Ohio State’s stock on offense has perhaps never been higher in 2023 than it was in the first half against Michigan State.
The Buckeyes impersonated a machine in jumping out to a 35-3 lead by halftime against Michigan State, allowing them to cruise through the second half and play a nice collection of backups.
There’s not a lot of stock to put into the defensive performance from Saturday, with Ohio State dominating one of the nation’s worst offenses statistically on a season when it’s turned in similar performances against better attacks. On the offensive side, however, OSU took a step forward as Kyle McCord looked sharper than ever and Marvin Harrison Jr. furthered his Heisman Trophy hype.
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Marv’s Heisman hopes
Harrison scored a touchdown on each of Ohio State’s first three drives against Michigan State, first on a 19-yard rushing score – the first rushing touchdown of his career – then on catches of 26 and 9 yards. He finished his day with seven catches for 149 receiving yards. He now has the fourth-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy on DraftKings at +475.
Who else but Marvin Harrison Jr? @MarvHarrisonJr x @OhioStateFB
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 12, 2023
: NBC pic.twitter.com/HjPLO7EkdZ
Kyle McCord
McCord finished 24-of-31 (77%) through the air with a career-high 335 yards and three touchdowns against Michigan State. He looked his most accurate and efficient self so far this season, with Ryan Day agreeing it was his best performance in 2023. More throws like the one below to Harrison will have Ohio State’s passing offense humming like a songbird:
MARV AGAIN @OhioStateFB
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 12, 2023
: NBC pic.twitter.com/AN2YPd1YyA
Fast Starts
Finally, after sluggish first halves in a multitude of games of late, Ohio State’s offense came out of the gates with some fury on Saturday. It scored five touchdowns in its first six drives to take a 35-3 lead into halftime. Day called it “what we were looking for” on Monday.
Young defenders
Not only did freshman safety Malik Hartford produce a team-high four solo tackles starting in place of the injured Lathan Ransom, but Ohio State also got more good work from freshman cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. Several other talented future starters saw the field in the second half against Michigan State. Sophomore linebacker CJ Hicks made a tackle for no gain and a tackle for loss and freshman cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt drew direct praise from Day for his play.
The Thurmanator
Jelani Thurman was one of a collection of young Ohio State backups who saw increased action on offense against Michigan State. The Georgia native and No. 3 tight end in the 247Sports composite rankings from the class of 2023 caught both of freshman quarterback Lincoln Kienholz’s first two career completions for his own first career receptions, picking up 18 yards. That included a 14-yard catch in which he barreled over Michigan State defensive back Brandon Lewis.
Lincoln Kienholz completes the first pass of his Ohio State career, and it goes for 14 yards.
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) November 12, 2023
Classmate Jelani Thurman is the recipient, and the true freshman TE trucks over a Michigan State defender before finishing off the catch and run. pic.twitter.com/ansoOylWlm
Georgia
There’s a good chance Georgia vaults Ohio State for the top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings tonight. The Bulldogs demolished No. 9 Ole Miss 52-17 to pick up a top-10 win that is sure to impress the playoff committee.
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Emeka Egbuka’s expedient return to full speed
Egbuka did not have the look of someone playing at 100% on Saturday. Ohio State’s No. 2 receiver caught just one pass for 12 yards on five targets against the Spartans, looking visibly hobbled at times. The Buckeyes will hope he feels more like himself this week against Minnesota.
Lack of worry
The Michigan game is looming for Ohio State fans. Only one game separates the Buckeyes from their ultimate showdown in Ann Arbor with everything on the line. After all the narratives that have circulated for the past year about Michigan’s place atop the rivalry, sign-stealing and whether Ryan Day can beat Jim Harbaugh, it’s all on the cusp of being the focal point in what will likely be a top-three matchup. The slow creep of anxiety toward Nov. 25 has begun.
Mike Yurcich
The former Ohio State passing game coordinator is out as Penn State’s offensive coordinator after the Nittany Lions’ offense had another poor showing against a top opponent in their 24-15 loss at home to No. 3 Michigan. Under his guidance, Drew Allar posted a combined stat line of 28-for-64 (43.8%) passing and a dismal 4.1 yards per attempt against the Buckeyes and Wolverines. Penn State’s offense failed to surpass 240 yards in both games.
Tennessee
The No. 13 Volunteers suffered their third defeat of the season at No. 14 Missouri on Saturday and did it in 36-7 fashion. The Tigers are real. Josh Heupel’s bunch is not.
The Big 12
A pair of upsets hurt the overall vitality of the Big 12 this weekend. No. 16 Kansas fell 16-13 in a slobber-knocker to Texas Tech and No. 15 Oklahoma State was taken to the woodshed 45-3 by UCF. This isn’t your typical Group of Five juggernaut Golden Knights squad either, UCF is just 5-5 in its first season in the Big 12.
