11W Mailbag: Talking the Struggles of Ohio State's Offense, the Wide Receiver Rotation and Northwestern's Improvement

So..uhhh....what now? — LouBuck35

Now we get to see what Ohio State's coaching staff is made of, something I think we'll find out about early on Saturday against Northwestern. I know the loss at Penn State was pretty inexplicable and I'm not trying to make excuses for Ohio State but if it weren't for two terrible special teams gaffs I'd sit here typing answers to questions after a win than a loss.

Because they lost and numerous Buckeyes looked wide-eyed both during the closing minutes and as they walked off the field in disgust, how they respond is going to be key. Northwestern is a sneaky good team (in my opinion) and if the coaches fail to correct some issues and light a fire things will only get worse.

How do you see them bouncing back? Will it be similar to last year's loss? — BurningRiverBuckeye

I don't think it will be similar to last year's loss because those are two entirely different teams. All due respect to the 2016 squad but last year's team had 12 NFL draft picks on it. Those guys really imposed their will against Michigan, especially Ezekiel Elliott, Taylor Decker and the offensive line.

However, I think Ohio State will bounce back and play better than it did against Penn State for a few reasons: The game against Northwestern is at Ohio Stadium, a loss should bring some anger to a young group of players that for the most part experienced what it is like to not win for the first time in their careers. Also important: The Buckeyes are better than the Wildcats.

If Ohio State doesn't win and show a significant amount of improvement on offense on Saturday I will be very, very surprised.

From a talent standpoint, how does this year's NW team compare with the team that took OSU to the wire in 2013? — ChicagoBuckeye10

I don't think Northwestern has a talent like Kain Colter capable of playing multiple positions and matching up with Ohio State athletically on its current team. But overall I think it is much deeper than Pat Fitzgerald's 2013 team. Fitzgerald kind of had to use Colter every which way he could in the hope of getting him in a matchup where he could make a play, which he did against the Buckeyes to the tune of 98 passing yards, 16 rushing yards and a touchdown plus a 9-yard touchdown catch.

This season, quarterback Clayton Thorson is really coming into his own after a slow start and the Wildcats already have a receiver (Austin Carr) with more yards and touchdowns than any player on the 2013 team. Carr has 720 receiving yards and nine scores through seven games, while Christian Jones led the Wildcats in 2013 with 668 yards and four touchdowns. Not to mention Justin Jackson is fantastic at running back.

That 2013 game was weird. It was like Ohio State used it to try and test plays it hadn't ran yet that year for three quarters before realizing, 'Oh yeah, we have a monster at tailback named Carlos Hyde. We should probably ride him so we win the game.'

Also: Northwestern's defense is still pretty meh outside of a few really good players this year. I felt the same way in 2013.

Which scenario do you think is more likely for the game this weekend, that we see continued offensive struggles or an angry team that looks to take their frustrations out on the Wildcats? — BuckeyeCWRU

The latter, mostly because Ohio State will be playing at home in front of a pro-Buckeye crowd. I certainly still see the Buckeyes having some problems on offense but not as many because the offensive line will not be in a stadium where they can't hear the person next to them. Comfort is a big thing in college football. I'm not saying everything is going to be fixed and shiny just because Ohio State is playing at home but it should be better.

On a scale from 96-100, how reactionary is our fanbase?

Note: if I don't like your answer to this, I will indeed ask that you be fired. — BrutusB

It's a 100, easily. Anytime things don't go perfectly according to plan and Ohio State fails to win by 60, someone should be fired. Folks like to get #mad #online about their team and that is fine, they have that right. I just wish some would take a second and breathe first.

If you don't like my answer, I'll expect a termination note from D.J.'s cats in my inbox before the game on Saturday. It was nice knowing everyone.

