Eric Boggs
In their Rose Bowl victory, the Ohio State Buckeyes delivered a performance worthy of high praise. The hosts of The OHIO Podcast, Chris Wilds, Cory Thompson, J.R. Rhodes, and Eric Boggs, issued their letter grades for the Buckeyes’ offensive and defensive showings. Here’s a breakdown of their assessments and insights.
Offensive Excellence
The Buckeyes’ offense was electric, racking up 500 total yards, including 319 through the air and 181 on the ground. The unit averaged a stellar 8.8 yards per play, recorded 20 first downs, and committed no turnovers. Despite this, the grades reflected room for improvement:
- Chris Wilds: A+ for a juggernaut performance, noting the offense’s dominance.
- Cory Thompson: A, citing a need for more consistent rushing and improved play from key linemen like Josh Fryer and Tegra Tshabola.
- Eric Boggs: A, agreeing the first-half offense was nearly flawless but emphasizing the importance of finishing strong.
- J.R. Rhodes: A+, highlighting the remarkable production despite challenges and key injuries on the offensive line.
Standouts like Jeremiah Smith earned individual A+ praise for their contributions, but the panel agreed that Ohio State’s run game and third-down efficiency (4-for-11) could be sharper, especially with tougher matchups looming.
Defensive Dominance
Ohio State’s defense suffocated Oregon’s offense, allowing only 276 total yards, including a staggering -23 rushing yards. Eight sacks, many attributed to strong coverage, defined their effort. However, 299 passing yards and missed holding calls stirred mixed reactions:
- Chris Wilds: A, praising the defensive line but docking points for allowing too many passing yards.
- Cory Thompson: A, attributing some defensive lapses to the improvisational brilliance of Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
- J.R. Rhodes: A+, focusing on the dominance of the defensive line and its eight sacks despite blatant missed holding calls.
- Eric Boggs: A+, celebrating the defense’s relentlessness and four coverage sacks while criticizing officiating that ignored consistent holding on Ohio State’s pass rushers.
The panel agreed that the defense set the tone, forcing Oregon into desperation plays while demonstrating its versatility in pressuring the quarterback and stifling the run game.
Looking Ahead
As the Buckeyes advance, the podcast hosts highlighted the importance of addressing minor shortcomings. Offensive consistency and third-down execution must improve to take down Texas in the Cotton Bowl while the defense must continue its disruptive dominance. The Rose Bowl win showed Ohio State’s championship potential but underscored the need for A+ performances across the board in the next stages.
