It's here. Ohio State's chance at redemption has arrived. But to take full advantage of it, they have to overcome a massive obstacle in their way: the defending National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. Minus a couple shaky games where they've actually looked vulnerable, Georgia has rolled through the 2022 season virtually unchallenged. On the other side of things, Ohio State was largely doing the same thing all season. Until a second straight ugly loss to archrival Michigan derailed their Big Ten Championship hopes, and left them on the outside looking in. Fortunately for Ryan Day and his crew, the Buckeyes crashed the Playoff party by sneaking in through the back door, courtesy of a 47-24 loss by USC to Utah in the PAC-12 Championship Game.
As soon as the Buckeyes were chosen though, the haters started coming out of the woodwork. I have heard several variations of this statement over the last few weeks: "Ohio State didn't earn their way here. They're going to get smoked by Georgia. Can't wait to see it!"
But I know who else has heard the same thing over and over again since the four Playoff teams were chosen on Selection Sunday: The entire Ohio State football team. How much more fuel does a team need to take full advantage of their second chance?
Not only did Ohio State get humiliated by their most hated rival, those perpetually arrogant folks to the north, now the entire country is laughing at them ahead of tonight's game. Forget Ryan Day using a little bulletin board material in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The entire Ohio State campus may as well be covered in it!
I know many hate the Buckeyes on a normal year. That comes with the territory, especially when this program is one of the Top 5 greatest in college football history in terms of wins and winning percentage. The eight National Championships won certainly don't hurt either. But it always seems like the hate and disrespect is ramped up a few notches whenever Ohio State plays in a big postseason game.
If I'm any Ohio State coach or player, I'm doing three things: Tuning out the haters, letting that anger slowly burn while I get focused, and focusing on how I can do my job to the absolute best of my ability in order to topple Georgia. And once 8 o'clock rolls around, I'm letting it all go. I'm coaching or playing my absolute best, and giving the Bulldogs my best shot.
But it takes more than just playing angry and a desire to win. The Buckeyes have to go into tonight with their absolute best gameplan that fits their strengths, and attacks Georgia's weaknesses. And yes, believe it or not, the Bulldogs do have weaknesses. As does every team. Let's take a look at Ohio State's best chance to topple the reigning National Champion, with tonight's Keys to Victory!
Keep CJ Stroud upright and match Georgia's defensive switches
You could also call this Key to Victory "Control the trenches." That's where this game will likely be decided. Ohio State and Georgia both come into this game tonight with a variety of offensive and defensive weapons at the so-called "skill positions" on both sides of the ball. But more often than not, how the big buffet busters do up front on either side of the ball, determines the outcome of a football game. This is definitely the case here.
Georgia's biggest weakness is their secondary. But CJ Stroud can't attack them or do serious damage through the air with the Bulldog defensive front in his face all night. He needs time to maneuver in the pocket and find his open receivers. If the Buckeye offensive line can account for, and slow down Georgia DT Jaylen Carter, and continuously match the Bulldogs' defensive switches with adjustments of their own, that will go a long way toward giving CJ Stroud a chance to do what he does best: Burn opposing secondaries through the air.
Run the football!
While I don't believe this Key to Victory is as important as controlling the trenches and line of scrimmage, being able to run the football will still be critical to victory for the Buckeyes. It's no secret that Ohio State's running backs are banged up. TreVeyon Henderson is out, and Miyan Williams is questionable as of this article. That leaves true freshman Dallan Hayden and converted linebacker Chip Trayanum as the Buckeyes' two healthiest running backs going into this one.
Chip Trayanum had 83 yards in the loss to Michigan, and Dallan Hayden has proven he can run the football as well. He's a unique mix of speed, power and attitude, and he's got an explosive first step when he finds the hole in the defense. No matter who runs the ball, whether it's Williams, Hayden or Trayanum, the Buckeyes definitely need to make running the ball successfully a priority.
It would also add an extra dimension to the offense if CJ Stroud took off and made some plays with his legs as well. He's not a running quarterback or scrambler. But that little wrinkle would really keep Georgia on their toes, and keep them honest.
Running the football successfully against Georgia will do three things: It will wear them out as the game goes on, it'll allow Ohio State to keep a powerful offense led by Heisman finalist Stetson Bennett off the field, and last but not least, it'll take the lid off the most explosive group of wide receivers in the country. They're part of my last Key to Victory, which is...
Win the battle of big plays, especially through the air
I'll just go ahead and say it right now: When Ohio State plays their absolute best and they're firing on all cylinders, they are the only (yes, only) team left who has the tools to go toe to toe with Georgia and beat them. And a big reason for why I say this, is that one of the Buckeyes' biggest strengths matches up well against Georgia's biggest weakness.
Marvin Harrison Jr. headlines an explosive Buckeye passing attack. On the year, he has 72 catches for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns. The kid is money. He's 6'4 and fast enough to blow the lid off any secondary if given the opportunity. Whenever he decides to declare for the NFL Draft, he's almost certainly a Top 15 pick if he stays healthy.
But along with Harrison, the Buckeyes also have a solid #2 wideout in Emeka Egbuka, who has 66 catches for 1,039 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. Not only can he make big plays downfield similar to Harrison Jr., but I also see the Buckeyes occasionally use him in screen passes out into the flats, where he can be elusive. He makes people miss, and creates big plays by racking up YAC (yards after catch).
The last key receiver for Ohio State isn't really a receiver. He's a tight end. Lexington's own Cade Stover has 35 catches for 399 yards and five touchdowns on the season. But I think he's been criminally underutilized this year. I think he's an X factor going into this game. If Ohio State is in the red zone and threatening to score, he's a massive, surehanded target for CJ Stroud to throw to, since he's 6'4 and 255 pounds. Stover could show up big for the Buckeyes if Ryan Day gives him the chance!
If the Buckeyes can unleash their passing attack, and the secondary can play bend but don't break defense, they've got a chance to beat Georgia in this facet of the game. Stetson Bennett and the Bulldogs WILL get their yards against this secondary. It's just a fact. But if the Ohio State defensive backs play alert, clean football, and prevent the big play, there's no reason the Buckeyes can't lock it down here.
The Buckeyes and Bulldogs are two extremely talented football teams. But only one will survive and advance to play for the College Football Playoff National Championship. Will Kirby Smart and his squad earn a shot at Georgia's second straight National Championship, and what would be the fourth in their school's history?
Or will Ryan Day and Ohio State redeem themselves, and show the entire college football world that they belong among the nation's best by punching their ticket to the biggest game of them all?
Find out tonight on ESPN at 8 PM!
GO BUCKS!
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