn't been out long, but it's been almost a month since he's played because of the bye week. It's nice that he can be reintegrated against a pass rush that won't be overwhelming at whatever position he'll be playing.
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