It's great to see so many knowledgeable Hog fans visiting BP. Best group of visiting fans since Texas.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Jer'male Hines, I think he will play a large role in stopping Arky's passing attack. For our visitors, Hines is our senior safety and the keystone to the secondary. Started the season at FS after playing nickel back last year, but has moved around some due to injuries at other positions. Very athletic with a high football IQ. Not top shelf cover abilities, but covers a lot of ground and breaks up a lot of passes with well timed hits. A sure tackler who can make big plays in run support. With a lack of experience and revolving cast of characters at the other safety spots, Hines has been tasked with directing traffic in the secondary, and staying in position to make up for missed assignments. Once in a while, he gets up to make plays in the backfield. There are times (like vs. Michigan this year) when he seems to be everywhere on the field.
I'm guessing that OSU will run a nickel look for most of the game. The CBs (Chekwa and Torrence) are solid enough to leave on their own most of the time. Neither are world-beaters, but stick close enough to their man to require a well placed pass. That can be enough to spook some QBs, but Mallett should be confident enough to take some shots. Still, I think he will be looking over the middle for mismatches. In addition to Hines, the other safeties could be any combination of Orhian Johnson, Arron Gant, Travis Howard, or Christian Bryant (I can't remember if Oliver or Wood are injured). All bring similar mixtures of inexperience and raw talent. OJ (likely starter) has improved, but can still look lost on some plays. Bryant looked like a natural until sidelined with a foot infection, if he plays it will be his first action since mid-season. Whoever plays, it will be up to Hines to keep everyone on the same page. I'm thinking the coaches may want him to mostly play center fielder to prevent blown assignments from turning in to big plays.
Expect OSU to play comically conservative pass D for the first 2-3 Arky drives, complete with 10+ yd cushions on the wide outs, and only rushing the DL. If Arky comes out passing, they will probably feast on 5-7 yd under routes till they near the red zone. The defensive coaches have no problem with that, they are sizing up the scheme and planning adjustments. Things tighten up once the end-zone is in range. OSU will run some deceptive zone schemes, often dropping DEs in to coverage, and they are not just big pylons back there. All our DEs and LBs are athletic and can make plays on the ball. Once the over-the-top threat is negated, the coverage will tighten, and the quick hit routes will not be as open. OSU will be content if they can limit Arky to FGs in the early going.
If Arky wants to keep the ball on the ground, OSU will have to stop it with their base D to keep the coverage honest. Giving up 1st downs on runs will spell trouble for the D, as it will open up the play-action. In order to run on The Buckeyes, Arky will need to get blockers on LBs Brian Rolle and Ross Homan, both will make stops if they are free. OSU can usually contain the run without committing safeties to the box. The entire D plays run support very well, including the CBs, who are sure tacklers. OSU wants to force 3rd and 4+, and keep a predictable pattern of running and passing downs. If the Hogs can get in rhythm and can keep the Buckeye D guessing, there will be some holes to exploit. The defense is very resilient, though. With the exception of the safeties, this is a very experienced group, and several players have shown the ability to make big plays to kill drives.
All in all, this will be a good test for The Buckeye D. I expect Arky will move the ball pretty well between the 20s for much of the game. Keeping Arky out of the end-zone will be key. OSU's m.o. is to contain for the early going, and attack as the game progresses. keeping the score close should benefit OSU, as it will limit the number of risks taken on D, and hopefully force Mallett to force some plays in crunch time. If Arky takes an early lead, the D will have to stiffen up and try to keep their offense on the sideline, or else it will be a long night. Should be a tight, exciting game.
