The Ohio State Buckeyes handled business in a 42-9 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the 2025 campaign's curtain call in Columbus. The one-sided beatdown was another example of a historic defensive display that's quickly building a resume for OSU to have one of the greatest defenses the sport has ever seen.
FOX Sports' RJ Young noted how the 2025 Buckeyes have joined several historic teams throughout history, including the 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide, 2021 Georgia Bulldogs, 2023 Michigan Wolverines, and even the 2006 Ohio State team.
Three of the four of those teams won the championship. '06 OSU is the only one that didn't. There's elite company to join as a program.
"Since 2006, only five teams have allowed fewer than 7.6 points per game through their first 10 contests: 2006 Ohio State, 2011 Alabama, 2021 Georgia, 2023 Michigan, and this year’s Buckeyes. The last three teams to reach that 7.6-points-allowed benchmark through five-sixths of the season went on to win the national title," Young wrote.
"Saturday brought more of the same from Ohio State, which cruised past Rutgers in its final home game of the year."
"The Buckeyes’ defense showed their strength again. In the first half, they held Rutgers to just 3-of-9 on third-down attempts and only 76 total yards, even after an early offensive turnover put them in a tough spot."
"Ohio State defensive end Caden Curry opened the second half with his ninth sack of the season and a forced fumble inside the Rutgers 5-yard line. The takeaway set up a touchdown that pushed OSU’s lead to 21-3 midway through the third quarter, allowing the Buckeyes to coast the rest of the way with Michigan looming next week."
Ohio State defense has one last quest against Bryce Underwood
There's one last thing the Buckeyes' defense must accomplish this season: beat up the Wolverines and leave Bryce Underwood with a bad taste in his mouth from his freshman year in Ann Arbor. At least from an on-field perspective.
Underwood is TTUN's offensive engine. Limiting his production and forcing running back Justice Haynes to beat Ohio State's historic linebackers group by himself is the best way to keep the sub-20-point streak the Buckeyes defense has upheld throughout 2025.
Easier said than done, but no one has a better chance to do it than the Ohio State University.