Ohio State vs Akron Final THoughts

OSU vs Akron By Chris Lauderback JER-OH MY-UH SMITH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN So is it too early to consider Jeremiah Smith a lock to break every freshman receiving record at Ohio State? What about career receiving records? Yeah it was Akron but my goodness #4 looks like the real deal and then some. The best receiver prospect in school history led the Buckeyes with six grabs for 92 yards and became the first Buckeye freshman since Michael Wiley in 1996 to record two touchdown grabs in a collegiate debut. His 9-yard and 16-yard touchdown catches in the first half weren't even his most impressive feats on the day as he introduced himself to America. Things more impressive than those plays - which were no doubt elite - were plentiful. I appreciated how he responded to a tough start as he dropped a tunnel screen that appeared destined for a solid gain, was flagged for illegal formation after lining up incorrectly, and appeared late on a attempted block to spring Egbuka on a screen. After each miscue he just kept swinging and the results were worth getting very, very excited about. He led the team with nine targets (Egbuka next with seven) and his one-handed grab of a 45-yard strike from Will Howard was an example of the talent he has that you just can't teach. I know it's one game but it seems pretty obvious he and Howard have a legit rhythm. Considering Smith arrived at basically the same time as Howard, no other incumbent receivers had more time to develop chemistry with Ohio State's new signal caller and it shows. We'll see if Smith continues to lead the team in targets but I won't be surprised given what we saw yesterday. And while I had Smith pegged for 800+ yards this season, I'm starting to think that's a lowball. This kid is must watch TV already. HAVOC DELIVERED In my bold predictions column as part of our season preview series and on The 11W Show on YouTube, I've joined the chorus of folks expecting the third year of the Jim Knowles Experience to see this defense to take that next step in elite status by way of turning up the havoc. Last year's defense was great statistically in scoring and total defense, among other metrics, but the unit was near the bottom of the national rankings in interceptions and ranked No. 73 in tackles for loss per game (5.54). The hope for this season is Knowles' group would be able to dictate more of the action with increased aggression but still manage to limit big plays. After game one, again with the "it was Akron" qualifier, you have to feel awesome about how the defense was orchestrated. The Buckeyes compiled 10 tackles for loss, good for the most since a November 2022 matchup with Indiana. Safety Lathan Ransom led the way with a pair of TFLs while defensive linemen Tyleik Williams and JT Tuimoloau logged 1.5 each. Nine defenders contributed at least 0.5 TFL on the afternoon. Five of those TFLs were sacks, paced by Tuimoloau's 1.5. The increased aggression fueled Akron playing off schedule and contributed to the Zips converting on just 4-of-16 third down conversion attempts. It also played a part in the Buckeye defense recording two touchdowns by way of a 27-yard Ransom scoop and score off a Caden Curry forced fumble and a Gabe Powers 29-yard pick six to close out the day's scoring. And let's not forget the impressive interception from Denzel Burke as he plucked a ball right off the shoulder pads of an Akron receiver early in the contest. Overall, a great start for a defense capable of being the best in the country. What's My Line? The deep stable of skill players on offense is fun to talk about but we all know the vast majority of national championship-caliber teams sit on a foundation of elite or at least damn good offensive line play. It was only game one and Ohio State was without it's starting left guard but "elite" or "damn good" are not phrases that come to mind to describe what we saw from the guys up front yesterday. The good news is Ryan Day thinks Donovan Jackson could be back as early as next week although even he would admit he's looking to step his consistency up from last season. It's also very important to keep in mind Ohio State's offensive line room had some sickness floating around early in camp on top of needing to identify and break in a new starting center and right guard. But wow it was wild to see the line, particularly the interior, fail to generate much push for large stretches of action. Day lamented some miscommunication along the interior as part of the problem but even still, I saw some basic one-on-one battles with Akron's defensive line not go Ohio State's way across the interior and along the right edge. Having said all that, it should be noted the line game up zero sacks and zero tackles for loss. And while Akron is a team Ohio State should run all over, the Buckeyes did put up a somewhat modest 170 total rushing yards on 5.2 per carry. That 5.2 per try is a full yard better than last year's full season average and the Buckeyes only broke the 170 rushing yards barrier four times in 13 games a season ago. The Buckeyes also ran it better in the second half, averaging 5.5 per try versus a 4.8 mark in the opening half. I'm not freaked out here but there's no doubt Justin Frye's position group is the weakest link on the squad at this point. But of course we must remember it's only September 1 - there's still time to develop and gel. HOWARD'S DEBUT While I think it's fair to say heading into yesterday's game that most fans were most curious/concerned about how the offensive line would look, the second biggest question was how would quarterback Will Howard look in his Ohio State debut? I don't know about you but I emerged from the game with way more confidence about Howard than the big boys up front. Howard wasn't spectacular but he was so many things Kyle McCord wasn't while completing 17-of-28 throws for 228 and three touchdowns, with another 18 yards on the ground. The 61% completion rate on the day doesn't look great on paper, and