The Ohio State offensive line was just named one of ten semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award that goes to the best offensive line in college football annually. The award selects teams based on six criteria: Toughness, effort, teamwork, consistency, technique, and finishing. It has been handed out since 2015.
There’s good reason for Ohio State’s big guys to be included. Despite the O-line being a serious question mark heading into the year because of some key departures, the unit has meshed well together and has instead been a strength of this team in 2019.
Behind the run-blocking and pass protection of the Buckeye offensive line, OSU is No. 4 in FBS in yards per game, No. 1 in offensive 3rd down conversion percentage, No. 1 in scoring offense, and No. 4 in total offense. And while quarterback Justin Fields has been sacked more times than anyone would like, it has more to do with his desire to keep plays alive.
In fact, one telling stat of how clean the pocket has been kept, Fields has only thrown one interception to 31 passing touchdowns. Quite remarkable really.
The other nine semifinalists include Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The finalists will be selected on December 10, and a winner selected shortly after.
