Josh Pate breaks down Ohio State's defense after loss to Oregon

In the latest episode of Josh Pate's College Football Show, host Josh Pate analyzed Ohio State Football’s one-point loss to Oregon, giving fans a nuanced view of the Buckeyes' defensive performance. While he understood fans' frustrations with the defense, Pate also highlighted the team's resilience and the context surrounding this high-stakes matchup. The loss has temporarily shifted Ohio State’s position in the college football rankings, but Pate reminded viewers that all is not lost.

A frustrating performance, but room for hope

Pate acknowledged the disappointment Ohio State fans felt after allowing nearly 500 yards against Dan Lanning’s Oregon team, known for its explosive offense.“ If I were an Ohio State fan,” he said, “I’d probably feel conflicted...I wouldn’t like seeing nearly 500 yards put up against my defense.”

Ohio State’s defense was caught off guard by Oregon’s dynamic offense, which featured Will Stein’s aggressive play-calling and their talented roster, including two standout receivers in Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson and a fearless quarterback in Dillon Gabriel.

The host explained that Oregon’s strength on offense posed unique challenges, especially against Ohio State’s secondary, which has seen standout performances from players like Caleb Downs. Pate noted, “Denzel Burke got targeted a lot,” pointing out how Oregon identified favorable matchups and exploited them.

According to Pate, Oregon’s confidence in their offense was evident: “Oregon felt very good about their guys one-on-one against pretty much anyone in Ohio State's secondary,” he added, noting Burke’s struggles specifically.

Credit for key goal-line stands

Pate offered a measure of hope, highlighting that the Buckeyes' defense is still elite, “Ohio State’s effort last night, while flawed, was still good enough to beat about 98% of teams in the country,” One would assume he was praising the defense for forcing Oregon into two goal-line stops that limited the Ducks to just three points. Pate emphasized that crucial stops kept Ohio State within striking distance and gave Ryan Day's squad a chance to win late in the game.

Looking Forward to Key Games Ahead

Pate also expressed some concern about Ohio State’s defensive line. “The defensive line being neutralized is worrisome,” he said, pointing out that this unit is supposed to be a “strength for Ohio State.” Looking ahead, Pate expects more from the line, particularly in games against Penn State, Indiana, and Michigan.

“This isn’t about showing up against teams like Marshall, Purdue, or Northwestern,” Pate said. “It’s about being dominant against teams like Oregon.” He noted that Ohio State, under the leadership of head coach Ryan Day, is held to a higher standard—one that demands championship-level play in every game, not just against lower-tier opponents.

Balancing critique with optimism

In his closing thoughts, Pate offered a balanced perspective on Ohio State Football’s defensive showing. He empathized with fans who felt disappointed but pointed out that Oregon’s explosive offense is a challenge for almost any team. “Texas statistically has the number one defense in the country. But if Oregon faced Texas, I’m confident Texas wouldn’t have the same defensive stats,” Pate explained, underscoring the difficulty of stopping Oregon’s unique offensive weapons.

As Ohio State looks to regroup, Pate believes the Buckeyes have what it takes to bounce back and climb the college football rankings. Caleb Downs, Ohio State’s star safety, and the rest of the defense must use this game as a learning opportunity and fuel to step up in upcoming games.

With elite coaching from Ryan Day and playmakers on the roster, Pate concluded that Ohio State still has plenty of potential to meet their high expectations this season.