Ohio State has wrapped up non-conference play and takes with it a mixed bag of results. Albeit two blowout wins, the Buckeyes coughed away a potential massive road win over top-5 Texas and enters Big Ten play with some serious questions.
The Buckeyes start conference play with Illinois and will quickly learn about the growth of this group since the Texas loss.
Before Saturday rolls around, we take a look at some of the key questions facing this team as conference play arrives.
Who Steps Up As Another Playmaker At Wide Receiver?
Jeremiah Smith has enough talent and skill to carry an offense and carry a team, but it's clear that this Ohio State offense is lacking a well-rounded attack. Smith has 21 catches for 400 yards through three games and is doing just about everything he can to elevate the offensive
attack. The question is -- who steps up around him? No other receiver has more than nine receptions or 135 yards. 13 players have at least one catch, but there's no consistent production at the position outside of Smith. Freshman Chris Henry has just two catches -- someone who was expected to be an x-factor for this group. Brandon Inniss has just eight catches, but is coming off of his best game of the young season against Kent State. Devin McCuin is second on the team in catches and third in yardage, but 97 of his 131 yards came against Ball State in the opener.
Ohio State needs help at wide receiver and in order for this offense to start becoming the consistent unit it can be, guys like Inniss and McCuin need to emerge as a clear No. 2. If not, there are going to be a lot of questions about what the ceiling of this team actually is.
Can Improvements Be Made Around OSU's Pass Rush?
Matt Patricia is the highest-paid assistant in Ohio State football history and so far this season, there's still a lot to be desired from this defense. The biggest issue? Pressure in the backfield. Through three games this defense has generated just four sacks and 10 QB hurries -- neither impressive when going up against two MAC teams. The Buckeyes are having some success in rushing downs, with 17 tackles for loss, but still aren't generating enough movement at the line of scrimmage to be an effective defense against Big Ten level competition. Against Texas, Ohio State generated just two sacks and three hits on the quarterback. The lack of penetration showed in the second half when Texas got nearly anything and everything it wanted offensively. Patricia and Ryan Day need to find ways to get more pressure -- and consistent pressure -- against opposing teams' quarterbacks.
What's The Status Of Legend Bey -- And What's His Usage Moving Forward?
There's no questioning the talent of Legend Bey. He's versatile and athletic and Ryan Day has been vocal about his ability to impact games. It's been an up and down first few games for the freshman, however. He has eight carries for 37 yards and two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown through three games. But, he has just two touches in the last two games combined -- after Day said his usage would increase.
Part of the issue in the final non-conference matchup was his availability. He went down with a tweaked ankle and missed most of the remainder of the game. It could have been a critical time to get more reps and more confidence. Now, there's question as to how he fits in with the offense. The biggest issue for the Buckeyes is the lack of playmakers offensively -- something that hasn't normally been a factor. Ohio State needs Bey in some capacity, what type? We'll see and this week may tell us a lot about where and how Day sees him fitting in.
"He tweaked his ankle early and hopefully we'll get him back this week," Day said. "We'll get him evaluated and see. He was trying to get back in there, but wasn't cleared."
Which Freshmen Or Freshman Can Stay On The Field And Grow Their Role?
Ohio State has talent at every position and in every recruiting class. While it starts with the headliners in Chris Henry and Legend Bey on offense and then Jay Timmons defensively, there are others who certainly have the ability to impact the game. While the wide receiver room is a bit of a question mark, can someone like Brock Boyd emerge? He has shown an ability to be a consistent route runner and always finds ways to get open. Can he do that against Big Ten level competition? Defensively, can someone like Khary Wilder step into a larger role? He had two QB pressures against Texas and is one of the most talented defensive lineman in his class. The Buckeyes clearly have some question marks, and with Big Ten play here those questions will only loom larger. Can any freshmen insert themselves into the lineup in a more consistent role?
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: 4 biggest questions facing Ohio State entering Big Ten play
