Ohio State: Did Coach Meyer Get The QB Decision Wrong?

Sep 26, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes fans during the third quarter versus the Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 38-12. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

There’s Multiple Issues On Offense

Joe Russo

Having covered most of the Buckeyes games for FoS this season, there are a couple of observations I have that are leading to Jones’ issues. First is the play calling. No, it’s not as atrocious as everyone makes it out to be. However, Ohio State is trying to do too much on offense. How many times has the Braxton Miller Wildcat look gained anything significant? How many times as a Miller read option or reverse worked?

I understand you want to get him involved, but let’s not out-think ourselves here. Miller was most effective against Virginia Tech getting the ball in space, not lining up in the backfield.

Second, there has not been as much success with the power run game until the second half of the Indiana game, when ‘Zeke busted out three huge runs en route to the second best rushing performance in school history. Too many times we’ve seen some stretch or dive plays, but not the true power game in the running attack.

Ohio State has the personnel to do this more effectively without sacrificing the pass. In fact, utilizing the power run would make Michael Thomas, Jalin Marshall, and Miller more effective on the outside.

Lastly, let’s just slow down the criticism of Cardale Jones. This is a guy that had three starts coming into the season. Granted, they were the three biggest games of his life, but let’s also understand that this is his first time opening any season in Columbus as the number one guy. It takes time to settle into that role, lest we have forget the early struggles of Miller and Terelle Pryor. It’s not easy being the starting quarterback at Ohio State.

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