As defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said Monday, this past Saturday's film of a 77-31 win over Oregon State showed things the Buckeyes can be proud of and things they need to improve upon.
The offense racked up 721 total yards, a number that ranks second in school history behind the 776 the program put up against Bowling Green in 2016. On the flip side of that statistic is the 392 yards Ohio State's defense surrendered.
Any way you look at it, the Buckeyes are 1-0 after a 46-point win. They'll get the chance to start the year 2-0 against Rutgers in Week 2.
Heading into Saturday's 3:40 p.m. kickoff, here's your weekly look at whose stock is up and whose stock is down.
Stock Up
Dwayne Haskins, Sophomore Quarterback
One game in and Haskins has already cemented his name in the history books. He's now the only quarterback in program history to throw for over 300 yards and five or more touchdowns in his first career start, after completing 22 of 30 attempts of Saturday.
The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week looked just about as sharp as can be against the Beavers while minimizing mistakes. He did throw an interception while being hit, but as he continues to gain experience, those errant throws will take care of themselves.
In all instances, Haskins gave Ohio State what it hasn't had for quite some time: a quarterback who looks to throw the ball first. With a talented receiving core and a "two-headed monster" joining him in the backfield, there's no signs of slowing him down in Week 2.
With 313 passing yards and five touchdowns in his first career start, @OhioStateFB QB Dwayne Haskins is the #B1GFootball Offensive Player of the Week pic.twitter.com/3DMpNFRk7e
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 3, 2018
Mike Weber, Junior Running Back
Speaking of that "two-headed monster" Ryan Day refers to, running back Mike Weber had a career day Saturday. The junior ran for a career-high 186 yards and scored four total touchdowns. What else can you ask for to start the season?
Weber ran the football with authority, acted as Haskins' partner in crime in pacing the offense and was humble about splitting carries with sophomore J.K. Dobbins.
After his big day, Weber said "I don't want to carry all the load but if I have to, I will. (Dobbins) doesn't want to carry all the load but if he has to, he will. That's how it's supposed to be. I think I did a lot of good things today but there's things I could better."
Fans have to be excited about what they saw out of Weber in Week 1.
Dre'Mont Jones, Junior Defensive Tackle
With all the national attention on junior defensive end Nick Bosa, junior Dre'Mont Jones had quite the day for defensive line coach Larry Johnson as well.
Jones recorded two sacks, a career-high, and continually made offensive linemen look pedestrian along the way. Many believe the Buckeyes' defensive line unit can be one of the best, if not the best, in the country. Jones is absolutely a part of that.
Terry McLaurin, Senior Wide Receiver
Early on Saturday, it looked as if Haskins had found his favorite receiver, and his name was Terry McLaurin. But as Haskins began to find other open wideouts, McLaurin's name never disappeared.
The senior was named one of the team's Offensive Players of the Game, along with Weber, after hauling in a pair of touchdown catches, including one of 75 yards. Overall, McLaurin started his redshirt senior year with a four-catch, 121-yard day. It could be a sign of things to come.
Stock Down
Ohio State Safeties Jahsen Wint and Isaiah Pryor
Let's face it, the safety position needs some work. But that's OK. The mistakes Wint and Pryor made Saturday can be fixed. They're both sophomores. They're young. Let's not write them off just yet.
However, having said that, you can't ignore what happened against Oregon State. Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said Monday of the duo, "There was a lot of good things (Wint and Pryor) did and there was a lot of learning that they could take from that tape and that performance. We knew there could be growing pains. But at least we have a leaping-off point."
Wint and Pryor should get better. But the question is how soon?
Shea Patterson, Michigan Quarterback
I mean ... if you watched Michigan's season-opening loss to Notre Dame, you know exactly what I'm referring to here. If you don't, check Braylon Edwards' Twitter timeline. Oh wait ... he deleted those tweets so I'll fill you in.
In South Bend, Patterson was sacked three times, didn't find the end zone and spent more time running for his life than he did looking for open receivers downfield. The 6-foot-2 junior from Shreveport, Louisiana will have to play much better if he wants his Wolverines to compete in the Big Ten.
Tom Herman, Texas Head Coach
In his second year at Texas, Herman's Longhorns fell to Maryland by a 34-29 final. For the second straight season, Texas opened the year with a loss to the Terrapins.
But it isn't just the loss in which Herman has taken criticism for. It's his demeanor after the loss and the decisions he continues to make or not make; whichever you prefer.
The viewing public is too unsophisticated to see how much Texas has improved. The Longhorns are right on track, and we know this because Tom Herman says so. https://t.co/0vgU3fb0Hg via @expressnews
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) September 2, 2018
Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger threw two crucial interceptions late in the game. He's still the starter. After opening Year 2 with another loss, he wouldn't acknowledge the loss as, at least a minor, setback. Herman said, "We failed to meet those expectations for one game, and it's not Armageddon. We're going to learn from it, and you should see a much improved team."
It would be a fair statement if he wasn't 7-7 as Texas' head coach. In the Lone Star State, the question everybody must be asking is, "How long is this going to take?"
The question the rest of the country is asking is, "How long is Herman's leash?"
Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
