If I am remembering correctly, isn't Haskins really the only QB OSU has had in recent memory who was similar to Stroud? As just really a non runner?
Maybe I am completely off base on that and Stroud has enough running ability but the offensive adjustment seems tougher with that added dynamic. Of having to break in an inexperienced QB and not having more low risk plays like a QB run in key spots. It just puts a lot of pressure on a young passer if he gets in to moments where the defense can pin their ears back and rush...and DB's can sit on routes. That seemed to show up a bit against Oregon later in the game. Windows closed, Oregon started to get Stroud off platform and his throws were a little more erratic.
If the QB doesn't have gravity, it just makes it so much tougher up front in college too. OSU was so good at gashing teams with huge gains up the middle, because guys like Fields, Barrett, etc. had the gravity to pull a spy out of position on the fake. I really noticed Oregon just gap filing and ignoring Stroud and I'm curious to see how OSU tries to adjust to that in spots where they need to run. Does OSU have a gadget QB on the roster that could run some read or wild cat?
Will be fascinating to watch though......because Stroud seems so different from the typical QB OSU has had in the Meyer / Day era. It seems like they have the offensive talent around him to support it......just skill wise.....but damn their defense looks terrible. That is mainly why I don't get all the hand wringing over the offense. There will be ups and downs with a young QB but the offense generally played well enough to beat a team like Oregon.......but the defense was a dumpster fire for most of that game and relative to the talent OSU gets year over year, just hasn't been great recently.