Ohio State football displayed a woeful offensive performance against Missouri in their defeat, indicating the need for the removal of several coaches.
The Ohio State football team aimed to conclude the 2023 season on a positive note by defeating Missouri in the Cotton Bowl and finishing with a victory. They were anticipated to succeed, entering the game as 4.5-point favorites against Missouri.
Ironically, oddsmakers may have overestimated the Buckeyes, considering they only managed to score three points in the game, ending in a 14-3 loss to the Tigers. This offensive struggle marked Ohio State’s worst performance in recent memory.
Devin Brown suffered an early injury, and his on-field performance was lackluster, accumulating only 20 passing yards before re-injuring his ankle. This forced Lincoln Kienholz into action, but head coach Ryan Day appeared hesitant to unleash him fully.
Despite Kienholz’s limited success in passing, completing just 4 out of 13 attempts for 86 yards, there was confusion about Day’s reluctance to allow more passing attempts. The team resorted to predictable running plays, and the offensive line, altered by Day’s adjustments, performed poorly throughout the game.
The decision to make changes to the offensive line, such as placing Matt Jones at center and Enokk Viamhi at right guard while excluding Carson Hinzman, proved unsuccessful. Justin Frye’s coaching, particularly in special teams, came under scrutiny, highlighting the need for significant staff changes within the Ohio State football program.
Looking ahead, there is speculation that Ohio State might pursue a transfer quarterback, adding a new dimension to their offensive lineup. The disappointing 2023 season concluded in a disheartening manner, leaving the Buckeyes entering 2024 without momentum and lacking a clear solution at quarterback. It was an unfortunate conclusion to the year.
