Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott made headlines last Saturday when he called out the coaching staff and play-calling following the Buckeyes' 17-14 upset loss to Michigan State.
The Spartans came in with an ultra-aggressive defensive game plan—loading the box and daring Ohio State to beat them over the top.
J.T. Barrett wasn't called to consistently challenge Michigan State down the field as the Buckeyes stayed conservative, and that worked early when they leaned on Elliott, who ran eight times on a 10-play touchdown drive early in the second quarter.
But in the final 42 minutes of the game, Elliott got just three carries and Ohio State produced only two first downs in a historically poor performance for an Urban Meyer-coached team.