Cardale Jones and Ohio State have declined in their performance on third down and in the red zone compared with last season. 0 Shares Print When the Houston Cougars play host to the SMU Mustangs on Thursday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2/WatchESPN), members of the Ohio State offense might be watching longingly at Houston when it has the ball. After three years as Ohio State’s co-offensive coordinator and play-caller, Tom Herman left during the past offseason to become Houston’s head coach. Led by their explosive offense, the Cougars are 4-0, and their quarterback, Greg Ward Jr., ranks fifth in Total QBR. Herman is one of two prominent former Big Ten coordinators who left for head coaching positions after the 2014 season. The other is Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi, formerly the defensive coordinator at Michigan State. Herman and Narduzzi are Broyles Award winners (given annually to the top assistant coach in college football), and their presence (or lack thereof) has been felt at their new and old schools. The Buckeyes and Spartans are both 5-0, but it’s fair to say that neither team is playing up to the level that many expected. Houston’s gain: Ohio State’s loss? In 2014, Ohio State ranked fifth in the FBS in offensive efficiency. The Buckeyes are 76th this season and are struggling to find consistent quarterback play. …
Continue Reading: Coordinators at Ohio State, Michigan State conspicuous by their absence
