Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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CHALK TALK BRYAN DRISKELL W hen Ohio State made its run to a national championship in the inaugural College Football Playoff last year, its potent offense was the driving force. Much was expected from that unit this season, but incon- sistency at quarterback has plagued the Buckeyes. OSU's offense remains dangerous, though, in part because it is far more effective with quarterback J.T. Bar- rett now running the show. Michigan found that out the hard way, giving up 369 rushing yards to the Buckeyes in its regular-season finale. Buckeyes boss Urban Meyer has run a spread offense at all four of his coaching stops, and it has always been built around establishing the ground game. The version Meyer has adapted has proven difficult to defend and is a key reason he has won three national titles in the last 10 years. WHAT MAKES OHIO STATE DIFFICULT TO DEFEND Throughout his career, Meyer has made sure his offense is built around the specific talents of his players. While the specifics have changed and the schemes have adapted, the basic principles of his offense have remained the same: 1. Force defenses to defend the en- tire width of the field, which creates bigger run lanes. 2. Use formations, motions and mis- direction looks to create defensive con- fusion, disrupt eye discipline and slow down the defenses ability to flow to the football. 3. Create numbers and leverage ad- vantages at the point of attack. 4. Put second level (linebackers) and third level (defensive backs) defend- ers in binds with backfield action and high-low pass concepts. 5. Get skill players isolated in space. 6. Have diversity in the running game. When OSU has its offense running efficiently the ground game carries the day, which sets up big-play opportuni- ties in the pass game. The Buckeyes are at their best when they are able to get junior running back Ezekiel Elliott rolling early in the game, which makes the read-zone concepts hard to defend. HOW TO DEFEND OHIO STATE The goal is not to shut down the Buckeyes. Michigan State was able to Defending The Buckeyes Senior quarterback turned H-back Braxton Miller is one of several weapons the Ohio State offense features. PHOTO COURTESY OHIO STATE