I'm not trying to gas him up, but Howard connected on 11 of his final 12 throws, was hurt by a couple drops and had at least one smart throw away. (And one really not smart throw - backward while falling down - to TreVeyon Henderson). Most important of all, he did not turn the ball over. I was encouraged by Howard's veteran pocket presence, mobility in the pocket to buy time to throw, mobility outside the pocket to buy time to throw or turn up field, and his overall decisiveness. He looked like a guy who's been in this offense for longer than eight months which is a credit to him and Chip Kelly. Behind an offensive line that will surely improve over yesterday's performance but just might have a 2024 ceiling of slightly-to-solidly above average but not elite, Howard's overall pocket awareness and athletic ability are going to come in handy. Then through the air, it feels like his connections with Egbuka, Smith and Carnell Tate, among others, should only continue to improve. SAFETY NET With safety Caleb Downs transferring from Alabama to Ohio State last winter, incumbent safety Lathan Ransom was somewhat of a forgotten man within a secondary that has a chance to be, ahem, the Best In America for the first time in a while. Yesterday, Ransom was all over the field with nine tackles, including two for negative yardage, while also scooping up the noted forced fumble by Caden Curry and sprinting 27 yards to the end zone giving Ohio State a 31-3 lead. After missing the last five games of the 2023 season due to a Lisfranc injury in his left foot, it wasn't a given Ransom would bounce back and be the type of complement to Downs that can help make Ohio State great on the back end. The "if he stays healthy" disclaimer applies to all players but given Ransom's injury history and Ohio State's lack of proven depth behind he and Downs, it's paramount Ransom stays healthy and productive for a full season. As a great ambassador for the program and a guy grateful to have a fifth chance at chasing a title as a healthy key contributor, Ransom is super easy to root for. If he can turn in performances like yesterday against the better squads on the schedule, Ohio State's defense end will be in great shape. Jeremiah Smith is the REAl deal by Caroline Rice COLUMBUS, Ohio — True freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith came into Ohio State with more hype than any receiver in recent history. Following in the footsteps of Marvin Harrison Jr. was no easy feat, but somehow Smith’s potential was up there. Smith’s standout performance in the Buckeyes’ 52-6 season-opening win against Akron on Saturday showed why he’s considered the No. 1 receiver in the country. Day announced before the game that Smith had earned the right to be a starter as a true freshman, but he was reluctant to say ‘too much’ about Smith’s abilities and potential throughout fall camp. What mattered in his eyes was what Smith would put on the field on Saturday. It didn’t take long for Smith to make it known. On nine targets, Smith caught six passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns, leading all receivers. He averaged 15.3 yards per catch. In the first half alone, Smith had five catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns. He did not play past the halfway mark of the fourth quarter. “If you get him on 1-on-1 coverage, he’s going to win,” starting quarterback Will Howard said following the win. “This is just the start for him. I’m excited for him and we’re starting to develop a lot of chemistry. I’m excited to see how this season goes for him. He’s a phenomenal player and is going to have quite a few more targets this year, I’m sure.” When Smith was spot on, the Buckeye offense was firing on all cylinders. Smith grabbed Ohio State’s first two touchdowns and helped keep the offense moving despite a clunky run game early on. Smith’s longest catch of the day came on a 45-yard deep ball from Howard that put the Buckeyes on the 2-yard line and led to another touchdown. For Howard, having a receiver as talented and disciplined as Smith makes his job easy because Smith will make the adjustments needed to make a play. They already have chemistry on-field, despite both being first-time starters at Ohio State. For Howard, all that he has to do is give Smith a chance. But the electric performance by Smith wasn’t without its setbacks and mistakes early on. After all, Smith is still an 18-year old, true freshman. On Ohio State’s first drive, Smith dropped a pass and then was called for a false start. On the next drive, his field position led to an Ohio State illegal formation penalty. For many freshmen, the margin of error is slim. But for a player as talented as Smith, he was given a bit more room to play on Saturday because the risk was worth the reward. ” You could see the talent,” Day said. “We’re going to play through just about all of it. He’s another guy, sometimes you look at him and you don’t think he’s quite human, but he is, so he’s going to make early mistakes…but not very many.” There were no words spoken to Smith after the first drive. Howard said that while the drop was uncharacteristic, the coaches and players knew that Smith held the mental toughness and maturity to move on. And he did just that. In just one game, Smith set himself at No. 6 on the all-time records list for the most touchdowns by a true freshman in a season. Smith also is the first Buckeye to have multiple touchdowns in week one, since tight end Jeremy Ruckert in 2019.

AP Top 25 poll Georgia (57) Ohio State (5) Texas Alabama Notre Dame Ole Miss Oregon Penn State Missouri Michigan Utah Miami USC Tennessee Oklahoma Oklahoma State Kansas State LSU Kansas Arizona Iowa Louisville Georgia Tech NC State Clemson Others receiving votes: Texas A&M 97, Boston College 49, Boise St. 47, Iowa St. 32, Memphis 27, Nebraska 27, SMU 23, Washington 20, Liberty 12, Vanderbilt 8, Wisconsin 8, Auburn 8, Tulane 4, North Carolina 4, UTSA 3, Appalachian St. 3, Kentucky 2, West Virginia 2, Arkansas 2, UNLV 1, Colorado 1.