Like It Not! Ohio State Has A New Brand Of Football, And It's Awesome!
The Ohio State Buckeyes usually get off to some undefeated start every single season, and they unfold either against Michigan in recent years or the College Football Playoff.
Buckeye fans are no strangers to seeing their team be perfect heading into November, but this 8-0 start is very different than in years past.
Ohio State has shown the college football world an entirely new identity this season, and when you think of Ohio State, the first thing that comes to mind is the high-flying offense. Still, this season, the physicality of the defense is molding the way for the Buckeyes to do great things down the stretch.
In the last two games of the 2022 season, Ohio State went up against Michigan and Georgia, where they were outplayed by both teams late and ended up finding themselves in the loss column.
The lack of toughness and physicality surrounded this Buckeyes team all off-season, and everyone wanted to know how they would respond to the negativity.
Ohio State has responded well, and they look incredibly different from what we saw leaving the field in Atlanta, Georgia, last year.
Ohio State Has Answered Every Test
The defense is playing with their hair on fire every drive and has answered every challenge.
Ohio State got an early test when they went on the road to face Notre Dame, which is one of the Top 15 teams in the country and quarterbacked by sixth-year Senior Sam Hartman.
Hartman was the most coveted transfer quarterback last offseason, and when he chose Notre Dame, many thought he would bring them over the top and get the win over the Buckeyes.
Even though Notre Dame only played four games heading into the Ohio State game, Hartman was already one of the leaders in the Heisman race. With an excellent performance against Ohio State, he could've been the leader in the clubhouse for that honor.
Ohio State neutralized Hartman's passing attack, holding him only to 175 passing yards and one touchdown.
The defense did give up a good amount on the ground, giving up 176 rushing yards, but they still only held the Fighting Irish to 14 points.
Ohio State's quarterback Kyle McCord grew up big time down the stretch in that game, and his big throw after big throw on their last drive helped the Buckeyes pull off the last-second win.
I'm bringing this game backup to highlight how things changed over a year with this team.
They were physical in every aspect of the game, and when the offense was struggling, the defense picked them up, and the offense was able to reward them with the game-winning drive.
Let's fast forward now to the Penn State game two weeks ago. Penn State rolled into Columbus, Ohio, as a Top 10 team with one of the best defenses in the country.
This would be a defensive game, and Ohio State's defense put on a clinic. The Buckeyes held Penn State out of the endzone until the last drive of the game, when the defense played prevent and kept everything in front of them so time would come off the clock.
Penn State was 1/16 on third down, and their only first down on third down came on that last drive of the game.
As you can see, the defense played physical once again, and they were going up against one of the best offensive lines in the country, led by left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, who could be the first lineman taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The defense didn't miss a beat, and even the offense looked their part even though they only put up 20 points.
As I said before, Penn State has an outstanding defense so it wouldn't be a high-scoring day for the Buckeyes. They were down two huge starters in running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka so it would be even more difficult.
That didn't stop Ohio State from putting points on the board and having an excellent offensive showing. McCord went 22/35 for 286 yards and one passing touchdown.
The Buckeyes picked up 79 yards on the ground without their star running back, and, of course, the best player in the country, Marvin Harrison Jr, had 11 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown.
I can't forget about the tight end Cade Stover, who stepped up big time with four receptions for 70 yards.
Ohio State also had a tough test heading to Camp Randall last weekend, where they would face a 5-2 Wisconsin Badger team coached by former Buckeyes coach Luke Fickell.
Of course, it was going to be an emotional game for Fickell going up against a school he played and coached for, and he was going to have his guys ready to go.
McCord probably had the worst game of his season, going 17/26, 226 yards, two touchdowns, and throwing two interceptions, but the rest of the team stepped up and made sure they were going to win the game no matter what.
TreVeyon Henderson returned, and had a strong outing, rushing for 162 yards on 24 attempts and a score.
Henderson was able to move the ball with his legs, and that helped calm the offense down. Harrison did what he does best, having six receptions for 123 yards and two scores.
McCord didn't have his best stuff, but that didn't stop the rest of the offense from shutting down.
The offense picked up McCord when he needed it the most, and the defense did their part again, only holding the Badgers to 10 points.
Ohio State has found many ways to win games this season, and that's sign of a great football team.
How many times over the past years would you sit down to watch an Ohio State game and say that if they don't score at least 35 points today, they aren't winning?
Well, that is not the case this season because they can win games in so many ways, and even though the offense isn't as great in recent years, it is still excellent, and as a bunch of great playmakers, that can open up a game.
This Buckeyes team reminds me of recent Georgia and Alabama teams, who were very physical, played great defense, and could pound the ball on the ground to wear out teams.
We have an exceptional team on our hands in Columbus, and they have answered the bell so far this season, but they have the hardest test remaining when they head to Ann Arbor to face Michigan the last week of the season.
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