Joe Dexter
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Does Ohio State have a Championship Caliber Defense?
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Ohio State defense has been recognized as one of the more talented groups in the country this season. It’s also been criticized at time for the amount of big plays they’ve given up throughout the first half of the season.
This week, the staff at The Buckeye Battle Cry ponders in our weekly roundtable if Ohio State brings a championship defense to the table at the end of the season.
Question: Are the Silver Bullets a Championship Caliber Defense?
Ken Kohl
On Twitter @KenKohl1
With a qualification, yes. They are currently allowing 16 ppg and 302 YPG, ranking them in the top 6/5 in the Conference in those categories, respectively. They have shown a “short memory” so far this season, at least in terms of the help the OSU offense was providing. The defense has been prone to start 1st and 3rd quarters a bit slow and it has given up “big” plays in terms of yardage and sometimes points. Obviously, only giving up 16 points/302 yards, they defense is playing very well around these lapses.They are T-5 in creating turnovers, T-5 in TFL and 3rd in sacks, so this team has capability to turn games around.
For reference, from 2011 – 2014, the Silver Bullets allowed, on average (roughly) 22 PPG and 345 YPG. Granted, upcoming games against Rutgers, MSU and UM will likely change this year’s averages, but probably not enough to keep the Silver Bullets’ performance in line with past quality units. As the Ohio State offense appears to be getting its rhythm, this should take some pressure off the defense and allow it to be more of a complementary unit rather than the dominant one needed to this point.
WVaBuckeye:
On Twitter @WVaBuckeye
It took them a couple years to even get fans to start whispering “Silver Bullets” and it didn’t really come together for them until last season during the playoff. They are playing without three things that motivated them emotionally. First and foremost they do not have Michael Bennett but have been getting there without him. Secondly, they played for a fallen brother in Kosta Karageorge. Thirdly, they have admitted they knew they had to step it up with the quarterback situation.
I am a believer in the fact that the Silver Bullets are back and indeed of a championship calabre defense. They are game planning based on teams strengths and in that process cannot be prepared for everything. Or at least are going to make teams beat them with something different than their best player. It’s been disappointing that the past four weeks we have seen three QB’s and a young RB go off on them, but t the same time, those teams didn’t have anything else to throw at Ohio State. You have to think that they believe they can beat anyone straight up man, that will be there when the chips are down.
Scott Halasz
On Twitter@OhioStateScott
They are a championship caliber defense. But it has yet to show that on the field.
There is a lot talent. Too much talent, if you ask me, to give up the point totals they have.
That said, if they tighten up the pass coverage and improve tackling this is a unit (giggity) that can stop any offense.
Patrick Jones
On Twitter@pj844
Depends on the game. At times this defense has looked like a championships caliber defense and then the last 3 weeks they’ve been torched in the run game. I think teams will study the defense and exploit its weaknesses, the question then becomes, will Fickell and Ash make the adjustments. Gareon Conley looked stellar early on and has been suspect at best lately. The pass rush is this defense’s strong suit right now with Bosa, Lewis, and Washington, but the fact they gave up 200 yards to Barkley from PSU last week is very very worrisome. Thankfully we are in a stretch of the schedule where we can fix these weaknesses and be ready for Sparty and TTUN.
JC Collingsworth
On Twitter @Jcollingsworth3
This is the same team that won last year’s maiden playoff championship. They are crazy talented. They have carried this Ohio State Team all year. But 28 against Maryland is unacceptable. Had the offense in that game not stepped up and found itself (somewhat) as they did … had it been the same results of the NIU offensive effort, even IU’s game … the Buckeyes would have lost. It is easy to say “should have & could have” …. Remember this team has not even hit the difficult side of the schedule.
Being at the bottom tier of the defensive effort against the run in the Big 10 is not Championship caliber. The talent exists. But watching a freshmen, even though talented, gain almost 200 yards in a game that gave him the lone focus of productivity for their offense is “not” a focused D. Instances of “any” productivity has to be stopped.
I am confident this D will step up and be their last year’s self. Luke Fickell & Urban Meyer will bring them back. The knots needed to be untangled and though they have done well … and haven’t done well … it is coming into the right time that they will step up when needed. So the short answer to if the Silver Bullets are Championship Caliber I’d say at the moment – NO. But they soon will be – Penn State’s game has paved the way for them to return to that treasured land of “Dominance”.
Brandon Zimmerman
On Twitter @bzimmerman9
Questions are everywhere on whether this defense has what it takes to help the Buckeyes lock down a National championship. They are giving up 21 points a games, 120 rushing yards per game, 188 passing yards a game and just seem out of sync. This is not the style of defense Buckeye Nation is used to seeing. Before we freak out, you are right and these stats are completely wrong. These are the stats of the championship caliber defense from last year through seven games. How does it compare to this year? Let’s take a look:
As you can see, the defensive production is probably better than it was last year at this time. Sure there are kinks to the Silver Bullet Armor but every team has their issues. As fans, we have to remember that there are three new members along the defensive line (Lewis, Schutt, and Hubbard) and a sophomore middle linebacker. There will be missed assignments, bad routes, and other things that make you want to pull your hair out but it will get better. It could be worse, we could be stuck with Baylor or TCU’s defense.
