2016 tOSU Really Basic Defense Discussion

[1926Buckeyes]

What's my fear with that side of the ball? That we will go to, say, East Lansing, in late November, run into crappy weather that grounds the OSU passing attack, and we have to win a 14-10 LOS/run slog game (similar to last year). I'm not sure that's what they are built for, but hopefully it will be warm and dry with calms winds throughout the season.

This will always be the fear with Meyer's defenses IMO. The DTs always seem to range between 280-290 and are built for speed and quickness rather than run-stopping ability. Obviously you'd rather have both with guys like Dexter Lawrence, etc. but Meyer seems content on a fast defense that can close quickly up front with some tweeners at DT. I assume this is mostly scheme, but also partly having issues getting top ranked DTs to commit. Thankfully it's worked pretty well so far.

 

[zincfinger]

This will always be the fear with Meyer's defenses IMO. The DTs always seem to range between 280-290 and are built for speed and quickness rather than run-stopping ability. Obviously you'd rather have both with guys like Dexter Lawrence, etc. but Meyer seems content on a fast defense that can close quickly up front with some tweeners at DT. I assume this is mostly scheme, but also partly having issues getting top ranked DTs to commit. Thankfully it's worked pretty well so far.

On the OSU site, Michael Hill's listed at 305, and Davon Hamilton's listed at 297. For comparison, the MSU site lists Malik McDowell at 276 and Kevin Williams (starting 3-tech) at 281.

 

[OSUK]

I guess my worry is based not on the size of the DT's but more on what they practice against and play most of their games against (spread attacks) - and it's related to the offense's ability to score. If Ohio State's offense is not limited by weather, play-calling farts, or other disasters, I'm not worried. The OSU defense should be able to give up anything under 30 points and win, but they aren't accustomed to the run slog, low scoring, run Dave 3x's and punt kind of game. That said, they did a really good job against Sparty last year - it wasn't like MSU was an offensive machine, but more our offense didn't hold up it's end. It's also true that the OSU D practices against a power run game, but it's from the spread and the blocking is different than a pro set/FB-2TE style. Since our biggest games will be against Wisky, Sparty, and scUM, I'm sure Urban/Schiano/Fick spend some time on it. I just don't think it's what they see and know the best.

 

[Buckeneye]

IIRC Tim Anderson was around 275 and Kenny Peterson was a shade under 3bills.

Pad level, burst, leverage and control will always be of greater importance than being 285 compared to 300lbs. Especially in a defense that focuses on 1 gap control and disruption.

 

[zincfinger]

Pad level, burst, leverage and control will always be of greater importance than being 285 compared to 300lbs.

That, and goat legs.

I've hated blocking Quinn since I got here. He's like a goat.

 

[Buckeneye]

Miss me some Pitcock and Patterson making noise.

 

[Systems_id]

What's my fear with that side of the ball? That we will go to, say, East Lansing, in late November, run into crappy weather that grounds the OSU passing attack, and we have to win a 14-10 LOS/run slog game (similar to last year). I'm not sure that's what they are built for, but hopefully it will be warm and dry with calms winds throughout the season.

I think the fact that you can only point to this one instance proves your fear is probably unfounded. Every other team, including Sparty in the B1G championship, have only been able to beat OSU in semi-shootouts. Other teams have tried and failed, often miserably, to beat OSU at grind it out slugfests. I'd be more worried about another monsoon personally.

 

[bukIpower]

Miss me some Pitcock and Patterson making noise.

Urban would say the same lol

 

[woofermazing]

What's my fear with that side of the ball? That we will go to, say, East Lansing, in late November, run into crappy weather that grounds the OSU passing attack, and we have to win a 14-10 LOS/run slog game (similar to last year). I'm not sure that's what they are built for, but hopefully it will be warm and dry with calms winds throughout the season.

Our play selection has been so much more diverse in the run game compared to this time last year, so I'm not that worried. That was the game that finally forced a changed in play caller duties and we started running plays we hadn't seen since the playoff run. I don't like to woulda coulda shoulda, but we would have pulled out a win last year if the change had been made sooner.

 

[pnuts34]

The strength of this defense, is applying constant and immense pressure on the opposing offense and forcing them to make mistakes. No matter what type of offense is run, or how big the D lineman are, if you can force an offense into making mistakes, and thinking instead of reacting and playing, you have a big leg up! Idk a QB in CFB that when pressured won't react negatively, and that plays perfectly into our DBs. I honestly don't see an L this regular season. And the only difficult match up I could see would be in the playoffs against Houston or Louisville, teams with uber athletic QBs that can escape the pass rush and run fast offenses. If those QBs can be neutralized than I can definitely see another NC. Not being biased, just honest. The worst enemy of the team would be complacency. But it's harder to be complacent when we're fighting to get on top of the mountain again.