What has happened with the tempo offense? All of the pre-snap adjustments seem to be allowing the defense to adjust as well. Why have we not seen the same personnel package on the field for several plays in a row hurrying to snap the ball to not allow the defense to substitute? We have seen this work so well with Urban's offense in the past, so there must be some reason they have gone mostly away from it. — BuckeyeIn NY

I think this is a fair question and one that I wondered out loud on Saturday night as well. It is somewhat smart to think the staff might be saving it for the end of the season (a la: Michigan, potential Big Ten Championship Game, bowl game) so as to provide some sort of schematic advantage but I'm firmly in the camp you should avoid that so as to not suddenly be backed into a corner after losing a game. Ohio State lost and can't lose again if it still wishes to win a Big Ten Championship and make the College Football Playoff.

Personally, I think the staff is struggling to put its finger on what exactly is the offensive identity right now, which is surprising considering Halloween is on Monday. It is really odd to think that way but with how much the group regressed and how poorly the line played at Penn State, it doesn't feel like Ohio State is confident in too much right now. The wide receivers are not making plays or getting open consistently, J.T. Barrett is under constant pressure and there aren't too many lanes for Mike Weber to run through.

Tempo could help that in the form of tiring out the opposition but it is a delicate balance—if first downs don't come and you go three-and-out in under a minute, that leaves a bunch of time for your defense to have to be on the field. I don't care how deep you are on that side of the ball. Constantly being on the field adds up.

How big of an impact do you think weather (wind and/or rain) has in terms of the offensive play calling and execution? — Barfolomew

It should not have much impact unless it is a driving rain or wind storm. If that happens, we've seen Meyer revert to keeping the ball in Barrett's hands on the ground to win a game whether it be pretty or not. Sometimes it works (Indiana this season) and sometimes it doesn't (Michigan State last year).

If your mind is on this past Saturday, I don't think the weather removed any plays from the playbook. Execution did that. Though it did rain some and the wind was brisk, Ohio State has played in much worse.

Rewatching the Penn State game this week showed me that Ohio State's offensive execution was not great as the game wore on. There were some positives but the wide receiver and offensive line play were pretty atrocious when it mattered most.

Should we shorten the rotation at wideout to get a few of our better players in rhythm, or is using our entire haul of players there a strategy that we should continue to use? With the current issues with our passing game where has Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack gone? I had Torrence Gibson pinned to have a breakout year. Do you think he would be a starter in this group of WRs? How bad did his suspension hurt us? When do we move on from some of the current wideouts and move on to the Macks and Victors of the world? — UniotoTank55, RJSmitty, MoneyMike

There were a bunch of inquiries about the wide receiver rotation and primarily Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor, so I tried to lump them all together into one response.

Personally, I've never been a fan of rotating so many players at wide receiver. I said that earlier in the season when Zach Smith shuffled 10-12 guys throughout the lineup. It is a really good way to keep players fresh, which is why Meyer says Ohio State does it, but to me it represents one more thing Barrett has to think about while he goes through his progression. He claims he is confident in whoever is out there on the edge, and maybe that is so, but each guy is different and at a different level in terms of an ability to get open.

Fans get on Barrett and to me, it is a little ridiculous. Without that guy, Ohio State doesn't win at Oklahoma, it doesn't win at Wisconsin and it isn't leading by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter at Penn State. His hesitation in the throw game is because no one is open and in his mind, it is better to take three or four yards to Marcus Baugh or Mike Weber than turn the ball over.

Both Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack traveled to Wisconsin and Penn State but didn't play on offense. I'm sure Smith doesn't want to tear down a player's confidence by taking them out of the rotation or cutting down their snaps, but why not try either one of the freshmen and see if they can at least execute their clearout routes effectively? What have you got to lose?

Noah Brown is Ohio State's clear No. 1 "true" wide receiver. He is also the only "true" wide receiver with at least 100 receiving yards this year. It is Week 9. Not great.

The Torrance Gibson hurt Ohio State's a tiny bit and I say that only because before it happened he was really buried on the depth chart. He is a fantastic athlete but Meyer and Smith made it pretty clear that they were more comfortable with Terry McLaurin, James Clark and others because Gibson made the switch from quarterback last year.

