With Justin Fields and new offensive faces, the 2019 Buckeyes Season will not Preview the new Day Era

If you clicked the link and came to this story expecting an in depth analysis of the Ohio State offense, you are either new to Off Tackle Empire, or insane, probably both. The number one expert in the entire world on the Ohio State offense is probably sitting in the coaches’ room right now, rubbing his temples. Not because there is no talent on the team or they are exceptionally young, but because is a lot of uncertainty. Let’s take a look at what we know.

Justin Fields looked really good in the few games he played at Georgia. He is really fast. He is most likely the starting QB, with zero starts under his belt. Running back J.K. Dobbins ran for over 1000 yards last season in a split role, but also took a step back. Was that him, nagging injuries, or a line that struggled to run block? Probably all three. About that line, one starter returns, though there is some experience there. Is that good or bad news for the running game or the passing game, or both? Neither? We really can’t call it, because we are unsure how the Ohio State offense is going to call plays. In years past under Urban Meyer, it was a run first type of offense, but last season saw the most prolific passing season in the history of the world. That might be some hyperbole, but it was certainly the best I have ever witnessed as a lifelong Buckeye fan. Austin Mack has been a solid, but not spectacular receiver for the Buckeyes, and Chris Olave showed some potential last season. (amirite, jNW fans?) They should be solid, possibly spectacular, but like everything else, we just don’t know.

So what’s on the field is uncertain. Let’s examine the coaches! Ryan Day is the first new OSU head coach without significant head coaching experience since leather helmets. He does have a lot of experienced assistants with a load of talent. Brian Hartline is a rising star, Greg Studrawa has done well with the line, and Tony Alford has done a great job with the backs. This group should help the talent on the field develop, but we don’t know how quickly. We also don’t know how they get along with the new faces, and Ryan Day in his new roll.

We are not even certain on what type of play calling we will see. Sure Day coached a few games last year while Meyer was suspended (wink wink) but this is the first year where everything is his call. If Fields is the starter, which he almost certainly will be, we will probably see an offense like we did with Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde. I hope. We might see Day try to recreate the Dwayne Haskins glory, only to meet with abysmal failure. Unless Fields is the real deal and slings it all over the field. Though the receivers still need to catch the ball.

TLDR; We don’t know shit about the OSU offensive, and neither do you.

My uneducated guess is that the offense will start slow and by the end of the season will be clicking. I think steady play at receiver and running back will carry sporadic play at the QB position and along the line. The schedule is favorable for a slow start, with Penn State and Michigan in the final two weeks. However, all this uncertainty means only the Miami game is a sure win. Annnnd I probably jinxed them, so no game is a sure win.

Even if Urban Meyer were the coach, the uncertainty of the players on the field would make for a tough prediction this season. During the season, if things go wrong, it will be difficult to figure out exactly what is going wrong. While I will wait to pass judgement on the Ryan Day era until 2020, I am sure the OSU faithful will have a lot to say.

Should be a fun and exciting season, though!