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

The strength of this defense, is applying constant and immense pressure on the opposing offense and forcing them to make mistakes. No matter what type of offense is run, or how big the D lineman are, if you can force an offense into making mistakes, and thinking instead of reacting and playing, you have a big leg up! Idk a QB in CFB that when pressured won't react negatively, and that plays perfectly into our DBs. I honestly don't see an L this regular season. And the only difficult match up I could see would be in the playoffs against Houston or Louisville, teams with uber athletic QBs that can escape the pass rush and run fast offenses. If those QBs can be neutralized than I can definitely see another NC. Not being biased, just honest. The worst enemy of the team would be complacency. But it's harder to be complacent when we're fighting to get on top of the mountain again.

Not to mention the guys in line behind them chomping at the bit.

 

[OSUK]

I honestly don't see an L this regular season.

I'm with you but anyone can be beat, and these college coaches are really good at finding your weaknesses and exploiting them. So you get into a situation where maybe weather isn't ideal, you throw two picks and fumble twice in the red zone, you lose special teams, the other guys can get 3-4 yards per rush and their QB is playing out of their mind on third down and in the red zone - and you get beat. I'm old enough to have seen OSU lose to lesser teams than Wisky, Sparty, and scUM. So I'm going to be concerned, but I have only had that crappy feeling after a loss 4 times in the last 57 games. So I trust Urban. But I also know that shit happens.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Buckeye Football Notebook: 'You put your hard hat on and you go to work'

So far this season the Ohio State defense has scored four touchdowns while only allowing two. They have already tied the school record for interceptions returned for touchdowns (4), and they are the only team in the nation that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown.

All of these are impressive numbers, but can the Buckeyes keep it up?

"That’s the goal," linebacker Chris Worley said this week. "If you do that, we won’t lose a game, technically speaking. Our job is to outplay the other defense. So whoever we’re playing, if our defense outplays their defense, technically speaking, we should win the game."

Four different Buckeye defenders have reached the end zone, but don't worry, that doesn't get them viewed any differently in defensive coordinator Luke Fickell's eyes.

Entire O-Zone article that includes other topics too: http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Foot...ut-your-hard-hat-on-and-you-go-to-work?Page=1

 

[ScriptOhio]

The biggest surprise in the Big Ten so far this season might be Ohio State’s secondary

The Buckeye defensive backs have been lights-out in 2016.



“[Biggest surprises in the Big Ten this season?] Ohio State's secondary”
- Brian Bennett, ESPN
The writers over at ESPN covering the Big Ten went over the biggest surprises this season so far. Some of the choices included Jabrill Peppers’ outstanding performances to date this season, Northwestern’s ugly regression, the rise of Wisconsin with a new quarterback to boot, and the turnaround of Nebraska gunslinger Tommy Armstrong. One of the topics, however, was also Ohio State’s secondary. The Buckeyes’ defensive backs have been superb to date and that certainly came as a surprise to most, considering that two of its members are tied for the lead in the FBS for interceptions at three each.

Star safety Malik Hooker has certainly stolen the show when it comes to the secondary, despite tremendous performances by Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore at cornerback. Conley has locked opposing wide receivers down while Lattimore is one of the two defensive backs mentioned earlier. Hooker is the other player with three interceptions to his name. Between those three players and Damon Webb, the secondary has been at its best playing in their ball-hawking nature.

Entire article: http://www.landgrantholyland.com/20...condary-malik-hooker-big-ten-surprise-playoff

 

[ScriptOhio]

OHIO STATE'S CORNERBACKS LIMITING BIG PLAYS IN PASSING GAME AT AN IMPRESSIVE RATE

The list of impressive stats for Ohio State's defense so far this season is rather long.

There's the team's nine interceptions, a number that ranks fourth nationally. Then there are the four defensive touchdowns, which is No. 1 in the country. And how about the 12.3 points per game the Buckeyes' defense is allowing? That mark is good for ninth in the nation.

But another number that's quite impressive is how many big plays Ohio State has limited its opponents to through the first three games of the season. According to CFB Film Room, the Buckeyes' cornerbacks have allowed just three receptions on 21 targets all season of 10-plus yards. That's a success rate of 14.2 percent for opposing offenses.


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Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...ornerbacks-limiting-big-plays-in-passing-game