Defensively Speaking: Maryland

Ohio State’s defensive performance against Maryland was frustrating at times. However, I do personally believe that Jim Knowles might have been both implementing the gameplan to be used against Michigan, while also trying to put some new things on film for Michigan to prepare for, rather than utilizing a gameplan that was more tailored to Maryland’s offense.

In coverage, Knowles primarily played Cover 1 Rat, as has been the theme in recent weeks. An example can be seen below in which everyone is in man coverage except for Tommy Eichenberg, who is playing the low middle hole and reading the…