Greg McElroy explains how Ohio State's Achilles heel has turned into a strength

Ohio State has only had so many overall takeaways about them so far this season based on their slate. Still, with what they did in their last game, Greg McElroy has reason to think what he thought was their biggest weakness might no longer be so.

McElroy made that point among several others on ‘Always College Football’ on Monday. To him, the Buckeyes’ offensive line, which he previously pointed to as their biggest issue, is better than it used to be in recent seasons.

“What was Ohio State’s Achilles heel might actually be a strength,” McElroy stated. “The last couple years with Ohio State, what was their biggest issue? It was their offensive line and how inconsistent that group occasionally was. They were not a group that was physically imposing. They had somewhat talented guys but they were not a group that really scared you to death. You felt like, hey, we might be able to neutralize that talent advantage that Ohio State has if we just take it to them in the trenches.

“People have labeled Ohio State as ‘soft.’ I think that’s ridiculous. I’ve watched Ohio State for years, I’ve known Ryan Day for years. They are not a soft program,” prefaced McElroy. “I will tell you this. I’ve thought their offensive line in recent years wasn’t nearly as good as the rest of their team – just being honest.”

Now, Ohio State’s outing against Iowa makes him believe otherwise to an extent. Against a Hawkeye defense that’s top-notch in the trenches, the Buckeyes ran for 203 yards at 5.1 per carry with 78 from Quinshon Judkins and 61 from TreVeyon Henderson. They also allowed only two tackles for loss and one sack with them giving up just four sacks and 13 TFLS now this fall.

“Guess what? They just played Iowa. This is the first super respectable opponent that Ohio State has faced this year in my opinion,” said McElroy. “I look at where Ohio State is. To hold a resurgent Iowa offense to just seven points, to watch their defense play as well as they did? And to own the line of scrimmage offensively? It made me feel really, really good

“They just ran for 200-plus yards against Iowa. Guys, Iowa? There’s one thing that Iowa does remarkably well for as long as I can remember. It’s be stout against the run. Well, the Buckeyes just ran for 200,” McElroy added. “They are the first team to go over 100 yards on the ground against Iowa and they averaged over five yards per carry. Iowa, coming into this matchup, had given up under 2.5 yards per carry. Ohio State also had only two tackles made behind their own line of scrimmage. That’s amazing!”

Ohio State still needs to play better and better competition to know anything about this for certain. Still, with what that line has shown through five games, the Buckeyes look even more complete as a team to McElroy.

“I am super excited about what I’ve seen from Ohio State now,” said McElroy. “I’m starting to think that what was once a huge concern for Ryan Day and his program might be a strength now.”