Matchup games expose a team's flaws. In a matchup game against No. 2 (soon to be No. 1) Indiana, Ohio State's shortcomings on offense were exposed.
The Buckeyes settled for a field goal once in the red zone, missed a field goal another time and were stopped on fourth down on a third. Off its best performance of the season at Michigan, the offensive line had major lapses in pass protection as Ohio State managed just 2.2 yards per carry on the ground.
Play calling also proved head-scratching. Ohio State deployed what felt like an overuse of tight ends and of play action. The 3rd-and-1 pass that predated the Buckeyes' missed potential game-tying field goal targeted Bennett Christian. The quick passing game that seemed to bear some fruit was often abandoned.
All that being said, Ohio State went on an incredible run to a national championship after losing its final game before the College Football Playoff in 2024. The Buckeyes’ biggest goal of the season is still in front of them. But a Big Ten championship and dreams of perfection are off the table.
Eleven Warriors' Dan Hope and Andy Anders review what went wrong and what lies ahead for Ohio State on a new episode of After Carmen, which you can watch at the top of the page.
