The 11W Roundtable has returned.
One final installment of our Season Preview series before we shift into game week mode comes as our very Ramzy Nasrallah, Chase Brown and Matt Gutridge take their virtual season at the roundtable.
Optimism runs high among our staff and most Buckeye fans but what does this trio have to say about the quarterback situation, a possible rebirth of the Silver Bullets and the running game? The answer is, well, quite a bit so let's get to it.
I’m super bullish on TreVeyon Henderson returning with a vengeance although the depth at running back, even if true, could keep him from a Heisman-caliber season. What kind of production are you expecting from Henderson specifically and generally speaking, how do you see Ryan Day and Tony Alford dividing up the carries? Can guys like Evan Pryor and Chip Trayanum have meaningful, if specialized, roles even against elite opponents?
Matt: First, I'm happy to be back at the Roundtable with Chase and Ramzy. Hi, guys. Like Chris, I’m pulling for Henderson to have a dynamic and even Heisman-caliber season. When healthy, he has the speed and vision to rack up the rushing and receiving yards. However, there are some stumbling blocks that might prevent a bounce-back year for the ages. Those stumbling blocks are: a new offensive line, a new signal-caller(s) and Henderson’s health.
The biggest block might be the four guys he practices with. Miyan Williams runs with anger and is always churning his legs forward to gain positive yards. Evan Pryor showed flashes before being lost for the season and Dallen Hayden impressed me with the touches he had last year. Still can’t believe Hayden didn’t get more touches against Michigan. It might not translate on television, but Chip Trayanum is a physically intimidating presence and is fast for his size. With a running back room oozing with talent, Henderson might not have enough carries to put up the numbers he’s capable of.
Ramzy: I've got TreVeyon winning the Heisman. I've got him loosening up every front seven intent on making a new starting Ohio State quarterback beat them. I've got him benefiting from being forced to cover a bunch of NFL receivers. I've got him catching checkdown passes and screens. Last year they figured out a way to ride starters for too long *and* try too hard to make sure everyone got to eat. Healthy TreVeyon all day, spelled by Miyan and then - I'm begging you, coaches - get those guys out of the game after halftime when they're up 35.
Chase: I also am bullish on Henderson in 2023. He had a special freshman season where he carried the ball 183 times for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns and added 27 receptions for 312 yards and four scores as a receiver out of the backfield. If not for a torn ligament in his foot, I believe he would have had a sophomore season that met or surpassed those statistics. That said, even with a loaded running back room that includes Miyan Williams, Trayanum, Pryor and Dallan Hayden, Henderson should be the bell cow of the Buckeye ball carriers – he's too good not to be. Of course, there will be times Ohio State should lean on the other backs, but Henderson deserves to be the No. 1 back this season.
The QB battle is still raging and it’s far from a stretch to say both Kyle McCord and Devin Brown will play meaningful snaps in Week One and possibly beyond. How concerned are you about the quarterback situation? Can OSU win with a two quarterback system long term? Do you lean toward a particular guy for any reason at this point?
Chase: I am not too concerned about the quarterback competition as it stands. Ryan Day seems confident that both Kyle McCord and Devin Brown could lead the offense in 2023, so I will trust the Quarterback Guru who has helped lead J.T. Barrett, Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud to successful seasons under center for the Buckeyes. As of now, I would lean on Devin Brown to be QB1 for the Buckeyes this season. In truth, I have been all in on Brown since he posted a scene from the movie "Rounders" after he committed to Ohio State in 2022. I like his confidence. I like his athleticism. I like him to be the leader of the Ohio State offense this fall.
Matt: This quarterback situation has me waking up in cold sweats, not eating and staring off into space for hours at a time. No, those things aren’t really happening, but there is concern that neither quarterback has separated himself. Three seasons stand out to me when Ohio State used a two-quarterback season: 1996, 1997 and 2015. In each of those seasons, the Buckeyes underachieved with the talent those teams possessed. In the spring, I figured Kyle McCord was the frontrunner for the starting job. With the process being dragged out this long, it now appears Devin Brown might be the guy to ultimately get the nod.
Ramzy: I see no more than a two-game interview with the winner taking hold against Western Kentucky for a full-game under the belt prior to hitting South Bend. I've seen what Ryan Day is capable of with quarterbacks so I have no anxiety about how this will play out on the field. I'm more concerned about what happens to a split locker room, if that's in the cards. Todd Boeckman was one of Brian Hartline's best friends in undergrad. Ohio State's WR whisperer was not happy at all about his guy seeing the bench after Terrelle Pryor showed up. I'm confident he will lend some wisdom to the players, coming from a place of experience. As for who I'm favoring, I'll take whichever guy gives the Buckeyes the best chance to beat the best teams on the schedule. And I have no idea who that is, but if Kyle hasn't locked this up with a one-year head start in the program, that means two things - one, they're both either very good or both not very good, and two - this staff plays the best guy without regard to tenure. That can be tricky, because of the whole locker room thing.
With a lengthy list of guys expected to play much bigger roles this season which has you the most excited and why?
Ramzy: Sonny Styles. With respect to the defensive backfield guys of late, it's been awhile since the Buckeyes have had a true enforcer back there who can strike fear into anyone traveling through his neighborhood. He seems to have upside like that.
