As Urban Meyer sat in the cramped visiting team interview room in the southwest corner of Ross-Ade Stadium, he may have had a momentary case of deja vu.
Many of the reporters and fans listening to him certainly did.
For the fourth straight week, the Buckeyes’ offense failed to crack 3.3 yards per rush.
For a school that has built its powerhouse reputation on a tradition of power running, it’s almost unthinkable that they could be this bad on the ground.
The worst game on the ground for the 2017 team was the Cotton Bowl against USC, in which the Buckeyes averaged 4.3 yards per carry. That’s a full yard better than they did in any game in the last month.
Through the Tulane game this season, Urban Meyer’s teams had rushed for 3.3 yards per play or fewer in only two games, the 2015 loss to Michigan State (3.0) and the 2014 loss to Virginia Tech (2.7). That’s twice in 85 games.
The last four weeks, they’ve been at or below 3.2 yards per carry in all four games.
A level of performance on the ground that used to be synonymous with the most embarrassing losses of the Meyer era is now a weekly occurrence.
Coaches, players, reporters, and fans have all offered theories on why the offense is struggling on the ground.
Is it the offensive line? The running backs? The lack of a running quarterback? The play calling?
After the Purdue game, Urban Meyer promised, “We’re going to work hard to get it fixed.”
Of course, Buckeye fans have heard it all before. Here’s what Meyer has had to say about the struggles in the run game after each of those four weeks.
After the Penn State game: 3.2 yards per rush
Q. Why not mix in some quarterback sneaks for certain situations?
COACH MEYER: A lot of different reasons. You see teams a lot, that’s operating 99.999 out of the shotgun, and they go to center and they drop the ball, just because you don’t do it. We’ve had those conversations over and over again. Jones, 14, I think, those are questions — I’m just answering your question.
Q. Why not just practice it more? Seems like such an effective play?
COACH MEYER: Duly noted (laughter.) Thank you.
After the Indiana game: 3.2 yards per rush
Had a lot of yards, still not doing what we need to do in the run game. And that’s something that’s alarming. So we’ve just got to continue to work on that.
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And we practiced very hard this week after getting in at 3:30 in the morning. We were worried about that a little bit. The heat was there again all week.
But you get out of those things and you go work on, fix some issues that’s what the game’s all about.
After the Minnesota game: 2.9 yards per rush
Short yardage is not a strength. Red zone is not a strength, and running the ball is not a strength. That’s something we’ve got to get figured out.
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Somebody told me at one time we’ve rushed for more yards than any school in the country for the last six, seven years. It’s discouraging a little bit, but once again, 7-0, and looking down we’re throwing for 412. It is what it is. I just know the game of football, I’ve been around. At some point, you’ve got to line up and do what you do.
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As of today and last week, no, but there certainly are signs. We’ve got two good backs, and we’ve just got it get it worked out.
After the Purdue game: 3.0 yards per rush
The red zone offense. To go down there three times and have two field goals and one missed field goal. You have to score points. We’ve never had this issue. So we’re going to have a real thorough evaluation of that.
I look up at the board and see the rushing yardage again. You have to get something going. You can’t just throw for 400 yards. That’s worked a few times, but down the stretch we’re going to need a running game.
If (fixing the running game) was that easy or I could give you a one sentence answer, I would give it to you. We’re going to work hard to get it fixed.
Q: Why is this staff capable of getting things fixed when it’s been seven games and it doesn’t seem like any progress has been made?
That’s a good question. We’re 7-1 and our objective is to get to 8-1 and try to find a way to get these things fixed. We have to get some guys healthy. We’re running on fumes in the back end of our defense right now.
Observe the face of Urban Meyer in the 1st Quarter and you can determine the outcome of the game. If he’s fired up and projects confidence, the team wins impressively. If he’s sort of spaced out, looking down and scratching his face a lot, it will be a bleh win. If he looks like he’s doing an impersonation of John Cooper after someone poisoned his puppy, a loss is forthcoming. I know he is someone who can be and is a very good coach, but he wears his emotions on his sleeves and his emotions telegraph what’s going to happen. If I can see it, so too can his coaches and players.
When can we expect the next Haskins for Heisman story?
