Key area for improvement emerges for Ohio State defense despite elite rankings
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had one of the easiest schedules in the nation thus far, but the start of the Big Ten slate will change that in the coming weeks. It's hard to complain about a defense ranking in the top five of several key areas, but there's been one weakness that can become […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had one of the easiest schedules in the nation thus far, but the start of the Big Ten slate will change that in the coming weeks. It's hard to complain about a defense ranking in the top five of several key areas, but there's been one weakness that can become a big issue soon.
It might sound shocking to ask a defense that has, by most measures, lived up to expectations thus far. They've allowed only 20 points, including one shutout, and are fourth in scoring per game. No team has allowed fewer 20-plus-yard plays, and they're second in yards per game.
That's not the whole story, though. Let's look at where Ohio State's defense is winning and where it must improve against Michigan State in Week 5.
While it'd be nice to see Ohio State force more than the four turnovers produced thus far, the unit has been plagued by a lack of a consistent pass rush. Some of this concerns Larry Johnson's failure to piece together quality rotations.
However, the other piece of it is that the individuals simply haven't been overly dynamic.
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J.T. Tuimoloau and Tyleik Williams share the team lead with 1.5 sacks each. They're followed by C.J. Hicks, Jack Sawyer, Cody Simon, and Caden Curry, producing one each. Mitchell Melton, Ty Hamilton, Kenyatta Jackson, and Caleb Downs have half a sack.
Who in that group has been dominant? Sawyer has been the closest with the eye test and by PFF metrics. He leads the team with seven quarterback hits and three QB hurries. Tuimoloau is the only other defender with five combined sacks, hits, and hurries.
Williams is the best of the group, and we saw Ohio State's defense struggle without him on Saturday. Sawyer is a fringe first-round talent, but there's not another guy who I'd pound the table for in the entire group. Tuimoloau has been a major disappointment in the passing game, in particular.
The issues aren't just on an individual basis, though. The defensive line should simply be better. Whether it means moving Hicks from linebacker to edge full-time or rotating in Mitchell or Curry more on passing downs, the current strategy hasn't unearthed impactful contributors.
Maybe the answer isn't within the Buckeyes' locker room but rather in Jim Knowles' hands. The defensive coordinator has done well to rebuild a defense that was awful before he took over, and part of that has been ratcheting down the aggressiveness from his previous blitz-heavy approach.
It might be time to let the dogs loose and trust the best secondary in the country. Whether it's unleashing Caleb Downs or Hicks more or calling man blitzes and hoping for more turnovers from this incredible cornerback group, something has to give.
Ohio State will struggle at some point this season if its front four doesn't create pressure, and it's better to address this now than later.
