First Posted: 10/7/2014
QUARTERBACKS
J.T. Barrett was an unknown quantity in more ways than one when the season began. Seeing his name misspelled as Barnett was something that happened more than once.
When Braxton Miller was lost for the season, the overwhelming sentiment was that Ohio State didn’t have a backup quarterback as good as last year’s No. 2 QB, Kenny Guiton. Almost at the halfway point of this season, it’s clear the 2014 Buckeyes had a backup better than Guiton.
Barrett has completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,354 yards and 17 touchdowns. In the last three games, he has hit 75 percent of his throws for 909 yards and 14 touchdowns. While he is not the explosive runner Miller is, he has been effective in that role.
Grade: A
RUNNING BACKS
After a slow start, Ezekiel Elliott has played the last two games the way people predicted when he was one of the top players in OSU’s 2013 recruiting class. He has had 182 yards and 139 yards rushing in wins over Cincinnati and Maryland and is clearly the No.1 running back as long as he is healthy.
Freshman Curtis Samuel was impressive as the No. 2 running back until an ankle injury sidelined him last week against Maryland. Senior Rod Smith gets a few carries but has never lived up to the big expectations for him.
Grade: B
RECEIVERS
Ohio State has strength in numbers with six players rotating at the receiver positions. Michael Thomas has emerged as the best of the bunch. And, unlike his uncle Keyshaun Johnson, he lets his actions on the field do the talking for him. Devin Smith, Evan Spencer, Dontre Wilson, Jalin Marshall and Corey Smith give OSU depth at a key position in its spread offense.
Grade: A-
OFFENSIVE LINE
The light switch has been flipped on for the offensive line in the last two games after a shaky start to the season. OSU’s coaches have had enough confidence in them that they’ve run an up-tempo offense, which requires subbing for the starters at times to give them a break.
Grade: B-
DEFENSIVE LINE
The defensive front four struggled to live up to expectations at times early in the season. This was surprising because it was filled with veterans.
Joey Bosa has been dominant as expected. Michael Bennett has come on strong in recent games. And, in fairness, the loss of Noah Spence first for two games because of a suspension for a failed drug test last year, then for the season for a second one, took away the team leader in sacks.
Grade: B
LINEBACKERS
Maybe no area of the team has improved more this year from last year. Big plays were rare out of Ohio State linebackers in 2013, but Joshua Perry has been productive and Darron Lee and Raekwon McMillan, even though he isn’t a starter, have both delivered big plays.
Grade: A-
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Last year’s repeated meltdowns in pass coverage made Ohio State’s defensive backs a magnet for fan criticism. Giving up three passes of 60 yards or more for touchdowns against Cincinnati created doubt that last year’s problems have been fixed, but things looked better against Maryland.
Grade: C+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ohio State has become accustomed to kickers who were almost automatic. Freshman Sean Nuernberger is good, but at 6 for 9 he is not automatic. Punts, kick coverage and returns have been solid.
Grade: B
