Ryan Day’s Offense Struggles Early, But Ohio State Defense Shines Against Washington

In the first half of this game, I genuinely questioned how a Ryan Day team could win a national championship. Similar to recent games against Michigan, Ohio State’s first half against Washington looked tense, and offensive play-calling was questionable at best.

Whether it is offensive coordinator Brian Hartline or Ryan Day, something has to give for this offensive coaching staff. Julian Sayin does not need the tight leash they give him. Someone has to open the playbook for him and get Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate significantly more touches.

You have two first-round picks at receiver, yet you are insistent on running the ball when it’s been a bit of a struggle to get the run game going, especially with James Peoples and CJ Donaldson.

At least today, Bo Jackson was your bell cow running back getting the bulk of the touches. I think Day is definitely seeing that he’s by far the best running back you have, so in closer games, I hope he vultures more touches from the rest of the backfield.

Going back to the receivers, Jeremiah Smith had a solid day of 8 catches, 81 yards, and a touchdown; however, it feels like at times, Ohio State struggles to find a way to get him the ball. In their biggest drive of the game, when they needed 7 to take the lead before the half, they found so many unique ways to scheme him open. Whether it’s good play calling like that drive, or just taking some deep shots to Smith, I want to see him be more of a focal point in what should be an elite offense.

On a much more positive note, we can officially say that Ohio State has the best defense in the country. If the offense can win the field position battle, or even have an average day scoring the ball, they’re going to be one of the hardest teams in the country to beat.

I was really impressed with how the defensive line played today. Jonah Coleman is one of the best running backs in the country, and outside of a 34-yard run, the defense had him locked up all day long.

We were also witnesses to the Caden Curry coming-out party. We were waiting to see who was going to be the “alpha” on the edge for this defense, and I’m starting to think it’s Curry. He had 11 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks in this one. He lived in the Washington backfield and took over this game at points.

Last year's defense at Ohio State was elite, but this defense might be the best version we have ever seen of the Silver Bullets. Going on the road and handling business in Seattle is always something to be proud of, but this team still has a lot to clean up moving forward. Ohio State has a home matchup with Minnesota before a big test on the road at Illinois. Take the training wheels off of Sayin, and neither of these games should be close.