We’ve said it a lot this year. It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win, is a win, especially on the road in the Big Ten at a place that’s awfully tough to walk out of as a victor at night. So, while many will not be happy about this performance against Wisconsin, the reality is Ohio State is still undefeated with a lot of lofty goals still on the table after a 24-10 win.
After every game the Buckeyes play, we like to provide an instant reaction and analysis by pulling out five things we observed and think we learned from the Buckeyes performance on the field.
Things might sound a little negative this time, but again, it’s much easier to learn some lessons over a close win than one that went into the wrong column of the record and standings.
Undaunted and undeterred, here are five things we think we learned about Ohio State after a hard-fought victory in Mad-town on Saturday night.
This offense is still not where it needs to be
This is probably the least dynamic Ohio State offense since 2012. And that’s saying something considering the receiving corps.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) October 29, 2023
What we learned
We learned what we keep saying. This offense is a work in progress and it still seems to smoke and sputter more often than not. The defense and Marvin Harrison Jr. continue to win games, but will it be enough? Something tells me this type of effort will not be good enough when the Buckeyes travel to That School Up North on Nov. 25.
So, how does this offense get going? We don’t often see a quick climb at this point in the season, so it might be what it is at this point. Maybe Emeka Egbuka’s return helps a little, but we might be back in 2002 folks. Embrace it and get the antacids out down the stretch.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is leaving quite a legacy
He is just spectacular.@OhioStateFB | #BigTenSaturdayNight pic.twitter.com/WIklFYXWT5
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 29, 2023
What we learned
It’s time for a quick reminder that Marvin Harrison Jr. was just a four-star recruit coming out of high school. How did the recruiting services get that so wrong? He’s the son of an NFL Hall of Famer’ has size, speed, body control; and his only weakness seems to be Kryptonite.
So, let’s just say it now. Harrison Jr. will go down as the best receiver to ever play at Ohio State when it’s all said and done at the end of this season. That’s saying a lot with the talent Brian Hartline has pulled in, and with some really, really good ones in the past such as Joey Galloway, David Boston, Terry Glenn, etc.
But, Harrison Jr. is a cut above them all. If he doesn’t win the Biletnikoff Award this season and get more hype for the Heisman, we should all picket.
The running game needs TreVeyon Henderson
TREVEYON HENDERSON! pic.twitter.com/Q5bLarCqBN
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) October 29, 2023
What we learned
The struggles in the running game sure look a lot better when you have a home run hitter in there. TreVeyon Henderson has been missing from the offense over the last three games and the offensive line took some jabs from social media because of how ineffective the Buckeyes were on the ground.
Well, he was back Saturday night and showed everyone who forgot, what a talented, game-breaker he is. Henderson finished with 24 carries for 162 yards (6.8 avg.) and a touchdown on the ground and added four receptions for 42 yards as a receiver out of the backfield.
Marvin Harrison Jr. and TreVeyon Henderson for President and Vice President. What a ticket.
Kyle McCord has to be better
Rough first half for Kyle McCord. He's just not seeing things in this game.
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) October 29, 2023
What we learned
It’s not like Kyle McCord has to do much on this team, and he’d be the first to tell you that he has to play better than what he did in this one. All in all, he had three turnovers: a fumble and two interceptions. He also had two intentional groundings to add to the stack of them we are seeing this year.
He has all the arm talent in the world, but we keep seeing Ryan Day’s frustration with his quarterback on the sideline more than we can remember in recent years. If he can just take care of the ball and throw the ball into the windows that are there, that’s all that’s needed this year.
On a positive note, he has the talent and showed toughness tonight. He also has been good at taking car of the ball up until this point. You go shopping for that and buy it every time.
The defense continues to shine
This defense 😤 pic.twitter.com/9qE9gESQG2
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 29, 2023
What we learned
This defense continues to cover any deficiencies we are seeing with the rest of what Ohio State brings to the table. The Buckeye offense had three turnovers and a failed fourth down conversion in this one. It had 410 yards of total offense but couldn’t do much in the red zone.
Yet, you really never felt like this game was in jeopardy, even with the close score late into the fourth quarter. You just feel pretty good about this year’s defense being able to dictate the terms against about anyone. There’s still work to do, but it’s fun to watch.
Now, about the offense …
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