Ohio State Football: Silver Bullets could be ranked among the best
Since Woody Hayes ran the show, Ohio State has usually had a terrific defense but this year’s group of Silver Bullets could be one of the best.
Through the first four games the Ohio State defense has played lights out. If this group of Silver Bullets continue to play at this level, they could be one of the best ever.
In my half-century of following Ohio State football I have had the good fortune of watching many great defenses. But since the game has changed it’s hard to compare units in different eras so I’ll just stick to looking at this year’s and great defenses in the 21st century.
The 2002 Buckeye defense was probably the most fun to watch.
Guys like Jay Richardson and Tim Anderson stuffing the middle, Will Smith and Simon Frazier coming off the edge. If a running back squeezed through the line Matt Wilhelm, Cie Grant and Robert Reynolds usually cut the run short.
And how could an opposing team have success through the air with the guys on the backend of the defense?
With the safety combo of Mike Doss and Donnie Nickey, shutdown corner Chris Gamble on one side of the field, Dustin Fox on the other and big play Will Allen at the nickel it didn’t happen.
The 2002 defense allowed up 243.1 yards through the air, 77.7 on the ground and only gave up 13.1 points per game.
The next defense I want to look at was the one in 2015. Those players performed well in the stretch drive to the national title in 2014 but took things up a notch the following year.
The front was strong with Joey Bosa and Tyquan Lewis coming off the edge, and Adolphus Washington and co. stuffing the middle. Joshua Perry, Raekwon McMillan and Darron Lee formed one of the best linebacker units in the country.
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And everyone is aware of the many of the defensive backs on that team who are playing in the NFL.
The 2015 Ohio State defense allowed 184.5 yards passing, 126.8 yards on the ground and 15.1 points per game.
This year’s unit has more impressive stats than the other two so far. The Buckeyes have only allowed 181.5 yards through the air, 60.8 yards rushing and nine points per game.
I know it’s a third of the way through the season but how this year’s defense has played so far has been impressive. Stats will probably get inflated now that Ohio State will be facing Big Ten teams the rest of the way, but by how much?.
Next. Predictions for Buckeyes vs. Cornhuskers. dark
With the talent and depth in each unit and the way the players have bought into the system who knows? At the end of the season we may think of this year’s Silver Bullets as being among the best this century. I wouldn’t bet against it.