2009 tOSU Defense discussion (official thread)

[matt_thatsme]

Held USC to 118 yards on 40 carries (2.9 YPC) and Barkley to a 91 passer rating (6.0 YPA). Discounting the easy TD that the INT set up, this was easily the best performance you could possibly expect. They played lights out all night. Take that as a major positive from last night's game.

I agree 100%. The D played exceptionally well. It sucked to watch USC drive down the field before the half and at the end of the game, but if anybody expected us to shut them out then they were sniffing glue. I can't believe the D played so well for so long last night considering how long and how often they were on the field (I know that USC only had the ball 5 minutes longer than tOSU, but it seemed much longer) Fantastic execution on the Defensive side...not so much on the offensive side.

 

[BigJim]

Held USC to 118 yards on 40 carries (2.9 YPC) and Barkley to a 91 passer rating (6.0 YPA). Discounting the easy TD that the INT set up, this was easily the best performance you could possibly expect. They played lights out all night. Take that as a major positive from last night's game.

bam

 

[Buckskin86]

Defense grows dangerous
Buckeyes might lack in stars, but the unit is starting to come of age
Saturday, September 26, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

It might be time to start focusing on who this Ohio State defense has rather than who it's missing.

The star players of 2006, 2007 and 2008 -- James Laurinaitis, Marcus Freeman, Malcolm Jenkins -- are gone.

Those players were on the defensive unit that gave up 260 yards rushing and four touchdown passes to Illinois in a 2007 loss. Those players helped give up 214 yards rushing to the Illini last season, although the Buckeyes won.

When Illinois (1-1) visits Ohio Stadium today, it will face a defense that is playing with rare energy and passion.Forget the numbers. Ohio State (2-1) actually is ranked lower defensively than in recent years -- 24th nationally in scoring defense and 31st in total defense.

Already, the Buckeyes have given up 99-yard and 85-yard drives to Navy and a winning 86-yard drive to Southern California.

But just watch them play. See how relentlessly the defensive line pressures the quarterback. Observe the linebackers pursuing. Watch the cornerbacks turn and run with receivers stride for stride.

Most important, watch them celebrate together. There's something intangible about this defense.

"We're really playing as a unit; we don't have any big names this year," defensive lineman Doug Worthington said. "We're a no-name team, but we're a hungry defense. When you have a front four with a hunger, that's eager and wants to play, and then you have guys who can cover, it gives you energy.

"It feels fun. Football is fun, and you can feel the energy."

BuckeyeXtra - Defense grows dangerous

 

[daddyphatsacs]

FWIW, I think this is the best defense that we've had since 2002. The main difference is the push we are getting up front. I really love to watch these guys, they play as a unit...the way it should be.

 

[Buckeneye]

FWIW, I think this is the best defense that we've had since 2002. The main difference is the push we are getting up front. I really love to watch these guys, they play as a unit...the way it should be.

So, just making sure you remembered the 2005 year....

Still feel the same?

 

[daddyphatsacs]

So, just making sure you remembered the 2005 year....

Still feel the same?

Yep sure do, I appreciate the question though. I think you have mistaken my statement for the 2005 Offense. I have provided the link to the 2005 stats.

http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/fls/17300/stats/football/2006/cumulative-stats.pdf

Just because the name recognition was there doesn't mean they were a great unit. Sure they were good, but I think this year's unit is better as a whole, mainly because of the defensive line. We have a ton more depth. Yes, I realize that Navy scored in the upper 20's, but this defense is maturing every week, they are going to be a top 5 squad by years end.

We can revisit this thread at the end of the season. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I have always said that it starts up front. That being said you'll have a hard time finding a defensive line that is better than Ohio State this season. A good defensive line makes your linebackers good because it keeps the blockers off of them. It prevents the need to blitz, allowing you to be super effective when you do. Plus, it takes pressure off the corners. That 2005 did not have a dominating line. Pitcock and Gholsten were the only two great players they had up front that year, IMHO. This year we have the depth that they lacked in 2005.

It's really all a moot point. I just want to make you aware that I don't talk out of my ass. Hopefully you follow my lead here.

