10 Observations: Buckeyes Dismantle Tennessee to Advance in CFP

Ohio State put together its most complete performance of the season on Saturday night, demolishing Tennessee 42-17 in a game that probably wasn’t even as close as the score indicated.

10 Observations explores that win and also has some questions about the previous performance and future outlook of this team.

1. I don’t know who kidnapped Chip Kelly a few weeks ago, but it’s a good thing for Buckeye Nation that he was safely returned. Kelly did a great job of mixing run and pass, utilizing the quick passing game on early downs, and aggressively pushing the ball down the field. In other words, he played to the strengths of this Buckeye offense and away from the strengths of the Tennessee defense, something that very clearly didn’t happen the last time out.

2. OSU fans are still in healing mode from Thanksgiving weekend. On one hand this game will help a lot in that process. On the other hand, dismantling Tennessee in that fashion will leave many wondering how in the hell they could have lost to this Michigan team.

3. If there is one thing that Ryan Day has done particularly well during his tenure at Ohio State, it’s bounce back from a bad or tough loss and make real changes to how his team approaches things schematically and strategically. That was on display again in this game and now comes the big question, will that continue? Will Ohio State continue to play the way it needs to play with its loaded receiver corps and make-shift offensive line?

Or will old habits return? Ohio State needs to win three more games to achieve its goal and erase some bad memories from the regular season. Day and Kelly cannot let off the gas. They can’t concern themselves with ‘toughness’ narratives. Go be a 7-on-7 team and use the pass to setup the run. Nobody is going to pat you on the back and call you tough. No pundits are doing that right now after dominating UT on both lines of scrimmage, so there’s no point in trying to erase that narrative.

4. This was the type of atmosphere I had hoped the expanded CFP and home games would create. Amazing stuff in Ohio Stadium and kudos to Tennessee fans for showing up for their team and for their part in creating one of the best environments in The Shoe in recent memory.

5. Game Ball to Will Howard. Howard took a lot of heat for the Michigan loss and played his worst game of the season that day. He played his best game of the season against the Vols. The interception should have been a PI and outside of an early miss to Egbuka, Howard was nails. He got the ball out quickly and accurately and threw his best deep balls of the season. Big bounce back game from Howard who will need to continue to play at a high level to get through this tournament.

6. We’ve seen Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau have ups and downs throughout their careers and the downs have been maddening because of how good the ups have looked at times. But I’m not sure they’ve ever both put it together in the same game the way they did against Tennessee. Both were disruptive from start to finish. There was a visible fire in both of them. That has to stay burning for another month.

7. But I also need to shout out the supporting cast on the defensive line. Larry Johnson allowed those guys to get meaningful reps and they made the most of it. This is another thing that has to continue. These guys continue to show there isn’t a huge drop-off between the 1s and 2s upfront and keeping everyone fresh is paramount. I’ve been very critical of the defensive line rotations the last couple of years but last night was how it should look.

8. Jeremiah Smith is going to be the best wide receiver that Ohio State has ever produced. Yes, that includes Paul Warfield, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison Jr. and any other great you want to throw out there. Yes, I’m saying it already.

9. If you still hate the CFP, you are a soulless ghoul. Incredible home environment and now you go play Oregon in the Rose Bowl? Are you kidding me? What a miserable human you have to be to not be loving this right now.

10. The call for more SEC teams in this year’s CFP was preposterous before Ohio State’s dominant win. It looks even sillier now. Tough, tough night for the SEC propagandists.

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