Here are 4 things we learned from the Ohio State Buckeyes' 48-10 win over UCLA
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Here are four things we learned from No. 1 Ohio State’s 48-10 win over UCLA on Nov. 15:
The Buckeyes are in line for a CFP berth
It’s a fait accompli that the Buckeyes return to the College Football Playoff.
Following this weekend’s triumph, the Buckeyes will finish the regular season in two weeks with no more than two losses, a minimum of a 10-2 record that makes an at-large berth inevitable.
All of the two-loss teams from the Big Ten and SEC, the two conferences that dominate the sport, reached the 12-team bracket a year ago, leaving the Buckeyes as a virtual lock at this point.
It doesn’t hurt either that they have been No. 1 in the selection committee’s first two rankings, affording them a wide margin for error down the stretch.
The worst-case scenario is far-fetched. The Buckeyes will be favorites over Rutgers and Michigan and have not lost consecutive conference games since 2011.
But even if an inexplicable disaster strikes Ohio State in late November, it’s clear it will have a chance to defend its title.
The playoff path would be more difficult under the circumstances. It’s improbable that a 10-2 team would get a bye, and it’s likely it would go on the road in the first round. The Buckeyes at least hosted Tennessee in the opening round last season.
Still, at a minimum, the Buckeyes will have a chance to repeat as national champions for the first time in their history.
Health could be an issue
Wear and tear is setting in.
The Buckeyes were without wide receiver Carnell Tate for a second straight game, and fellow star receiver Jeremiah Smith was not at full strength.
Smith made an appearance after he was listed as questionable on a pregame availability report, but saw limited snaps. By the end of the second quarter, he was done, and he moved gingerly along the sideline. His four catches for 40 yards were a season low.
Other targets emerged for quarterback Julian Sayin as starting slot receiver Brandon Inniss had a career-high six receptions for 30 yards, including four on third and fourth down, and redshirt sophomore Bryson Rodgers reeled in his first career touchdown catch.
But it’s noticeable when the Buckeyes are operating without their dynamic receiving duo, removing an explosive element from their quick-strike passing game.
Sayin completed only one pass that gained more than 20 yards and averaged just 5.9 yards per pass attempt, his lowest mark in his 10 starts this season.
The supporting cast is capable enough for the Buckeyes to mow through most of their Big Ten schedule.
But Smith and Tate are special playmakers, instrumental to the Buckeyes reaching their ultimate goals.
With only one week left before Ohio State heads to Michigan to attempt to snap a four-game skid in the rivalry, it can ill afford a setback.
Load management is paramount.
Right guard has options
The Buckeyes found a bit of success as they continued with a rotation at right guard.
Following their first two drives, they swapped redshirt freshman Gabe Van Sickle for Tegra Tshabola, the returning starter whose hold on the spot has been more tenuous in recent weeks.
Before redshirt sophomore Josh Padilla suffered an unspecified injury earlier this month, he had been rotating with Tshabola.
Van Sickle appeared to be a viable option as well. He made a block that helped to spring a 32-yard run by Bo Jackson during the second quarter.
It was Jackson’s longest run against the Bruins as he ran through the hole on the right side of the offensive line.
The Buckeyes totaled 107 rushing yards on seven carries while Van Sickle was with the first-team offensive line on two second-quarter drives.
If there’s been a sore spot for the offense this year, it’s been at right guard, but Van Sickle provides an option as Ohio State adjusts the offensive line configurations for the stretch run.
Special teams have made strides
After some midseason issues, the Buckeyes’ special teams units showed some encouraging signs.
Jayden Fielding made both of his field-goal attempts for a second straight game, keeping him a perfect 5-for-5 this month, and Joe McGuire punted at least 50 yards for the first time since Ohio State’s season-opening win over Texas.
But the highlight was Lorenzo Styles Jr. providing the Buckeyes with their first kickoff return touchdown in 15 years.
When Styles returned a kickoff 100 yards late in the third quarter, he was the first since Jordan Hall in 2010 to take one into the end zone.
The third phase of the game is better positioned to give Ohio State a lift late in the year.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football beats UCLA: 4 things we learned from win
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