Midseason report card: Grading Ohio State football’s position groups, coaches

Highlights: Will Howard has been solid, earning a B+ grade. The running backs have been outstanding, with an A grade. Wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka are top performers. Tight ends have had a limited impact this season. The offensive line has shown strength but has areas for improvement. Injuries have affected the performance of the offensive line. Cornerbacks struggled against Oregon, raising concerns about their consistency. Ohio State's offense ranks highly in yards per play and points per game. Caleb Downs is exceeding expectations as a safety. Chip Kelly's offensive strategies have revitalized the team's performance. Ryan Day's leadership is under scrutiny after the Oregon game. Ohio State's defense needs to improve to meet high expectations. The team's performance against Oregon raises questions about their elite status. Overall, the team is meeting expectations but has room for improvement.