It isn’t hard to decide what grade Ohio State deserves for the first half of its 2022 regular season.
Considering the Buckeyes have won all six games they’ve played so far this year, including five straight wins by at least 29 points, Ohio State earns an A on its midseason report card. The Buckeyes have been the most dominant and complete team in college football, ranking in the top 15 nationally in all of the major statistical categories on offense and defense while leading the nation with an average margin of victory of 33.2 points per game.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t lingering questions and areas in which the Buckeyes need to improve, though, if they’re going to achieve their goal of winning a national championship this year. Because of that, the Buckeyes are scrutinizing themselves as hard as anyone during their bye week as they prepare for the second half of the season.
“We get a little defensive because it seems nitpicky at times, but you know what, we want to be the best in the country. That's our goal. And we want to challenge to be the best in the country,” Ryan Day said after Ohio State’s sixth win of the season against Michigan State on Saturday. “So yeah, we have to figure out how we can get better in different areas.”
In that spirit, the well-timed bye week smack dab in the middle of Ohio State’s regular season is a natural opportunity for us to look at what’s gone well in the first half of the year and what could still be better for the Buckeyes in every area as they start the second half of the year. (The first section was easier to complete than the second at most positions.)
Our midseason evaluations start with Ohio State’s offense and every offensive position group, followed by a look at the Buckeyes’ defense and every defensive position group and concluding with an overall look at what’s gone well and what remains a concern on special teams.
Offense
What’s gone well: Ohio State is averaging 48.8 points per game this season, more than the Buckeyes have ever averaged for an entire season. Ohio State also ranks second nationally in both yards per game (543.7) and yards per play (8.07) and has had outstanding balance offensively, ranking 14th in the country in both passing yards per game (315.7) and rushing yards per game (228) while ranking in the top six in both yards per pass and yards per rush. The Buckeyes have compiled those numbers even though they’ve spent most fourth quarters running out the clock with their backups in the game due to lopsided scoreboards.
Lingering question: Can Ohio State’s offense be even better at full strength? The Buckeyes’ offense has already been the best in the country even though they’ve had less than a quarter of healthy Jaxon Smith-Njigba, while TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams have also missed time. There are opponents to come who will likely be more capable of slowing the Buckeyes down than the teams they’ve beat up since scoring only 21 points against Notre Dame. However, there’s still reason to believe the best could be yet to come for Ohio State’s offense – even though it’s already been pretty great.
Quarterbacks
What’s gone well: C.J. Stroud has solidified himself as the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. He’s been the most efficient quarterback in the country, leading the FBS with 10.9 passing yards per attempt, 24 passing touchdowns and a 207.6 passer rating.
Lingering question: If anything happens to Stroud, are the backups good enough for the Buckeyes to remain a contender? Kyle McCord has played in each of Ohio State’s last five games but hasn’t passed the ball much due to conservative late-game playcalling. Devin Brown hasn’t yet thrown any passes. McCord and Brown are more talented than most backup quarterbacks, but whether they’re ready to lead the offense if needed remains in question.
Running Backs
What’s gone well: Williams has been one of the best running backs in the country, ranking in the top 10 nationally in yards per carry (7.8) and touchdown runs (eight). Together, Williams and Henderson have been an elite one-two punch, rushing for 933 yards and 12 touchdowns on just 133 attempts. Dallan Hayden has also shown promise as a backup, giving the Buckeyes a strong three-deep at running back.
Lingering question: The first question is whether Williams and Henderson will be fully healthy in the future after Williams missed the Michigan State game and Henderson left that game early with a nagging foot injury. If they can both get healthy and stay healthy, the question will be how Tony Alford chooses to distribute carries between them, as Williams has been the Buckeyes’ most productive back this year even though Henderson has started every game he’s played in. If they continue to deal with injuries, Ohio State will have to decide whether it trusts Hayden to play more significant reps or needs to move someone like Xavier Johnson or Chip Trayanum to running back.
Wide Receivers
What’s gone well: Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka have emerged as Ohio State’s newest superstar receivers and Julian Fleming is finally showing why he was such a highly touted recruit. Harrison currently leads all FBS receivers with nine touchdown catches this season, Egbuka leads all Power Five receivers with 655 yards and Fleming has five touchdowns in just four games played. Even without all three of their starters from last season – Smith-Njigba and first-round NFL draft picks Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson – Ohio State’s receiving corps has remained elite.
