Buckeyes RBs Key to Beating Hoosiers

With a pair of new quarterbacks hoping to pick up where former signal caller C.J. Stroud left off, the extremely deep running backs room has an opportunity to make things easier on the Buckeyes.

The Ohio State Buckeyes season is upon us. Week 0 played out for those who needed it and now Week 1 arrives with Ohio State traveling to Bloomington, Indiana to face the Hoosiers. With all the roster turnover from a season ago, coach Ryan Day and his staff are looking for cohesiveness in his program, particularly among the starters. 

With a pair of new quarterbacks hoping to pick up where former signal caller C.J. Stroud left off, the extremely deep running backs room has an opportunity to make things easier on the Buckeyes.

With standouts Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson as the focus for the run game, opposing defenses will be facing two distinct styles of play - Williams' downhill game and Henderson's finesse play.

As deep as the running backs room is, Ohio State could very well see as many as five running backs take the field on Saturday. Henderson hopes for a complete season after dealing with injuries last year, where he tallied just 571 yards and six touchdowns.

While he was out, Williams picked up the slack with his power game with a career-high 825 yards and 14 touchdowns. While Henderson and Williams should see the majority of carries on Saturday, there are others at the position who could contribute, especially if the score gets out of hand early.

Chip Trayanum, Dallan Hayden, and Evan Pryor could all see time in a lopsided game. Traynum is getting his running back legs back after playing linebacker and was one of the few bright spots in the Michigan game last year.

Hayden made his mark on the team as a true freshman last season with 553 yards and five touchdowns, and Pryor missed last year with an injury after turning heads in the Spring Game and is looking for a bounce-back season.

Whoever is under center for the Buckeyes will have an opportunity to shine by throwing to two potential NFL first-round picks. But a strong running game can also help a young quarterback. Every running back on the Ohio State roster can catch the ball well, and as the running game is established, it opens up the passing game.