 

[TheIronColonel]

Note the common thread: a dominant defensive line backed by competent linebackers. We've had fabulous linebackers for years, but even the best linebacker won't help you if you've got an OL putting his butt on the ground or pushing him 5 yards downfield every down. Having a plurality of DL who require double teams or chip blocks really screws up blocking schemes and allows the linebackers to roam unimpeded. If we had a DL like this for the past 3 years, we'd have at least 1 (if not 2) national championships.

 

[ant80]

I guess I have a hard time saying they are better when Michigan hung up 39 and Florida hung up 41 on them.

While I do believe this year's D is better than the 2005 D, primarily because of the DL, those scores are from the 2006 season.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

While I do believe this year's D is better than the 2005 D, primarily because of the DL, those scores are from the 2006 season.

Touche', I copied the wrong link, sorry about that. Let's try it again, only substituting Gholsten for Kudla. :) Hell, come to think of it the 2006 squad was better than the 2005 squad as well.
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/fls/17300/stats/football/2005/teamcume.html

 

[BUCKYLE]

2005 D was the only team to hold UT under 40 pts that season, including USC. The D was nasty that year. But I still agree that this years will end up being the best since 2002. They just appear to have "it".

Beat TSUN with Gonzo's "The Catch"...25-21 at the Out House. Beat ND in the Fiesta

 

[Steve19]

After yesterday's game:

NCAA rankings

Scoring defense: 7th 11.75 pts/gm
Total defense: 16th 259 yds/gm
Passing defense: 20th 159 yds/gm
Rushing defense: 24th 99.75 yds/gm

Passes intercepted: 17th 1.5 int/gm
Pass efficiency defense: 11th 91.6
Sacks: 17th 2.75 sacks/gm
1st down defense: 21st 15 per game
Time of possession: 30th 31:23/gm

 

[TheIronColonel]

After yesterday's game:

NCAA rankings

Scoring defense: 7th 11.75 pts/gm
Total defense: 16th 259 yds/gm
Passing defense: 20th 159 yds/gm
Rushing defense: 24th 99.75 yds/gm

Passes intercepted: 17th 6 int/gm
Pass efficiency defense: 11th 91.6
Sacks: 17th 2.75 sacks/gm
1st down defense: 21st 15 per game
Time of possession: 30th 31:23/gm

Based on the eyeball test of this year's DL vs our past few DLs, if you had to guess, would you say that sack number is substantially higher than the past few years?











If you guessed no, you'd be right. Last year the defense averaged 2.2 sacks / game, in 2007 it was 3.2, and in 2006 it was 2.9. Aaron Opelt singlehandedly lowered this stat - he was well coached to throw the ball away instead of taking sacks. Similarly, we played Navy (who attempted all of 13 passes against us). That 2.75 sacks / game stat could easily be much higher. The number notwithstanding, this DL is probably the best we've had in years.

 

[BB73]

It's worth mentioning the defense has recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1996.

And they did it against one opponent whose QB was leading the nation in total offense after 2 games against BCS opponents (Opelt after Purdue and Colorado), and against a team whose senior QB led the Big Ten in total offense last year.

Major props to the defensive coaches and the entire group of guys on defense for this accomplishent.

 

[scooter1369]

After yesterday's game:

NCAA rankings

Scoring defense: 7th 11.75 pts/gm
Total defense: 16th 259 yds/gm
Passing defense: 20th 159 yds/gm
Rushing defense: 24th 99.75 yds/gm

Passes intercepted: 17th 6 int/gm
Pass efficiency defense: 11th 91.6
Sacks: 17th 2.75 sacks/gm
1st down defense: 21st 15 per game
Time of possession: 30th 31:23/gm

per game? :tongue2:

 

[BB73]

The results of Illinois drives yesterday:

5 - Three and outs
3 - Interceptions after drives that totalled 62 yards
3 - Punts after drives that totalled 78 yards
1 - 23-yard drive that stopped when the game ended

And the defense twice took the field after a turnover. Once resulted in 3 plays for negative 5 yards, and the other got an interpection on Illinois' first snap.