Looking to right the ship after a shocking blowout loss in Iowa City, Urban Meyer's team responded with a shocking blowout in the other direction as the Buckeyes crushed Michigan State last Saturday in the Shoe.
The offense exploded for 524 total yards of offense including 335 on the ground despite facing what was the No. 3 rush defense in the land, giving up just 87 yards per game.
Running backs Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins enjoyed most of the postgame headlines as the duo combined for 286 rushing yards on 27 carries (10.6 ypc) but as they'd tell you, their huge afternoons were made possible by a stellar effort from the offensive line, aka the Slobs.
The line's performance wasn't lost on Meyer, who likes the gradual improvement he's seeing from arguably the team's most important positional unit.
Champions after the game, offensive line, you had Jamarco Jones, Michael Jordan, Isaiah Prince and Knox. That's a good sign when your offensive line -- especially with that style of defense. Player of the game on offense, we talked about him -- I was asked a question. He just started his 51st game at Ohio State, which is obviously a record. Probably one that will be hard to ever be broken and a guy that we have great respect for, Billy Price.
...
Q. You've also talked a lot about the offensive line, how in 2014 that was such a crucial part of your success that year. Now (indiscernible) issues with depth this year, but in terms of the starting five, do you feel they're getting close to where that 2014 line was?
Urban Meyer: Once again I want to keep focus on right now. I'll tell you after this game. But to say that they're much improved, I think Coach Stud's done a wonderful job with them. I think the intentions and the intensity is there, the intentional work that they have at practice each week, it's been good, and we are down to our sixth guy.
Bowen got hurt and Demetrius Knox came in and graded a champion again. I think that's three games that he's graded at champion. So we're moving in the right direction.
Meyer repeatedly reminds folks Ohio State is an offensive line driven program because offensive lines are often like referees – you always notice when they're bad – but you often don't when they're good.
| YEAR | TOT OFF | RANK | YDS/PLAY | RANK | RUSH YPG | RANK | RUSH YPC | RANK | SACKS ALLOWED | SACKS/G | RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 546.5 | 3 | 7.24 | 6 | 245.3 | 17 | 6.10 | 4 | 15.0 | 1.50 | 32 |
| 2016 | 459.2 | 31 | 6.02 | 47 | 245.2 | 11 | 5.47 | 17 | 28.0 | 2.15 | 68 |
| 2015 | 434.1 | 41 | 6.33 | 29 | 245.2 | 11 | 5.62 | 9 | 19.0 | 1.46 | 33 |
| 2014 | 511.6 | 9 | 6.98 | 6 | 264.5 | 9 | 5.75 | 11 | 28.0 | 1.87 | 50 |
| 2013 | 511.9 | 7 | 7.15 | 5 | 308.6 | 5 | 6.80 | 1 | 22.0 | 1.57 | 40 |
| 2012 | 423.8 | 46 | 6.08 | 33 | 242.3 | 10 | 5.20 | 20 | 29.0 | 2.42 | 90 |
It pretty quiet fashion, the 2017 offensive line of Jamarco Jones, Michael Jordan, Billy Price, Demetrius Knox and Isaiah Prince is doing work.
In particular, Jones is one of the more underrated linemen at Ohio State over the last decade and Price is obviously a stalwart having recently made his 51st consecutive start.
Through 10 games this group is setting the tone for an offensive attack averaging the most total yards per game (546.5) and yards per play of the Meyer era (7.24) while giving up the second-fewest sacks per game (1.50).
In fact, Ohio State currently ranks in the top ten nationally in total offense, yards per play and yards per carry thanks in large part to the Slobs.
While the sacks allowed per game only rank 32nd nationally, that 1.50 per game stat might be the most impressive of all as it was such a weakness last year when the Buckeyes gave up 2.15 sacks per game, often due to a leaky right side that's improved dramatically with the development of Prince at right tackle and the ability of Knox, at right guard, to fill in admirably for Branden Bowen who was lost to a broken leg nearly a month and half ago.
The 6.10 yards per carry number trails only the 2013 offensive line littered with NFL talent featuring Jack Mewhort, Andrew Norwell, Corey Linsley, Marcus Hall and Taylor Decker. Buckeye ball carriers averaged 6.80 yards a pop behind that ridiculous collection of beef led by Carlos Hyde's 7.3 average as part of a 1,521-yard season.
The success enjoyed by the 2017 line stands out but it must be noted some the schedule's toughest tests remain which could bring the existing stats back to earth. Additionally, while the starters are getting it done, serious concerns linger about a lack of depth which could be exposed should the Buckeyes experience another significant injury.
However, if the front can stay healthy and remotely hold serve it should allow the 2017 Buckeye offense to finish as the most prolific of the Meyer era.
