The Ohio State Buckeyes are still the undefeated No. 1 team in the country four weeks into the season, but this team is drastically difference than the one that won the national championship a year ago. Here are four things we've learned about them so far this season:
4) We need to calm down about the QB situation
After sloppy performances by both Cardale Jones and JT Barrett against Northern Illinois last week, the talk surrounding the Buckeyes all week once again centered around their quarterback battle - except it was in a negative light. Cardale Jones did his part to squash any concern there were about Ohio State's offense, passing for 288 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 32 more. T
he offense wasn't totally sharp all game, but there were definite signs of improvement. Remember, this is the most talented team in the country, and both quarterbacks will be playing in the NFL in the not-so-distant future. Ohio State will be fine.
3) The defense has been more dominant than expected
There's too much individual talent on this defense to dock Ohio State for finishing 26th in scoring defense and 25th in yards per play in 2014. DE Joey Bosa, LB Darron Lee and safety Von Bell aren't just impact players -- they're superstars that'd key any defense in the country, excluding none. The Buckeyes currently rank 6th in the country in total defense and 10th in scoring defense, and will only get better as the season goes on.
2) Ohio State isn't very committed to the ground game - but they should be
If the Buckeyes want to limit Ezekiel Elliott's carries to keep him fresh for later this season, that's fine - but the Buckeyes need to pound the ball. The offensive line struggled today, but the Buckeyes should be a run-oriented team. Elliott has a whopping 455 yards rushing and five touchdowns on just 77 carries, a number that really should be higher. For comparison, Elliott ran the ball 76 times during Ohio State's three-game run through the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.
Handoffs to Curtis Samuel, QB runs with Jones or Barrett, and jet sweeps with Jalin Marshall and Braxton Miller are options that have had a lot of success this year, when with the pass game struggling. Head coach Urban Meyer seems to be determined to throw the ball a ton, but the running game has been the Buckeyes' bread and butter.
1) Turnovers are an issue
Ohio State has shown a tendancy to beat themselves this season as they've turned the ball over 10 times already, which is the seventh-most of any team in the country. The Buckeyes are heavy favorites in every game they'll play this season, but turnovers are a GREAT way for a less talented team to pull an upset - which might happen if they don't take better care of the football.
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