In Order To Win: Defense

As we draw closer to the Rose Bowl every single thing that both teams do will be looked at through a microscope.

The Ducks got one over on the Buckeyes the first time around, both teams played well but the Buckeyes made a few too many mistakes along the way and the Ducks did was great teams do, take advantage of those mistakes.

The Buckeyes come into this game as a favorite once again, but will the result be different? What does Ohio State have to do to lock up the win and advance in the College Football Playoff and a date in less than two weeks in Dallas in the Cotton Bowl in the CFP Semis?

Yesterday we started by talking about the offense and five things that the Buckeyes needed to do to put themselves in a good position to win the game.

Now we move to the defense, a side of the ball that has been consistent for the Buckeyes all season long. Well, maybe not all season, Oregon did manage to put up 32 points against this unit. How can Ohio State go about not letting that happen again and securing the big win and moving its record to 3-0 all-time against the Ducks at the Rose Bowl?

Record at least two sacks

The Buckeyes have won every single game that they have recorded at least one sack in. And if Ohio State doesn’t record a sack? Ohio State has lost both of those games.

So honestly, I could have just said record one sack, but this is more than winning the trends, this is about winning the game, and it is going to be important for the Buckeyes to get after Dillon Gabriel, especially after what we saw last time around, 300-plus yards, a couple of scores and tons of time to scan the field.

Seven sacks were given up by Oregon in the first two games with Idaho getting home three times and Boise State doing it four times. Oregon made an adjustment with its line and nobody else had much success. Purdue and Wisconsin each got home twice, but Ohio State couldn’t do it, Michigan couldn’t do it, even Penn State only got home once.

If Ohio State is able to get two or more sacks, it would show me that the defense has made the right adjustments and that a favorable outcome could be coming.

Keep Tez Johnson in check

This one is very subjective, I know. When it comes to grading this out after the game, I will remember that, because is “in check” three receptions for 30 yards or something more? Or less?

I would only say that Johnson has been contained twice this season and that would be the Boise State game (three receptions, minus-one yard) and the Michigan game (one reception, 11 yards) both with zero touchdowns.

He just can’t go off and have a game like the first Ohio State game with seven receptions for 75 yards and a score, or certainly the Penn State game in the B1GCG, going for 11 catches and 181 yards and a score.

He is so valuable to the Oregon offense and while there is still the likes of Evan Stewart and Jake Ferguson and the running game, taking Johnson out of the mix would go a long way in helping the Buckeyes address all of the weapons.

Hold Jordan James to 4.0 YPC or fewer

If Ohio State is able to do this, it would be the first team. James is averaging 5.5 YPC and has never been lower than 4.1 YPC in any game (Maryland, limited action, exited with seven carries for 29 yards).

James went for 23 carries and 115 yards and a score against Ohio State and showed that he may be one of the best backs that nobody is talking about. He did so well that we never really saw much of his understudy, Noah Whittington.

Penn State did a solid job against him in terms of average, just holding him to 4.4 YPC, but that isn’t always the story as his 87 yards resulted in a pair of scores.

But it will be important for the Buckeyes to limit the big play from James. You are not going to be able to stop a lot of the five- and six-yard runs, but don’t let him hit that 15- or 20-yard run that is a backbreaker.

Don’t let Dillon Gabriel beat you with his legs

Gabriel is not going to remind you of Braxton Miller or J.T. Barrett as a runner, but he is dangerous, nonetheless.

His 27-yard touchdown run against the Buckeyes was a killer and Gabriel also has a 54-yarder on the season to add to the picture.

We already mentioned that he doesn’t get sacked all that often, so there is not a lot of yardage to “sack adjust” but his 63 carries for 192 yards also include seven touchdowns on the year and the Buckeyes know about mobile quarterbacks extending drives after playing Tennessee. Sure, the Vols really didn’t have an answer for Ohio State, putting up just 17 points, seven of those in the final two minutes.

JT Tuimoloau is not my recommendation for a spy on Gabriel, let me just say that. He is not going to run as much as Nico Iamaleava did, but Lanning is a great tactician and if the Buckeyes are not looking, Gabriel will be going.

Be ready for anything

This could have been put in any section, but since we generally see more trick plays on offense and then on special teams, it fit best here.

A lot of times, teams run trick plays because they need to, because they aren’t as good as their opponent and need something to level the playing field.

Dan Lanning doesn’t care about that; he is going to find something you are not looking for and do it.

While the kickoff happened on special teams and the 12-men play happened on defense, could Lanning have a few tricks up his sleeve. Oregon has been doing the swinging gate look off-and-on for point after tries dating back to Chip Kelly.

But when you play a team for a second time, you need to have a few new looks or at least break tendency with a familiar look to keep your opponent off balance.

Honestly, Ohio State should probably just run punt safe on every instance of anything inside of 4^th-and-10.

Go to discussion...