By Patrick Weider
This is probably the biggest game in Ryan Day’s career. After losing to Michigan for the 4th straight year, the Ohio State fan base is largely out on Day. Against Tennessee Saturday, Day has a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of some fans if he can win over the Vols and make a National Title run. Below are 5 keys to victory for the Buckeyes.
1) Aggressive and Fearless Ryan Day
Ohio State last played in the playoffs two years ago. They played a great game against Georgia when they lost a heartbreaker 42-41, losing after missing a game-winning field goal as time expired. I brought that up because Day’s squad was in a similar situation that year, losing to Michigan at home and then re-grouping to play a great game.
I thought it was Day’s best game from a play-calling perspective. He was aggressive throughout the game and took advantage of the weapons he had outside in Marvin Harrison and Emeka Egbuka. Ohio State needs Day and Chip Kelly to do this against Tennessee. Call the game like you have nothing to lose, because you do not have anything to lose. An aggressive and fearless Ryan Day needs to show up.
2) Get playmakers the ball
I thought it was coaching malpractice that Day and Kelly refused to throw the ball to Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka during the Michigan game. They decided to commit to the run game, even though it wasn’t working. In this game, they need to make both of those receivers a priority. They are both special wide receivers and are tough to guard in any matchup. I would try to get between 8-10 targets in this game.
The other two playmakers on offense are the running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Both have struggled to run the ball because the offensive line has been up and down, but there is no reason Ohio State can’t throw them the ball. Both are lethal in the open field. Getting these four playmakers the ball will go a long way to winning the game.
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3) Slow down the Tennessee run game
Dylan Sampson is going to be the best running back Ohio State has faced this year. The Tennessee running back is an elite runner with 1,485 yards, 22 touchdowns, and is a true X-Factor. Now, Ohio State’s defense has been excellent in stopping the run this year, allowing under 97 yards a game which is seventh nationally, but they will have a big challenge in stopping Sampson.
While I don’t think Ohio State needs to completely stop him to win the game, the Buckeyes need to slow him down. Against Georgia, Tennessee’s 2nd loss of the season, Sampson rushed for 101 yards on the day. Slowing the run game down and then forcing Tennessee into longer 3rd downs will allow Ohio State to get pressure on quarterback Nico Iamaleava and get off the field on 3rd downs.
4) Clean up special team problems
Ohio State’s special teams had largely been good this season, but against Michigan, they failed at the worst possible time. First, Jayden Fielding missed two easy field goals that would have put Ohio State ahead in the game. Because of that, his starting spot is in question, and backup Austin Snyder may take over kicking responsibilities.
Past that, punter Joe McGuire did not punt the ball extremely well. Finally, they had multiple plays where they missed timed returns, and it hurt field position. Ohio State needs to fix these areas if they want to win this game.
5) Find a component run game
Losing starting left tackle Josh Simmons and starting Center Seth McLaughlin has seriously hurt the Ohio State run game. Both were massive blows, but the Buckeyes still need to find a way to run the ball in key moments. I do not think they need to run for 200 yards to win the game, but they need to run in key moments like goal-line and short yardage to be successful. The Buckeyes still have a stable of weapons in the backfield between Henderson and Judkins and running threat Will Howard. Just block and they can do the rest.
