noreply66 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:57 am
If Ohio State wins the Rose Bowl they will pass Michigan for the most Rose Bowl wins for a Big Ten Team at nine.
Down 35-21 at half, OSU out scored Utah 27-10 in the second half. Noah Ruggles kicked the winning 19 yard field goal with 9 seconds left.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba carried the day with 15 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns. The yardage set Ohio State and Rose Bowl single game records and Buckeye single season records.
CJ Stroud completed 37 of 46 passing attempts for 572 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. The yardage was also a Buckeye single game record.
OSU managed only 110 rushing yards on only 20 carries for the night, giving the Buckeyes 682 yards in total offense for the night.
The Buckeye defense were gashed by a balanced Utah attack yielding 470 yards, not including a 97 yard kick off return by the Utes.
Takeaways from the game is that the OSU passing game will be the most potent in college football next year. Stroud, JSN, Eubka, and Fleming will be dominant.
The down side is that OSU's defense, though they showed some grit tonight, is no where near championship level. Incoming defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has his work cut out in evaluating talent, installing scheme, and teaching fundamentals.
The OSU running game has all the potential in the world but just seems to be an afterthought given the Buckeye passing attack.
All in all, the victory will give momentum to OSU heading into the next regular season, but it also showed there is much improvement needed if the Bucks are to win the Big 10 and challenge for a playoff spot.
All in all, A good season for OSU with 11 wins. Warts were exposed, including some possible locker room dissension early on. This is now Ryan Day's team. The shadow of Urban Meyer is gone.
The 2022 Buckeyes will win another Natty if they can muster up a top 20 defense. They dont have to be great, just be able to get 4-5 stops a game.
Defense doesnt win championships anymore fellas. Scoring the most points does. Stroud will be back with an incredible group of WR's and one of the best RB's in college football. A few holes to fill in the O line but they are talented there.
Defense needs overhauled, tweeked and held accountable as they were soley responsible for both losses this season.
