Ohio State produces impressive numbers every season. That’s what good coaching and talent can do for you.
That being said, it’s been a while since we’ve seen some numbers like we are seeing from the Buckeyes.
Sure, there are other numbers that are just as good as they’ve ever been. And some numbers could still use some work, which is quite likely to happen before 2019 gets a bow put on it.
With three games of data to churn through, some interesting and impressive numbers have emerged. Especially when you compare them to the first three games a year ago.
Here are a handful of standout statistics for the Buckeyes this season.
0 — The Buckeyes are one of five teams in the Big Ten that has yet to throw an interception this season. At this point last year, Dwayne Haskins was already dragging Ohio State down with a whopping one interceptions.
0.67 — This is the number of kicks or punts the Buckeyes have blocked per game this year. Their two total blocks are half of last year’s output over 14 games.
1 — The number of 300-yard rushing games for the Buckeyes this season, which is the same number they finished with all of last year.
1.67 — Chase Young is tied for third in the nation with 5 sacks — or 1.67 per game. Those five sacks have come in about eight total quarters of playing time. Nick Bosa finished last season with 4 sacks in 2.5 games and was completely unblockable. Young is doing the same right now.
2 — This is how many touchdowns the Buckeyes have given up in 10 red-zone visits for the opposition. It is tied for third in the nation. Both touchdowns came against Florida Atlantic. Indiana and Cincinnati failed to score touchdowns on each of their trips into the red zone. Last year in the first three games, the Ohio State defense gave up three touchdowns on five trips into the red zone.
3 — The number of plays of 30 yards or more from scrimmage the Ohio State defense has given up this year. In three games last year, they allowed eight. In their fourth game — against Tulane — they allowed three. One week later against Penn State, they gave up four.
4 — This is the number of rushes of at least 20 yards for JK Dobbins this season. It is also the same number he had all of last year. He has also already doubled his number of carries of at least 40 yards from one last year to two already in 2019.
4.7 — This is the average number of penalties the Buckeyes have been flagged for per game this season. Ohio State has committed 14 penalties for 132 yards. Against Michigan last year, they committed 12 penalties for 150 yards. Only once last season would the Buckeyes have been under their current 4.7 penalty average. The two penalties for 25 yards committed against Cincinnati was the lowest yardage mark since 2016.
5 — The Buckeyes lead the Big Ten with five forced fumbles. Just imagine how good they’d be if they started recovering those fumbles.
6 — Senior linebacker Malik Harrison has 6.0 tackles for loss, which is good for sixth in the nation and second in the Big Ten behind Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes’ 6.5.
10.3 — Ohio State is allowing 10.3 points per game, which is third-best in the Big Ten and tied for 10th nationally. A year ago after three games, the Buckeyes were allowing 20.7 points per game. Based on some easy math, this year’s defense appears to be twice as good as last year’s.
12 — The Buckeyes are 12th in the nation in total defense, having given up an average of 252.7 yards per game. They have allowed 758 yards total. After three games last year, they were at 1,037 yards allowed. Ohio State has held all three opponents this season under 300 yards of total offense, which is the same number they held under that mark a year ago after 14 games.
14 — The number of sacks for the Buckeyes this season, which is the second-most in the nation (Florida 16).
18 — Ohio State has defended 18 passes this season — that’s breakups (15) and interceptions (3). That mark is good for second in the Big Ten (Nebraska 21) and 11th in the nation. It is one more than they had in the first three games a year ago.
22.9 — This is the third down conversion rate of Ohio State’s opponents this season. It is the second-best mark in the conference and the eighth-best in the country. A year ago after three games, opponents were converting 37.0% of third downs.
54.3 — Ohio State is converting 54.3% of its third downs, which is the best mark in the Big Ten and tied for 9th in the country.
60 — Justin Fields is currently on pace to account for 60 touchdowns, which would be six more than Dwayne Haskins accounted for last year.
100 — The Buckeyes have had three 100-yard rushing days for their running backs in three games. Last year they had five total for the entire season.
114 — This is Justin Fields’ rushing total so far this season, which is six yards more than Dwayne Haskins rushed for last season.
140 — Ohio State leads the nation with 140 yards lost due to tackles for loss. Their 31 tackles for loss is tied with Penn State for fourth-best in the nation.
141.7 — This is JK Dobbins’ average rushing output, which is tops in the Big Ten and sixth in the nation.
171 — This is the number of total rushing yards allowed this season. After one game last year, the Buckeyes had already allowed 196 yards on the ground. After three games, they were allowing 156 yards per game, and that was thanks mostly to a 69-yard outing by Rutgers. Ohio State’s run defense is currently ranked fourth in the nation, allowing 57.0 yards rushing per game.
184.98 — Justin Fields’ pass efficiency rating is 184.98, which is tops in the Big Ten and ninth in the nation.
813 — The number of rushing yards for the Buckeyes this year. After three games last season, Ohio State had totaled 782 yards — so don’t get too cocky yet with this OSU running game.
1,003 — This is Master Teague’s season rushing yardage projection if he continues at his existing pace over a 14-game schedule.
1,983 — This is JK Dobbins’ season rushing yardage projection if he continues at his existing pace over a 14-game schedule. It would be an Ohio State single-season record.
3,598 — This is Justin Fields’ total offense projection right now (3,066 yards passing, 532 yards rushing). It would be the second-highest in school history, behind Dwayne Haskins’ 4,939 from last season.