OSU v. Illinois: Defensive Analysis

The Ohio State coaching staff took advantage of Illinois' formation tendencies to craft their usual stellar game plan that shut down Illinois.  Perhaps most promising, Ohio State got their best performance from the back middle of their defense, allowing OSU's two dominant defenders--John SImon and Jonathon Hankins--to shine.

Stopping Illinois

The OSU defensive coaching staff clearly gleaned tendencies from studying Illinois, because they had automatic check fronts and coverages based upon the Illini pre-snap formation.  Specifically, IIlinois likes to throw from 10 personnel, where they set trips to one side of the field, and put Jenkins--their best receiver--to the weak side.  Illinois would switch generally to either '11' personnel, or the offset pistol with twins when they looked to run.  OSU had specific defenses for both.  

Against the Illinois trips, OSU would play quarter-quarter-half coverage.  

See vidoe at 2:13:

Here is a description of QQH:

The Quarter, Quarter, Half ("QQH") coverage provides three (3) defenders deep, however it uses one (1) defender to cover half (½) of the three (3) deep zones and two (2) defenders each covering a quarter (¼). The underneath coverage can utilize four or five (4 or 5) defenders. This coverage employs a traditional weak side 2D with a squat corner and half coverage safety. The strong side can employ a multitude of variations (invert and rolls). The most common is a bail technique by the strong side C covering the deep quarter (¼) with the strong side OLB covering curl to flat. The PSR is based on the depth and alignment of the C’s and safeties. The weakside or side away from the quarters alignment will look like a 2D with the C head-up or to the outside of the wide receiver and the safety near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the C. The strong C can be aligned head-up and tight, but will bail (retreat) so that they are off six to eight (6-8) yards at the snap. The SS will be even with the C at the snap, and can also employ a bail technique.

OSU used this coverage to get weakside leverage and provide a quasi over the top double against Jenkins.

Against Illinois' run-specific formations, OSU ran their more traditional 4-2-5 nickel cover 3 shell, with one difference.  OSU walked their safety (generally C.J. Barnett) into the box far more then Jim Heacock's defenses have previously shown.  (1:12 in video).  Up front, when Illinois showed a zone read look (shotgun with a halfback), OSU would twist linemen away from the halfback, lead to several negative plays.  (Video at :28 and 1:35).  Finally, on third down, OSU would often run cover-1 robber, providing a ready-made spy. 

Strong 'Up the Middle'

OSU's looks against Illinois largely shut down the Illini run game, making the Illinois offense inconsistent all game long. Illinois was only able to sustain a drive late where Nathan Scheelhaase was able to have several timely scrambles once OSU started playing deeper coverages.  OSU's defense out-performed their previous efforts by being strong up the middle.  For starters, OSU's safeties likely had their best game.  Barnett and Christrian Bryant were able to move effortlessly between playing deep middle and coming up in run support.  (Video at 2:55).  Both are physical players, providing OSU with a toughness in the secondary that had been missing.  The Ohio State linebackers also played their best game as a unit.  While Andrew Sweat has been solid all season, Etienne Sabino and Storm Klein both played better.  Sabino, in particular, seemed to have shed some of his earlier hesitation.  The linebackers scraped downhill more assertively in the run game, yet did not get caught in no-man's land in pass coverage as they have been wont to do this season. 

The OSU defense's real strength however, as was abundantly apparent against the Illini, is Simon and Hankins.  Hankins is quickly becoming unblockable, because he is extremely quick for a 330 pound human being.  Several times he was well gone from where the Illini offensive linemen expected him to be, making plays in the backfield.  (:46 second mark).  His quickness makes him a perfect '3' technique tackle.

So long as OSU continues to play that well in the middle of their defense, they will continue to improve.  OSU's safeties will need to continue to be versatile and play well 'in the box' for OSU's defense to try and contain Wisconsin.  

A Programming Note

We will have a more in-depth look at Wisconsin this week.  For those that are interested, however, I recommend my two part look at the Wisconsin offense and how OSU must respond from last season.  (Here and here).  Russell Wilson aside, the Wisconsin offense is still predicated upon the downhill zone run game, and the way to slow down Wisconsin is to slow down that run game, as MSU showed this Saturday.  When Wisconsin ran the football well they were virtually unstoppable; when Michigan State adjusted and were able to slow the Badger run game down, Wisconsin's offense began to sputter.