Ohio State's win against Wisconsin was an apt example of how the Buckeye offense has often started slow but taken off once Ryan Day and his staff determine how best to exploit interior run-focused defenses; often by attacking the edges with the run and the pass. Against the Badgers the primary drivers were man-beaters and Bash. Â
The Ohio State offense overcame a slow start – fueled by both the elements and the Buckeyes’ own mistakes – to pull away comfortably from Wisconsin, 38-7. Like previous contests, Ohio State’s offensive performance against the Badgers was a good example of how the Buckeye offense has had several slow starts because of an initial need to decipher the opposing defense’s run-focused approach; followed by an offensive explosion after Ryan Day and his staff determine how to use the opponent’s approach against them.
In the game against Wisconsin, on standard downs the Badgers generally sought to remain in their 3-4 odd front while playing either cover 1 man or an aggressive cover 4 that effectively functioned as cover 0 (man with no deep safety), providing 8-9 defenders to play the run.
On pass plays, the Badger inside linebackers would often read the running back and/or tight end and delay blitz when those potential receivers stayed in to block, causing recognition issues for the Ohio State pass protection.
