2022 Game #9 | #2 Ohio State @ Northwestern | November 5th, 2022 @ 12:00 PM EST

[Stark]

This is the greatest win in Ohio State history.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

Obviously concerned in a bad weather game NW can just line up and run the ball every play more effectively than we can.

I'd say Ohio State is gonna have to really work on the read option and getting Stroud to practice keeping it and running, specifically the game against Michigan is bad weather.

If the game plan you have to resort to against Michigan in any weather is Stroud running read option, that's going to be an L

 

[Chris]

Yawn. Great win, or something.

 

[Rich]

If the game plan you have to resort to against Michigan in any weather is Stroud running read option, that's going to be an L

Ah yes, so don't game plan at all, just give them the W!

 

[daddywags]

Hate to see this happen. The guy was playing a very good game. Hope he's okay.

 

[inliner311]

If the game plan you have to resort to against Michigan in any weather is Stroud running read option, that's going to be an L

They can mix in some read option but I think they need to build out the running game with more creative plays. Also add plays that are extensions of the running game like sweeps and screens.

I stated earlier, I've thought for a while that Day eliminating the hybrid WR/RB position from the offense was a mistake. Urban used a lot of that stuff to be more creative in the running game. Jalen Marshall and Curtis Samuel had big games as a hybrid and a player like that could shoulder the load if Day doesn't want to run Stroud. I think it's understandable to not want to run your QB to keep them healthy but you better have a plan to augment the running game if you hit weather that doesn't allow you to pass the ball.

 

[Akron330]

Nothing good to say about this performance. Take the win and move on. Hope they get some things figured out in the next couple of weeks

 

[Rich]

Last two drives have been encouraging.


I'd just say the biggest knock today was an inability to go and get 3 and outs on defense knowing full well they had to just run, run, run.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

They can mix in some read option but I think they need to build out the running game with more creative plays. Also add plays that are extensions of the running game like sweeps and screens.

I stated earlier, I've thought for a while that Day eliminating the hybrid WR/RB position from the offense was a mistake. Urban used a lot of that stuff to be more creative in the running game. Jalen Marshall and Curtis Samuel had big games as a hybrid and a player like that could shoulder the load if Day doesn't want to run Stroud. I think it's understandable to not want to run your QB to keep them healthy but you better have a plan to augment the running game if you hit weather that doesn't allow you to pass the ball.

I just mean OSU's path to beating Michigan is through the air and taking advantage of the WR talent. If OSU has to rely on running the ball and being a more physical team than Michigan, that's just not a game they've shown the ability to play all year.

 

[Rich]

Oooohhh I didn't realize Michigan had Illinois coming up on the schedule.

That will be....an interesting game. That's the week before OSU. That has trouble written all over it.

 

[inliner311]

I just mean OSU's path to beating Michigan is through the air and taking advantage of the WR talent. If OSU has to rely on running the ball and being a more physical team than Michigan, that's just not a game they've shown the ability to play all year.

They have practice to be the passing team all season but if the weather doesn't premit them to be that, you better put in a lot of misdirection stuff to the running game. Having a QB willing to run adds misdirection but there are other ways to do it if your QB isn't so willing to run. Misdirection isn't so reliant of being a physical team and with the athletes this team has as playmakers, it's something they should be able to install.

Add multiple RBs into the backfield and use your WR in the running game with screens and sweeps. Make the defense question who will get the ball with runs. The weather is changing and the likelihood that the weather will be nice during the Michigan game isn't that high.

 

[Akron330]

did this game cost CJ the Heisman?

 

[Ohio]

did this game cost CJ the Heisman?

Nah, it's completely up for grabs if Tennessee loses to Georgia today.

 

[I'mWithDan]

Oooohhh I didn't realize Michigan had Illinois coming up on the schedule.

That will be....an interesting game. That's the week before OSU. That has trouble written all over it.

Stylistically, it’s more of a meh matchup to me. They could certainly lose to Illinois but a grind it out game is not the style I worry about. The recipe to really get Michigan in trouble is to force them to play from behind. I don’t think Illinois has the offense to produce the type of negative game script that would be tough to overcome.

 

[MGMT]

Last two drives have been encouraging.


I'd just say the biggest knock today was an inability to go and get 3 and outs on defense knowing full well they had to just run, run, run.

How many consecutive 3rd and 8s did NW convert? 9/18 deep into the game for 3rd down conversions allowed is problematic for sure. I don’t know; we might see things improve significantly if Day keeps designed runs incorporated. But it’s challlenging to at least not be concerned right now.