Eric Boggs
The OHIO Podcast delivered a candid breakdown of Ohio State’s performance following a 32-31 defeat to Oregon, focusing on both the offense and defense. Despite putting up strong numbers on offense, including 467 total yards, 22 first downs, and an impressive 6.9 yards per play, the Buckeyes couldn’t close out the game, with critical errors in clock management and inconsistency on both sides of the ball.
Offense: B to C Range
The podcast hosts generally agreed that the Buckeyes’ offense was one of the few bright spots. Will Howard’s leadership and poise were heavily praised, with one host suggesting that Howard’s performance was worth an A- on his own, though the offense as a whole earned grades in the B to B+ range.
“Will Howard got us in position to win the game,” Chris Wilds remarked, “but the offensive line was up and down, and the run game was inconsistent.” The Buckeyes rushed for 141 yards, but there was a consensus that TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins didn’t get much help from the line, which struggled without two starters.
Penalties and a critical turnover also played a role in the hosts docking points from the offense’s grade. The lack of consistent blocking, especially in the second half, and the questionable clock management late in the game led to frustration. Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and even Carnell Tate were highlighted as positives, with Tate’s blocking efforts earning specific praise.
Despite some of these issues, one host noted, “31 points should be enough to win.”
Defense: F
The podcast was far less forgiving of the Buckeyes’ defense, which allowed 496 yards of total offense to Oregon. The grading was brutal, with the majority of the hosts giving an outright “F” to a defense that gave up 7.6 yards per play.
“F, F minus, can I go further?” Florida Cory quipped, summing up the group’s disappointment. The lack of pressure on Oregon’s quarterback and the inability to stop the run—especially considering Idaho had previously pressured the same offense—left the hosts bewildered. “We blitzed, but not enough, and our blitzes were predictable.”
The most scathing criticism was reserved for cornerback Denzel Burke, who, according to the hosts, had a game so poor that it could cost him millions in future NFL draft stock. “Denzel Burke couldn’t catch a cold out there,” one host fumed, emphasizing his missed tackles and getting burned in critical moments. “We had to completely adjust our strategy because Burke was getting toasted.”
The defensive line’s lack of penetration and the inability to make game-changing plays were highlighted as key reasons Ohio State lost. Even star defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau’s effort to make a tackle on a running back was overshadowed when the quarterback ran for a 27-yard touchdown untouched.
Overall Takeaway
While the offense showed promise, particularly in the passing game with Will Howard, Jeremiah Smith, and Emeka Egbuka, it wasn’t enough to overcome a defense that gave up too many big plays. The OHIO Podcast hosts were united in their belief that the defense, particularly Denzel Burke and the line, needed to do “much better.” Despite scoring 31 points, the Buckeyes left too much to be desired on the defensive side of the ball, leading to an ugly and frustrating loss for Ohio State fans.
