Oregon Ducks star revealed what could be bad news for Ohio State’s defense in the Rose Bowl
In the first matchup between Ohio State and Oregon, both offenses showed plenty of firepower. The passing game especially was clicking for Oregon and their wide receivers did some damage. Ohio State has to do a much better job matching up with Oregon’s wide receiver group in tomorrow’s Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes have the No. […]
In the first matchup between Ohio State and Oregon, both offenses showed plenty of firepower. The passing game especially was clicking for Oregon and their wide receivers did some damage.
Ohio State has to do a much better job matching up with Oregon’s wide receiver group in tomorrow’s Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes have the No. 1 defense in college football, but that first matchup with Oregon was easily their worst game of the season.
Ahead of Wednesday’s matchup, Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson has revealed who the Ducks may be targeting on Ohio State’s defense.
“He’s a really good corner,” Johnson said of Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun. “Rangy corner that comes from the SEC. But we know his weaknesses. So we’re definitely gonna be on high alert for that.”
Johnson had 75 yards receiving and a touchdown against the Buckeyes in the first game. Evan Stewart did the most damage with seven catches for 149 yards.
Igbinosun has had a strong season at points this year, but he also dealt with a high number of penalties. The talented cornerback is a physical corner that sometimes has his aggressiveness come back to bite him. Igbinosun has 13 penalties called on him this year in 13 games. This season has brought the Ole Miss transfer his first two interceptions.
Ohio State’s cornerback room is led by Denzel Burke, who has played a ton of football for the Buckeyes. Burke has started in Columbus since his freshman season and has been a key part of the defense. In the first game against Oregon, Burke was a part of the struggling defense that just didn’t play well enough.
“Denzel Burke is probably the smartest corner I’ve ever seen in college football,” Oregon’s Johnson said “He was everywhere where he’s supposed to be. If you think you’re open, you’re really not. He’s one of those corners who’s sneaky. He’ll get an interception on you quickly, [if] you do not be careful.”
Oregon had nearly 500 total yards against the Buckeyes in October and 341 was from the passing game. If the Buckeyes want to move on to the semifinals to play either Texas or Arizona State, the defensive backfield is going to have to play better. Getting a pass rush up front will be key as well.
Ohio State and Oregon will play at 5 p.m. in Pasadena, California tomorrow in what could be a matchup between the two best teams in the country.
Brian Hartline’s latest comment should have Ohio State fans smiling from ear to ear ahead of the Rose Bowl
That is good news for the Buckeyes.
