Scarlet Sunrise: Ohio State confident in offensive identity with Michigan trip approaching

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Ohio State confident in offensive identity with Michigan trip approaching

The Game is fast approaching.

But the Ohio State offense is ready for the challenge ahead. That’s what head coach Ryan Day conveyed when he was asked if his unit was where he wanted it to be through 11 games after the Buckeyes’ 37-3 win over Minnesota this past weekend.

“We’re here. We’re here now,” Day said. “And is there always things we want to get better at? Absolutely. But I think you’re seeing the identity that we’re looking for. I think you’re seeing the run, you’re seeing the pass, you’re seeing the explosiveness. And that’s what we want.

“And so we’re 11 games in. Time to go play.”

Time to go play.

That’s the message for the entire Ohio State team, which hasn’t been looking ahead but rather building toward Rivalry Week since the offseason.

Maybe it applies most for an offense that, despite being a work-in-progress much of the year, came together when it mattered most. Granted the Buckeyes were supposed to beat Michigan State and Minnesota handily, but they did so with a balanced run/pass pallet.

In fact, Ohio State flirted with 1,000 total yards over the last two weeks and rushed for more than 170 yards in both contests.

Defensive concerns were the talk of the town throughout spring ball and training camp, except coordinator Jim Knowles’ group has delivered, traveled and packaged dominant performances all year. On the other side of the ball, however, the Buckeyes had to grind through uncharacteristic clunkiness, injuries, a new-look offensive line and, of course, the struggles that come with a first-year starting quarterback.

Kyle McCord’s development hasn’t exactly been linear, but he’s made notable steps since Week 1, especially in the last three weeks.

“We’ve got the weapons, and he’s got the talent,” Day said of McCord.

Those weapons are healthy, too. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka missed three games with an ankle injury, but he looked like himself against Minnesota. Tight end Cade Stover got banged up in the Wisconsin game last month but returned versus Michigan State two weeks ago following a one-game absence. Running back TreVeyon Henderson, who missed three games after taking what he called a “cheap shot” at Notre Dame, has been back in the fold since the trip to Madison, and he’s been nothing short of dynamic.

So Ohio State has all the pieces it needs for this week’s top-three showdown in Ann Arbor. As Day says, the Buckeyes will have to “swing” their hardest at Michigan with that collection of talent Saturday afternoon in The Big House.

And not lose sight of their balanced offensive identity they’ve worked so hard to craft.

Ohio State leapfrogs Michigan in AP Top 25 ahead of Rivalry Week

The top three of the AP Poll now reflects the College Football Playoff rankings: No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan.

The Buckeyes and Wolverines traded places following Week 12, a week in which Ohio State crushed Minnesota, 37-3, and Michigan escaped Maryland with a 31-24 win.

Still, for the second consecutive year, The Game will feature a No. 2 versus No. 3 matchup.

For the complete Top 25, go here.

Buckeye Leaves: Jack Sawyer takeover against Minnesota latest chapter of surging junior season

Jack Sawyer’s Minnesota takeover wasn’t a breakout. It was a continuation of his surging junior season. The Ohio State defensive end recorded a team-high six total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, and, most notably, a strip sack that was at the heart of the Buckeyes’ second-half blitz.

He was one recipient of the Buckeye Leaves Lettermen Row handed out Sunday.

For the full story on Sawyer and other Ohio State difference makers from the Minnesota game, head on over here.

Report card: Grading Buckeyes blowout win over Minnesota

Before turning the page to The Game, Lettermen Row graded the Buckeyes’ commanding victory over Minnesota. The Ohio State offense wasn’t as smooth sailing as it was last week against Michigan State, but it still went well over 400 total yards for the second week in a row.

And, also for the second week in a row, the only thing standing between the Buckeyes and a shutout was a 50-plus-yard field goal.

So how did Ohio State grade out?

Get the Lettermen Row report card here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 5 days

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