For all the hand-wringing, particularly over the quarterback spot, Ohio State ranks No. 2 in the country in total offense, churning out 559.3 yards per game while leading the country in yards per play at 8.60.
The Buckeyes sport the nation's No. 8 scoring offense averaging 43.3 points per contest.
When fans do celebrate this year's offense, the conversations typically focus on true freshman sensation TreVeyon Henderson and a receiving trio of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
For those four to thrive however, the offensive line has to click on all cylinders and it seems the group is rounding into form despite a few obstacles, notably position switches as Dawand Jones was inserted at right tackle, Nicholas Petit-Frere moved from right to left tackle, Thayer Munford shifted from left tackle to left guard, and Luke Wypler took care of duties at center with projected starter Harry Miller out. Oh and right guard Paris Johnson Jr., a tackle by trade, is in the midst of his first full season as a starter and Matthew Jones has had to step in for an injured Munford of late.
How that group has not only overcome all the shifting but also the injuries and even being without position coach Greg Studrawa for a few weeks due to his own medical issue, is something Ryan Day wanted to highlight in his Monday media session.
That's something that probably got glossed over was Luke Wyper, Paris Johnson, Dawand Jones, Nick gets moved to left, Thayer goes inside and that's five guys doing something new for the first time... I think the offensive line room, their culture, their energy, their dedication and their buy-in is off the charts. And I give Stud a lot of credit for that"– Ryan Day
During a season in which some fans have wondered about the team culture, most recently after linebacker Dallas Gant entered the transfer portal and fellow linebacker K'Vaughan Pope was dismissed following a sideline outburst during the Akron game, Day pointed to his offensive line as a not only high on talent but also loaded with character.
It starts with Munford, as illustrated by his well-chronicled move to guard after he proactively approached Jones about stepping up at tackle and then to Studrawa to align on a new starting five.
As Day noted, Studrawa deserves credit here too based on his unit's commitment and selflessness. Matthew Jones would be a starter for nearly every program in America but once Munford is fully healthy, he'll likely be back on the bench, settling for rotational snaps despite his status as a starter-talent.
On the field, despite the shifting and injuries, the offensive line has helped the Buckeyes to a 6.68 yards per carry average so far this season, good for No. 3 in the country.
The Buckeyes averaged 7.73 yards per carry against a Minnesota defense giving up 3.02 yards per try so far this season (24th nationally), 7.87 yards per carry against a Tulsa defense giving up 3.79 per attempt (65th nationally) and 6.78 yards per carry against an Akron group giving up 5.75 (124th).
The Oregon loss saw Ohio State average just 4.13 yards per carry against a Ducks defense giving up 3.58 yards per carry (58th) and of course that afternoon saw Day lean into the passing game for much of the second half as the Buckeyes trailed by two scores on more than half of their possessions in the third and fourth quarters.
Turning to pass protection, the Buckeyes rank No. 32 in sacks allowed at 1.50 per game. Not a bad number but it could be better although some of that falls on the quarterbacks too.
Heading into this weekend's game, Rutgers boasts the nation's 36th-best yards per carry defense giving up just 3.27 yards per try. I have a feeling Henderson and company will fare better than that. A stiffer test may come in pass pro as Rutgers currently slots No. 11 in the country averaging 3.5 sacks per game.
Protecting whichever Ohio State quarterback is on the field starts with picking up Rutgers linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi on the blitz. Fatukasi has 3.5 sacks on the young season after earning first team All-Big Ten and Butkus Award semifinalist honors a season ago. Senior defensive tackle Julius Turner (2.5 sacks) will also provide a challenge for Studrawa's group.
As usual, they won't draw as much attention as the skill position guys but how well Ohio State's offensive line plays will go a long way in deciding Saturday's outcome.
