When Ed Warinner was asked Monday if he could put into words just how far Ohio State had come up front in the 12 months since it last faced Virginia Tech, the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator and offensive line coach flashed a wry smile and let out a brief chuckle before giving his answer.
“About 12 months more experienced, 12 months more of being together,” Warinner said. “Obviously, they’re a mature group, very close group, a very veteran, weathered group that’s gone through a season like we had last year — finishing strong, playing well at the end of the year.”
It seems as if it’s a little more complex than that, though, because Ohio State’s improvement throughout the course of the 2014 season was somewhat remarkable.
The Buckeyes were embarrassed on that September evening at Ohio Stadium. They were underprepared and were out-coached by a Virginia Tech team which simply was the better side that night.
Particularly, though, the Buckeyes were beat up front. The Hokies sacked Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett a total of seven times as their 46 Bear defense stifled the redshirt freshman signal caller. Barrett was harassed all evening and completed just nine of his 29 pass attempts. Star running back Ezekiel Elliott gained just 32 yards on eight carries. Ohio State couldn't get anything done offensively.
“I think confidence was everything. I just think we had to get some confidence because the talent was always there. I think it was just a matter of guys having the confidence that they can go out there and execute their jobs.”– Taylor Decker
“We didn’t play well up front, but it’s not like we played awful,” Ohio State left tackle Taylor Decker said at Big Ten Media Days in July. “A lot of times it was, they were sending six and we only had five guys blocking or they’d send seven and we’d have six.”
Decker was the lone returning starter to the offensive line last year and even he was learning a new position as he transitioned to left tackle from right tackle. The other four guys — Billy Price, Jacoby Boren, Pat Elflein and Darryl Baldwin — were all in their first year as a starter.
Growing pains were to be expected and, quite frankly, the Buckeyes’ experienced them right out of the gate on that night against the Hokies.
But something changed throughout Ohio State’s run to the national title. The offensive line seemingly got better each week and by the end of the season, the Buckeyes’ unit up front was one of the best in college football.
And this year, as Ohio State is just four days away from its rematch with Virginia Tech, ‘The Slobs’ as they’re called, are in a much different scenario than they were just 12 months ago.
Four of the starters from last year’s group return; Baldwin, last year’s right tackle, is the only one who isn’t back. Taking his spot is fifth-year senior Chase Farris, a guy who Decker said had one of the best camps out of anybody on the team.
The unit is playing at a much higher level. Decker and Elflein are on a handful of preseason All-American lists. Boren and Decker were named team captains last week. Price is fully capable of being an All-Big Ten player this year.
It’s a completely different feel surrounding Warinner’s group than it was at this time one year ago. The reason for that? Well, that comes down to one thing, according to Decker.
“I think confidence was everything,” Decker said Wednesday. “I just think we had to get some confidence because the talent was always there. I think it was just a matter of guys having the confidence that they can go out there and execute their jobs.
“We have some of the best players in the country, but if you’re not confident you’re gonna play slow. Especially against Virginia Tech and their fast defensive line, you don’t want to play slow.”
For the Buckeyes up front, confidence is the key to their transformation. Now, they’re hoping that translates to a win over the lone team they lost to just 12 short months ago.
