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Ohio State's 2024 season has seen their offense regain its footing, reverting to championship-caliber levels after a surprising drop in key metrics last year. These developments were highlighted in a discussion on the Quack 12 Podcast with special guest Eric Boggs from The OHIO Podcast. Numerous offseason adjustments orchestrated by Coach Day appear to be bearing fruit, including changes in the offensive playcaller, position coaches, and quarterback, along with new additions at the skill positions and a reconfigured interior offensive line.

Five games into the season, with the bulk of meaningful snaps occurring against a non-conference lineup ranked 112th on average in advanced F+ defensive stats, it's still early to draw definitive conclusions. However, several trends have emerged. During the podcast, both Boggs and I agreed that certain playbook tendencies, player habits, and rotational decisions are likely to persist throughout the season.

One notable improvement is the entry of Kansas State transfer, QB Howard, who has demonstrated effective control of the Ohio State offense. Howard’s NCAA passer rating of 166.3 during significant play exemplifies his proficiency, which surpasses the FBS median by more than one standard deviation. His mobility has also added a new dimension to the offense, reducing potential sacks and contributing to designed quarterback runs. Howard’s primary targets, senior WR Egbuka and freshman standout WR J. Smith, have showcased exceptional per-target success and adjusted yards per target (YPT) numbers, further bolstering the team’s performance.

Replacing Cade Stover at tight end has been a challenge for Ohio State. Stover’s departure to the NFL left a significant void in both target effectiveness and blocking utility. This season, the tight end position has seen an unusually high amount of rotation with players like G. Scott, Ohio transfer Kacmarek, TE Thurman, and TE Christian all vying for the role. Despite this, the cumulative success rate for tight ends has struggled to surpass 50%, with their blocking also leaving much to be desired.

While Ohio State's passing game has shown marked improvement, the balance with the run game lies largely on the shoulders of RBs Henderson and Judkins. Both have produced impressive rushing statistics, with adjusted yards per carry (YPC) numbers exceeding 7.5 and high rates of 10+ yard rushes. Despite their success, the offensive line’s run-blocking performances have been inconsistent, leaving room for improvement. Stability and experience within the line are hoped to lead to better results as the season progresses.

On the defense, Ohio State remains conservative yet effective, limiting explosive plays and ranking highly in drive-based defensive metrics. Returning veterans like DTs Hamilton and T. Williams, along with DEs Sawyer and Tuimoloau, have been crucial in maintaining a strong front. However, linebacker rotations and positional changes have led to some growing pains, especially in run defense where missed assignments and tackles have been evident.

Overall, Ohio State's strategic adjustments appear to be steering the team back towards its typically high standards. As the season continues, the integration of new coach strategies, combined with player development and refined offensive and defensive schemes, will be critical in sustaining and building upon their early successes.