COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Let's begin with an admission: I'm confused by how it's supposed to look when Ohio State uses Curtis Samuel to his full potential.

Because it didn't look like Ohio State got the most out of its best offensive weapon in its 24-20 win over Northwestern, even if Samuel had seven carries and seven receptions.

Wins can lie. So can box scores.

It's entirely possible that this is completely wrong, that the notion Samuel didn't carry the ball enough out of the backfield is an incorrect assertion.

When I presented Urban Meyer with the thought after the game -- the idea that Samuel has seemingly settled in as a pure H-Back and not a running back/H combo like he is on the depth chart -- he didn't really like the premise.

"What was the question?" Meyer snapped back. "He's more of an H-back? Do you know what an H-back is?"

Yes. But I also know what a running back is, and if you ask Samuel what position he plays, he'll tell you he's both every single time. And given Ohio State's offense is most dangerous with the ball in Samuel's hands, isn't it fair to wonder if Ohio State has directly handed it to its best player enough?

Ohio State H-Back Curtis Samuel leaps on offensive linemen Pat Elflein and Jamarco Jones to celebrate his fourth quarter touchdown against Northwestern.

Or, at the very least, question whether Saturday's game is the example of what it looks like when Samuel is used perfectly? Frankly, it didn't feel like it regardless of what the box score said, but ..

"That's what we want, 50-50," Meyer said. "I wouldn't mind eight catches, eight handoffs. We've got to block a little better for him. He should have more yards than that.

"If you're wondering what that position is, that's it. That's what the hybrid H does: He carries the ball in the backfield and he also catches the ball."

So back to the confusion.

What does peak Curtis Samuel look like? Was that it?

Below are some Samuel-related thoughts followed by quotes from Ohio State. At the end, you can decide whether you like the thoughts or Ohio State's takes better.

THOUGHT: Samuel is a threat to take the ball to the house on every play, and it makes sense that Ohio State would want to get him into space given he's a smaller-bodied guy. That's why you see swing passes to Samuel a lot, and in some sense, those are basically outside carries.

But in the current world where the passing game struggles -- particularly with downfield routes -- and swing passes haven't sprung into big-gains, wouldn't it just be easier to hand the ball to Samuel directly?

And, if so, are seven carries enough?

QUOTE: "We have thoughts about how to use Curtis and what he's good at," offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said. "We also have thoughts about who he's not a 200-pound guy, either, so how many times do you want to bang in there amongst a big D-Line like that?

"We try to be creative and try and get him the ball at certain times, but, again, we want him to be able to play for 12 or 13 or 14 games. We understand you take a beating running inside, so all of a sudden he starts getting banged up running inside, then what do you got?"

THOUGHT: Samuel had seven total carries for 31 yards, but he only had one carry the entire first half. Basically, Ohio State used him as a receiver for much of the first half and then more of a run option in the second half.

The idea of stressing how Samuel is going to be used based on times of the game seems off. Just pepper him with touches constantly, which would make when he is used as a receiver and when he's used as a runner completely unpredictable.

Wouldn't it be better if Samuel and running back Mike Weber were used together all the time, and those Samuel carries happened consistently -- and randomly -- throughout the game? You know, with some rhythm and flow to it.

In that world, the phrasing of whether he's an H or a running back would be irrelevant.

QUOTE: "He had a bunch of catches in the first half, then we switched it up at halftime and said, 'Let's try to get him the ball on the ground,' " Warinner said. "We're trying to have a balance. Our goal is 15 touches and that's just about as balanced as you can get."

Curtis Samuel's touchdown in the fourth quarter of Ohio State's win over Northwestern.

THOUGHT: Samuel is never going to be a 15-carry running back, but could he be? This is nothing against Weber, but shouldn't Samuel's total touch range be between 20 and 25 and not 15? That means more receptions and more carries.

Samuel is by far the most explosive player on the offense. Ohio State could afford to take a few away from the freshman battering ram and give it to someone who can make someone miss and run down the sideline.

Samuel carried the ball on the first play of the second half for 23 yards, then didn't carry it again until there was less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Is that the way it's supposed to work?

QUOTE: "As a running back, you want the ball a lot to get going late in games," Weber said. "But we have so many different weapons here at Ohio State, and Coach Meyer is good at using them. Curtis Samuel, when he gets the ball, he can be a touchdown on any play. I see why he touches the ball, and he should more."

Urban Meyer said Ohio State's target for touches for Samuel is somewhere in the 15 range.

THOUGHT: The perfect scenario with Samuel is to not know what he's about to do every time he lines up. On any given drive, at any moment, he could take a handoff, do a jet-sweep, catch a pass 20 yards downfield or haul in a swing pass. At the end of the game, 10 catches and 10 rushes seems like the ideal number.

The balance is there, but more. Fourteen touches just doesn't seem like enough on this team, especially given no receiver -- even Noah Brown -- has stepped up as a true, consistent downfield target.

Balance is crucial. Ohio State accomplished that against Northwestern.

But the unpredictable part? Is that happening?

QUOTE: "It was pretty balanced today, wasn't it?" Warinner responded before reciting stats off the box score. "Could we be better? Absolutely. I could be better as a coach, we could be better everywhere across the board. But we're playing hard and getting better and just figuring out as we go through. People start to see your stuff, see what you have, figure out how to defend you."