And still have one of the best defenses in the country!
I cannot wait to see this year's Defense really go at it. I want to see them pass the '73(?) team as the best ever.
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- Thread starter ScriptOhio
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I cannot wait to see this year's Defense really go at it. I want to see them pass the '73(?) team as the best ever.
This is the first year since '73 that I would even concede that it is a remote possibility
There is no chance that they match the '73 team statistically though
First of all, it is a different world. Offenses are much better than they were then, and the rules favor them more.
More importantly though, the Buckeyes will have to win at least 3 straight games (probably 4, as the other participant in the B1Gcg is almost certainly a playoff team) against top-10 caliber teams (the 11th and 12th seeds are probably gone before Ohio State plays their first playoff game). That alone makes it a much tougher schedule than what the 1973 Buckeyes played. They won't match that '73 team statistically. But they have a good chance of being for Generation Z what the '73 team was for us Boomers
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles Are “Neck-and-Neck” to Start at Will Linebacker, But Both Will Have Roles in Buckeyes’ Defense
Jim Knowles says C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles are “neck-and-neck” to start at Will linebacker but both will have a major role as Ohio State plans to use plenty of 4-3 packages this season.
C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles Are “Neck-and-Neck” to Start at Will Linebacker, But Both Will Have Roles in Buckeyes’ Defense
Early returns on Ohio State’s Will linebacker competition are positive, even if a favorite hasn’t emerged yet in Jim Knowles’ eyes.
The Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator sees the race between 2022 five-star prospects C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles as a dead heat with both men commanding playing time. Ohio State’s base 4-2-5 defense only has room for one of them to play alongside Mike linebacker Cody Simon, but their talents and concerns about the team's nickel depth behind Jordan Hancock have Knowles thinking about more 4-3 looks in 2024.
“In 4-2 scheme I think they’re both neck-and-neck right now,” Knowles said. “We've got to continue to look at and create more ways to get all three of them on the field, take the nickel out. I think our depth at nickel concerns me.”
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“Sonny has proven to be a guy you can count on in the big moments,” Knowles said. “He's gained weight, strength, he's well-respected by everybody. So he makes that move to Will and you just see a lot of production. You see a guy who understands football.
“I've had a lot of success with bringing safeties down to the linebacker (position) because they have an idea of the bigger picture and everything that's going on from sideline to sideline. So Sonny shows that.”
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"I think C.J. Hicks has done a phenomenal job," linebacker coach James Laurinaitis said in April. "You gotta keep pressing him and making sure that he's really tapping into everything that he can offer. I think C.J. sees the opportunity, and he’s certainly making a case to get on the field this fall. So I think it's been a really good spring for C.J."
While still battling with Styles to start at Will, Knowles has started coming up with ways to use Hicks as a chess piece, including playing him off the edge on the line of scrimmage to disrupt the run game more, rush the quarterback and cover tight ends man-to-man.
“C.J. has some demonstrated talent – we saw it in spring – of making plays when he's on the attack,” Knowles said. “And I think Sonny can do that, too. So we're developing more of those opportunities for that Will position because we think we have the guys to do it.”
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Captain Buckeye
Legend
You know what I’d like to see personnel wise on 2nd or 3rd and long?
Defensive line of Melton, JT, Curry, and Sawyer
Linebackers of Styles and Hicks
Secondary remains the same with Burke, IGB, Hancock, Ransom and Downs.
Especially at linebacker it’d be interesting to play the two speed guys at the same time.
Defensive line of Melton, JT, Curry, and Sawyer
Linebackers of Styles and Hicks
Secondary remains the same with Burke, IGB, Hancock, Ransom and Downs.
Especially at linebacker it’d be interesting to play the two speed guys at the same time.
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Captain Buckeye
Legend
Imagine the mug look with the line up I mentioned…
They bring both CJ/Sonny through the A gaps (with Curry/JT rushing from a nose position) and then drop the ends on a zone blitz.
Talk about serious speed in the face without exposing yourself coverage wise.
So many options with this defense. Same as the offense btw… just can play any kind of scheme well.
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Similar… but Big difference between this offense and this defense though
The O is likely to be much improved, regardless of scheme
The D is likely to be in the discussion for best Silver Bullet unit of all time, regardless of scheme
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Captain Buckeye
Legend
Only thing the offense needs to do is not turn the ball over. The offense will be improved with a much better OL and IMO a QB that offers far more the McCord ever would have.
Just don’t turn the ball over in the games that matter.
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Captain Buckeye
Legend
Anyone else low key excited for the overreaction from most around college football when we’ve only given up like 35 points going into Oregon?
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With 28 of those points having been surrendered by the 3rd string defense, the other 7 when a bad snap by the backup longsnapper left the 2nd string defense backed up on their own two yard line?
Nah. Haven’t thought about it at all.
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bigdog3300
The G.O.A.T.
This....this is the year!!
I mean, if it's not, it's not happening under this regime. Every ingredient you need is there....we have the depth, a mix of youngers and olders, DTs that can get upfield and create pressure, LBs that are athletic freaks that can fly, CBs that love to hit....I'm just waiting for something awful to happen to dampen my enthusiasm.
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