On Saturday, the Thundering Herd made a bold statement, marching down the field on their opening drive to take an early 7-0 lead against the Buckeyes. It was a moment that left many fans and coaches alike scrambling to capture the scoreboard on their phones. Meanwhile, the Ohio State faithful were left reeling, wondering how their vaunted defense could be so thoroughly outmaneuvered.
The concerns didn’t stop there. As the game wore on, the Herd continued to move the ball with ease, ultimately taking a 28-14 lead into halftime. For a team favored by 40 points, such a close score was nothing short of embarrassing. The defensive coordinator’s decision not to award a Defensive Player of the Game was a stark admission that the unit had fallen short of expectations.
In a moment of candor, it’s hard not to appreciate the coordinator’s willingness to hold his players accountable. However, it’s also difficult to shake the feeling that such public displays of discontent may be more about optics than actual improvement. The fact remains that the defense managed only a single sack against a Marshall roster that would have been hard-pressed to earn a walk-on spot on the Ohio State sideline.
As the season wears on, the schedule is about to take a dramatic turn for the Buckeyes. Gone are the days of facing lesser opponents like Akron and Western Michigan. The real tests begin this week against Michigan State, followed by a grueling stretch against Oregon, Nebraska, and Penn State. It’s time for the defense to put up or shut up.
While Ohio State remains the team to beat in the conference, there’s a growing sense of unease surrounding their ability to dominate against top-tier competition. It’s no longer enough to simply win; the Buckeyes need to start making statements. November 30th is looming large, and it’s time for the defense to step up and prove its mettle.
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