Chase: Sonny Styles, Sonny Styles and mmmmm let me think... Sonny Styles. The former five-star recruit and top prospect in the class of 2022 has breakout potential this season. When we interviewed Marvin Harrison Jr. on Tuesday, the star wide receiver said Ohio State could line him up at defensive end, linebacker, cornerback or safety and he would be successful. I haven't been this excited about a defensive Buckeye in a long, long time.
Matt: I’m looking forward to seeing what Sonny Styles, Ty Hamilton and what Carnell Tate the young receivers are going to bring to the table. But, I’m most excited to see how a freshman tight end’s season plays out.
When I saw Chase Young face Maryland during his freshman season, his play jumped off the field and screamed, “Look at me, I’m special.” For the first time since that game against the Terps in 2017, a Buckeye has made that impression on me. This time the player is on the offensive side of the ball and it’s Jelani Thurman. He is physically different from the other guys on the field and gave me that Chase Young vibe. He might not get a lot of playing time this season, but I’m excited to follow his career.
Despite last season’s struggles, it seems like the majority of fans expect the defense to make a big leap. Where do you stand on that? Will this team be better against elite offenses? What kind of national rankings do you have for metrics like scoring defense and total defense? Which position group will prove to be the defense’s most valuable when it’s all said and done?
Matt: Call me Missouri, because the Jim Knowles is going to have to show me his defensive play-calling is better. Yes, I believe the defense has the talent to slow down elite offenses. However, has Knowles learned to not gamble and put his secondary in situations with a high likelihood of failure when holding a two-score lead in the second half? Show me. Please, show me.
Like last year, I expect the defense to be in the top 15 statistically in multiple defensive categories at various points of this season. But the only defensive category I care about is the Buckeyes’ defense holding every opposing team to fewer points than Ohio State’s offense scores.
Ramzy: I've gone from thinking they'll be decent, to good, to now they should be elite. I have Ohio State fan brainworms. I also cannot convince myself the defensive line is going to have the depth at all spots to not take a step back when rotations are happening. Linebackers were absolutely fine last year even with Tommy Eichenberg playing with two broken hands. And if they're not seasoned and competent at safety, well friends I don't want to consider that possibility. I think this defensive line - and this entire, holistic and now scheme-fluent unit - guides the Buckeyes to a 15-game schedule.
Chase: Ohio State's defense improved in Jim Knowles' first season as defensive coordinator. I expect that trend to continue in Knowles' second season. JT Tuimoloau, Mike Hall Jr., Tyleik Williams and Jack Sawyer form what should be one of the best defensive lines in football Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers return as one of the top linebacker duos and Denzel Burke and Lathan Ransom will lead what should be an athletic defensive backfield that will get its hands on a lot of balls. With Ohio State's experience, I would expect the Buckeyes to finish in the top 25 for total defense and scoring defense in 2023 – and perhaps even push to become a top-10 team in both categories. The defensive line reaching the quarterback will be crucial for that to occur, so Knowles will need big seasons from his potential first-round picks in Tuimoloau, Hall and Sawyer.
Although during the offseason Day talked a lot about needing to spread himself around the whole team and not be so focused on the offense, he said he plans to still handle most of the offensive play calling duties, at least early in the season. Is that the right move? Does it speak more to Brian Hartline’s inexperience as an OC, the inexperience at quarterback, or maybe growing confidence in the defense? I’m not a fan of multiple guys weighing in on what play to run in real-time especially with a green quarterback. What’s your take?
Chase: I think so. Day became Ohio State's head coach because of how talented he was as an offensive play caller. He has continued to thrive in that role while he handles responsibilities as the Buckeyes' head coach. I think there will be a time when it makes sense for Day to hand the keys to the offense off to Hartline, and I trust that Day will know when that time has come. Let's see how Day does early in the season – particularly when Ohio State faces Notre Dame on Sept. 23 – and reasses whether it should be Day or Hartline who leads the offense in 2023.
Matt: Yes, Day calling the offensive plays is the correct move. This isn’t playing NCAA College Football on the Playstation – please come back next year – and to hand the keys over to somebody who has never had to decide on play after play in under 30 seconds at a time, could be a disaster.
With that, I find it hard to believe Kevin Wilson wasn’t’ a key component to the offenses’ success over the years. It will be interesting to see if the high standard of success continues without him on the staff.
Ramzy: If you've ever taken a promotion or a lateral move in a company, you know you end up doing a couple of jobs for a stretch while the new hire comes online (or is found) and you're getting into your new role. I think the intent is normal, transitional stuff. Every CEO has her or his favorite department or function. We know what Ryan Day's is. First-time head coach and offensive mensch loitering around the first-time OC's office for a bit isn't anything to get twisted up about. Everyone's learning. It's fine. This should be the season Ohio State's defense finally digs itself out of the hole created when stupid Boston College prevented Jeff Hafley from staying more than one season, and the pandemic prevented the program from properly compensating for his loss. It shouldn't be lost on anyone why Day hired a DC who isn't a flight risk for a promotion. He's delegating where he can and keeping his eyes on what he should. Hopefully by the time game 12 arrives, everyone will have the right conditioning for their roles and he can spend most of the game playing the role of head coach.
