About eight times this season, I have wanted to start Ten Things with “It wasn’t pretty, but…” and I think I have always gone in a different direction because I’m worried I have already written those lines.
Or maybe I was just saving them for the bowl game.
This was a game dominated on the scoreboard by Ohio State, but the scoreboard really only showed the difference that turnovers can make.
The Buckeyes beat USC 24-7, but did it without much in the way of offense. Three lost fumbles and an interception by the Trojans led to Ohio State’s three touchdowns and at 24-0 with five minutes remaining in the second quarter, the game was essentially over.
Still, we had to learn something from the Buckeyes’ stifling, yet stilted, win over USC. Right?
1. This was a nice preview of next year’s cornerback rotation.
Just like when Joey Bosa was ejected from the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame and we got a good look at the 2016 defensive line, with Denzel Ward’s decision to sit out the Cotton Bowl, we got a very good and long look at the initial three-man cornerback rotation for next season. Damon Arnette and Kendall Sheffield improved steadily in 2017, and should continue that climb during the offseason. Freshman Jeff Okudah, meanwhile, stepped in on Friday and was in on as many snaps as both Arnette and Sheffield. He had a couple of freshman moments, but wasn’t out of place, and is only going to get better. There’s a reason Kerry Coombs said he wants to Spring Football to start tomorrow. And we haven’t even talked about Marcus Williamson, Amir Riep, and Shaun Wade, or incoming freshmen Tyreke Coleman and Sevyn Banks, both of whom are expected to enroll early.
2. The wrinkles weren’t much, but they could become more.
When the two most noticeable additions to the Ohio State offense in the Cotton Bowl were actually having Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins on the field together, and handing the ball off to Parris Campbell on the jet sweeps, this is a positive step forward. Unfortunately, neither Weber nor Campbell may be back next year, but here is hoping the plays will stay in the playbook moving forward. And whether it’s Dobbins with Antonio Williams, or Master Teague, or Brian Snead, there’s no reason not to see what split backs can do for this offense. Also, if Campbell does leave, there will be an opportunity to continue running the ball from the H in the form of Demario McCall and Jaelen Gill. If the quarterback isn’t going to be running the ball as much next season, they’ll want to find those yards on the ground somewhere.
3. Austin Mack finished well.
Being part of a four-man rotation out wide isn’t going to allow for a bunch of catches for any one particular Ohio State wideout. To get an understanding of what he could be doing, you could even double his numbers and that would give you a realistic look at that receiver’s production without having to split reps. For Austin Mack, that would turn his 24 receptions and 343 yards into some much better numbers. Still, despite the lack of reps, Mack finished with three catches for 56 yards against USC and looked like the strong X receiver that the Buckeyes need. He moved the chains and did it while showcasing strong hands and drive. Next year he should be hitting his wheelhouse.
4. So did Damon Webb.
It is hard not to be happy for Damon Webb on a very strong finish to his career. An interception against Wisconsin and a pick six against USC are things that he will remember for the rest of his life, and we shouldn’t forget them either when thinking back on Webb’s growth as a player. Now he will give way to a new starter at free safety for the Buckeyes, but he leaves the position in good standing and with a legacy to continue living up to.
5. Ohio State finished with an elite run-stopping defense.
The Buckeyes finished with the No. 6 rush defense in the nation, allowing just 105.1 yards rushing per game. If you take the Army game out of the equation, the average drops to 93.2 yards rushing per game, which would have led the nation. Against their five ranked opponents this season — No. 2 Oklahoma (104 yards), Penn State (91), Michigan State (64), Wisconsin (60), USC (57) — Ohio State allowed just 75.2 yards rushing per game. That’s four top 10 teams, by the way. In their two postseason games, OSU allowed just 1.7 yards per carry. This group was elite, and the odd blip against Iowa (243 yards) doesn’t change that, it just makes that game that much more confusing.
6. Neither of these two teams were playoff-worthy.
The Ohio State offense — arguably the best in school history — needed turnovers in order to score because they couldn’t move the ball against a USC defense that had zero fear of the Buckeye passing game. That’s two years in a row where the offense has held Ohio State back. That needs to end.
7. Denzel Ward’s decision is the new normal.
An Ohio State cornerback choosing to not play in a bowl game is not new, as Derek Ross opted for shoulder and toe surgery following the 2001 season in preparation for leaving early, and nagging injuries following the 2013 season kept Bradley Roby from playing against Clemson, Round 1. Ward’s decision to skip the bowl game without an injury now brings this growing trend to Ohio State, where Ward’s teammates were convinced it would never happen. The cap is never going back on the toothpaste, but that doesn’t mean the bathroom sink is going to be a mess every year. The only way to keep it from happening in the future is to make the playoffs, because as long as Urban Meyer continues to sell the NFL, he can’t be upset when his pitches work.
8. This is the end of teams not respecting Ohio State’s deep passing game.
Safeties sinking down in run support, cornerbacks talking trash on every snap, and an Ohio State offense not concerned with sending a scare into any of them. That’s what the Buckeye offense faced in the Cotton Bowl, and it needs to be the last time a defense can do that to this offense and not pay for it. No matter who the quarterback is.
9. It’s time for Urban Meyer to become ruthless again.
The Big Ten has gotten better because the coaches have gotten better. It’s time for Urban Meyer to throw away his favorite recliner and get back to the uncomfortable Iron Throne that he brought with him from the SEC. Talking to Tom Orr after the game, we kept referring to the second half as “Tressel Ball,” but Urban Meyer has done this enough now over the last few years that his name shouldn’t go unattached to such a strategy. I have no problem with what he did in this game, because silly offensive mistakes were the only thing that was going to cost Ohio State the win. But moving forward, it’s okay to become a villain again.
10. This is going to be the most exciting offseason in years.
The quarterback battle. Where does Tate Martell fit in? Will Mike Weber be back? How many receivers will return? Who will replace them? What would Rashod Berry look like as the team’s go-to tight end? Who replaces the irreplaceable on the offensive line? Is everybody ready for non-stop talk about Demario McCall? Or Chase Young? What does the linebacker situation look like next year? Where does Baron Browning end up? Justin Hilliard? Keandre Jones? Etc? Is Isaiah Pryor ready to become the next great Ohio State safety? Is Jordan Fuller already there? How many cornerbacks can rotate next season? Which freshmen will contribute right out of the box? Is there a J.K. Dobbins in this class. Oh yeah, remember J.K. Dobbins?