The Ohio State Buckeyes reminded the college football world why they're not only the defending champions, but the No. 1-ranked team in the country on Saturday against the Washington Huskies in Seattle during a 24-6 win.
For one, Matt Patricia's defense shut down the Demond Williams Jr. hype and kept the Huskies' offense to a total of zero touchdowns. UW kicker Grady Gross was 2/2 on the two chances Washington got to put points on the board.
CBS Sports' Cody Nagel gave Patricia his due, calling his defensive output in the redz one all season "insane." Nagel also subdued the Jim Knowles hype, which certainly got a hand from the Oregon Ducks during the Penn State Nittany Lions' mighty White Out game in Happy Valley.
"Ohio State still hasn't allowed a red zone touchdown this season through four games. The Buckeyes' defense has been dominant under first-year coordinator Matt Patricia, giving up just 22 total points on 39 opponent drives," Nagel wrote.
That's insane.
"Any concern of a regression without Jim Knowles has been erased. This is another elite, championship-caliber unit in Columbus. Ohio State sacked Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. six times and added three other tackles for loss on Saturday."
Nagel also gave Buckeyes head football coach Ryan Day his due for Julian Sayin's brilliant start at the quarterback position.
"Ryan Day did a masterful job managing quarterback Julian Sayin in his first road start since high school, sticking to a run-heavy offense early before letting his sophomore quarterback loosen up a bit closer to halftime. Sayin finished 22 of 28 for 208 yards and two touchdowns -- one to Jeremiah Smith and another short pass to CJ Donaldson Jr.," Nagel wrote.
Brian Hartline got no message at all. No credit for the play-calling, QB development, or the elite receiver play. His relationship with Sayin is one of the most crucial on the team.
No matter. Hartline will get his credit after the season, in some way, shape, or form. This team looks destined for big things, and Hartline will earn a raise in Columbus or elsewhere, at this rate.