Instant Observations: Buckeyes Pass Toughness Test Against Iowa

Ohio State is 5-0 after an impressive 35-7 win over Iowa in the Big Ten home opener. The Instant Observations are locked and loaded as the Buckeyes passed a big toughness test by controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

1. Welcome back Tyleik Williams. Williams was noticeable throughout the game, plugging holes, batting down passes and just generally being disruptive. It was a tremendous effort from the entire defensive front, but Williams’ return seemed to give the group some added juice.

2. The guy next to Williams isn’t too shabby either. Ty Hamilton has been the most consistent defensive lineman on the team so far, but beyond that, he seems to make a game-changing play each week. This week, it showed up in the box score with his strip sack. Last week, it didn’t when he submarined the Michigan State center, allowing Cody Simon to make a big 4th and short stop. On a team full of stars, Hamilton flies under the national radar, but he’s having a tremendous season.

3. Game Ball goes to Jack Sawyer. Two sacks, an additional tackle-for-loss, and from the game’s first possession until he was pulled in the fourth quarter, he was making Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara feel his presence.

4. All things considered, I felt this was one of the best games the offensive line has played in the Ryan Day era. The Buckeyes were able to beat Iowa at its own game today, running the football and controlling the clock. The offensive line gave Howard plenty of time to throw but was opening up some big holes against a formidable Hawkeye front seven. Tegra Tshabola in particular played his best game in an Ohio State uniform. Very encouraging moving forward.

5. Speaking of guys who had their best game in a Buckeye uniform, Sonny Styles. Last week on the post game show, we talked about needing to allow Sonny to make mistakes and get reps but also wondered if that would extend to a close game in the fourth quarter against Oregon. Today was a great step for Styles, who was playing faster, thinking less, and making the type of athletic plays that people were hoping for when he moved down this off-season.

6. Davidson Igbinosun also had a huge bounce back game today. Igbinosun has been really good for the Buckeyes the past two seasons, but last week was probably his worst game as a Buckeye. Today’s physical game played right into his hands and he was back to his normal self doing a great job in run support and providing tough man-to-man defense on the outside.

7. The biggest Chip Kelly impact? How about the red zone? Ohio State is now 20-for-21 in scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Just an unbelievable stat so far in an area that has been a source of angst for Ohio State fans going all the way back to the last few years of the Urban Meyer era.

8. I loved Chip Kelly and Ryan Day going right back to Jeremiah Smith after his fumble. The second play on the following possession, they dialed up a play for Smith on an end around. Great job understanding how important Smith is to the offense and keeping the confidence levels high. Sure enough, he dazzled again a little bit later with another highlight reel one-handed catch.

9. I haven’t particularly loved Ohio State’s last three first halves. They’ve left points on the board due to sloppy mistakes and haven’t always fully clicked. But man this team can turn it on in the second half. They’ll need to play a better first half against Oregon next week, but the way this team goes into the locker room and refocuses is impressive.

10. I feel better about the Oregon game today than I did a month ago. I think this team has the right stuff on both sides of the ball to come out with a huge road win.