The Ohio State Buckeyes are 6-0, although some fans are concerned with those games being closer than expected. Still, 6-0 is 6-0 and the Buckeyes are in the driver's seat in the Big Ten. Here are five things they need to do to remain in that position for the rest of the season:
Continue To Use The Two QB System
While Cardale Jones has taken plenty of grief this season, he's been the superior passer. Jones has completed 63 percent of his passes for 7 TDs and 6 INTs against J.T. Barrett's 58 percent for 2 TDs and 2 picks. Jones is the better passer, but he's not quite the runner that Barrett is. Barrett is averaging seven yards per carry with 3 TDs.
Both have made appearances this season and both are talented enough to start on numerous college football teams, so Urban Meyer smartly started using a true two-quarterback system against Maryland, using Barrett down in the red zone and in running situations whith Jones still being the primary QB. They gashed the Terps with that system, and seems to be the thing to do going forward.
Utilize Jalin Marshall & Braxton Miller
Both Miller and Marshall are deadly for the Buckeyes and the team uses them in different ways. Marshall has 16 catches for 279 yards and 2 TDs. Miller isn't far behind with 13 catches for 192 yards and 2 TDs. However, Miller gets carries, something Marshall doesn't receive. On the season, Miller has 25 carries for 161 yards and a TD. Marshall is the punt returner, with 183 yards on 13 returns. The two are dynamic with the ball in their hands and the coaching staff has done a good job of scheming ways to get them touches.
Keep Giving Ezekiel Elliott The Ball
The Buckeyes have leaned on Elliott for much of the season and for good reason. He's racked up 835 yards and 10 TDs on 121 carries. He's averaging an impressive 7 yards per carry. OSU is trying to limit his touches to about 25 per game, which makes sense. Ohio State needs Elliott fresh for a postseason run. However, I wouldn't mind seeing Curtis Samuel get a few more carries each game. He's had only nine carries, but has rushed for 99 yards. There have been plenty of QB runs, as well as gives to Miller, but finding ways to limit the hits to the star players would be smart, especially against lesser teams.
Defense Needs To Continue To Dominate
The Buckeyes have a Top 20 defense in yards allowed per game. The team is giving up only 17.3 points per game, which is just outside the Top 20. While the Buckeyes don't have the best defense in the Big Ten, as that belongs to That Team Up North, it's good enough to get the Buckeyes a Big Ten title.
Rely On Their Championship Pedigree
The wins haven't always been pretty, but Ohio State is still ranked No. 1 in the nation and are the defending national champions, so every team in the nation desperately wants to beat them. As long as the Buckeyes keep winning, Ohio State will remain No. 1.
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