OSU v. Toledo: Defensive Analysis

Like the OSU offense, the Buckeye defense's miscues were caused by lapses in fundamentals, not in talent.  The defense played a largely proficient game against a good Toledo offens.  But that was somewhat obscured by Toledo creating a few big plays off of screen passes.  Those plays were allowed by a handful of OSU players who were too slow in recognition, who then took poor pursuit angles.  OSU largely corrected those deficiencies in the second half, however, and did not surrender another point after the 13:00 mark of the third quarter.

Toledo's Game Plan Against the OSU Nickel

OSU came out in their standard 4-2-5 over defense versus 'spread' teams.

Like TCU, in this defense OSU plays their defensive front to the formation's strength, and their defensive backfield to the field.  Toledo tried to take advantage of this, by running its screens away from OSU's strength, both in terms of formation and personnel.  Toledo would put their strength into the field's short side.  This put Tyler Moeller, Andrew Sweat, and C.J. Barnett all to the strong-side, and left the corner, the Mike Storm Klein, and Ohrian Johnson to the weak side.  Toledo then ran their screens into the boundary.

Defending the screen is like playing other edge plays.  The force player (here the corner) has to take on the blocker's outside shoulder and funnel the play inside.  The flow players--here Klein and Johnson--need to take proper pursuit angles.  Unfortunately, Klein and Johnson repeatedly failed in this task.  They both were too slow in recognizing the bubble screen, and then would take poor pursuit angles.  Klein continually under ran the play, until the third quarter where he overran the play and effectively blocked both himself and Johnson.  Johnson was simply too slow in attacking downfield, and then would get himself stuck in no-man's land.  The result was several big plays.

OSU largely solved this problem through personnel changes.  Etienne Sabino and Klein have been rotating series at the Mike.  Sabino, however, showed the aggressiveness and closing speed that observers have long expected, and he made several nice open field tackles.  By the fourth quarter Sabino was playing every series.  Perhaps less noticed, Christian Bryant took Johnson's place at safety and, as you would expect of someone the coaching staff also plays at star, was far more aggressive in attacking the bubble screen and limited several attempts.  Toledo had little success with these plays thereafter, making their offense far less successful.

OSU and Man Defense

The Ohio State defense also played more man coverage than I have previously seen them play.  Specifically, the coverage was of the cover-1 robber variety. 

Ohio State played man coverage at least 75% of the time.  While largely effective against the Rockets' downfield passing game, Toledo was able to create difficulties for OSU on the final drive.  Toledo would go five-wide trips with Eric Page in the slot, resulting in a safety covering Page.  Page was able to get open several times for chain-moving catches.  Travis' Howard's return should help OSU if they seek to play this type of defense, as the coaches now have three corners they trust.  OSU's use of extensive man coverage was odd for them, but particularly strange against a team that throws so many screens.  I do not expect this to be a long-term trend for the Buckeyes, but perhaps an attempt by the coaches to find what it's young defense does well.

The Upside

The most positive result from the Toledo game was the blossoming of the OSU pass rush.  In particular, John Simon and Jonathon Hankins demonstrated an ability to get to the quarterback from the interior line.  Hankins displayed a nice rip move, showing that he will be tough for offensive guards with his size and first step.  This continued pass rush will be crucial with Nathan Williams undergoing arthroscopic surgery.

In all, a young defense held an experienced, talented offense in check.  Toledo scored 22 points, one of which was set up by a blocked punt returned to the OSU 5 yard line.  The OSU defense only was uncharacteristic to the extent it allowed several big plays.  When OSU forced Toledo to drive, they would inevitably hold the Rockets.  OSU's defensive line is exhibiting itself to be a clear strength.  That group must control the line of scrimmage against Miami to allow the defense to succeed.