Ohio State has taken a deliberate approach with its offensive strategy this season, opting to huddle more frequently and limit the total number of plays per game. This strategy is a part of their long-term vision, as the Buckeyes aim for a prolonged postseason run. Head coach Ryan Day remarked on this unique strategy, stating, “It may seem unusual to revert to huddling; it’s almost reminiscent of earlier football styles. However, it’s an innovative twist in response to the prevalent no-huddle offenses. We’ve experienced such offenses ourselves, yet using the huddle has fostered greater cohesion among our offensive players.”
Looking ahead, the Buckeyes, who have a record of 13-2 this season, are preparing for their school’s record-breaking 16th game — a national championship clash against Notre Dame, which holds a 14-1 record. Despite slowing their tempo, Ohio State ranks as the team with the fewest average plays per game in the 12-team playoff bracket, with an average of only 61.8 plays, placing them 120th out of 134 Division I teams. Notably, in each of their last two playoff games, they logged just 57 plays, defeating undefeated Big Ten champion Oregon in the Rose Bowl and SEC runner-up Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
The Buckeyes’ current play average is a slight decline from the 63.9 plays per game they recorded in the previous season, but it still sits more than ten plays below the 72.1-play average seen during a decade-long stretch that began with their last national championship win in 2014. First-year offensive coordinator Chip Kelly mentioned this strategy was part of a longer-term game plan, emphasizing that their goal wasn’t to push for extremely high snap counts. This approach aims to preserve energy and stamina for the playoffs.
Historically, Oregon utilized a rapid-paced offense, averaging over 81 plays per game in Kelly’s last season there in 2012. Even Ohio State had a similar tempo in Urban Meyer’s final season in 2018, recording over 80 plays per game. Interestingly, Indiana, which had two fewer games than the Buckeyes, is the only playoff team that has recorded fewer snaps. As for individual contributions, TreVeyon Henderson has amassed 967 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Quinshon Judkins has 960 yards and 12 touchdowns. Remarkably, neither player has exceeded 17 carries in a game, with Henderson’s highest being 11 in a matchup. Graduate transfer quarterback Will Howard has excelled too, throwing for 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns, alongside three receivers with over 50 receptions apiece.
Day highlighted the strategic benefits of reducing the number of plays, stating that it contributes to the overall health of the team while fostering better communication and teamwork as players huddle together on the field. On the other side, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish had a stellar performance, running a season-high 73 plays, consisting of 31 passes and 42 rushes, in their 27-24 victory against Penn State in the CFP semifinal Orange Bowl. They are averaging 63.7 plays per game this season, a slight incline from last year, but they still rank 104th nationally—only above Ohio State among playoff teams.
Ohio State’s playoff journey began with a matchup against Tennessee, which averaged 73.7 plays per game this season. Texas and Clemson are the only other playoff teams to have exceeded the 70-play mark. Observing championship patterns over the past decade, the previous year’s national champions, Michigan, averaged just 61.6 plays, marking the lowest for any champion in the history of the four-team playoff system. Conversely, Clemson set a record with an average of 81.3 plays per game while winning the title in 2016, significantly higher than Ohio State’s initial championship win, where they averaged 73.3 plays.
In a historical context, Ohio State’s first championship game in the CFP era occurred a decade ago, where they achieved a remarkable 296 rushing yards and five touchdowns in their 42-20 victory over Oregon. That game took place two years after Chip Kelly left Oregon for the NFL. Ezekiel Elliott was a standout player with 36 carries for 246 yards and four touchdowns, alongside quarterback Cardale Jones, who threw for 242 yards while also contributing with 38 rushing yards. In their recent victory against Texas, the Buckeyes only recorded 57 plays, which included 24 rushes for 101 yards. In comparison, against their opponents, Judkins had nine carries, while Howard and Henderson contributed with seven and six carries respectively.
