In big games, Ohio State's defense has been its constant of late. If the Buckeyes can get 21 points against Miami, recent history says that should probably be enough.
Linebacker Ross Homan, standing, and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward are two big reasons the Ohio State defense is expected to be one of the nation's best in 2010.COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week might not play very much Saturday. Ohio State's Tyler Moeller, who made a team-high six tackles against Marshall, takes the field only in the Buckeyes' nickel defense, and against the Thundering Herd last week, that meant nearly every snap.
Against No. 12 Miami today at Ohio Stadium, the defense for No. 2 Ohio State will be dealing with a Hurricanes offense that should be balanced nearly 50-50 between pass and run, employing a fullback and not spreading it out on all downs. That means Moeller will be on the sidelines more often, with third linebacker Andrew Sweat in as the 11th defender instead.
"It's kind of tough," OSU safeties coach Paul Haynes said of trying to get Moeller on the field. "Our linebacking corps is pretty good, too."
Ignore the names. Ignore the positions. Last season was the year when the OSU defense publicly adapted a no-name persona. What Ohio State has the chance to do today is remind fans that in this era of OSU success, the defense has been the constant.
In the Ohio State pregame notes, quarterback Terrelle Pryor has his own page of highlights. But on the flip side, the accomplishments of "The Silver Bullet Defense" are listed. While Pryor is rightly touted as a Heisman candidate, it's the defensive stats that are more impressive. Since the 2005 season, Ohio State leads the nation by limiting opponents to 20 points or fewer in 51 games and also is No. 1 in giving up an average of 13.3 points per game. The Buckeyes have allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns (39) and the second-fewest passing touchdowns (53).
Recent numbers are even better. Since getting blown out at Southern Cal, 35-3, in the third game of the 2008 season, the Buckeyes have faced seven top 25 teams and not allowed more than 24 points in any of those games, giving up an average of 18.1 points against top competition. A good defense might be getting better.
Marshall coach Doc Holliday was an assistant at Florida when the Gators beat Ohio State for the 2006 national title, and after losing to the Buckeyes, 45-7, to open the season, he said at his news conference this week "that is a better defense than the one we faced back then. That team is going to win a lot of games."
But the Buckeyes are only 4-3 in those past seven top 25 games, losing, 13-6 to Penn State in 2008, 24-21 to Texas in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl and 18-15 to USC last season. In each loss, the OSU defense gave up game-winning, fourth-quarter touchdowns, those against the Longhorns and Trojans coming in the final minutes. But while limiting Oregon's high-octane offense to 17 points in a Rose Bowl win in January, the OSU defense reinforced what should be clear today: If Pryor and the offense can put up about three touchdowns, the Buckeyes should be in great shape.
Asked about rising to the occasion against top opponents, OSU defensive tackle Dexter Larimore said this week: "I think we have for the most part. But there have been games where I think we got after them for a while and then we kind of let off and something happened. It seemed like the ball started rolling the other way in some of those losses, and suddenly you come out with a loss.
"To combat that, we're really focusing on the next play as the most important thing. If we get beat deep, if we get a pass interference call or a big run, calm down, focus up and let's hit this next play."
Oregon came into the Rose Bowl with great offensive numbers, but the Ducks quickly discovered the Ohio State defense was tough to crack. All the players in this picture, from left, Devon Torrence (who wears No. 1 this year), Brian Rolle, Ross Homan and Nathan Williams, are back with the Buckeyes this season.That's easier to do when the defense doesn't focus on one player. Yes, defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is an All-American candidate. But when Scouts Inc., on ESPN.com, evaluated the top 150 NFL prospects in college football before the season, seven Buckeyes were included -- and five were on defense. Heyward was No. 14, followed by linebacker Ross Homan (59), cornerback Chimdi Chekwa (95), cornerback Devon Torrence (141) and safety Jermale Hines (142).
Defensive end Nathan Williams should add to that depth of talent this week, expected to start after sitting out last week while still recovering from a left knee injury. Though the Buckeyes had just one sack in the opener, Tressel wasn't concerned, since Marshall's quarterback made a point of getting rid of the ball early. Wisconsin beat Miami in the Capital One Bowl last season by getting after quarterback Jacory Harris, and when asked before the season, Badgers safety Jay Valai thought the Buckeyes could do the same thing.
"Pressure on Jacory, that's all we did," Valai said. "Pressure on Jacory and keep moving around a lot and don't let him ready your coverage pre-snap. Obviously, Ohio State has a great defense, so if they can do those two things, they'll have a great game."