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2026 tOSU Defense Discussion

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Merih said:
I think our starting linebacker play is really average and will need to improve. Two games in, I can't see what phase of the game they are elite (thumping against the run, keeping contain on mobile QBs, defending the middle of the field in the pass game, pass rush?). I think they are pretty average at all of it which comes apart against teams that are elite at something on offense.

I would prefer a chance to be elite at some phases of linebacker play, even though it means tradeoffs in other phases. I think that means personnel. Then you can at least play chess.
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TJ and Riley (especially Riley) look noticeably better than Pierce and alliegro, hope that's less of a rotation going forward.
 
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Pierce is definitely problem. He just looks not equipped to handle the athleticism of better teams.

I really don't think the DL is as bad as some are making it out to be. They played fine in the 1st half. The 2nd half was largely the result of a handicap the coaches put on them (stuck in 3-man line shell the majority of the half) maybe they aren't "elite" at this point, but I think they'll be fine as long as the coaches don't put them in position to fail again. (also to the coaches: Please never drop Kenyatta into coverage again, it's not the 4D chess you think it is)

The secondary is a big problem at this point. 2 drops saved them in the 1st half, both times the WR was very wide open and dropped it. They had a couple of coverage breakdown against Ball State too where they got bailed out by bad throws by the QB. The overall talent is definitely there, but they need to get more in synch with their communication and what not, because you can't keep having those breakdowns against better teams.
 
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I don’t think it’s Pierces speed or athleticism. I just think he’s sort of between being a speed guy and a run stopper. He’s not overly fast but he’s not overly big either. He’s good a decent nice player. Nothing wrong with that but if you want a higher ceiling then he’s not the guy.

I’m very bullish on this defense. I think what happened was a perfect disaster.

The first long TD drive was legit but then they got thrown right back out there after a 3 and out. Texas then vs a tired defense (one that forced Texas into fourth down twice in these two drives) drives and scores again. Then the final drive we just didn’t have a ton left in the tank.

Up until that last quarter they’d given up 6 points and 260 yards of offense in 7 quarters. Thats elite.

They just wore out and it was a perfect storm of getting thrown back into the field too quick in 100 degree heat vs a team that presented a lot of matchup issues.

The defensive line will be fine provided they put in Wilder which I think they’ll be forced to. The linebackers will continue to rotate more and more to benefit Pettijohn and this defense still hasn’t given up 200 yards passing which in today’s football is outstanding.

Defense will be fine.
 
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Captain Buckeye said:
I don’t think it’s Pierces speed or athleticism. I just think he’s sort of between being a speed guy and a run stopper. He’s not overly fast but he’s not overly big either. He’s good a decent nice player. Nothing wrong with that but if you want a higher ceiling then he’s not the guy.

I’m very bullish on this defense. I think what happened was a perfect disaster.

The first long TD drive was legit but then they got thrown right back out there after a 3 and out. Texas then vs a tired defense (one that forced Texas into fourth down twice in these two drives) drives and scores again. Then the final drive we just didn’t have a ton left in the tank.

Up until that last quarter they’d given up 6 points and 260 yards of offense in 7 quarters. Thats elite.

They just wore out and it was a perfect storm of getting thrown back into the field too quick in 100 degree heat vs a team that presented a lot of matchup issues.

The defensive line will be fine provided they put in Wilder which I think they’ll be forced to. The linebackers will continue to rotate more and more to benefit Pettijohn and this defense still hasn’t given up 200 yards passing which in today’s football is outstanding.

Defense will be fine.
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I think it is. He's not like MAC level or anything but he definitely does not have upper-level athleticism, the bigger issue though is that his instincts and intangibles I don't think are good enough to make up for that. He's just kind of average across the board. He works fine against the less talented teams, but you can really see it when it's against a team with legit talent across the board on offense, like Texas.

He seems to be a locker room glue type guy though that all the other players love. So, I wouldn't count on any kind of decreased role for him anytime soon.
 
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buckeyemania11 said:
I think it is. He's not like MAC level or anything but he definitely does not have upper-level athleticism, the bigger issue though is that his instincts and intangibles I don't think are good enough to make up for that. He's just kind of average across the board. He works fine against the less talented teams, but you can really see it when it's against a team with legit talent across the board on offense, like Texas.

He seems to be a locker room glue type guy though that all the other players love. So, I wouldn't count on any kind of decreased role for him anytime soon.
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Yeah we are just saying it different but we think the same thing. Just a good college player all the way around but he’s not a first round kind of player.

I also agree that it’s not likely they’ll bench the captain who got the most votes. You have to hope that it just becomes more 50/50
 
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Ironically feeling better about my prediction about this unit being a Top 5 defense come the end of the year. Hell they will have a shot at being the best when it’s all said and done. Had a feeling they’d get exposed like 2024 did against Oregon before Day forced Knowles to play defense like a sane person. They held up though for three quarters against one of the most talented offenses in the country. Think this will be a dominant unit by the end of the year.
 
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System_id said:
Ironically feeling better about my prediction about this unit being a Top 5 defense come the end of the year. Hell they will have a shot at being the best when it’s all said and done. Had a feeling they’d get exposed like 2024 did against Oregon before Day forced Knowles to play defense like a sane person. They held up though for three quarters against one of the most talented offenses in the country. Think this will be a dominant unit by the end of the year.
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Agreed. It just can’t be said enough that they kept being put out on the field after 2 three and outs in the 4th. Thats tough when it’s also that hot too.

Never mind the fact it’s a defense still learning to play as a group.

They’ll be fine. Maybe the most shocking thing about that game was that Texas was able to find some success. After 3 quarters it felt like Texas would not find any answers and if they did Patricia would answer.
 
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This is a similar to 2 of my other frustrations with this coaching staff. Too often we let a weak link on the offensive line beat us on plays or in games. And their constant whining about how it's harder to perform in the red zone without a running QB. Scheme something up. That's why you get paid so much
 
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Tanner said:
This is a similar to 2 of my other frustrations with this coaching staff. Too often we let a weak line on the offensive line beat us on plays or in games. And their constant whining about how it's harder to perform in the red zone without a running QB. Scheme something up. That's why you get paid so much
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Their idea of "scheming something up" is a pitch play inside the 5
 
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