Eric Boggs
Following Ohio State’s 21-17 grind-it-out win over Nebraska, the hosts of The OHIO Podcast dove into the details, offering their offensive and defensive letter grades with mixed emotions. The win kept Ohio State’s record unblemished, but the Pod Squad left no stone unturned in their breakdown of what they called a “weird” game full of struggles on both sides of the ball.
Offense: C – to D+ — A Hard Day for the Buckeye Offense
Chris, Cory, and J.R. were aligned in their criticism of Ohio State’s offense, which managed just 285 total yards with a mere 64 rushing yards on the day. The lowlight was a 1-for-10 third-down efficiency, with Cory calling it “unacceptable” and dubbing Ohio State’s offensive line “pathetic” despite two weeks to prepare.
Will Howard, the Buckeyes’ quarterback, shouldered the offense but struggled under constant pressure, thanks to a shaky offensive line that left him scrambling. The hosts debated between D and C-range grades, ultimately leaning toward a D+. Chris pointed to Howard’s interception and spotty run game as setbacks, although he praised Howard’s determination, saying, “Howard is keeping that sinking ship from completely going under.”
While Carnell Tate made a highlight play, catching a touchdown on a peculiar long pass, Eric noted that it looked “like he was boxing out the corner back,” capturing the disjointed feel of the offensive effort. J.R. appreciated that Ohio State at least tried to stretch the field with a deep throw to Jeremiah Smith but faulted play-calling and decision-making, especially on a questionable screen pass to TreVeyon Henderson.
Defense: B+ to C- — Strong Moments, But Concerns Remain
Ohio State’s defense, meanwhile, received grades ranging from B+ to C- for their performance. Chris was impressed by 13 tackles for loss, one crucial turnover, and the game-sealing fourth-down stop, giving the unit a B+. “We’re lucky we didn’t get gassed at the end,” Chris noted, adding that backup players like Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry brought much-needed energy.
Cory, however, gave a B-, citing Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola’s missed opportunities that helped keep Ohio State in the game. Raiola’s erratic throws, especially on wide-open plays, reminded Cory of Michigan’s 2022 game. Cory credited Ohio State’s defense with sniffing out screen plays effectively but stressed that a sharper Raiola might have changed the outcome.
J.R., taking a more critical stance, handed the defense a C-. He argued that Larry Johnson’s heavy reliance on starters like Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloa was problematic. Citing statistics, J.R. highlighted the concerning number of snaps defensive linemen played, which wore them down and could hurt the team in tighter games. “Larry Johnson is washed, guys,” J.R. declared, arguing that younger talents like Kenyatta Jackson and Caden McDonald need more playing time.
Conclusion: Win, But Work to Do
Despite the gritty victory, The OHIO Podcast agreed Ohio State must address glaring issues to contend with stronger opponents. Between a sluggish offensive line and defensive rotations that may be wearing out starters, the Pod Squad hopes the Buckeyes can regroup and improve before facing bigger challenges ahead.
