FILM STUDY: OHIO STATE'S MOST SUCCESSFUL PASSING CONCEPTS OF 2016
After a year plagued by inconsistent performances through the air in 2015, J.T. Barrett and his Ohio State teammates started the 2016 season off with a bang. The junior quarterback found redshirt freshman receiver K.J. Hill streaking past a Bowling Green safety on only his fourth passing attempt of the afternoon for a 47-yard bomb to give the Buckeyes their first points of the new campaign.
Sensing pressure, the Buckeye captain changed the protection scheme before the snap by motioning 'H' receiver Dontre Wilson into the backfield, assuring he'd have plenty of time to let Hill's route develop downfield. There was never a question of where Barrett was throwing the ball on this particular play, as the former conference player-of-the-year recognized an opportunity to attack and set a positive tone for his third tour as Ohio State's starting quarterback.
With one flick of the shoulder, Barrett seemed to erase months of negativity and doubt, as the underperforming passing game that prevented perhaps the most talented team in school history from repeating as national champions the year prior seemed to have found its way in the offseason. All seemed well and in order for Buckeye fans that afternoon, as the single greatest offensive performance in 126 years of football was on display for the home fans in Ohio Stadium.
However, that momentum quickly faded.
Though Barrett would win his second Big Ten Quarterback-of-the-Year award, center Pat Elflein would be named the conference's best lineman, running back Mike Weber the best freshman, and Curtis Samuel would become the most dangerous skill player in the entire conference, the unit often looked much like it had the year before. Despite the efforts of Urban Meyer and his two offensive coordinators, Ed Warinner and Tim Beck, the OSU passing game once again resembled Jekyll and Hyde, leaving fans to wonder which version would show up each Saturday.
When this group was on its game, they were very good. Despite lacking a regular downfield threat through the air, Barrett remained remarkably efficient. Though he'd only break the 300-yard mark against the Falcons in week one, big efforts against Nebraska, Maryland, and Rutgers gave fans hope throughout the ensuing run to the College Football Playoff.
While the lack of a deep passing game was apparent to all, Barrett and the staff began to rely heavily on intermediate routes, specifically attacking the opposing linebackers and safeties inside along the seams. Knowing Barrett's threat as a runner would force defenses into zone coverage on nearly every play, the staff leaned most heavily on the 'H-Option' concept, isolating their best receiver, Samuel, against a lesser opponent and allowing him to work.
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