As I wrote in yesterday's Five Things, while Ohio State's run game stats versus Texas weren't all that impressive, it's worth nothing a host of factors were working against the Buckeyes. 

From having two new primary ball carriers, to it being the first game, to Texas likely having a top-15 rush defense this season like it did in 2024, to the OSU game plan being conservative enough that the Longhorns were able to easily anticipate the run or crowd the line on numerous occasions, I'm not sure the run game was set up well for success.

The Buckeyes averaged just 2.7 yards per carry on 34 attempts, had nine of those go for no gain on negative yardage, and the longest run of the day was eight yards. 

That said, Ohio State did ride the run game on it's first touchdown drive, a 13-play, 80-yard march that saw 10 rushing plays for 33 yards, culminating in CJ Donaldson's 1-yard scoring plunge on 4th-and-Goal. 

Speaking of Donaldson, he started and looked much better than James Peoples which admittedly surprised me on both counts. Donaldson carried it 19 times for 67 yards while Peoples recorded just 20 yards on 10 attempts. 

I think the run game will improve but I was definitely surprised with how Peoples looked and the fact things never came together to generate at least one run over 10 or 15 yards for either back. I fear the lack of game-changing plays by the running backs could be a hindrance to the offense this year. 

So what do you think? Do you have zero worries, a lot of concern, or maybe you're somewhere in between as you size up the run game after one contest against a very good Texas front seven?