Would he get some playing time now with the struggles at wide receiver? We'll never know. Mack and Victor have played much on offense other than earlier in the season, so them getting time now is unlikely. Presumably getting Corey Smith back this weekend should help because he has speed and experience, which are two things lacking in that unit right now. But what can a guy really do at that position with only one hand?

The new offensive line starters (Jamarco Jones, Isaiah Prince and Michael Jordan) all seemed to look solid at the start of the season and graded out as champions as recently as Rutgers. They didn't do well against Penn State. Is that change because of the level of competition they've faced, opposing defenses coaching schemes, or have they actually gotten worse? Are there lingering injuries that anyone is playing through? — Barfolomew

I don't think anyone is dealing with any lingering issues other than the normal nicks and bruises that come with playing football at a high level. Those guys just didn't play very well at Penn State like you mentioned.

The crowd played a factor, because Penn State knew when to start its rush as all it had to do was wait for Pat Elflein's head to lift up for the snap of the ball while the tackles had to turn their heads inward and see it. Could a hard count help? Yes. That isn't something Ohio State is known to use, though.

Penn State also schemed up some excellent blitzes, especially in the fourth quarter, to get to Barrett and finish the games. I don't want to undervalue what the return of linebacker Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell meant to that defense, either. Those guys won Penn State that game by keeping Ohio State out of the end zone just enough before the special teams mishaps.

So my final #take on the new starters up front is this: They got punched in the mouth against some really good competition that they clearly were not ready for and that is on the coaches. I don't think I'm ready to say they regressed to the point of no return but it is on them to suck it up and work their techniques so as to play better. If it doesn't happen, Ohio State could be in some trouble against better teams.

What changes are in the cards for this weekend and going forward? Is it certain players stepping in or is the play calling going to be different? I know Meyer said nothing is going to change but something has to give after that loss. — Gwolkoff5

Something certainly has to give but I think the players just need to play better. Play calling is interesting at times but above all it comes down to execution. The players in the lineup were all highly recruited guys and brought to Ohio State for a reason. It's time to play like it.

The Buckeyes seem almost arrogant in their offensive philosophy of essentially saying “we have more talented and superior athletes so we are going to line up and do what we do.” It’s as if they feel they don’t even need to game plan for specific opponents’ defenses or make major adjustments. Why not mix those superior athletes with creative and different game plans as Bama seems to do with Kiffin? It seems like we are always hearing about looks and “wrinkles” being thrown at our offense, so why not ever throw some at a defense? — Northeastbuckeyefan

I completely agree with your #take. Ever since Tom Herman left for Houston, the play calling has gotten more and more vanilla, aside from a few times this season when motion took the defense one way and J.T. Barrett pitch to a wide receiver on a counter for a huge gain. Those plays were spicy but need to be set up in order to be successful.

That's not a knock on Ed Warinner or Tim Beck, either. I think Beck gets a bum rap for what he walked into last year, though he has not really helped Barrett progress much as a passer. I think Warinner is brilliant but likes to keep things simple, and that's OK. Meyer is the same way and he has more input on the play calling then people realize. Superior athletes are going to win you most every game as long as there aren't dumb mistakes that cost you. That happened to Ohio State last week at Penn State.

To your point about Alabama and Lane Kiffin, I think it is really fair assessment and Ohio State should get more creative with things that they try to do on offense. Get your speedy guys in space for goodness sake.

HOWEVER, let's not forget what being too creative did to the Crimson Tide when Ohio State beat them in the Sugar Bowl two years ago. Kiffin didn't give Derrick Henry the ball enough and Alabama lost. Henry carries 20, 25 times and they win by at least 10 in my opinion.

If we have another slow start this week, will 11W meltdown from all of the hot takes? — DWeinz

Of course. I won't meltdown but plenty of users will. As Warinner said Wednesday after practice when asked about the scrutiny that heads his way after a loss or poor offensive performance, that's "the nature of the beast."

