Ryan Day would've rather played a game yesterday than be forced to take a Saturday off due to COVID-19 issues at Maryland.
While the cancellation wasn't preferred, it does give the Buckeyes a chance to self-evaluate and tune some things up ahead of what should be the toughest game of the regular season slate this Saturday versus Indiana.
Since there are no Five Things to recap from what would've been a lopsided win over the Terps in College Park, please instead peruse the below Things as the Buckeyes continue preparation for the Hoosiers.
GARRETT WILL SNARE IT
Sophomore Garrett Wilson's been nothing short of sensational for Ohio State through three games.
Wilson leads the squad with 24 catches for 344 yards and he also has a 62-yard run and two touchdowns to his credit.
With at least 100 yards receiving in all three games thus far, he's already tied the second-longest such streak in school history and needs two more to tie Cris Carter's record of five straight set back in 1986.
Another metric where Wilson could join rarified air is receptions per game. At 8.0 per contest, he's on pace to break David Boston's mark of 7.1 which dates back to 1998.
This one is far from a lock but with Justin Fields clearly looking to take advantage of Wilson in the slot, Ohio State's running game not exactly setting records and Brian Hartline seemingly tightening his snap rotations, there's little reason to think Ryan Day won't keep leaning on the aerial attack.
INTERIOR DESIGN
While tackles Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere have drawn high praise for their work on the edges of Ohio State's offensive line, the interior hasn't fared quite as well.
That's a bit of a shocking statement as center Josh Myers and All-American right guard Wyatt Davis returned after impressive work in 2019. Davis has largely done his part but Myers, after I predicted he would win the Rimington Trophy in preseason, hasn't looked quite as sharp as he did a year ago.
The real drop-off however, which was expected in some ways, has been at left guard where Jonah Jackson's departure paved the way for sophomore first-year starter Harry Miller.
Through three games, Miller has three holding penalties and has lost his fair share of 1-on-1 battles. I have little doubt he'll go on the be a great one just like we saw with Taylor Decker following a rough first year starting at right tackle back in 2013 but it's been a grind so far.
Having what is essentially a bye week due to the Maryland game cancellation has me really curious to see if Miller looks improved against Indiana. Extra time to take stock, watch some film, make corrections and continue gaining comfort could be just what Miller needs, and by extension the interior of the line as a whole.
TREY DAY?
Tailback Trey Sermon is another Buckeye likely to benefit from the Maryland game cancellation in prep for Saturday's showdown with the Hoosiers.
The graduate transfer from Oklahoma is coming off a season-high 68 rushing yards against Rutgers thanks to a season-high three carries of 10+ yards before suffering an injury on his final carry - a 36-yard dash - midway through the fourth quarter.
Sermon hasn't exactly lit it up, averaging 4.78 yards on 36 carries in 2020 which is a far cry from the 6.12 he averaged across three seasons for the Sooners. That said, he's averaged more yards per carry than Master Teague (4.49) and Ohio State could really benefit from at least one of the two finding a groove.
Honestly, I'm not sold on either of the two doing much more than they're currently doing but a man can dream. If nothing else, the two should improve their results by default as the interior of the offensive line plays better which feels like a near certainty.
PASS DEFENSE ON NOTICE
Ohio State's retooled secondary has faced the most scrutiny through three games – rightfully so – and next Saturday's matchup with Indiana should stand as its toughest test yet.
The Hoosiers, led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., are averaging almost 270 passing yards per game. Penix Jr. has two legit wide receiver targets in Ty Fryfogle and Whop Philyor.
Fryfogle, a 6-foot-2, 214-pound senior, roasted Michigan State yesterday for 11 catches, 200 yards and two scores. Through four games, Fryfogle's averaging six receptions and 106 yards per outing.
Philyor hasn't been as explosive but still has 24 grabs for 287 yards including 11 for 79 a couple weeks ago against Michigan.
Getting pressure on Penix Jr. will be key to next week's game but obviously so will the play of defensive backs Shaun Wade, Sevyn Banks, Marcus Williamson, Marcus Hooker and Josh Proctor.
I expect Indiana will move the ball through the air and put up some points but not nearly enough to win. If the Hoosiers do make a real upset bid, it will likely be because the trio of Penix Jr., Fryfogle and Philyor gives Ohio State's secondary all it can handle.
Through just three games, Kerry Coombs' secondary is allowing a 69% completion rate (68-of-99) after last year's defense held opposing passing attacks to a 51% completion rate.
The 2020 defense is also giving up 68 more passing yards per game than the 2019 group (224 to 156) and 1.3 passing touchdowns per contest versus only 0.64 a year ago.
SMOOTH SAILING
Should Ohio State outlast Indiana, as expected, the rest of the regular season slate looks like a cakewalk. The three game stretch features a trip to Illinois followed by a date with Michigan State in East Lansing before the Buckeyes come home to face Michigan.
Through last night's games, this trio is a combined 3-9 with the wins coming against Rutgers, Michigan and Minnesota.
Illinois (1-3) closed with a 13-0 run to edge the Scarlet Knights 23-20 yesterday and their three losses have come by an average of 24 points.
The Spartans beat Michigan in week two of the B1G season but have been outscored by a combined score of 73-7 the last two weeks in losses to Iowa and Indiana.
Finally, Michigan is the hottest of messes. Jim Harbaugh's program has been straight up punked in back-to-back weeks against Wisconsin and Indiana. The outing prior to that saw Michigan State pull off a 27-24 win despite entering as 24-point underdogs.
Last night, Wisconsin outrushed the Wolverines 341 to 47. And Michigan's 47 rushing yards were 34 more than they tallied the previous week.
Only COVID-19 can stop the Buckeyes from reaching the B1G title game assuming they handle the Hoosiers at home next weekend.
