Blake Biscardi discusses Marvin Harrison Jr’s Heisman Trophy candidacy and the improvements made by Kyle McCord and the offensive line.

Dear fellow Buckeyes,

Ohio State defended The Shoe against Michigan State on Saturday night in sleek, dark steel uniforms. The Buckeyes overwhelmed the Spartans 38-3 behind a monster three-touchdown performance from Marvin Harrison Jr. and over 300 yards from Kyle McCord.

Now that the Ohio State offense is fully healthy, this team can begin playing its best football. I say every year, the games you remember are played in November. The final month of the regular season is when teams must play their best football. Ryan Day emphasizes that point to his team, which was evident Saturday night. 

The Buckeyes played a complete and complimentary game from start to finish despite being down three defensive starters. Safeties Lathan Ransom and Josh Proctor missed the game, as did linebacker Tommy Eichenberg. Still, Jim Knowles’ defense impressed, holding Michigan State to 182 total yards (88 passing and 94 rushing). 

Let’s evaluate the Ohio State football team as we enter the final two weeks of the regular season. 

1. Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Heisman campaign is in full force.

The Philadelphia phenom scored Ohio State’s first three touchdowns on Saturday night. Ryan Day continues to add wrinkles and creativity to the running game. The latest installment was an end around to Marvin Harrison Jr on the opening drive, which he took for a 19-yard score. 

On the ensuing drive, No. 18 made a spectacular catch along the boundary. The end zone to put the Buckeyes up 14-0. Marvin Harrison Jr. finished with seven receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns through the air, with one rush for 19 yards and a score. 

Harrison totaled 168 yards and three touchdowns on the night. He became the first Ohio State wide receiver to eclipse 1,000 yards in multiple seasons. It’s not a secret Harrison is elite, but considering the rich history and tradition at the wide receiver position at Ohio State, that is an incredible accomplishment. 

2. Improvements by Kyle McCord and the offensive line.

In the preseason and throughout September, the two main concerns for Ohio State were the inexperience on the offensive line and at quarterback. While it has not always been positive for the boys up front or Kyle McCord, they have steadily improved since the beginning of the year. Wisconsin game aside, McCord has done enough to win games, and on Saturday against Michigan State, he finally put together his best passing performance. 

His footwork and timing were in rhythm with the offense as he delivered precise throws to stretch the field vertically. The offensive game plan was clear to feature Marvin Harrison Jr. and then run the football creatively. The Buckeyes executed up and down the field with an outstanding first half. McCord needed a game like that for his confidence and development down the stretch. Only one game stands between potentially the biggest regular season game in college football history in Ann Arbor. 

As for the offensive line, having TreVeyon Henderson healthy benefits the entire offense, but the offensive line, in particular, reaps the most. They block better in the gap schemes paired with Henderson’s vision, agility, and speed, making him a dynamic, homerun-hitting running back. 

In addition, Day has slowly added creative wrinkles to the running game to supplement the traditional ground attack between the tackles. End-arounds, h-back features, and lining a tight end up in the backfield have all produced positive plays for Ohio State’s rushing offense. 

Traditional Big Ten and modernized Ohio State football teams find the most success when there is a strong running game. Ryan Day and his staff lacked that in 2021 and 2022, but they are leaning into it in the back half of the season, where it’s most important. 

The Buckeyes must be able to line up and run the football against the Wolverines. Historically, in the rivalry, whichever team wins the rushing battle wins the game. Ohio State has the personnel to feature a highly competent ground plan in Ann Arbor, so it won’t be a question of if they’re good enough. But if they will lean on it and win the game up front in the trenches.