Since so many are asking, the answer to why the run game struggled is pretty simple. Iowa found ways to add extra bodies to the box who were left unblocked. This meant that they were vulnerable against the pass and eventually, OSU decided to just focus on picking the defense apart that way.

Correct. They certainly have some things they keep up their sleeves until the biggest games, but it's as much about making the opponent spend time preparing for something that is NOT what OSU actually wants to lean on. For instance, instead of giving an opponent 5 things to focus on in 6 hours of practice time during the week, they now have 10 things to work on, meaning the defense isn't as well prepared for anything.

It also speaks to the cat-and-mouse game played at this level. Opponents will spend all offseason scouting what OSU did last year so that once the game week comes around, they already have the shell of a plan in place. However, by mixing up personnel packages and including all these different concepts, it screws up that scouting report and forces the opposing staff to make some very tough decisions about what to focus on in a relatively short period of time.

This is generally my belief as well. College QBs at smaller schools don't typically have the same talent advantage out wide that those at OSU possess, meaning they are forced to find throw into tighter windows. It doesn't always lead to success at this level, but it does better prepare them for the NFL where the gap between the best and worst teams is so much smaller. Additionally, having to lead comebacks or make something happen when your best players go down and there isn't another 5-star recruit just waiting to get his turn is something that is far more analogous with playing QB in the NFL, but is rarely experienced at Ohio State.

All to say, that doesn't mean an OSU can't be successful in the NFL, just that there are parts of the experience of playing here compared to Wyoming or Texas Tech that are very different.

Great question - 

Marv's route is the 5th (and last) progression as Stroud starts with the RB wheel route, then transitions across the middle with the two crossers and the "sit" route, and finally, if it's open, he'll look for that deep dig/post (based on the call or coverage). I've never actually seen a QB hit that route on this play as it's really there to hold the free safety deep and keep him from stepping up to take away the crossers or sit route in the middle.

Since someone else asked a similar question earlier, I'll jump in and recognize that your second point is really important here. 

I can't imagine that Stroud was given the option to pull and run in the first half of the first game. He is so important to this team (and his future is so bright), that it's not worth risking the hits he'd take from pulling to run in that position. In the 4th quarter or later in the season? Sure, that math changes, but not so early in week 1. Give the ball to your bowling ball of a running back and trust him and the OL to make a play, and ensure your star QB is there to take the next snap.

Sorry for the technical difficulties. The videos have been re-uploaded on a different server and should be good to go.

This is why you play preseason games - to get the kinks out before the real games start!

To be fair to Munford, Sewell did a great job of running right off the butt of the DT in front of him, leaving Munford no space to get between them. That's a technique that is taught and drilled and Sewell played it perfectly. The bigger concern was that Sewell KNEW to run to that gap without hesitation, as if he knew it was coming.