ESPN Reveals Ohio State’s Weakness After National Championship Season

The Ohio State Buckeyes football team, widely considered one of the top college football programs in the country, has experienced consistent success under head coach Ryan Day. However, after a national championship season, many are scrutinizing what went wrong for the team in subsequent seasons, including ESPN, which highlighted some of the Buckeyes’ weaknesses. This analysis goes beyond simple roster reviews and points out key areas that have become problematic for Ohio State despite the team’s success.

The Rise of Ohio State Football

Ohio State’s football program has long been a dominant force in college football. The Buckeyes boast a rich history, numerous Big Ten titles, and a legacy of producing NFL-caliber talent. Under Ryan Day, who took over from Urban Meyer in 2019, Ohio State has continued to thrive, with Day maintaining the program’s winning ways and regularly making playoff appearances.

Ohio State’s national championship season came in 2014 when they stunned the college football world, defeating Oregon in the national title game. Since then, the Buckeyes have regularly been contenders, often finishing among the top teams in the College Football Playoff rankings. Despite being a dominant force in regular-season play, the team’s playoff performances have seen ups and downs, with the most recent season leaving fans and analysts to question the program’s vulnerabilities.

A Championship Run: Strengths and Success

Ohio State’s success under Day has primarily been driven by the team’s offensive prowess. The Buckeyes have consistently fielded one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. The combination of top-tier quarterback play, elite wide receivers, and a powerful running game has been the hallmark of Ohio State’s offense.

Quarterbacks like Justin Fields and CJ Stroud have propelled the Buckeyes to significant victories, often setting records and demonstrating the type of elite talent that NFL scouts drool over. Ohio State’s receiving corps, featuring names like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, has routinely set defenses on fire with their speed and route-running abilities. The offensive line has also done an exceptional job of creating opportunities in both the passing and running game.

Defensively, Ohio State has been equally effective. The Buckeyes have traditionally fielded some of the most feared defenses in college football, especially in the linebacker and defensive back positions. The defense’s aggressive nature, combined with solid coaching, has allowed them to shut down many high-powered offenses throughout the Big Ten and the country at large.

However, while Ohio State has enjoyed sustained success on offense and defense, it has become increasingly evident that there are cracks in the armor when it comes to postseason performance. ESPN, after analyzing the Buckeyes’ most recent seasons, pinpointed several areas that the program needs to address if they hope to return to their previous level of dominance and reclaim a national championship.

Areas of Concern: ESPN’s Report on Ohio State’s Weaknesses

After Ohio State’s national championship-caliber seasons, there are several areas of concern that ESPN highlighted following their failure to secure a title in recent years. The most notable weaknesses fall into four primary categories:

1. Defensive Inconsistency

   One of the most glaring weaknesses for Ohio State in recent seasons has been their defense. Despite possessing a wealth of talent, the Buckeyes’ defense has often been inconsistent, particularly in high-stakes games. ESPN highlighted Ohio State’s struggles in stopping explosive offenses and the lack of an elite defensive identity that could match their offensive prowess.

   A key issue has been the defensive line’s inability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. While Ohio State has produced a number of high-profile defensive linemen, the unit has not been as dominant in recent years, particularly in crucial matchups. For example, against teams like Alabama in the 2020 national championship game, the Buckeyes’ pass rush was ineffective, allowing opposing quarterbacks ample time to make plays.

   Additionally, Ohio State’s secondary has faced difficulties in coverage, especially when facing top-tier receivers in the postseason. While the team has been strong in the regular season, it has struggled to keep up with the speed and precision of elite receiving corps in the College Football Playoff. These deficiencies have often been exposed in the biggest games, raising questions about the defensive strategy and personnel on the team.

2. Inability to Close Out Big Games

   Another issue for Ohio State that ESPN emphasized is their struggle to close out big games. Despite having the talent to compete with the best teams in the country, the Buckeyes have often faltered in key moments, especially when the stakes are highest. This inability to close out games has been seen in several high-profile matchups, particularly in the College Football Playoff.