Michael Smith
On Twitter @CWGBuckeyes35
The quick answer is of course Ohio State’s defense is championship caliber. This is the same defense that won the National Championship last year. They are insanely talented and have what could be the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft come next spring in Joey Bosa. They have shown they can shut down teams. They shut out Hawaii and was lights about against N. Illinois. Also, if you look at the over numbers they are pretty good. They only give up 300 yards a game, in this day and age of college football, that’s pretty good, in my opinion. They give up 16 points a game, which is really good. So yes they are a championship caliber defense.
That being said, they have been gashed and gashed again with the run this year. They are near dead last in the big 10 vs the run. That is not a Ohio State defense. This defense use to pride itself on stopping the run. There was times I would openly joke about other teams trying to run on Ohio State. However, that is not the case now. Teams have been running at will on Ohio State and if that doesn’t stop then they won’t have a chance to show they are championship caliber. Western Michigan had 25 yards rushing total against Michigan State and 17 yards rushing total against Georgia Southern. They had 85 yards rushing in the 1st quarter against Ohio State. Maryland’s QB Hills rushed for more yards than Ohio State’s entire offense. Penn State’s freshman RB Saquon Barkley had almost 200 yards this past Saturday. That must change.
Joe Dexter
On Twitter @BuckeyeRadio
Everyone’s definition of a championship defense is going to be different. Some expect to see an unstoppable force that is nearly perfect. Others just use yardage as a measuring stick. To me, third down stops and red zone defense are key and Ohio State makes the big stops when they need to.
They’ve proven that time and time again so far this season.
In this day and age, you need to stop the pass. Once this unit is fully healthy in the secondary, and they make the adjustments to stop the big play, it’s going to be really hard to score on them. I’ve said it since the beginning of the season. I believe the Buckeyes can win a championship alone on their defensive skill.
The imprint to the general public has been set by the likes of J.T. Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott and all of the offensive studs on this team.
This defense deserves much more credit than it gets.
The post Does Ohio State have a Championship Caliber Defense? appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Ohio State defense has been recognized as one of the more talented groups in the country this season. It’s also been criticized at time for the amount of big plays they’ve given up throughout the first half of the season.
This week, the staff at The Buckeye Battle Cry ponders in our weekly roundtable if Ohio State brings a championship defense to the table at the end of the season.
Question: Are the Silver Bullets a Championship Caliber Defense?
Ken Kohl
On Twitter @KenKohl1
With a qualification, yes. They are currently allowing 16 ppg and 302 YPG, ranking them in the top 6/5 in the Conference in those categories, respectively. They have shown a “short memory” so far this season, at least in terms of the help the OSU offense was providing. The defense has been prone to start 1st and 3rd quarters a bit slow and it has given up “big” plays in terms of yardage and sometimes points. Obviously, only giving up 16 points/302 yards, they defense is playing very well around these lapses.They are T-5 in creating turnovers, T-5 in TFL and 3rd in sacks, so this team has capability to turn games around.
For reference, from 2011 – 2014, the Silver Bullets allowed, on average (roughly) 22 PPG and 345 YPG. Granted, upcoming games against Rutgers, MSU and UM will likely change this year’s averages, but probably not enough to keep the Silver Bullets’ performance in line with past quality units. As the Ohio State offense appears to be getting its rhythm, this should take some pressure off the defense and allow it to be more of a complementary unit rather than the dominant one needed to this point.
WVaBuckeye:
On Twitter @WVaBuckeye
It took them a couple years to even get fans to start whispering “Silver Bullets” and it didn’t really come together for them until last season during the playoff. They are playing without three things that motivated them emotionally. First and foremost they do not have Michael Bennett but have been getting there without him. Secondly, they played for a fallen brother in Kosta Karageorge. Thirdly, they have admitted they knew they had to step it up with the quarterback situation.
I am a believer in the fact that the Silver Bullets are back and indeed of a championship calabre defense. They are game planning based on teams strengths and in that process cannot be prepared for everything. Or at least are going to make teams beat them with something different than their best player. It’s been disappointing that the past four weeks we have seen three QB’s and a young RB go off on them, but t the same time, those teams didn’t have anything else to throw at Ohio State. You have to think that they believe they can beat anyone straight up man, that will be there when the chips are down.
Scott Halasz
On Twitter@OhioStateScott
They are a championship caliber defense. But it has yet to show that on the field.
