Oregon's big advantage last time will have to look a bit different in rematch against Ohio State if they want it to happen again
One of the biggest questions as Oregon sets to meet up with Ohio State in the Rose Bowl are the injuries that have happened over the course of the season along the Ohio State offensive line. Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi offered his take on how important it is to get after the quarterback when speaking […]
One of the biggest questions as Oregon sets to meet up with Ohio State in the Rose Bowl are the injuries that have happened over the course of the season along the Ohio State offensive line.
Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi offered his take on how important it is to get after the quarterback when speaking with the media ahead of the Rose Bowl.
"We want to pressure a quarterback. We want to mentally and physically assault him in any way possible within the rules of the game," Lupoi said.
Ohio State's offensive line has plenty of questions and injuries that make them of chief concern for Oregon's chances.
Instead of offering my own take on it, I'll turn to one of our resident Ohio State experts, Brandon Little, for his take on what has happened along the line this season. Here's what he has to say.
The injury issues for Ohio State first popped up in the first game against Oregon when LT Josh Simmons was lost for the season. Zen Michalski replaced Simmons in that game and was not ready. Since then, Donovan Jackson has slid to left tackle from guard and has been a really good fit. Jackson has been able to up his draft stock thanks to the versatility he has shown. The other injury was the Buckeyes losing the top center in the country Seth McLaughlin before the Michigan game. Carson Hinzman has done a solid job at center and his experience as a starter last season has been a plus.
Guard is interesting for the Buckeyes. Austin Siereveld and Tegra Tshabola started against Michigan. However, Ryan Day opted to rotate Luke Montgomery in against Tennessee. Montgomery looked the part and finally showed why he was once a highly touted recruit. Montgomery will see time at left guard and he joins Tshabola as the team’s best two guards in my opinion. We will see Siereveld out there as well and I think rotating on the interior could help Ohio State against Oregon’s interior star Derrick Harmon.
Offensive line coach Justin Frye has faced some flack for missing on some key recruits, but his development has been easy to see in Columbus. Ohio State’s offensive line looked the best they have this season against Tennessee, which offers a strong defensive line. The Buckeyes were beaten pretty badly up front in the first showing despite scoring 31 points. They have to make Oregon, who will have Jordan Burch healthy, beat them another way
According to Little, the injuries to Ohio State, although detrimental, haven't caused a significant step backwards for the Buckeyes line. In their first round meeting against Tennessee, Ohio State allowed only eight pressures, zero sacks, and zero quarterback hits.
What seems clear is that the tackle positions are still points of strength for Ohio State, with Donovan Jackson serving well as the team's left tackle. Jackson had a tremendous game against Tennessee, giving up only one pressure.
As Little noted, the biggest difference for the Oregon defense will be the presence of star pass rusher Jordan Burch, who was absent in their last meeting. How Burch fares against Jackson will be one of the biggest storylines of the game.
Derrick Harmon, who has been one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the country, will have be lining up against potentially one of the biggest weaknesses of the Ohio State line — their guards. Against Tennessee, Tishbola, Montgomery, and Siereveld combined to allow five pressures. Harmon, who lines up against the guards almost exclusively, could be the one in the best position to exceed.
Oregon's defensive front will have a crucial task — get to quarterback Will Howard before he can get the ball to the best wide receiver group in the country.
Oregon DC Tosh Lupoi discusses the one ‘elite advantage’ the Ducks have over Ohio State in the Rose Bowl
It could make the difference.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.
