COLUMBUS — Ten thoughts thinking about Ohio State’s loss to Oregon, without rewatching the game or looking at advanced stats. Bill will do some also.
The hiring of Tyler Bowen is an original sin. As someone in the chat pointed out, it was probably an overreaction to Justin Frye’s recruiting failures. So to replace Frye, you prioritize a recruiter over a developer. I was pretty done with Frye, but he did manage the offensive line injuries in 2024 and patch that line back together. Bowen has never gotten the most out of individual talent with this OL group. In this day and age, I think hiring talent developers, technicians and schemers is more important than hiring recruiters. Throw money at the recruits you want, then develop them fast and effectively. The Bowen hire is from a bygone era that was over even before he hit campus. It’s a misfire by Ryan Day, and it has cost them. Imagine this team with a wall of an offensive line — it would be a backup QB’s best friend.