"Minnich's Ohio State vs. Purdue Musings"

Ohio State's dominant win over Purdue has raised hopes for their upcoming game against Penn State. The defense impressed, the offensive line improved, and new players showed promise.

Ohio State's dominant victory over Purdue has sparked several thoughts and considerations for the upcoming big game against Penn State. Let's dive into some key takeaways from the game and what they could mean moving forward.

Firstly, Ohio State's defense displayed a solid performance. Despite facing a lesser offensive threat in Purdue, the Buckeyes' defense stepped up, allowing only seven points. Jim Knowles, who faced skepticism at the start of the 2023 season, seems to have learned from past mistakes and adjusted his overly aggressive style. The defensive line was particularly impressive, recording three sacks, nine tackles for loss, and five passes defended. While Penn State poses a greater offensive challenge, the Ohio State defense should feel more confident heading into the matchup.

Another intriguing aspect of the game was the emergence of Dallan Hayden as a potential solution to Ohio State's running game struggles. Although initially intended to be redshirted this season, Hayden's performance against Purdue has raised questions about whether he should receive more playing time at running back. While he may not possess the same speed or physicality as other backs, Hayden's decisiveness and ability to gain yards when given the ball make him a compelling option. It will be interesting to see if Hayden gets opportunities against Penn State.

Xavier Johnson's versatility was also on display during the game. With injuries at the running back position and Emeka Egbuka's absence, Johnson's usage provided Ohio State with options at both running back and receiver. His presence could pose matchup problems for future opponents.

The offensive line, while still not considered strong, showed improvement against Purdue. Coach Frye appeared to simplify the blocking scheme, resulting in a more effective running game. This progress will be crucial as Ohio State faces the challenge of protecting quarterback Kyle McCord and creating running lanes against Penn State. Though it may be premature to offer excessive praise, the offensive line's performance on the road was notably better than the previous week's showing against Maryland.

Credit should also be given to Coach Day for giving the backups significant playing time in the later stages of the game. This allowed players like Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss to showcase their skills and make impactful plays. Tate's 55-yard reception and Inniss' 58-yard touchdown reception were particularly impressive. While it would have been nice to see freshman quarterback Lincoln Kienholz get some playing time, it is understandable that backup quarterback Devin Brown needed the valuable game reps.

On a side note, the Peacock broadcast of the game received mixed reviews among Ohio State fans. While some appreciated the absence of annoying Dr. Pepper "Fansville" commercials, others found the Geico commercials equally bothersome. For those who purchased Peacock for this game, it might be wise to hold onto the account as there is a possibility that Ohio State could appear on the platform again this season for games against Wisconsin, Rutgers, and Minnesota.

Overall, Ohio State's victory over Purdue provided several encouraging signs for the team. The defense showcased its solidity, Hayden emerged as a potential solution to the running game woes, Johnson's versatility added a new dimension, the offensive line displayed improvement, and the backups made their presence felt. As the Buckeyes prepare for the crucial matchup against Penn State, these factors will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining their success.