It’s sad, the wasted talent that has gone thru this coaching staff the last couple of years, absolutely a shame ! The most upsetting thing i seen other than the bad play, is how there is so much a lack of discipline, and then i seen a lot of players just quit. The last time i seen that much lack of discipline and players just quitting, it cost John Cooper his job.
Come on folks lets not panic. did they blow hell yes can it turn around of course. All in all i quite sure you are pretty pleased with the job UMeyer has done. Lets give him a chance
Meyer’s assistants are mostleba mess. The only assistants anyone else would hire are Johnson, Hartline and Day. The term “clown show” comes to mind. Remember that little Urbie?
“He made a business decision”. That is a total bullshit rationale! Ohio State has come along way from Woody Hayes telling the University to give the proposed hike in his salary to his assistant coaches. Time and change leave little semblance to the the values that were once cherished. The band is the best thing about the whole Ohio State experience.
My opinion is that both the offense and defense have become too predictable. A mix of zone defense might help, and a wildcat or Tate inside the ten yard line might help (2016 revisited for the issues).
Why can’t Tate Martel be mixed in as they were doing early in the season so the run game is not one dimensional? Or better yet, can we see Dobbins and Webber in the backfield together to create some misdirection?
This is a bye week until our extremely incompetent OL coach is fired we should expect at least 2 more losses.
When a player gets beat consistently, it’s because he is not as talented, ill-prepared, or out-schemed. OSU has loads of talent, #2 and #3 are on the coaches. And most OSU players are getting beat conistently.
I watched the running back met at the line of scrimmage but I saw four offensive line men all standing straight upright as if they were pass blocking! What ever happened to firing out low and hard driving the man across from you? It looks like we have put all our effort into protecting the passer. Doing the same thing over and over with the same bad results does not indicate any level of genius.
This comment has almost nothing to do with what’s been going on, but maybe a little bit. I think Nick Bosa has set a very poor example of a Buckeye! There’s absolutely no reason for him to quit the team and Ohio State University except for self greed! He could be there to help encourage the other players who supported him through these three years. I believe he would be a great influence especially on the younger ones as well as the older ones. And furthermore, OSU football facilities are tops and there are good trainers and professionals that he would have available to do all the rehab he needs for the next level. Not only that, his scholarship would still be available to get him through this quarter and probably the next one or two as well. Too me he has really let Ohio State, the OSU football team and the coaches down big time. I wish him well, but not happy with his decision and pray it doesn’t set a preference. I wouldn’t even have minded if he skipped the bowl season, but not the rest of the regular season. However, I don’t even like that, but understand why they are doing that. But, you know what I think, he could be there on the sidelines teaching, encouraging and even helping those defensive linemen and backers to help them to work and play harder. I believe the caliber of player he is, he could also do the same for the offensive lineman and many are you and filling in for some of the 1st stringers. I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong, but I still believe it was the wrong decision for him, the team, the coaches and OSU! And lastly, why did he make that decision just before this last week’s Purdue game! That might have been a letdown for the rest of the team and all others. That’s my feeling!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and your comments aren’t necessarily off base. Where I differ is Nick Bosa’s rationale. I’ve suffered a couple groin pulls in my days, but once they heal, you’re generally good to go. Had it been a core muscle strain, or tear it would be foolish to try and rush back. Exasperate that injury it could become a chronic condition which would end someones career.
Some guys need the development time to become a real draft choice. Nick Bosa IS already ready for the NFL. He made a business decision undoubtedly under the advise of his surgeon and other healthcare professionals, and his family. It sucks for us fans, and it sucks for his teammates and coaches. It’s just my opinion, but, I believe he made the right and the smart choice, and I’m grateful for the brief time we were fortunate enough to witness him play at the College level.
This was the classic “out-coached” game.
They are a square peg in a round hole. Haskins is a slinger, you don’t see the Patriots trying to run read option with Brady.
They need to get under center some and run downhill with a legitimate play action pass. Mix it up a bit and then we would not have the entire defense attack the running backs on hand offs.
Great post. They are running a read option but one option doesnt run. Everybody knows who is getting the ball.
BINGO!!!!!
He’s a deer in headlights, in major denial about his coaching staff’s ability to solve issues. It’s on Meyer. I want to hear him come out and say “the fact that this has not been fixed is on me and I’m going to have to take a long hard look at why it’s not been addressed”
Players are undisciplined, not inspired, getting out schemed out coached, out developed. Cue the golf cart and pizza delivery.