Why Ohio State might actually need to play a stronger schedule

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema seemed to be rooting against Ohio State when he questioned the Buckeyes' schedule two weeks ago. But was he actually giving them good advice?

The No. 1 Buckeyes have not looked like the engaged, motivated team that a national championship favorite is supposed to in their past one and a half games. Coach Urban Meyer criticized the offense's effort, particularly that of the Buckeyes' highly regarded offensive line, in a 38-0 Week 2 shutout of Hawaii. Then today, in its next time out, Ohio State trailed Mid-American Conference contender Northern Illinois for more than 20 minutes of the first half. Ohio State entered the game as a 34½-point favorite.

That half saw starting quarterback Cardale Jones throw two interceptions in nine attempts before J.T. Barrett replaced him early in the second quarter with the Buckeyes trailing 10-3. Barrett immediately led Ohio State on a 44-yard scoring drive in less than a minute, a reminder that Ohio State has the luxury of replacing one talented option with another mid-game.

Ohio State went to halftime tied 10-10. At the start of the second half, Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer told ABC/ESPN's Jerry Punch, "The strength of our team is supposed to be our offensive line, and they're just not blocking."

Ohio State's defense maintained its high level of play in the second half, with linebacker Darron Lee intercepting Northern Illinois quarterback Drew Hare and returning it for a touchdown that gave the Buckeyes some breathing room. But like Jones, Barrett never seemed to be on his game, and he joined the Buckeyes' QB starter in being intercepted by the Huskies' Sean Folliard. Meyer undoubtedly has a quarterback decision to make this week, and he also must decide how to address some broader issues with his players.

At the end of a 20-13 win, Ohio State had converted just two of 13 third-down situations and amassed less than 300 yards of offense. The Buckeyes had five turnovers to the Huskies' two.

Maybe Bielema, who admittedly ate his critical words on Ohio State's schedule when his own team fell to a MAC opponent at home in Week 2, was on to something. Early on this season, Ohio State is playing more to the level of its opponent than it should. And that's not good when only one opponent left on the regular season schedule is ranked.

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