Ohio State Football: Three questions OSU must answer vs. Akron
By Alex Austin
Where is the pass rush going to come from?
A unit that was receiving some of the most praise in the offseason has quickly become one of the biggest disappointments for Ohio State this year. The defensive line has a lot of solid talent, but nobody has stepped up to show they are capable of beating their one-on-one matchup and getting pressure on the quarterback.
Through the first three weeks of the season, it is clear that a group of good players will not be enough to anchor this defense. That means in order to get pressure on the opposing quarterback, one of these players will have to dramatically improve, or the scheme will need to change.
Last week the Buckeyes showed a new wrinkle when they brought blitzes to try and get to the quarterback. While these ultimately did not end up landing often, it was encouraging to see something different. An additional week of preparation and the Buckeyes need to show that they have the ability to create havoc in the backfield.
Against an Akron team that is severely outmatched, the Buckeyes should be in the backfield all day. This should be a chance to win individual battles and perfect the timing of the blitz. If Ohio State can’t create pressure this week, who will they be able to find success against?