Well, that was certainly a great way to win the final home game of the year, wasn’t it? Wow! The Buckeyes looked like they were firing on all cylinders! They covered the spread by a touchdown. And they didn’t get caught looking ahead like That Team Up North did against Maryland. They handled their business like a National Championship contender should. How’d they do it? Let’s take a look at the Keys to Victory!
Running the football
This is the key to success not just next week, but for any game after that, whether it’s a nice bowl game, or the Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoff. Kyle McCord has done well the last 2-3 weeks. But it really helps to take the pressure off him, and get him comfortable controlling the offense, when the Buckeyes are able to run the football and run it well.
TreVeyon Henderson ran about as well as he possibly could. He carried the ball 15 times for 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His highlight-reel 75-yard touchdown run was beautiful. It put a Texas-sized grin on my face and gave me confidence and hope for this team going into next week.
TreVeyon Henderson gives Ohio State an extra gear. An extra dimension. A puncher’s chance. And if he runs as well next week as he did today, the Buckeyes have a chance to land the knockout punch against absolutely anybody.
A solid, complimentary running game is a quarterback’s best friend, too. It stretches the defense thin, and forces them to focus on slowing other aspects of the game down, while also keeping the quarterback more comfortable to operate in the pocket. McCord is going to need that next week. But he’ll also have to be a big key to victory seven days from now, like he was today!
Kyle McCord was consistent
Kyle McCord will likely never be a Dwayne Haskins or Justin Fields type. And that’s okay. He played within himself today. He managed the game well. He only made one really questionable throw that was nearly an interception.
But other than that, he looked solid. He was smart, unafraid to let it rip, and it looked like he built on his showing from last week against Michigan State. He got a big confidence booster going into next week. It’s the best thing he could possibly get as a growing quarterback. Especially going into an incredibly hostile environment on November 25th. He led the Buckeyes to big wins over Notre Dame and Penn State. No reason he can’t get another one if he keeps things up.
Limiting the big play on defense
Ohio State’s defense has been strong all year long. But they unfortunately have had a few hiccups too this season. I love the physicality of the Silver Bullets. I love their aggressiveness. I salivate whenever I see aggressive defenses that get home to sack the quarterback, swarm to the football, and finish the play!
But the Buckeye defense has been susceptible to allowing big plays here and there at times. They’re strong, but not unbeatable. Today was probably the most complete and solid defensive effort of the season, right up there with the Penn State game.
Ohio State controlled Minnesota from wire to wire. The Golden Gophers never got rolling offensively, and while the Buckeyes didn’t get a ton of pressure on the quarterback, they did get home for a pair of sacks. If they can take today’s “game control” style of preventing the big play, and turn up the heat several notches? They have a good chance to continue taking care of business.
_ichigan Week!
It’s that time. The Game. Buckeyes. Wolverines. Those two ancient enemies renew their bitter and epic feud next weekend in Ann Arbor. The 119th meeting since 1897. It’s a time-honored, beloved tradition that’s as American as Apple Pie. This is going to be the longest week of my life. But until then…
GO BUCKS!
Statistical Leaders
Kyle McCord: 20-30, 212 yards, 2 TDs.
TreVeyon Henderson: 15 carries, 146 yards, 2 TDs.
Emeka Egbuka: 5 catches, 83 yards
Source: ESPN
Picture Credit: clutchpoints.com
