With spring practice beginning this week, it is an apt time to once again examine new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson’s possible impact upon the Ohio State offense. Last time, we analyzed how Wilson will likely re-diversify the run game and increase the Buckeyes’ use of tempo. Now, we will look at what will perhaps be Wilson’s biggest change – increasing the use of constraint plays – particularly in the passing game, to attack teams overplaying Ohio State run plays.

“Constraint” are simply plays that limit (or punish) a defense from overplaying an offense’s base plays. Classic examples are screens and draws. Wilson’s primary goal is to threaten the defense across the length and width of the field. That means that, for every play, Wilson wants to attach a vertical and/or backside constraint.

This prevents second level defenders from aggressively flowing to the initial run action without a concern for defending their area of the field

To accomplish this goal, Ohio State will likely use a greater number and wider variety of run/pass options. With run-pass options, the quarterback reads a defender to determine whether to hand off or throw to a receiver targeting the area vacated by that defender.

Wilson uses horizontal run-pass options such as wide receiver bubble and flash screens. But he also has his offense target second level linebackers and safeties on run-pass options with downfield throws. For instance, below Indiana’s quarterback reads backside linebacker Chris Worley to determine whether to give on the buck sweep or throw the skinny post.