Three offensive keys for Ohio State football vs Oregon on Saturday

Three critical offensive strategies loom large for Ohio State football's upcoming clash against No. 23 Oregon on Saturday. The first priority is turning field goals into touchdowns. Last Saturday's game against USC revealed that Ohio State's red zone offense faltered, converting only three out of four attempts, with two of those resulting in field goals.

However, Oregon allows opponents to score 84.6% of the time in the red zone, and in the last three games, opponents have scored four touchdowns in six red zone opportunities. Therefore, Ohio State must capitalize on these opportunities.

The second key is converting on third downs. A strong offense requires sustained drives, and staying on the field is crucial. Ohio State had a challenging third-down performance last week, going 7-of-16 with an average of just 6.2 yards gained. Oregon, conversely, ranks 20th nationally in third-down defense, forcing opponents to convert just 31.4% of the time. Thus, Ohio State must aim to convert over 50% of its third downs on Saturday.

Lastly, establishing an effective run game is paramount. Ohio State's passing-heavy offense has been inconsistent, and the run game has often been overlooked. However, last week, the Buckeyes managed 43 runs, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. The influx of fresh talent at the quarterback position and the need to ease the burden on Fahey make focusing on a balanced offensive approach even more crucial.

Oregon's rushing defense ranks 105th nationally, allowing an average of 4.5 tackles per loss. Targeting early success through the run game could provide the offense with the breathing room it needs to thrive against a struggling Ducks rush defense.