The Ohio State Buckeyes have consistently had on average the best and most consistent offense in college football over the past five seasons and they looked set to do it again this year with the two top receivers in college football as well as arguably the deepest stable of running backs in the country. But unfortunately for the Buckeyes, their season debut left a lot to be desired.
The typically high-scoring Ohio State offense managed just 23 points against the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon as new quarterback Kyle McCord made his first start. The Buckeyes were only able to get the ball to top wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka a combined five times for just a combined 34 yards.
McCord did not even throw a single touchdown for the team, finishing the day 20-for-33 passing for 239 yards and an interception. But his struggles were due in no small part to a poor performance from the offensive line, which has three new starters.
All in all, it was a pretty brutal start to the season for the Ohio State offense despite lofty expectations, and the college football world had plenty to say about it on Twitter as a result.
Just realized Iowa….that Iowa…scored more points than Ohio State did today.
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) September 3, 2023
Ohio State wideouts in Ryan Day’s offense pic.twitter.com/viITt25bV0
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) September 2, 2023
Beginning to see why it was so tough for Ohio State to make a decision at quarterback.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) September 2, 2023
When you’re ohio state and have won this much…. You have options. Coaches, players…. Everyone can be replaced. I know we have someone on offense who can light a fire under someone
— Maurice Clarett (@ReeseClarett13) September 2, 2023
Crazy that Ohio State’s offense looks notably worse against inferior competition.
Folks told us C.J. Stroud was a product of his receivers… what happened?
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) September 2, 2023
Sooo after a six-month QB comp, OSU gives fans … that. It’s only one game, but that’s not a phrase teams use after something good happens. And with two cupcakes upcoming, how much an we really learn about this pass attack between now and Notre Dame? https://t.co/Z6GL7vuNPv
— Jimmy Watkins (@JimmyWatkins95) September 2, 2023
Ryan Day is deep in the throes of a nasty addiction to throwing to his back up running backs and tight ends on key third and fourth downs instead of his army of elite receivers. It is concerning to see and the only way for him to rehab is stepping away from Buckeye football
— B1G_Ryan (@B1G_Ryan) September 2, 2023
On the bright side, Ohio State’s defense looked far improved from last season, holding an opponent to three or fewer points for the first time since the 2019 season.
We’ll have to see how the offense improves this season.