Lingering question: When will Smith-Njigba be able to return, and will he be the same player he was last year when he returns? Hamstring injuries can be tricky to navigate, and he’s already suffered one setback. As long as he remains sidelined, Ohio State’s wide receiver depth will be a bit thin, as Harrison, Egbuka, Fleming and Johnson have played most of the snaps in his absence. Assuming he can return to form, though, Ohio State’s receiving corps will stand out as the best in the country.
Ohio State’s receiving corps has been fantastic in the first half of the season, and it should get even better with Jaxon Smith-Njigba's return.
Tight Ends
What’s gone well: Cade Stover has emerged as Ohio State’s most dynamic receiving threat at tight end in a decade, catching 16 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also excelled as a run blocker, as has Mitch Rossi from his hybrid tight end/fullback role. Gee Scott Jr. has been reliable as a third tight end, giving the Buckeyes substantial depth and the ability to utilize multi-tight end packages regularly.
Lingering question: Will Stover continue to be a regular weapon in the passing game as the season progresses? He’s had only four catches for 18 yards in Ohio State’s last two games, so it’s fair to wonder if September might end up being his productive month as a pass-catcher. If the Buckeyes keep finding ways to get him the ball, though, he’s on pace to have the most productive season for an Ohio State tight end since Jeff Heuerman had 466 receiving yards in 2013.
Offensive Line
What’s gone well: With all five starters playing in their natural positions, Ohio State’s offensive line has been noticeably better in the run game, controlling the line of scrimmage even against teams like Notre Dame and Wisconsin that are known for having strong defensive lines. The front five have also excelled in pass protection, allowing only four sacks.
Lingering question: If any of the starting five suffer injuries, how effectively will the next man up be able to fill in? Enokk Vimahi has done well when called upon to step in for a few plays, and Josh Fryar has mixed in with the first-team offense as a sixth offensive lineman in short-yardage situations, but those roles are different than playing full-time. Because the Buckeyes have run the ball on the vast majority of plays when their backups have been in the game, all of Ohio State’s backup offensive linemen remain largely untested in pass protection.
Defense
What’s gone well: Ohio State has not allowed more than 21 points in any game yet this season. The Buckeyes are currently meeting their stated goal of being a top-10 defense in terms of total defense, ranking seventh in the country with only 253.5 yards allowed per game. Ohio State has held up well against both the pass and the run, ranking eighth in passing yards allowed per game (160.3) and 15th in rushing yards allowed per game (93.2); cumulatively, the Buckeyes are allowing nearly 120 yards fewer per game than they did for the full 2021 season.
Lingering question: Is the defense actually as good as the statistics look so far? None of Ohio State’s first six opponents rank within the top 60 nationally in total offense, so Jim Knowles’ unit still has much to prove against better competition. While it seems safe to say the Buckeyes are better defensively than they were for the past two years, whether they’re actually a top-10 defense will depend upon how they play against teams like Penn State, Maryland, Michigan and their postseason adversaries.
Defensive Ends
What’s gone well: Ohio State has consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and that starts with the play of Zach Harrison, J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer and Javontae Jean-Baptiste on the edge. All four of them have given the Buckeyes quality play, with Sawyer and Jean-Baptiste allowing Ohio State to change up its defensive looks with their versatility to play the Jack linebacker position. Caden Curry has also flashed playmaking ability in late-game playing time, bolstering Ohio State’s depth at the position.
Lingering question: Will the defensive ends start turning their pressures into sacks? Cumulatively, Ohio State’s defensive ends have just four sacks this season (two each by Sawyer and Jean-Baptiste), and that’s not good enough for a unit with three five-star recruits. While Tuimoloau, Sawyer and Harrison have all done their jobs within the scheme and have often helped their teammates around them make plays, none of them have been consistent game-changers.
Defensive Tackles
What’s gone well: Mike Hall has been a breakout star, recording 7.5 tackles for loss with 4.5 sacks and disrupting many more plays than that. Taron Vincent has elevated his game as a fifth-year senior and Jerron Cage, Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton have been solid rotational contributors. That quintet has led the way for a run defense allowing fewer than three yards per carry.