How much influence does Urban have on the offensive play calling and does anyone have any word on whether or not there is any fallout between Urban and Beck/Warriner and their play calling tendencies? — BuckeyeChuck5

Meyer has more influence on the play calling than people realize. His hands are all over it at all times. When things aren't going particularly well in the passing game (like against Indiana) and Barrett runs the ball more than 20 times, that is all because that is what Meyer wants. Always.

I haven't heard anything in terms of "fallout" between the two coordinators and Meyer when it comes to play calling and the head coach made it pretty clear this week he feels "OK" about it but knows it needs to be better. That is his way of saying both Beck and Warinner need to make better suggestions and be thinking a few plays ahead. But it also his way of saying he needs to be better and knows he got out-coached down the stretch at Penn State.

When watching the fourth quarter, it seemed like the offensive line as a whole wore down physically. I don't remember seeing that under Urban, not even in the few losses we have had. Would you agree with that sentiment? If so, what do you attribute that to? — JPake1

Eh, not really. It is not like the linemen were all standing their with their hands on their hips or knees come the fourth quarter. Isaiah Prince just had an awful, awful night. Credit to Penn State for scheming up some twists and sending them at the weakest link of Ohio State's offensive line. And it's a knock on the Buckeyes for not keeping Marcus Baugh, Mike Weber or anyone else in to chip the defensive end or linebacker on the rush. That was more of a head-scratcher for me.

Ohio State's coaching staff seems to have struggled with sideline management, play calling, clock management, and substitutions. Reference the field goal try against PSU. Are these problems on the coaching staff or players or some combination thereof? Are these facets of the game correctable or are we at the point in the season that what we see is what we get. — NorthBerg

Rushing on the field to attempt a 45-yard try with the play clock at 15 seconds and falling is asking a lot of the field goal unit. That is on Meyer more than anybody, who at the time had a couple of timeouts in his back pocket. Who knows what was going through his brain at that point though in regards to the timeouts—he could have been thinking ahead to needing them a little later when his offense was trying to kill the clock. If an issue with communication arises in that type of situation, it is nice to call timeout instead of give up 5 yards.

In hindsight, it is easy to blame him for that blocked field goal. He deserves plenty of it but said afterward he had confidence in that group and Tyler Durbin to knock it through the uprights. The line didn't protect particularly well and the Penn State defense back who blocked it made a terrific play. So there is plenty of blame to go around.

I don't think we are too late in the season where problems like that are not fixable. Someone (presumably Meyer) just needs to take charge and call timeouts when he deems necessary. Substitutions are on the position coaches. They must know the situation and know who they want in the game at what time. Players are under their direction. They all need to be better.

The staff boasts they have three "starting" corners they are comfortable rotating yet they've stopped rotating since I believe the Indiana game. If they've stopped rotating, then why the hell isn't Denzel Ward the starting nickel!? I kinda like Damon Arnette but man I just don't get having him out there and having our fastest corner in the spot perfect for his skill set sitting on the bench. — SivaDavis

Speed isn't everything at corner, especially at nickel. Ward is a very long player, with long arms and legs to go with that blazing speed. That is the type of body Ohio State wants to play outside at cornerback. Eli Apple is that way and he was a first-round draft pick. Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore are like that too and are about to become first-round draft picks.

Arnette has solid speed and strength which is I believe what Kerry Coombs sees when he runs him out there at nickel corner. And who knows? Maybe Ward struggles playing against slot receivers as opposed to guys on the outside.

For the record, they are still rotating. Just maybe not as much.

Where does OSU/PSU rank in terms of upsets of Ohio State teams? What stadium has the best press box snacks? — D1145Fresh

I think it ranks pretty high in terms of upsets because of how heavily favored the Buckeyes were in State College. As far as likening it to another upset, I'm not sure. I am not good at that. Sorry.

And Penn State has the best press box food in the Big Ten. Hands down. They wheel in some hearty grub and have plenty of cookies, brownies and ice cream from the on-campus creamery all game and well after.

