Beyond the Box Score: How much do the Buckeyes need to lean on the run game this season?

The Buckeyes have been producing wide receiver talent for nearly 20 years, and it goes back even further than that. Since Brian Hartline joined the Buckeyes coaching staff in 2017, the receivers who have come through for Ohio State are extraordinary.

Terry McLaurin, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. to Emeka Egbuka, the wide receivers that have come through Ohio State have made the Buckeyes the best wide receiver room in the country for nearly a decade.

Historically, though, running back has been the legacy position at Ohio State.

It goes back to Archie Griffin being the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in the 1970s, and Eddie George also won the Heisman Trophy in 1995. Recent great running backs to play for the Buckeyes include TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, J.K. Dobbins, Ezekiel Elliott, Beanie Wells, Boone Herron, and Robert Smith, among others.

While college football, and the Big Ten in particular, has evolved into a pass-first offense era, running the ball is still crucial to having a high-powered offense.

The Buckeyes have the receivers and the quarterback to be an explosive offense. They’ve shown just how prolific they can be through the last two games, with Julian Sayin throwing for over 300 yards in both games. Jeremiah Smith looks like he may be even better this season, and Carnell Tate looks like a high-end draft pick next Spring.

However, if the Buckeyes can run the football effectively, this offense could be nearly impossible to stop.

How much, exactly, do the Buckeyes need to run the ball this season?

That’s the topic of this week’s Beyond the Box Score…

How much does Ohio State need to run the football this season?

The obvious answer to this question is that the Buckeyes need to lean heavily on their running game. Mainly, because it will help Julian Sayin in his development.

Buckeyes fans can look at the last two games and think their offense is fine. Considering Sayin has thrown for over 300 yards and seven touchdowns, that’s a fair assessment.

However, Sayin has thrown three interceptions in the last two games. Two of those came against Ohio, and they were both tipped balls. The one against Grambling State came in the end zone. All three interceptions had minimal impacts on the game. 

As we head into Big Ten play, it’s important to remember that Sayin still only has three starts in his career. He’s still in developmental mode. In his only start against a Power Four opponent, the Buckeyes only rushed for 77 yards. Texas’s defense did an excellent job of not letting the Buckeyes’ offensive line pave the way for huge runs. 

The Buckeyes’ defense made up for the lack of a run game, but that might not always be possible. That’s why the Buckeyes need to be able to run the football in Big Ten play.

Running the ball can take the pressure off any quarterback, especially one still in his developmental stages. 

Will Howard had the duo of Henderson and Judkins. Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields had J.K. Dobbins. J.T. Barrett had Ezekiel Elliott. Braxton Miller had Carlos Hyde. Terrell Pryor had Boone Herron and Brandon Saine. Troy Smith had Antonio Pittman.

Even if some of these quarterbacks could run the ball themselves, having a running back that could shoulder the load took some of the pressure off of them.

That’s what needs to happen with Sayin. Whether that’s Bo Jackson, James Peoples, or C.J. Donaldson, one of them needs to step up and be the bell cow running back.

If one of them does that, this offense will be unstoppable.