Overall, I came away very satisfied with how Ohio State performed in yesterday's game. Here are my takeaways from the first game:
Positives
Kyle McCord: He exceeded my expectations as he delivered more accurate passes than I expected, some while under pressure. Also threw some beautiful semi-deep passes with touch. He also threw a few passes that lacked touch and a couple into coverage. As a new QB I expected there to be more misses than he made. I knew immediately that the INT was basically a result of his #1 falling down and he was just trying to make a play in a turnover of downs situation in IU territory. It was a smart decision to throw instead of taking a sack in that situation. This is a great game to build off of and I look to see McCord's throws and decisions improve over time.
Chip Trayanum: As I said last year, and again in April, (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2023/04/138224/chip-trayanum-dallan-hayden-could-gain-ground-in-deep-position-room-as-healthiest-running-backs-this-spring?page=5#comments) Trayanum is the best RB on the roster and he should be the undisputed starter. He averaged 7.1 ypc (8 carries 57 yards) vs 4.6 as a team. This is not a knock on Williams and Henderson. Williams is a stud and Henderson is damn good. Trayanum is just too good to be on the bench.
Defense: I'm not a coach, but from a fan's POV, it looked like our D played more contain, contrast the past attacking schemes focused on TO ratio which came with a price of giving up chunks of yards. At first glance, I love our D, and while they didn't seem to get pressure, they held IU to 71 run yards and 82 pass yards. That is not something easy to do in today's version of the game. Again, a great game to build off for the D.
Cade Stover: What a game the TE had and what a great weapon.
Carnell Tate: Another elite WR. Only one catch, but looks like he will easily continue the WRU legacy.
Negatives
The O-line: Needs to be more consistent in the run blocking. However, they will get better as some of the younger guys get more reps. It takes time to gel into that unit and the next two games should help. Nothing out of the ordinary here.
The Pass Rush: Was lacking but was that a result of them focused on stopping the run? How good is IU's OL?
Linebackers: Were out of position on a few plays but nothing to be alarmed about.
Some OSU "fans": For a fan base that supposedly knows football, it seems a fraction (30-40%?) don't realize that it takes reps to develop a player, but they expect the OSU QB to be cooked to order like a McDonald's happy meal. We saw it with CJ Stroud, but lesson not learned.
Summary: I am excited for this season and they have a great foundation to make an NC run. Also maybe it's good we didn't blowout IU, as improvement should always be top focus.
