Oregon Opponent Preview: New Element Makes the Ohio State Offense a Lethal Problem

It's not merely the talent and the matchups an opponent has to contend with in facing the new-look Buckeyes in 2024-- there's a new dimension in the offense that will make them even harder to stop, especially on third down.

New offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will make great use of Kansas State transfer Will Howard at quarterback, particularly Howard's ability to run.

Veteran Ohio State writer Steve Helwagen of Bucknuts/247 Sports covered the subject in a recent chat with fans:

I think Howard is a better runner and a willing runner, so that's part of it. But I do believe after three years of coming up short without the run element with the quarterback, I think Day believes it will help convert third downs and open some things up for the offense. I think fans will appreciate the way they sprinkle the quarterback run into the game plan. It won't be too heavy and it will come out at the exact moments they need it the most.

Howard is 6-4, 237. Over four seasons at Kansas State, 34 games, the new Buckeye quarterback kept the ball himself 226 times for 921 times and 19 touchdowns, a net average per carry of 4.1 yards, but don't let the per-carry number fool you: That figure includes 33 career sacks.

He's a capable runner plus he's durable, so you can readily see how Kelly can incorporate this dimension into the Buckeye attack. It makes them much harder to stop. The keeper changes the matchup math and puts a new stress on a defense. It creates a bind for linebackers and can frustrate, even punish, the pass rush. On third and one to third and six, it's a game changer. At the goal line, the run-pass option becomes a threat to beat the compressed spaces.

The Buckeyes have always had a great passing attack and a formidable run game. Last season with Kyle McCord at QB they were 45th in the FBS in scoring offense at 30.5 points a game. McCord threw for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, a passer rating of 161.6. Decent, but not exactly C.J. Stroud productivity. McCord, 6-3, 215, was no threat to run: For the season 32 "carries" for -65 yards, sacked 16 times.

At K-State Howard's passing stats were good, not great: In 2023, 61% completions, 2643 yards, 24 TDs to 10 interceptions. Figure all those numbers to ratchet up, given Kelly's tutoring and the array of receivers and running backs he'll enjoy in Columbus.

He isn't a burner, topping out in the 40 at 4.85 seconds. But he sees the field well and makes good decisions, has a good sense of when to take a game over. Last season he had runs an 80-yard run in a 21-14 road win over TCU, a 69-yard run in a 20-18 loss against Oklahoma State. Against #3 Texas he had 18 carries for 79 yards, including a chunk run of 25 yards; in the loss to the Cowboys, 14 carries for 125 yards.

His running ability should become even more effective in Kelly's offense given the weapons around him, the way the Buckeyes can spread the field with Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, how hard defenses have to commit on the Zone-Read to stopping Quinshon Judkins or Treveyon Henderson. Howard might only run 5-6 times a game, but as Helwagen suggests, those carries could come in critical moments.

For the Ducks, this becomes an extra challenge in preparing for an already imposing opponent. Pass rushers have to stay in their lanes and maintain contain. The defense has to set and hold the edge and avoid overcommitting. In particular, Jordan Burch, Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti have to recognize when to peel off and chase him down.

As an X's and O's guy Kelly loves a good wrinkle. It wouldn't be surprising to see him riff off the old Dennis Dixon Statue of Liberty play, just to get in the Oregon staff's heads a little bit.