Ohio State football took on TCU in Arlington, Texas in one of the biggest game of Week 3. What did we learn about the Buckeyes and the Horned Frogs?
The opening few weeks of college football include a mass of tune-up games. Blue-bloods host middling and lower-tiered programs as they prepare their teams for conference play. Ohio State and TCU have both had their chances to ease into the season, but a matchup between the Buckeyes and the Horned Frogs set up one of the biggest games of the 2018 season.
Knowing they were in for their toughest task yet, Ohio State traveled to Texas for their final test before the reinstatement of Urban Meyer. The TCU game marked the final game of his three-game suspension, allowing the head coach to return to the sidelines for the Buckeyes’ Week 4 contest against Tulane.
Led by offensive coordinator Ryan Day, the Ohio State offense was largely stymied by a TCU defense that had an answer for every play. The Frogs did just enough to limit the rushing duo of Mike Weber and JK Dobbins, putting themselves into favorable positions on third down. But in the end, talent won out.
Gary Patterson’s methodical, calculated scheme wasn’t enough to propel the Frogs over the Buckeyes. What did we learn about both teams in the back-and-forth affair?
1. TCU is the most complete football team in the Big 12
The Big 12 catches plenty of flak, and deservedly so, for their pass-happy, defensively challenged teams. Even Oklahoma demonstrated they have work to be done on the back end in their win over Iowa State in Week 3. TCU, though, proved they’re not a one trick pony.
The Horned Frogs threw the ball efficiently (60 percent passings for 308 yards), ran the ball effectively (36 carries for 203 yards) and played hard-nosed defense. Ohio State entered the game averaging 65 points per game. The TCU defense held the Ohio State offense to 26 points, with two touchdowns scored by the Buckeyes’ defense. The Buckeyes’ punt team got a lot more work than they’re used to tonight, and the same will be true of the Frogs’ conference opponents this season.
Not only is TCU strong in every phase of the game, they have big play candidates scattered all over their team. The biggest play against Ohio State came midway through the second quarter with the Frogs trailing 10-7. Darius Anderson took a handoff and disappeared down the field, taking the 93-yard carry all the way to the house. It was the longest rushing touchdown in TCU history.
Teams that can beat you on the ground, through the air and with their defense are rare. If TCU doesn’t beat themselves they’re hard to take down. At the very least, the Horned Frogs are going to be in the mix for an important bowl game come December.
2. Dwayne Haskins can be Meyer’s best quarterback since Tim Tebow
Urban Meyer has fielded some high-powered offenses throughout his time with Ohio State and Florida. The quarterbacks over his decade-plus of coaching have won Heisman Trophies and National Championships, but they’ve been predominantly dangerous with their legs more so than with their arms.
Haskins has the total package. He’s no statue in the pocket, but he’s not being asked to run as much as his predecessors. That might be because Meyer and offensive coordinator Ryan Day know what kind of weapon they have at quarterback.
Meyer’s suspension has kept him away from the games, but he’s still coaching practices and scheming for games. If he wanted to force the quarterback runs, he could. But he’s not, and that’s opened up the door for Haskins to show off.
Haskins completed 24 of 38 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns. The TCU defense made him work for every yard, but he dazzled when the Buckeyes needed him most.
3. Neutral site games stink
Two undefeated top 15 teams going toe-to-toe in primetime on national television is ripe for an atmosphere befitting of this wonderful sport. Instead, the roar of the crowd was muted by the corporate aura of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Jerryworld, as it’s known by many, hosts several marquee college football games every year. It’s a magnificent stadium, befitting the spectacle that football is, but it’s not a college stadium. It’s not on campus and it’s not “home” for any collegiate fan base.
Big games happen in places like this because somebody gets a big check, but there’s no comparison between this and say 100,000 strong standing and yelling for four hours at Kyle Field, the site of College GameDay’s Week 2 matchup featuring No. 2 Clemson and Texas A&M.
The college game and the pro game are two vastly different experiences. The fan experience is integral to what makes college football what it is. The culture, the noise and the hysteria make this sport so endearing. It’s a shame for giant domed arenas to dampen that fervor.