The Ohio State football team had the best defense in the country when it came to points allowed per game and total yards allowed. During the 2025 season, they allowed just 9.3 points per game, and they were the only team to allow fewer than 10 points per game on the year.
Despite the stellar defense, the Buckeyes lost their last two games of the year, falling to both Indiana and Miami. The defense wasn't to blame in either one of those games, as the Hoosiers and Hurricanes combined to score just 24 points. It was the offense that was the issue.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza ended up winning the Heisman Trophy over Julian Sayin en route to leading the Hoosiers to a 16-0 season. He faced both Ohio State and Miami's defense, and he believes the Ohio State Buckeyes were the best defense he faced all year.
Fernando Mendoza praises Ohio State's defense during the 2025 season
While speaking to Colin Cowherd on The Herd, Mendoza gave some props to the Ohio State Buckeyes when comparing them to what the Hurricanes had defensively.
"Honestly, I think pound-for-pound, Ohio State had the best personnel."
That comment has to sting for Ohio State football fans. The Buckeyes clearly had the best defense in the country, but they weren't able to capitalize on that personnel. Had the offensive line been able to protect Sayin more, they would have been able to beat both IU and Miami.
Instead, they failed in their bid to win back-to-back national championships. Ryan Day has to figure out a way to make sure the trenches are ready to go for the 2026 season. The skill positions should once again be great heading into next season. The defense might be a little worse, though.
The sting of falling short in the 2025 season is lessened by the fact that the Buckeyes won it all in 2024. Still, this is a season that will always be remembered as a what-if.