After each Ohio State game — good or bad — Phil Harrison gives you five takeaways from the action on the field. It’s time for some observations after the blowout of Rutgers in game No. 4
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5. Ohio State’s defense is well ahead of schedule
If you watched the NFL draft this year, you know the Buckeyes lost a ton of NFL talent on both sides of the ball. As a result, they had to replace eight starters on defense, a renovation project HGTV might have scoffed at.
Undaunted it appears, Ohio State has reloaded with perhaps more athleticism and speed than its predecessor from a year ago. Malik Hooker and Marshawn Lattimore lead a ball-hawking secondary, and the front-seven flies to the ball. Perhaps nothing speaks louder than the fact that Ohio State’s defense has outscored its opponents’ offenses by a total score of 28-20.
It’s a young defense, but a hungry defense.
4. J.T. Barrett is an all-time great in Columbus
Have yourself a day, @JT_theQB4th.@OhioStateFB now has a new record-holder for career TD passes. #OSUvsRU 👊 pic.twitter.com/cxaekaZb65
— Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) October 1, 2016
OSU has plenty of options on offense. And while that’s obviously a good thing that makes this team much more dangerous, it might result in Barrett cruising through this year without a lot of recognition. Today, he threw for four more touchdowns to give him 59 for his career — a new record at Ohio State.
Ho hum.
We’ve come to expect these sorts of things from Barrett and have become a little calloused over by it. You just know No. 16 is going to sling the ball around to various receivers and get into the end zone at least a couple of times a game, and likely more.
Newsflash: He’s done this in what amounts to two years and has another year of eligibility left if he so desires. The OSU Athletic department may want to buy a few more blank pages to fill out future record books in Columbus.
3. Ohio State’s going to be good for a while
Okay, where’s Captain Obvious when you need him? It’s amazing to think that the lineup OSU is rolling out there every Saturday is technically the youngest starting squad in all of FBS, yet it’s playing at such a high level.
You only get three years with most players cut from this type of cloth, but that means this year is the farthest thing from a flash in the pan type of scenario. First of all, it’s Ohio freakin’ State, but perhaps even more important is the fact that Urban Meyer is recruiting his tale off.
As long as complacency doesn’t become a mortal opponent, Scarlet and Gray will be in the running for the most recognized colors on the College Football Playoff committee members’ desks for the foreseeable future.
2. Paging Mike Weber
BOOOM!! Mike Weber cuts left and heads homeeee for the hugee TOUCHDOWN!#GoBucks #OSUvsRU pic.twitter.com/375tg7y3vt
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 1, 2016
Did I mention that Ohio State has more options than an order at Starbucks when it comes to offense? One of those guys opposing defenses ought not develop amnesia about is running back Mike Weber. He doesn’t have quite the burst as Ezekiel Elliott, but his vision and abilities to get to the second level are almost as good.
No. 25 is now your leader in yards per game in the Big Ten after rushing 14 times for 144 yards (10.3 avg.) and a TD. Overall for the year, Weber is now averaging 123.8 yards per game, and 7.3 yards per carry. He is a red-shirt freshman in case you didn’t know.
1. Tampa or bust
http://gty.im/504594966
Okay, I’m going to say it. After four weeks, this team has what it takes to win another golden trophy as the best team in the country. Ohio State is deep, athletic, and has as much speed throughout the roster than perhaps ever.
Exactly zero national championships have been won on potential, or by looking back and patting yourself on the back though. The Buckeyes will ultimately have to survive some adversity at some point, and likely get a break here or there as all national championship contenders do.
But this team has the goods to get it done. That much is clear through four games.
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Phil Harrison is a frequent contributor to The Student Section. He is also a featured contributor to collegefootballews.com, and talking10.com. You can follow him on twitter @PhilHarrisonCFB or email him at pharrison28@gmail.com. If that doesn’t work, you can find him in the doghouse at home.
