Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs the ball in for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott had a very controversial week last week.
He voiced his disdain for head coach Urban Meyer’s play-calling in the 17-14 loss to Michigan State. His main problem with the play-calling was it had nowhere near enough runs for him in it. A post game interview may not be the time to go on a rant on your head coach but he was right.
Any game plan that has quarterback J.T. Barrett carrying the ball more than Elliott (15 to 12) isn’t a good one. You can’t say that Elliott was being selfish because he wanted to help his team win a game they lost. In big games, particularly when they’re close, you’re supposed to give your stars the ball.
Meyer even admitted he made a mistake and apologized to Elliott for it. And from what we saw this week, the apology was sincere and Meyer more than made up for Saturday against Michigan. He raised Elliott’s workload from the 12 carries he had against Michigan State to 30 against Michigan.
The result was 214 yards and two touchdowns from the 1st-round draft prospect in a win against Michigan. It’s a good thing when you see a coach recognize the error of his ways and change them. Elliott’s performance isn’t necessarily put the Buckeyes back in the National Championship playoffs or back into contention for the Heisman Trophy.
But it could put him back in the race for the first running back taken in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Right now, it’s a dead heat.