   In particular, Ohio State has struggled in games against teams with comparable or superior talent. In the 2020 College Football Playoff Championship Game, despite entering the contest with a strong offense, the Buckeyes were simply outmatched by Alabama. Ohio State was unable to make the necessary adjustments to contain Alabama’s offensive attack, particularly quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver DeVonta Smith.

   Similarly, Ohio State has had issues with consistency when facing other high-caliber opponents. Their lack of execution in critical situations—such as on third downs, in red-zone opportunities, and when defending against dynamic offenses—has been exposed in several playoff games. This issue raises questions about coaching adjustments and game management, especially in situations that require Ohio State to rally or maintain a lead.

3. Quarterback Play Under Pressure

   While Ohio State has consistently produced some of the best quarterbacks in college football, another area of concern lies with quarterback play under pressure. Both Justin Fields and CJ Stroud have shown immense talent throughout the regular season but have struggled when facing top-tier defenses in the postseason.

   Fields, who led Ohio State to a national championship appearance in 2020, was often pressured by defenses that disrupted his rhythm and forced him into mistakes. Similarly, Stroud faced similar issues in the 2022 College Football Playoff, where the Buckeyes’ offense appeared to stall against Georgia, especially in the latter stages of the game. While Stroud has incredible talent, including the ability to make all the necessary throws, he has yet to show the poise and consistency in the most high-pressure situations.

   The Buckeyes’ offensive line has also been inconsistent in protecting the quarterback, which has only compounded the problem. Against teams like Michigan and Georgia, Ohio State’s offensive line has allowed significant pressure to mount, forcing quarterbacks into uncomfortable situations. ESPN noted that for Ohio State to contend for future championships, improving the quarterback’s play under pressure will be key.

4. Recruiting and Development of Defensive Talent

   Finally, one of the most significant areas that ESPN highlighted is Ohio State’s ability—or lack thereof—to consistently recruit and develop elite defensive talent. While the Buckeyes have had success on the offensive side of the ball in recruiting, especially with top quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs, the defense has not always seen the same level of elite talent coming through the pipeline.

   This has led to some issues in depth, particularly in the secondary and defensive line positions. Against the elite teams in the College Football Playoff, Ohio State has often been outmanned, which has exposed the team’s vulnerabilities. ESPN reported that Ohio State’s defensive recruits have not been as consistently game-changing as the program’s offensive talent, and there has been a noticeable gap in overall team speed, physicality, and depth on defense compared to teams like Alabama and Georgia.

Addressing the Issues: Can Ohio State Rebound?

The good news for Ohio State is that the issues highlighted by ESPN are not insurmountable. While they may seem daunting, the program has the resources, coaching staff, and recruiting pipeline to address these weaknesses moving forward. The key for Ohio State will be a combination of better coaching adjustments, improved player development, and more aggressive recruiting on the defensive side of the ball.

First, Ohio State needs to improve its defensive line play, particularly in high-pressure situations. The team needs to prioritize pass rush and find ways to generate pressure without leaving their secondary exposed. In addition, enhancing the depth of the defensive line and linebacker corps will provide more rotation and fresher legs in crucial games.

Second, improving the quarterback’s play under pressure should be a major focus. While Stroud showed potential, he struggled in big moments. A more cohesive offensive line, combined with better situational coaching and perhaps a shift in the offensive scheme, can help alleviate some of the pressure that Ohio State’s quarterbacks face.

Finally, Ohio State must continue to recruit and develop elite defensive talent. With a strong recruiting class, Ohio State can close the talent gap on defense and develop players who can compete with the nation’s best. The team’s ability to out-recruit rivals and bring in high-caliber defensive players will be crucial if they are to win another national championship.

Ohio State’s weaknesses, as revealed by ESPN, are not unfamiliar to fans or analysts of the program. While the Buckeyes have been a force in college football, they have been unable to overcome these vulnerabilities in recent years, particularly in big postseason games. However, the program has a long history of bouncing back from adversity, and with the right adjustments, Ohio State could once again become a national championship contender. By addressing their defensive concerns, improving quarterback play under pressure, and continuing to recruit and develop elite talent, the Buckeyes will be positioned to compete at the highest level for years to come.