Ohio State Football: Rutgers will challenge defense’s discipline

The Ohio State football team’s defense is showing some potential since Matt Barnes’ has taken over as the play-caller. There are several reasons why the Buckeye defense has been encouraging over the last two weeks.

Perhaps the most important change is the play-calling is not near as predictable. Ross Fulton of Buckeye Scoop laid out a very good breakdown of OSU’s recent schematic changes on defense. In summary, Ohio State is now running Cover 1, 2, 3, and 4. At times, Ohio State is disguising coverages in pre-snap, which is leading to quarterback indecision.

The Buckeyes even used some Cover 6 and hot coverages against Akron. Cover 6 is essentially running cover 4 on the strong side of the offense and cover 2 against the weakside. Hot coverages deal with sending pressure while players in coverage are reading the quarterback. The concept of hot coverage is explained well here.

Having versatility in defensive play-calling is a welcomed site for Ohio State. Many different concepts are being put into effect that gives the Buckeyes a real chance to improve.

Another positive out of the Akron game was players were flying up and making plays in the run game. The defense has been a lot more disciplined in stopping the run the last two games. Steele Chambers was one linebacker that made a lot of nice stops against the run.

Prior to the last two weeks, Ohio State’s defense could not stop the run whatsoever. Much of that was due to not setting the edge, indecision by the linebackers, and unsound tackling. Some of these problems still are present at times, the Bucks will still have some issues on defense going forward.

On Saturday, Rutgers runs a lot of stuff that will directly challenge the discipline of OSU’s defense.

Rutgers’ options could cause problems for Ohio State football’s defense

As mentioned, Ohio State’s defense will probably slip here and there in upcoming games. Issues on the defense still remain but the Akron game was good progress. Overall, growth does not happen overnight, there will be some growing pains. If the Buckeyes turn in a good defensive performance against Rutgers, I truly think this defense may end up being solid.

The Scarlet Knights like to call a lot of run-pass options (RPOs), which certainly, includes some misdirection. Defenses must be sound and read plays well if they are to stop option plays.

Rutgers gaining over 180 rushing yards probably would have been a near lock in Week 1 or 2 against OSU due to their past struggle in stopping the run. If Ohio State does well against the Scarlet Knights’ frequent option plays, this will be very telling on how much this defense has improved since Oregon.

Here’s an example of what Rutgers likes to run.

Rutgers uses a lot of RPO calls that will stretch opposing defenses. As seen in the clips above, on both calls the quarterback had a screen or swing pass he could dump it off too. In addition, the Knights use pop passes or a reverse quite often in their RPO game. Last week, Rutgers burnt Michigan off a reverse fake.

Clearly, there is so much for a defense to read on all of these examples. This is exactly why this will be a good test for Ohio State’s defense. Also, this is one reason Rutgers cannot be taken lightly. Greg Schiano has changed the Rutgers program once again, they will challenge the Buckeyes.

We should have a good feel on where this defense really is after their challenge against Rutgers’ option plays.