There is a lot talent. Too much talent, if you ask me, to give up the point totals they have.
That said, if they tighten up the pass coverage and improve tackling this is a unit (giggity) that can stop any offense.
Patrick Jones
On Twitter@pj844
Depends on the game. At times this defense has looked like a championships caliber defense and then the last 3 weeks they’ve been torched in the run game. I think teams will study the defense and exploit its weaknesses, the question then becomes, will Fickell and Ash make the adjustments. Gareon Conley looked stellar early on and has been suspect at best lately. The pass rush is this defense’s strong suit right now with Bosa, Lewis, and Washington, but the fact they gave up 200 yards to Barkley from PSU last week is very very worrisome. Thankfully we are in a stretch of the schedule where we can fix these weaknesses and be ready for Sparty and TTUN.
JC Collingsworth
On Twitter @Jcollingsworth3
This is the same team that won last year’s maiden playoff championship. They are crazy talented. They have carried this Ohio State Team all year. But 28 against Maryland is unacceptable. Had the offense in that game not stepped up and found itself (somewhat) as they did … had it been the same results of the NIU offensive effort, even IU’s game … the Buckeyes would have lost. It is easy to say “should have & could have” …. Remember this team has not even hit the difficult side of the schedule.
Being at the bottom tier of the defensive effort against the run in the Big 10 is not Championship caliber. The talent exists. But watching a freshmen, even though talented, gain almost 200 yards in a game that gave him the lone focus of productivity for their offense is “not” a focused D. Instances of “any” productivity has to be stopped.
I am confident this D will step up and be their last year’s self. Luke Fickell & Urban Meyer will bring them back. The knots needed to be untangled and though they have done well … and haven’t done well … it is coming into the right time that they will step up when needed. So the short answer to if the Silver Bullets are Championship Caliber I’d say at the moment – NO. But they soon will be – Penn State’s game has paved the way for them to return to that treasured land of “Dominance”.
Brandon Zimmerman
On Twitter @bzimmerman9
Questions are everywhere on whether this defense has what it takes to help the Buckeyes lock down a National championship. They are giving up 21 points a games, 120 rushing yards per game, 188 passing yards a game and just seem out of sync. This is not the style of defense Buckeye Nation is used to seeing. Before we freak out, you are right and these stats are completely wrong. These are the stats of the championship caliber defense from last year through seven games. How does it compare to this year? Let’s take a look:
As you can see, the defensive production is probably better than it was last year at this time. Sure there are kinks to the Silver Bullet Armor but every team has their issues. As fans, we have to remember that there are three new members along the defensive line (Lewis, Schutt, and Hubbard) and a sophomore middle linebacker. There will be missed assignments, bad routes, and other things that make you want to pull your hair out but it will get better. It could be worse, we could be stuck with Baylor or TCU’s defense.
Michael Smith
On Twitter @CWGBuckeyes35
The quick answer is of course Ohio State’s defense is championship caliber. This is the same defense that won the National Championship last year. They are insanely talented and have what could be the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft come next spring in Joey Bosa. They have shown they can shut down teams. They shut out Hawaii and was lights about against N. Illinois. Also, if you look at the over numbers they are pretty good. They only give up 300 yards a game, in this day and age of college football, that’s pretty good, in my opinion. They give up 16 points a game, which is really good. So yes they are a championship caliber defense.
That being said, they have been gashed and gashed again with the run this year. They are near dead last in the big 10 vs the run. That is not a Ohio State defense. This defense use to pride itself on stopping the run. There was times I would openly joke about other teams trying to run on Ohio State. However, that is not the case now. Teams have been running at will on Ohio State and if that doesn’t stop then they won’t have a chance to show they are championship caliber. Western Michigan had 25 yards rushing total against Michigan State and 17 yards rushing total against Georgia Southern. They had 85 yards rushing in the 1st quarter against Ohio State. Maryland’s QB Hills rushed for more yards than Ohio State’s entire offense. Penn State’s freshman RB Saquon Barkley had almost 200 yards this past Saturday. That must change.
Joe Dexter
On Twitter @BuckeyeRadio
Everyone’s definition of a championship defense is going to be different. Some expect to see an unstoppable force that is nearly perfect. Others just use yardage as a measuring stick. To me, third down stops and red zone defense are key and Ohio State makes the big stops when they need to.
They’ve proven that time and time again so far this season.
In this day and age, you need to stop the pass. Once this unit is fully healthy in the secondary, and they make the adjustments to stop the big play, it’s going to be really hard to score on them. I’ve said it since the beginning of the season. I believe the Buckeyes can win a championship alone on their defensive skill.
The imprint to the general public has been set by the likes of J.T. Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott and all of the offensive studs on this team.
This defense deserves much more credit than it gets.
The post Does Ohio State have a Championship Caliber Defense? appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...