Ohio State Football: 3 keys for Buckeyes vs. Cincinnati in Week 2

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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 31: Offensive lineman Pat Elflein #65 of the Ohio State Buckeyes prepares to snap the football against the Clemson Tigers during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Buckeyes 31-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3. Re-tooled offensive line must play better

It’s never easy to coach up a 24-point victory where defeat was never in doubt, but this would be one of those places where head coach Ryan Day, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, and offensive line coach Greg “Stud” Studrawa can coach up this team. They looked fine against FAU’s base, but had some communication struggles against the Owls when they decided to bring pressure.

And it’s a safe bet that Luke Fickell and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman saw that tape and instantly began salivating. This was a defense that held UCLA to 14 points, sacking Dorian Thompson-Robinson twice and forcing two interceptions. Don’t expect the Bearcats’ defense to sit back and give Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields time to throw. They will be aggressive and come after him for all they are worth.

This is a unit that has played, but hasn’t played a lot together. Anytime you have redshirt seniors and grad transfers, you have guys that have played some football. Those redshirts have time in the program. Expect Day and Wilson to mix in some quick throws to get the line in a rhythm. Once they get their rhythm, they can engulf a smaller Cincinnati defensive line.

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