Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a workmanlike 108 yards in the win that saw Ohio State use two quarterbacks that were both unable to crack 100 yards on the day.
The Buckeyes (3-0) host Western Michigan (1-2) next Saturday..
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1) I've often been critical of Luke Fickell through the years,but on a day that saw the offense deal with major issues,it was the defense that stood up and won this game.
Northern Illinois finished with under 200 yards of total offense and generally (with one exception) was unable to do anything against the Silver Bullet defense.
Give the credit where it's due...
2) The defensive line led by Adolpho Washington and Joey Bosa was the main part of the victory as they bullied the undersized Huskie offensive line and didn't allow any time for Drew Hare to throw the football.
If Washington continues to play at that level every week,teams are going to have a hard time keeping their quarterback up right.....
3) Darron Lee said he had a real chance of taking an interception for a score and did just that.
I love the OSU linebacking team of Lee,Raekown McMillan and Joshua Perry and all have an excellent chance of playing on Sundays in their future.
4) I was a bit concerned about Gareon Conley when I did the preview on the podcast,but he has had a strong three games thus far.
Conley has been the picked on player by the opposition and thus far,Conley has done very well...
5) Cardale Jones or J.T.Barrett?
Neither exactly played well and neither threw for over 100 yards.
Other than Barrett's 23 yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas,neither did much to distinguish themselves in whatever this has become at the quarterback position.
6) Here's the problem as I see it.
I leaned toward Cardale Jones at the beginning of the season,but in an attempt to give both players playing time,neither have been allowed to settle into the position.
At this point with Western Michigan finishing the non-conference schedule,I think that it's almost imperative for Urban Meyer to pick Jones or Barrett one way or the other.
Both players said that's what they wanted to start with and what Meyer said he wasn't going to do before the season.
Pick a player,make the call and give them the ball....
7) Ezekiel Elliott rushed for over 100 yards,but they were a quiet 100 (I know that always sounds dumb) as his longest run was just 13 yards.
Elliott was more of a workhorse than a breakaway threat...
8) Much of this was the offensive line,which really didn't have a strong afternoon.
That will need to change in conference play,but some of this is due to number nine...
9) The Buckeyes aren't using Elliott in the manner that they should.
Elliott is not being used in between the tackles and despite his speed,might be getting too many calls around the end.
Elliott is a physical back and just isn't being given the chance to wear down the opponents with the play calling.
10) Ohio State misses Devin Smith more than anyone expected them to.
Michael Thomas is a fine receiver,but without the deep threat of Smith,teams are able to play a tighter zone and play closer to the line of scrimmage,which then allows teams to push back on Ezekiel Elliott.
If there is a reason to pick J.T.Barrett over Cardale Jones,it might be this reason-if the team lacks a deep threat,the more powerful (and less accurate) arm of Jones isn't quite as needed.
Someone needs to break out in practice to give the Buckeyes that seam stretcher that's such a need...
11) Finally,I picked Ohio State 45-14,but Northern Illinois was a BCS team just two years ago and has won the MAC three of the previous four seasons.
I thought the NIU would hang tough for a while,but the Buckeyes wpuld pull away in the second half for a larger score.
That didn't happen,but even though the Buckeyes offense was disappointing,don't be too quick to toss this game aside.
Northern Illinois is a strong football team and I might look back at this game as being a better win than it seems today...
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