The Buckeyes Abandoned the Run Game When They Needed It Most

Ohio State’s last two games of the season didn’t just raise eyebrows. They raised questions. And none bigger than this: why abandon what was working? The Buckeyes showed flashes of dominance with gap scheme runs, then went away from them far too early. It wasn’t just puzzling. It was costly.

In both losses, the run game was an afterthought. You can argue they were trailing, but let’s be clear. They were never out of reach. In both games, Ohio State entered the fourth quarter down just one score. Instead of leaning on a physical run game, they put the ball in the air. A lot. Sixty-four pass attempts for a first-year quarterback? That’s not complimentary football. That’s putting the game on a young QB’s shoulders and asking him to carry the program.

We all know a good run game is a quarterback’s best friend. For a young guy? It’s everything. So let’s break down Ohio State’s gap scheme runs in those late-season matchups, and more importantly, what could’ve been if they just kept feeding the rock.

Counter Variations

Counter made up about 60 percent of Ohio State’s gap scheme runs, and for good reason. They ran it well. Whether it was G/T, G/H, or even C/T, the Buckeyes showed they had answers with misdirection and pullers on the move. It consistently created movement at the point of attack and gave their back room to operate. When they stuck with it, the run game looked efficient and physical. The issue was never execution. It was commitment.

This is a strong 12 personnel variation from the Buckeyes. Call it what you want, we’ll call it G/F Counter. The tight end aligned at fullback works with the initial flow, then comes back with the pulling guard on the counter. The down block from the in-line tight end isn’t perfect, which forces the pullers and the back to slow-play it. But they stay patient. The guard handles the kick, the fullback tight end climbs to the linebacker, and the running back makes a smooth back door cut for a chunk gain. It’s blocked well, and when Indiana over-pursues, the back presses front side then hits the window on the backside. This is exactly what it looks like when Ohio State leans into what they do best.

Here’s a look at G/T Counter, and this time Indiana forces the play to bounce. The running back reads it cleanly and takes the edge. It might not be a highlight-reel run, but it picks up six yards and keeps the offense on schedule. Enough of these and you start moving the sticks consistently. Credit the guard for a great job logging the edge defender, which creates just enough space for the back to get outside and turn it into positive yardage.

For the life of me, I don’t know how the Buckeyes don’t score here. It’s not a perfect Counter, but the running back makes the right cut and finds the crease. Then, somehow, he trips over the defender. It looks like he clears him clean, then just goes down. Strange play, but still another five to six yard gain. Even when it’s not clean, the Buckeyes are getting consistent yards out of gap scheme runs.

Here we go, C/T Counter against Miami. The Buckeyes run it out of a spread look, leaving a six-man box and reading the backside defensive end. One of the best ways to neutralize elite edge rushers is to not block them at all. Just read them. Ohio State gets a solid kick and a great seal by the slot on the overhang, which gives the pulling tackle a chance to climb. He misses the block upfield, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a 12-yard gain on first down and sets the tone for the drive. Miami wanted to rush upfield and get after the quarterback. Gap schemes are the perfect counter. You kick those wide ends out front side and give yourself the option to read the backside.

G/T Counter to the tight end side. Miami brings pressure, but Counter is built for that. The Canes send the Nickel off the edge, and the pulling guard makes a great late adjustment, just clipping him enough to take him out of the play. The tackle continues upfield and ends up picking off a defensive lineman instead of the play side interior linebacker, which might’ve sprung the run for more. Still, with the back hitting it downhill and running with a head of steam, it turns into a solid six-yard gain. Not perfect, but another example of how even a decent Counter can move the chains.

G/H Super Counter for the Buckeyes here. They go unbalanced to the field, then motion the running back back into the backfield before running Counter to the boundary. The fullback, aligned as a guard, works to kick the overhang. The guard and tight end both end up targeting the same second-level defender, but they stay aggressive and get vertical. That downhill presence allows the running back to bounce it for another five-yard gain. It’s not perfectly blocked, but the physicality and direction of the play let Ohio State play to their identity. This is where they are most comfortable, running gap schemes downhill and setting the tone up front.

Power Variations

Ohio State is one of the few teams still running Power, and when they do, they run it well. It’s another gap scheme they execute at a high level. The problem is, we didn’t get to see much of it. In these two games, Power was nearly absent from the script. That’s the frustrating part. The Buckeyes have the personnel and the physicality to thrive with it, but they just didn’t call it enough to find out.

Admit it, you’re excited about 12 personnel Power. Me too. The Buckeyes motion the second tight end across the formation, then back into an in-line position. They down block the 3 and 5-techs, get the kick on the outside linebacker, and the pulling guard wraps to pick up the play side interior linebacker. It’s textbook. The result? A big gain on second and six, with the Buckeyes off to the races. This is exactly the kind of physical, efficient football that sets the tone.

If you liked 12 personnel Power, how about 13 personnel Power? The Buckeyes motion into a balanced I-formation and run Power to the left. They land the down blocks, reach the backside interior linebacker, get the kick, and the puller wraps to the play side interior linebacker. Indiana flows hard and does a good job gapping out the front side, but that opens the back door. The running back ricochets off his own blocker and finds it, picking up another solid gain. It’s tough, downhill football, and it keeps showing up on tape when they let it.

Want to know how to slow down that vaunted Miami pass rush? Run the damn ball right at them. Here’s Power straight at Rueben Bain Jr. He swims the tight end, only to get kicked out by the second tight end working as a fullback. The in-line tight end climbs to the second level, and the pulling guard wraps and does the same. The result? The Buckeyes’ biggest run of the day. Physical, direct, and exactly what you call when a defense is teeing off.

Here’s Power for a touchdown. Sure, it’s from the one-yard line, and maybe you don’t care. But it matters. It’s third and one, and the Buckeyes punch it in to cut into a 14 to 0 deficit. That is what Power is built for. Short yardage, goal line, put your foot in the ground football. It got them back in the game when they needed it most.

At the end of the day, it’s simple. Ohio State has the tools to dominate on the ground, but in their biggest games, they chose not to. Gap schemes like Counter and Power weren’t just working, they were producing chunk plays and keeping the offense on schedule. Instead of leaning into that identity, the Buckeyes put too much on a young quarterback’s shoulders and let two winnable games slip away. The tape doesn’t lie. The run game was there. They just didn’t trust it long enough.