Gene Ross
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Column: Ohio State’s most important player in The Game might not be a starter
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Could a Buckeye backup be the key to victory in Ann Arbor?
In a game of this magnitude, so much of the attention has been focused on the stars — and rightfully so. On the Ohio State side, guys like Marvin Harrison Jr., TreVeyon Henderson, Denzel Burke and Sonny Styles have been the focal point, while JJ McCarthy, Blake Corum, Will Johnson and Mike Sainristil lead the charge for Michigan.
Harrison Jr. is the best player in this matchup, and college football at large for what its worth, and the other big names for each program will also be pivotal in the final outcome of The Game. But what if I told you that one of the most important players for the Buckeyes in this game might be a guy that doesn’t even start? Not only that, but this player has not actually seen the field since the Penn State game at the end of October...
The man is question is none other than backup quarterback, Devin Brown.
Now, this isn’t a shot at Kyle McCord by any means, as I’m not saying that Brown is going to replace McCord or anything like that. Brown’s contributions to this game would be purely in some form of a red zone package, something Ohio State had gone to earlier in the year. Of course, this relies on Brown being healthy enough to play, as the sophomore has missed each of the last four games with an injury, but it sounds as though he will be ready to go for Saturday if called upon — and I think he will be.
Ohio State’s offense under Ryan Day has been consistently one of the best units in the country year-in and year-out. However, for as consistent as the offensive output has been, so too have the red zone issues that have plagued Day’s teams. Regardless of talent and personnel, the Buckeyes have had more than their fair share of drives stall out in the red zone. It is a glaring shortcoming that has costed them in a handful of big games, including the 2019 Fiesta Bowl against Clemson and the 2022 loss to Michigan.
This season, Ohio State ranks 60th in the country in red zone offense, scoring points on 40 of 47 trips inside the 20-yard line. However, 11 of those scoring drives ended with field goals instead of touchdowns. The Buckeyes have only gotten into the end zone on 29-of-47 red zone trips — just a 61.7% clip. With the amount of offensive skill talent OSU has at its disposal, that is simply not going to cut it. You can afford to kick a few short field goals against the lesser teams on your schedule, but you cannot waste what few red zone trips you may have against a team like Michigan.
That is where Devin Brown comes into play. McCord, especially with a banged up ankle, is not a threat to run. He has shown a willingness to pick up a few yards with his legs when a play breaks down, but he isn’t a mobile quarterback that you have to worry about on something like an option keeper or a designed QB draw. Brown, on the other hand, is that running threat. While he has only ran for 35 yards on 19 carries this season, Brown showed his potential as a short-yardage scoring option when the Buckeyes deployed him in a red zone package against Purdue.
This wasn’t even a particularly well-executed play, as Chip Trayanum hardly sold the fake before running to block, but Ohio State was still able to score as Brown laid the shoulder and pushed his way forward into the end zone. In a game where the Buckeyes didn’t have the added threat of a healthy Henderson to include as another option in the backfield, putting a mobile quarterback on the field like Brown opens up the playbook wide. Especially since Brown can also throw the ball, it gives the opposing defense so much more to think about. Any little bit of hesitation from a defender can be the difference in scoring a touchdown or being stopped short and forced to kick.
If Brown is truly healthy, I would be very surprised if Day does not go to this package in the red zone should the opportunity present itself. Ohio State could flank Brown with both Henderson and Trayanum in the backfield, with Chip playing the role of lead blocker for whoever winds up with the football between Brown and Tre. The Buckeyes haven’t had a chance to use a personnel package like this all season, and it could really throw off the Wolverines defensively. Plus, if Michigan does defend the option well and fully commits to the run, you could always flip it to Harrison Jr. instead, adding another wrinkle for the defense to have to account for.
We’ve seen guys come out of nowhere in the past and play a pivotal role in The Game, like Chris Olave’s two-touchdown performance in 2018 before he became a household name. This matchup will still most likely come down to the play of the star players on each side, but Devin Brown could etch his name into Ohio State history as a crucial part of the Buckeyes’ red zone offense if he helps lead the scarlet and gray to a victory in Ann Arbor.
