The Buckeyes are underdogs and aren’t projected by many to have a chance against Georgia, last year’s College Football Playoff champion.
To say the Bulldogs are unbeatable, however, is false, even though they have not yet lost this season. They bring a 15-game winning streak and a 27-1 record over the last two seasons into this game.
It is not an easy task for Ohio State and Ryan Day, but that is why they play the game. For the Buckeyes to come away with a win and play for a national championship, they are going to have to play one of their most complete games of the year. There will be plenty of keys to getting a victory against Georgia and here are a few that stick out.
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Kevin Wilson hasn’t checked out
Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said he has dedicated about "70 percent" of his time to the Peach Bowl, using his hours "late at night" preparing for his head coaching job at Tulsa next year. pic.twitter.com/IJ2Xkb2Hxd
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) December 27, 2022
We all know Day is the main play-caller, but Wilson gets input, especially during game preparation. Since Wilson will stay with the team until the playoff run is over, he needs to stay focused on the task at hand. There needs to be less vanilla play-calling (I’m looking at you, bubble-screens) and more wrinkles. The passing game needs to get vertical and test the Bulldog secondary. Playing to tendencies in a game like this just will not work against a very stout Georgia defense. We need Wilson’s best to help pull off this upset.
Containing Jalen Carter
Georgia DT Jalen Carter picked up LSU QB Jayden Daniels 👀
🎥 @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/OBVgdqKr1h
— The Athletic CFB (@TheAthleticCFB) December 3, 2022
Anytime you face an opponent that has a top-five NFL talent, the focus has to be on him. Carter is projected to be among the first few picks in the upcoming draft, and he has plenty of highlight reel plays this season (see above). It’s going to be a big task for the interior offensive line of the Buckeyes to keep Carter in check. Matthew Jones’s status is up in the air, after suffering an ankle injury and missing the game against our rivals. Luke Wypler should get help, depending on which side Carter lines up on, Donovan Jackson has been very good this year, and Enokk Vimahi and Josh Fryar have been solid in Jones’ absence. The interior group needs to be at its best to contend against Carter.
Jim Knowles making the proper adjustments
OSU DC Jim Knowles on prepping for GA…what you’ve seen thus far & what you see in 1H. @TheFeverABC6 pic.twitter.com/gwyYAbxxMK
— Clay Hall (@claywsyx6) December 28, 2022
In the biggest game of this year, Knowles laid an egg in the second half. His reputation for making halftime adjustments hasn’t lost its polish, it’s just not as shiny as it once was. Knowles will need to be flexible with his scheme to spot a very underrated Georgia offense. They might not have the stars Ohio State possesses, but the Bulldogs average only five fewer points than Ohio State on a per-game basis. They are very capable of putting up big numbers, and it’s not in the Buckeyes’ best interest to get into a track meet with Georgia. If Knowles is quick with his adjustments and they are effective, he will put his defense in a very good position.
Creating turnovers and limiting red zone scoring
J.T. TUIMOLOAU PICK SIX 😤
THIS GUY IS UNREAL 🔥@OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/sMn0dh5MpJ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 29, 2022
This year, the Buckeyes have not been a defense that creates takeaways, but, for the most part, they have been solid in ratio (plus-7). We know the troubles with the cornerbacks: They didn’t produce an interception all year but drew numerous penalties in key moments. They have to step up and make plays, along with the rest of the defense. Georgia was the best red-zone scoring team in the nation, getting points on 69 of its 71 attempts, including 48 touchdowns. If Ohio State is to stay in this contest, the defense needs to limit the scores inside the 20, as well as creating those turnovers.
Playing the hot running back
Dallan Hayden first in line in RB drills for OSU with Chip Trayanum following after.
Didn’t see Miyan Williams, who the Buckeyes said was “under the weather” yesterday. pic.twitter.com/SpdiYH08nq
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) December 28, 2022
It seems Miyan Williams is physically healthy, but there are rumors of an illness that has held him out of a few practices this week. Hopefully he is good to go on Saturday night. If he is, expect a heavy dose of Williams because, when he was healthy, he was the Buckeyes’ best back this fall. Chip Trayanum played well in the final game after moving back from linebacker, and Dallan Hayden was noticeably absent against our rivals. This has to change against Georgia; Day needs to go with the hot hand. All three should get opportunities, but if one of them has more success than the others, that back should be featured. There is no tomorrow, so playing the hot back is a must.
Win special teams
A lot of Mad all over the place pic.twitter.com/KNHmRnvCQ0
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 1, 2022
Buckeye kicker Noah Ruggles has been solid, missing three of 87 attempts this year. Punter Jesse Mirco has been solid and showed his wheels on a fake punt against Rutgers. A real fake was called in the final game, but it went awry and never happened. The Buckeyes also have been nonexistent in the return game for the last eight years. This would be a great time to change that.
As for Georgia, kicker Jack Podlesny has been just like Ruggles, missing only three of 87 tries (weird, huh?). The Bulldogs are worse than the Buckeyes in kickoff returns, but have fared well in returning punts, ranking 17th nationally, in comparison, Ohio State is 80th. Georgia punter Brett Thorson has been solid when called upon. The Buckeyes need to win this aspect of the game, and, if need be, try a fake punt or even a surprise on-side kick. This unit has to be better than Georgia’s.
