I had to take a couple deep breaths before I sat down to write this one. Next to the 31-0 loss to Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff, this is probably the ugliest Ohio State bowl game I have ever seen in my nearly 28 years as a fan. The Buckeyes were just outclassed by a Missouri team that wanted it more. Plain and simple. But where did things go wrong for the Buckeyes in terms of X’s and O’s? Let’s take a look.
No offensive rhythm at all
I wonder if all the Buckeye fans who were ragging mercilessly on Kyle McCord were missing him tonight. The ones who are humble enough to admit it, would probably say they did miss him. He wasn’t great as a Buckeye quarterback compared to the standard we’re used to. But if he had started tonight, I feel like Ohio State would have had a fighting chance to at least compete offensively.
But between Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz, it’s clear that Ryan Day and his staff did not do their job in preparing SOMEBODY, ANYBODY to start this game. The Buckeye offensive line struggled all night as well. It didn’t matter who was under center, or in the shotgun, they didn’t have time to throw. The protection was awful. Plus even when Ohio State did get something going on the ground, or got a rare big catch, they always took a step back, which leads to my next point…
Dumb mistakes killed any chance at building momentum.
I know Ohio State had at least 14 players transfer out. I know Kyle McCord and Julian Fleming were two of them that the Buckeyes were sorely missing. But even for the players who started in their place for the Cotton Bowl tonight, the standard should still be the same. Ohio State should still play crisp, clean, mistake-free football. Or as close as they can get to it.
In this case, that means not committing dumb mistakes. Over the course of the game, the Buckeyes got flagged eight times for 57 yards. I counted at least three false start penalties that either pushed Ohio State from third and manageable to third and long. Or from third and long, to third and a country mile. And in a game like this, where it’s guaranteed you’ll be starting a freshman quarterback, that’s one of the things you simply cannot do.
Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz were probably both jittery. I certainly would be if I were in their position. It’s the biggest game of your life so far, and you’re making your first collegiate start against a Top 10 team from the SEC. Who wouldn’t be at least a little nervous?
Young quarterbacks do their best when the running game is their security blanket, and when the offensive play calling is simplified for them to the point where they don’t have to do a lot of pre-snap reads.
But when their linemen commit stupid penalties, and their best receivers don’t help them out either (lookin’ at you, Egbuka), no wonder they look like they’re in over their heads! They have no realistic chance to direct the offense, let alone lead the team to a win in a New Year’s Six bowl game!
To wrap this one up, I have to place the blame where it lies the most…
Coach Day did not have these guys prepared for this game.
The Buckeyes lost to Michigan on November 26th. It’s now the wee morning hours of December 30th. Coach Day had almost a month to get these guys ready. And it honestly looked like he didn’t do anything to get them there.
Ohio State looked completely flat in terms of energy during the game. The offensive execution was rough at best and terrible at worst, particularly in pass protection. And Eliah Drinkwitz’s team just looked more physical than the Buckeyes. The Tigers were the aggressors all night long. And that comes down to coaching.
This is where I’ll give a shoutout to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Cleveland has lost so many guys to injuries. But they are the mentally toughest team in the NFL. They continue to play extremely hard, are always physical, and are disciplined.
It doesn’t matter if there are starters playing, second stringers, or if the team is down to their fourth or fifth guy in any position group. The Browns bring it. They fight. Their energy is always up. And that comes from Coach Stefanski and how he’s leading these guys. The same cannot be said for Ryan Day, and how he’s leading Ohio State. A team takes on the personality of their coach. The Browns are playing like a bunch of vicious, cornered pit bulls. Ohio State looked soft and uninspired against Missouri.
Coach Stefanski always has the Browns playing hard no matter what the situation is, or who their opponent is. Ryan Day needs to figure out how to do the same thing with the Buckeyes. Or his already smoldering hot seat will be even hotter if this is the same result in late 2024 or early 2025. Kevin Stefanski is a leader of men. Ryan Day is not. And if he is, he hasn’t showed it on college football’s biggest stage very often.
I love the Buckeyes. I’m still a fan and will be for the rest of my life. I was born a Buckeye and will take a dirt nap one day as a Buckeye. But the effort in this game didn’t match the standard that is Ohio State football. Not even remotely close. I truly hope Ryan Day figures out how to get this team where they’re supposed to be. Until then, the Buckeyes finish the season at 11-2.
See you next year, boys.
Statistical Leaders
Lincoln Kienholz: 6-17, 86 yards
TreVeyon Henderson: 19 carries, 72 yards
Emeka Egbuka: 6 receptions, 63 yards
Source: ESPN
Picture Credit: ESPN