Continue reading...
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Could a Buckeye backup be the key to victory in Ann Arbor?
In a game of this magnitude, so much of the attention has been focused on the stars — and rightfully so. On the Ohio State side, guys like Marvin Harrison Jr., TreVeyon Henderson, Denzel Burke and Sonny Styles have been the focal point, while JJ McCarthy, Blake Corum, Will Johnson and Mike Sainristil lead the charge for Michigan.
Harrison Jr. is the best player in this matchup, and college football at large for what its worth, and the other big names for each program will also be pivotal in the final outcome of The Game. But what if I told you that one of the most important players for the Buckeyes in this game might be a guy that doesn’t even start? Not only that, but this player has not actually seen the field since the Penn State game at the end of October...
The man is question is none other than backup quarterback, Devin Brown.
Now, this isn’t a shot at Kyle McCord by any means, as I’m not saying that Brown is going to replace McCord or anything like that. Brown’s contributions to this game would be purely in some form of a red zone package, something Ohio State had gone to earlier in the year. Of course, this relies on Brown being healthy enough to play, as the sophomore has missed each of the last four games with an injury, but it sounds as though he will be ready to go for Saturday if called upon — and I think he will be.
Ohio State’s offense under Ryan Day has been consistently one of the best units in the country year-in and year-out. However, for as consistent as the offensive output has been, so too have the red zone issues that have plagued Day’s teams. Regardless of talent and personnel, the Buckeyes have had more than their fair share of drives stall out in the red zone. It is a glaring shortcoming that has costed them in a handful of big games, including the 2019 Fiesta Bowl against Clemson and the 2022 loss to Michigan.
This season, Ohio State ranks 60th in the country in red zone offense, scoring points on 40 of 47 trips inside the 20-yard line. However, 11 of those scoring drives ended with field goals instead of touchdowns. The Buckeyes have only gotten into the end zone on 29-of-47 red zone trips — just a 61.7% clip. With the amount of offensive skill talent OSU has at its disposal, that is simply not going to cut it. You can afford to kick a few short field goals against the lesser teams on your schedule, but you cannot waste what few red zone trips you may have against a team like Michigan.
That is where Devin Brown comes into play. McCord, especially with a banged up ankle, is not a threat to run. He has shown a willingness to pick up a few yards with his legs when a play breaks down, but he isn’t a mobile quarterback that you have to worry about on something like an option keeper or a designed QB draw. Brown, on the other hand, is that running threat. While he has only ran for 35 yards on 19 carries this season, Brown showed his potential as a short-yardage scoring option when the Buckeyes deployed him in a red zone package against Purdue.
This wasn’t even a particularly well-executed play, as Chip Trayanum hardly sold the fake before running to block, but Ohio State was still able to score as Brown laid the shoulder and pushed his way forward into the end zone. In a game where the Buckeyes didn’t have the added threat of a healthy Henderson to include as another option in the backfield, putting a mobile quarterback on the field like Brown opens up the playbook wide. Especially since Brown can also throw the ball, it gives the opposing defense so much more to think about. Any little bit of hesitation from a defender can be the difference in scoring a touchdown or being stopped short and forced to kick.
If Brown is truly healthy, I would be very surprised if Day does not go to this package in the red zone should the opportunity present itself. Ohio State could flank Brown with both Henderson and Trayanum in the backfield, with Chip playing the role of lead blocker for whoever winds up with the football between Brown and Tre. The Buckeyes haven’t had a chance to use a personnel package like this all season, and it could really throw off the Wolverines defensively. Plus, if Michigan does defend the option well and fully commits to the run, you could always flip it to Harrison Jr. instead, adding another wrinkle for the defense to have to account for.
We’ve seen guys come out of nowhere in the past and play a pivotal role in The Game, like Chris Olave’s two-touchdown performance in 2018 before he became a household name. This matchup will still most likely come down to the play of the star players on each side, but Devin Brown could etch his name into Ohio State history as a crucial part of the Buckeyes’ red zone offense if he helps lead the scarlet and gray to a victory in Ann Arbor.
Continue reading...