What a year it has been for the Buckeyes.
After a thrilling win on the road against Oregon, sandwiched between two cupcake games against Bowling Green and Buffalo, Ohio State has steamrolled through the conference so far (save for that one hiccup against Iowa—luckily Haubeil nailed that kick at the end), and they certainly took care of business against Maryland, destroying the Terps 63-10.
Justin Fields is putting together the greatest season in Ohio State history. #VARSITY is 10-0. Let's debrief.
Wait.
How Would This Season Have Gone?
Ohio State's original 2020 schedule, as we have become accustomed to, featured a few weaker non-conference opponents early in the season, sandwiched around a marquee matchup against a resurgent Oregon program in Eugene.
Ohio States 2020 Schedule
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) December 8, 2019
vs Bowling Green
@ Oregon
vs Buffalo
vs Rutgers
OFF
vs Iowa
@ Michigan State
@ Penn State
vs Nebraska
vs Indiana
@ Maryland
@ Illinois
vs Michigan
It is safe to say that Ohio State would be 10-0 right now, even with the game at Oregon and a probable white-out at Penn State. The Nittany Lions are an awful football team this year and I don't think that would change in this alternate universe where COVID does not exist.
Some Unanswered Questions
Ohio State has certainly missed out on a few things due to not having those early games.
Offensive Line and Secondary Continuity
The interior offensive line has not been very good this year after the graduation of Jonah Jackson and subsequent insertion of Harry Miller at left guard. Normally, of course, there is time at the beginning of the season for the offensive line to gel but this season they have been thrown into the fire.
In the secondary, Ohio State is replacing three starters from a year ago, with Shaun Wade the lone holdover (and even he moved from the nickel corner spot to the outside). With the injury to Cameron Brown, it has been a double whammy for players such as Sevyn Banks and Marcus Williamson to have to step up quickly.
Freshmen Emergence
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been solid for the Buckeyes, but we have not heard a lot out of any other freshmen so far this year. Julian Fleming dropped a ball that probably would have went for a touchdown against Rutgers, and we have seen one drive from Jack Miller and one play from C.J. Stroud. The freshmen have been robbed of valuable experience this year and that could not only hurt Ohio State this season but perhaps next year as well.
Trip-Up Potential
On a positive note: While fewer games does give less wiggle room from a potential loss, it also means fewer opportunities to lose in the first place. Oregon and a real white-out were certainly games that are "loseable," and I'd argue the game that should have been played yesterday against Maryland was a lose-lose for Ohio State. Either the Buckeyes win like they are supposed to or they lose and the national championship hopes are virtually over.
The Maryland Game
So, really. How would the game against Maryland have gone?
Last year, the Buckeyes put up 73 points, ran a wild onside kick, and obliterated the Terps from start to finish.
With three wins by pretty substantial margins, it is safe to say that the Buckeyes would have gotten the job done again. 73 points? Unlikely. 50? Reasonable. It would have been nice to see the defense battle Taulia Tagovailoa, who is looking increasingly legit after a clunker against Northwestern in the opener.
SIDE NOTE: Two years ago, the headline: "Tagovailoa set to take on Fields" would have made you think Alabama and Georgia were about to battle it out in the SEC Championship Game. Alas, Georgia now has two losses and an accountant playing quarterback while Fields is well on his way to becoming a top-five NFL Draft choice. I'm not mad about how it turned out instead.
Looking Ahead
Ohio State will take on Indiana next Saturday in what has somehow turned out to be a Top-10 matchup.
This could be an interesting one for the local team. If Michael Penix Jr. plays well, Indiana will have a chance to pull off an upset in Columbus. If he doesn't play well, it should be a relatively easy win for Ohio State.
Jim Tressel's Least Favorite Moment
Unfortunately, Youngstown State announced a move to all-virtual instruction for the remainder of the fall semester following Thanksgiving break (which is something Ohio State has already done) so Jim was certainly preoccupied.
Nonetheless, I'm sure he would have enjoyed a three-hour break from 3:30 to 6:30 to watch the Buckeyes. Me too, buddy. Me too. Hopefully we get some good special teams execution next week.