Lingering question: Can Vincent take his game to new heights, and will Williams earn a more prominent role as the season progresses? Like Harrison, Sawyer and Tuimoloau, Vincent is a five-star prospect who has played well for the most part but hasn’t yet become a game-wrecker. Williams flashed star potential in 2021 as a freshman, but he hasn’t seen as much playing time as expected as a sophomore.
Linebackers
What’s gone well: Tommy Eichenberg has been Ohio State’s most improved player, establishing himself as one of college football’s top middle linebackers as he’s recorded 50 tackles (six for loss, 2.5 sacks) in six games. Steele Chambers has been more consistent in his second year as a collegiate linebacker, establishing himself as a full-time starter. Together, Eichenberg and Chambers have turned Ohio State’s weakest position last year into one of its stronger positions this year.
Lingering question: Will Ohio State’s other linebackers see any increase in playing time? Cody Simon is the only other linebacker who’s played before the fourth quarter in any game this year, and his playing time has waned as Chambers has separated himself as Ohio State’s top Will. Only five total linebackers have played any defensive snaps at all. While it’s great that Eichenberg and Chambers have played so well that the Buckeyes haven’t needed to rotate, the other linebackers would likely benefit from more game experience.
Cornerbacks
What’s gone well: Ohio State’s top-10 ranking in pass defense starts with the cornerbacks keeping opposing receivers well-covered more frequently than not. JK Johnson and Jyaire Brown have filled in admirably when Denzel Burke and Cameron Brown have missed time with injuries, improving the Buckeyes’ depth at the position.
Lingering question: Are the Buckeyes’ cornerbacks ripe to be exposed against better passing offenses? Neither Burke nor Brown has been dominant this season, as they’ve given up their share of big plays despite not yet playing any opponent that ranks in the top 50 in passing yards per game. Getting healthier could lead to better play from both of them, and Jordan Hancock could also give the Buckeyes a boost when he returns after missing the entire first half of the season. But this is the biggest position of concern entering the second half of the year.
Safeties
What’s gone well: Ronnie Hickman has been a reliable anchor for the secondary at the adjuster position, while Tanner McCalister has brought excellent stability at the nickel safety spot. Lathan Ransom has played the best football of his Ohio State career, while Josh Proctor also played well for the most part at bandit. Cameron Martinez, Kye Stokes and Sonny Styles have also flashed playmaking ability when called upon, giving the Buckeyes plenty of safety depth. In what Knowles has described as a safety-driven defense, the safeties’ collective play has been a crucial component of the Buckeyes’ early success.
Lingering question: Will Ransom seize the starting job at bandit, or will he and Proctor continue to rotate? The Buckeyes don’t necessarily need a full-time starter, but they need to know who they can trust most in the biggest games of the year when the safeties will be tested more than they have so far. Another question is whether Kourt Williams can carve out a role and provide additional depth at safety after playing almost exclusively on special teams thus far due to an unspecified injury.
Ronnie Hickman and Tanner McCalister have led the way for Ohio State’s safeties to be the backbone of the defense this season.
Special Teams
What’s gone well: Jesse Mirco has been rock-solid, averaging 44.8 yards per punt while downing 10 of his 18 punts inside the 20-yard line. Noah Ruggles remains perfect on extra points for his Ohio State career, and Jayden Fielding has been an upgrade on kickoffs. The Buckeyes haven’t needed to call on their specialists often, with Ruggles attempting only three field goals in the first six games, but they’ve been reliable for the most part.
Lingering question: Will sloppiness on special teams catch up with the Buckeyes in a close game? The Buckeyes have been mediocre in kickoff coverage, allowing 21.8 yards per return (91st in the country). Their own return game has been shaky as they’ve had two turnovers on punt returns while Trayanum has dropped multiple kickoffs. Fielding has hit three kickoffs out of bounds, prompting the question of whether Parker Lewis should get a shot at kickoff duties. The question of when Ohio State will finally end its return touchdown drought also continues to linger as the Buckeyes have gained only 105 combined yards on kick and punt returns this season.
