Well that first half certainly was concerning but the Buckeyes finally get untracked and rolling offensively, as they climb to 5-0 on the season after notching an ugly win against a tough and scrappy Maryland team!
I’m not making excuses for the Buckeyes at this point in the season. And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about how the offense is performing. But before anyone jumps down my throat, consider this: Every single National Championship contender has looked beatable. Texas, Georgia, Michigan and Ohio State have all had times this season where they have looked weak. For as much as any Buckeye fan wants this team to steamroll everyone, perhaps it’s just that kind of year in 2023. There’s no clear cut, overpowering favorite like there was in years past.
If that’s the case, it’ll be up to Ohio State to show that they’re mentally tough. They’ve now been mentally tested at least twice this season. Two weeks ago in South Bend and today against Maryland. But they’ve come out victorious. How did they get the job done today? Let’s take a look at the Keys to Victory!
Welcome to the party, Lathan Ransom!
For as solid of a defensive player as he’s been over the course of his Ohio State career, safety Lathan Ransom snagged only his second career interception. And boy, what a big one it was! Until that play, it seemed like Ohio State was sleepwalking on both sides of the ball. The Buckeyes couldn’t get going on the ground, and Kyle McCord was really struggling.
But after Ransom took that pick to the house, it was like it fired everybody up! From the entire defense to the 105,000+ packing The ‘Shoe, Ransom’s pick may have been just the spark Ohio State needed to turn the tide in this one!
Marvin Harri$on Jr.
The Buckeyes may sputter at times on offense. The defense may look inconsistent. But if there’s one guaranteed bright spot on this team, he wears number 18. I’m just going to say it: Marv. Is. MONEY! Sometimes when the team is struggling, it’s up to their best players to step up.
He certainly did that today, as he hauled in eight catches for 163 yards and hit paydirt for his third touchdown of the season! No matter who the Buckeyes play, if they’re going to compete for anything big, whether it’s a Big Ten Championship or National Championship, their best players need to step up. Money Marv certainly did that today!
Second half defensive pressure
I still like Ohio State DC Jim Knowles. I’m not as quick to dismiss him as other Buckeyes are. But his defense can either be brilliant and play like true Silver Bullets. Or they can be as full of holes as fresh Swiss cheese. It’s maddeningly inconsistent sometimes. National Championship teams don’t have that problem. He’s still got some things to figure out.
But when they had to absolutely had to have it, the Ohio State defense stepped up and made key stops. While they can be much better, they held Maryland to a combined 8-20 on third and fourth down. Not to mention they held Taulia Tagovailoa to under 200 yards passing and picked him off twice.
Cade’s big day!
I’d be wrong if I didn’t mention Cade Stover today. He did make only two catches for 66 yards today. But one of them went 44 yards to the house for a touchdown! I will still always think that Coach Day doesn’t utilize him enough. I know the Buckeyes have other flashier weapons, but having a tight end who is 6’4, 255 pounds who can both block and catch extremely well is a luxury not every team has. As I said on last Monday’s OH Report podcast with Travis Berardi, a stout, multitalented tight end is criminally underrated in today’s game. And big #8 gives the Buckeyes one more big-time weapon!
Where do they go from here?
I know the College Football Playoff committee does look at how stylish a team’s wins are, and the Buckeyes definitely haven’t won any game with style so far this year. I don’t count Western Kentucky. But at the end of the day, a win is a win. And that truly is all that matters. I’d much rather hear it from unrealistic Buckeye fans about how “bad” this team looks, than be hurting from an actual loss.
So many people aren’t grateful for Ohio State wins, no matter how they come. But I’ve been a diehard Buckeye ever since 1996 when I was a five-year old boy. 27 years. I learned about, and fell in love with the game of football thanks to my father and Ohio State. The Buckeyes are the first team I ever loved as a fan. And it never gets old seeing them in the win column no matter who they play!
Up next? Ohio State travels to West Lafayette, Indiana to take on the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue is coming into that one at 2-3 on the season, but for some reason the Boilermakers can give us fits from time to time. There have been at least three losses to them that I can remember that really derailed otherwise great seasons. They get up for us. They can be sneaky good. It’s a definite trap game coming up next week.
But until then, Ohio State stays undefeated at 5-0! GO BUCKS!
Statistical Leaders
Kyle McCord: 19-29, 320 yards, 2 TDs
Chip Trayanum: 20 carries, 61 yards, TD
Marvin Harrison Jr.: 8 rec., 163 yards TD
Source: ESPN
Picture Credit: clutchpoints.com
