In modern college football offense controls the narrative. Over the years rule changes and schematic breakthroughs have caused point totals to explode and defenses to hold on for dear life. For the best coaches at the best programs it is essentially plug and play. It doesn’t seem to matter who is on the field. When a player is injured, graduates, or moves on to the NFL early, the next man up steps in and usually picks up right where the last guy left off. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that these programs also hoard elite talent like I do lonely nights.
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes are the perfect example. Since taking over for legendary coach Urban Meyer before the 2019 season, Day has also picked up right where his predecessor left off. He is a savant capable of curating a gameplan that can put up huge numbers on even the very best defenses in the land. This was on full display in the 2023 Peach Bowl against the eventual national champion Georgia Bulldogs in what was truly a master class in offensive coaching. It has not mattered who is on the field for the Buckeyes. Year in and year out, they have been a juggernaut on that side of the ball.
Despite this all, things have taken an uncomfortable turn in Columbus. Yes, it was just three sentences ago that I made reference to an appearance in the College Football Playoff. Those are nice and all, but after two straight losses to That Team Up North and the subsequent lack of division and conference titles, the Ohio State faithful is getting restless. Fortunately for them I am bullish on the Buckeyes this season, but not for the reasons you might think.
This defense is going to be a problem, and not for Ryan Day or his second year coordinator Jim Knowles. The unit is STACKED with the types of players that have just the right blend of elite talent, returning experience, and untapped potential.
Knowles runs an extremely aggressive scheme that if not performed to perfection can lead to the major blow up plays that we saw late last year. Remember it wasn’t until his fourth season as Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator that they had their true breakout, and I think this year’s defense is so talented he can cut the turnaround time in half. That Cowboys’ unit was led by an out of this world secondary.
Sophomore Denzel Burke looks to be the next in line of great Buckeye cornerbacks and he could be flanked by an intriguing transfer portal addition in former Ole Miss corner Davison Igbinosun. Seniors Lathan Ransom and Josh Proctor are as solid as it gets holding down the back end, and sophomore Sonny Styles is the type of versatile playmaker that will force his way on the field in some way. Throw in the prototypical senior linebacker duo of Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers, and the back end of this defense has a chance to be one of the best in the country.
Everyone knows titles are won up front though. Good thing that group might be even scarier. Highly touted redshirt sophomore JT Tuimoloau has not necessarily lived up to the hype thus far in his career but flashed the type of upside he has against Penn State last fall. I’m expecting a full on breakout this year. He’ll play opposite another former blue chipper with something to prove in redshirt sophomore Jack Sawyer. They will be supported on the inside by two more big time redshirt sophomores. Mike Hall Jr. was the bell of the ball early in 2022 before tailing off late and Tyleik Williams might just be the most under-talked-about player in the Big Ten. He has the potential to be a true game wrecker in the middle.
I’m not exactly going out on a limb saying the Buckeyes will be back on top of the Big Ten at the end of the season, but it might not happen exactly how you would expect.
Superior CFB 