The Ohio State defense has had its share of struggles this season and given up a good chunk of yards and points of late.
If the Buckeyes are going to beat Michigan on Saturday, those struggles will need to take the week off.
The Wolverines will bring a versatile offense to Columbus. It can be a simple I-formation offense, or shotgun spread, or meet somewhere in the middle with the pistol. There are drop-backs, hand-offs, read-option runs, and run-pass options.
In other words, the Ohio State defense will have to prepare for almost every possible look.
Ultimately, however, they will still see plenty of between-the-tackles offense from Michigan, which the Buckeyes are looking forward to.
“This will be a more physical running game,” said fourth-year junior defensive tackle Davon Hamilton. “Last week, Maryland ran the ball a lot, too. It was more downhill running with (Maryland). I live for run game teams.”
Knowing what the Ohio State defense has looked like this season, and the possibilities that Michigan presents, does this need to be the Buckeyes’ best performance as a defense this year?
“It’s got to be damn near close because they are a really good team,” Hamilton said. “The stuff we’ve been doing all year, working hard, that’s the real message this week.”
The question then becomes if the Buckeyes need to play their best, can they even get there based on what we’ve seen over the last month?
“I think we can,” Hamilton said. “We can’t be perfect as a team overall. Nobody can be perfect. Our best game is yet to come. Really, we can shut out teams if we put our minds to it. We’ve just got to put it all together.”
There is a school of thought that much of Michigan’s offense suits the Ohio State defense better than most teams. The Wolverines like to stay between the hashes, but they will also spread the Buckeyes out with sweeps and quick passes. Ohio State has the ability to defend both, but they also have the ability to give up 300 yards rushing to an offense that can’t throw the ball.
Despite that fact, middle linebacker Tuf Borland has confidence in his teammates to find a new level.
“I have the utmost confidence in this team to play really well and play at their best,” he said. “I think sometimes success doesn’t show right away. In some of our practices, we’ve been practicing really well. We’ve had really good days and sometimes that just kind of lags behind what is shown on the field at times. I have confidence we’ll play (well).”
Playing “well” and playing “your best” are two different things. Depending on how OSU’s offense goes, either may be good enough to win. Does Borland agree that the Buckeyes need to be at their best?
“I think we need to play our best every week,” he said diplomatically.
“I don’t think we’ve played up to our expectations that we set forth at the beginning of the year. I think there’s still room for improvement and hopefully we can get there this weekend.”
THEY GOT IT !!!! “Revenge Tour” my ass. GO BUCKS.
Man, you stole my thunder!
Shout-out to the O-Zone staff……..you can come out now!
GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!
I was more concerned about the Maryland game then this weeks game against Michigan. Reading the Post by Kurt Mews gives me MORE confidence in a Buckeye WIN. OSU by 10 !!!
That was MDs super bowl and they played 5 pay grades above themselves. OSUs TOs, a luck drive by MD, a lucky fumble recovery in the end zone, and a once in a lifetime Montana to Rice passing game was the only thing that kept OSU, that really dominated mid way through the end by winning from at least 17 to bvb 28 pts. OSU may D match up with MI better though.
To all the naysayers about the ability of this D to play well against Michigan, you are forgetting two things. First, there is talent on this team, and they have had patches where they have played well. Second, this is Michigan-Ohio State. There are no more games to get up about, no more distractions, and this rivalry can bring out the best in either team. I just have this feeling that Michigan is a bit cocky this time around, and that can burn them. Go Bucks!!!
Exactly. Been preaching that for weeks.
What we have not seen from the “D” is gang tackling and pursuit. I miss the days when four or five Buckeye’s meet at the ball for a slam down party! I am not saying it’s totally missing from this year but it has not happened as often as it does when we are considered dominate. Too often, if one guy misses the rest of the gang is also missing. What is it? Guys slowing down because they think a teammate will make the play or is the help not able to release or are we just too slow to get there or is it a lack of killer instincts or coaching or a combination of problems?
Nice thoughts there are all sorts of reasons why our D is uncharacteristingly porous. Top reasons.
1. We lost the best D player in the nation in game 3.
2. The back 7 is out of position and takes bad angles.
3. They’re young.
4. New assistant coaches.
5. No true Alpha leader.
6. But they have dominated all in segments of each game.
7. They are more talented than MI but the above relegates them to mediocrity.
Buckeyes have zero chance against Michigan … let’s be honest. This crappy defense gave up 51 points to a mediocre Maryland team, 31 to a mediocre Nebraska team and 49 to a mediocre Purdue team. How in the world are they going to beat Michigan who has a good offense and the best defense in the Big Ten? Sorry, NO WAY!
I agree Dave. And when they have to beg the fans to make lots of noise to help them it doesn’t show much confidence. Maybe Nick ‘the deserter’ Bosa will show up on the sidelines as an inspiration! The best oline coach ever at OSU will be on the other side of the field, kicking our overrated dline’s ass. Peoples-Jones will have a career day, Rashan Gary will go around Isiah Prince the way Patton went thru France. The good news after the 52-21 beat down is that we don’t have to play next week.
dave and bucknaked——lol—-yeah OSU has under-performed on defense etc..but seriously….this is NOT an invincible scUM team, OSU DOES have talent and a very good offense and the emotion and the underdog role to play off of…I’m not predicting a victory like I usually do because of the porous defensive inconsistencies but do NOT count the buckeyes out of this–I will not be shocked either way who wins this game…..if you want to give me OSU and 31 points (based upon your 52-21 prediction) please do so i can take your $….go Bucks!
Lmao! So in your confidence you’re predicting a win and a loss! Boy does that take guts; I guess you can say after the game you were right. One thing I’ve noticed reading this site and 11 warriors is how stupid a lot of Ohio State fans are.
Was this the same D that held MSU to 6 there when MI gave up 7 at home to them? OSU outgained Pur, NE and MD and dominates all in stretches. MI has not faced a top notch O and not even a top 30 pass O. That best D got gashed at home by IN for nearly 400 yards.
Should OSU be concerned? Yes. But OSU is the more talented team and at home.
I agree 100%. Finally somebody that knows football instead of being a cheerleader. A lot of long plays for Michigan. I hope im wrong but I dont think it will be that competitive.
MI has not won by the big play, but wearing teams down and long sustained drives. Why should it not be competitive? MI did not pull away from WI, NW, PSU, IN, MSU until the beginning of the fourth q or later. IN lead MI last week at home. All focus on the many too close and poor OSU performances.
You were saying Dave?
Need a new MLB His best isn’t good enough until he is healthy. Still questionable when he’s healthy