Ryan Day’s new-look Buckeyes in Rose Bowl victory meet expectations of being college football’s best team
The Ohio State Buckeyes once again left zero doubt about which roster and coaching staff was more prepared for battle in the College Football Playoff. After a commanding 42-17 win against Tennessee, the Buckeyes raced out to a jaw-dropping 34-0 lead against Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Their 41-21 victory did more than redeem their previous loss, establishing that preseason expectations were properly set.
With only two more potential games left, the Buckeyes are the best team in the country. Ryan Day has Ohio State absolutely rolling, proving that he learned a valuable lesson from losing to Michigan in The Game despite being heavily favored. The changes are apparent all over the field.
The offense is moving faster, increasing opportunities to force the defense into rushed decision-making and getting the ball into playmakers’ hands. Will Howard has less to do, as Ohio State has run the ball 31 times against only 26 passing attempts. His efficiency is up, and the quality of his game has risen.
Howard averaged 12.3 yards per completion, torching Oregon for 319 yards on 17 completions. TreVeyon Henderson was a superstar, ripping off 94 yards on only eight carries, including a game-breaking 66-yard touchdown. Jeremiah Smith racked up 187 yards and two touchdowns, which is the most dominant showing by any individual I can recall in recent years.
Gone are the mental mistakes, bad turnovers, horizontal play calls, and situational gaffes that plagued Day in big games over the last few years. Oregon never settled in despite limiting Ohio State to one second-half score and reaching the endzone on two straight drives.
That’s the immense pressure that comes with a high-octane roster that is playing fast and confidently. Day had lost that zeal in recent years despite his gaudy regular season success. Dan Lanning appeared to grab the mantle from Day as the newest hotshot who boldly calls punt fakes and two-point conversions, but the roles reversed this game.
The Buckeyes will face the Texas Longhorns on January 10 in the Cotton Bowl. The winner of the College Football Playoff Semifinal will go on to play either Georgia, Notre Dame, or Penn State for the national championship.
If these Buckeyes continue to show up and are this sharp, they can cruise to the inaugural 12-team Playoff title even against the nation’s blue bloods. They’re that good.