AT&T Stadium in Dallas was also pretty ridiculous for the national title game two years ago. Any kind of candy you wanted, plus a slushie machine. Wild.

Is Malik Barrow in the DL rotation? — AwlinBrutus

No. Meyer and Larry Johnson said a few weeks ago they thought about putting him in there but "he's not quite ready." Unless some major injuries happen, Barrow will redshirt this year.

Haven't watched a second of NW all season, but understand they've really rebounded from the bad start. What is Ohio State getting on Saturday? A dangerous team on the rise, a sacrificial lamb, or somewhere in between? — Hovenaut

I think it'll be somewhere in between before Ohio State kind of imposes its will late in the game. Northwestern certainly is dangerous and quarterback Clayton Thorson is playing excellent football right now. If Ohio State cannot get pressure on him and force him to move his feet, he will have some success throwing the ball.

The struggles on Ohio State's offense won't get fixed in one week (and its numbers are actually pretty good) but the fact the Buckeyes are playing at home for the first time since Oct. 8 is huge.

What are the nuances and/or intangibles that Northwestern brings to the Shoe this Saturday that we may not be aware of? As always - what's your final score prediction? — Seattle Linga

Well, this isn't really a nuance or intangible but wide receiver Austin Carr is excellent. The Wildcats like to get him the ball any way they can—on tunnel screens, out routes and crossing patterns. I expect him to be heavily involved early. He is their best weapon not named Justin Jackson.

Plus, there is always something about a team coached by a player that played at said school before. I don't know if it's grit, tenacity or what but the fact Pat Fitzgerald played linebacker at Northwestern and now he coaches there is awesome.

(I'm discounting Luke Fickell's brief run as Ohio State head coach in 2011. Fickell was a monster. That team was not, for multiple reasons.)

I think I noticed J.T. under constant pressure when he dropped back to pass. But there seemed to be room for him to take a step or two up into the pocket, because the spy, if they had one, was giving him space. Why didn't he? I haven't really paid attention to that part of his game because I haven't really needed to, but it seems that he rarely does that. Am I wrong? Also, why no screens of any sort? — email submission

Kevin shared this email with me after D.J. posted his address for your inquiries in one of the Skull Sessions this week. Because that is hilarious and these are good questions, here we are.

I noticed that from Barrett too and the reason I think he did not do that is because that is a point of emphasis from Tim Beck that both of them spoke about often during training camp as something the quarterback focused on. I think the intention is to keep good depth in the pocket and help Barrett out because he is not as tall as some other quarterbacks, and thus could run into some problems trying to see throwing lanes if he sneaks up in the pocket and behind the offensive line too much. There is a sweet spot with that and I will say this: Barrett moved around in the pocket a whole bunch on Saturday night. He got sacked six times. It could have very easily been 10 or more had he not had good pocket awareness.

And they ran a wide receiver screen to Noah Brown once and he grabbed a handful of yards. I think Weber is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and think they should do some screen action with him just to keep opposing pass rushes honest. Of course, I am not the one calling the plays like I do on my NCAA College Football video game where I wreck kids with screen passes.

Cubs or Indians? — Smartone29

I am a National League guy and will be until the day I die (death to the designated hitter!) but I will always, always be an Ohio guy first. Go Tribe.

Chicago Dog, Italian Beef, or a slice of Deep Dish? — WolverineKiller

Is there an "all of the above" option? You can't go wrong with any of these choices but I'll take deep dish as long as it is the right kind of deep dish. Like Lou Malnati's.

What are you being for Halloween? — SFlaBuckeye13

My inability to grow a mustache worth a crap initially deterred me from my original idea of going as college football oracle Phil Steele (shout out to Phil Steele) but then my fiancée came home with a bunch of fake ones from Target. She's pretty great.

Time to put on a bad suit and tie, carry about his preview bible magazine and spit worthless college football facts and anyone that will listen!

Thanks as always for your questions, all and Happy Halloween.