Ohio State Football: DE Nick Bosa needs to create pressure vs. Spartans
By Willie Lutz
No. 13 Ohio State’s Week 11 matchup against the No. 12 Michigan State provides a chance for Buckeyes to create pressure, starting with Nick Bosa.
Last time we saw Nick Bosa, the sophomore found himself ejected in the heat of the second quarter against Iowa. At the time, the Ohio State Buckeyes were working their way back into a game that had gotten away, but seemed to find some life before the hit.
Now, the defensive end needs to throw some legal pressure at the opposition.
From this video, you can clearly see Bosa launch with the crown, which is the essence of the targeting rule. Now, like his teammates, Bosa must move on from his bad move against Iowa, because the Spartans will give the Buckeyes a run.
Michigan State’s strong suit this season is in the passing game, where sophomore quarterback Brian Lewerke finds himself on a roll. The quarterback has 16 touchdowns and only 5 INTs to his credit, plus 2262 passing yards.
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Putting pressure on the junior is the best way to knock him off his stride. This season the quarterback has only been sacked 12 times, thanks in large part to his pocket poise.
Ohio State’s defensive front has to get pressure early and often, so why not via Nick Bosa.
Through nine games Bosa has 21 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss (team-high), and 4 sacks (second-on-team). And he excels in opportunities to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
When the ‘Silver Bullets‘ are at their best, they’re making opponent quarterbacks run for their lives. We saw that in the fourth quarter against Penn State but it was absent against the Hawkeyes last weekend.
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Nick Bosa’s defensive aptitude can swing a tough pairing in favor of the Buckeyes, I have little doubt on that end. However, if Bosa plays sloppy after his ejection, it spells trouble for the Buckeyes.