OSU v. Akron--Defensive Analysis

The 2011 Ohio State defense and picked up right where Jim Heacock defenses have all decade long--controlling the opposition.  Indeed, this unit demonstrated the potential to be better than last year's defense, given its defensive line strength and high end talent.  The Buckeye defense also showcased some different personnel looks, demonstrating that the coaching staff remains on a search to get their best eleven on the field.

1.  The More Things Change...

Schematically, the OSU defense largely mirrored last year's unit.  Akron showcased a fairly typical pro-style one-back offense.  OSU responded with its two base defenses--the 4-3 under on first down;

and the 4-2-5 nickel over as soon as practicable.

Within those schemes, OSU kept things fairly basic.  The Buckeyes almost exclusively featured single high safety defenses, with the wide side safety coming downhill at the snap.  From there, OSU played primarily base cover-3, though also showed some cover-1 robber, particularly in third and short situations.  Though OSU plays multiple coverages, single high cover 3 would likely be described as the base coverage (like Nick Saban), and allowed OSU's young corners to get their feet wet.

OSU did show a few wrinkles.  As during the jersey scrimmage, OSU often had their inside linebacker run blitz when they saw run action away from them.  Andrew Sweat seems particularly effective at this, and made several tackles for loss.  OSU also did quite a bit of basic zone blitzing, bringing the nickel or corner and then playing a 3-3 coverage behind it.  OSU showed a particular desire to bring the nickel from the wide side in running situations, and looks interested in bringing a fifth defender from various angles on run downs.  

II.  Personnel Odds 'N' Ends

Of course, when OSU is so much more physically superior at the point of attack, it provides the coaches the luxury to gradually work relatively inexperienced players into what can be fairly complicated coverage schemes.  The Buckeye defensive line stood out in controlling the line of scrimmage the entire game.  Fans often get overly fixated with sack numbers, but a defensive line is most effective when it controls the line of scrimmage and takes an opposing offense out of rhythm.  In particular, Jon Hankins and Garrett Goebel stood out.  Hankins was virtually unblockable at the 3-technique, controlling the line of scrimmage and then showing great quickness for his size to get down the line and make plays to the strong side.  Goebel, in his first extensive action, was very effective at the nose, creating constant stalemates and occupying two blockers.  If a 1-technique can accomplish these tasks it has won the battle, as this allows the inside linebackers to roam free.

One big adjustment on the personnel side was Nathan Williams playing the 4-3 Sam backer.  Williams was in the traditional Sam backer spot, though slightly off the line of scrimmage, with four down linemen.  In nickel, Williams then slid down to his weak side pass rushing spot.  The upshot?  Presumably, the coaching staff is looking to get their best personnel on the field, and the staff must believe that with its defensive line depth and Williams' versatility, this looks gives OSU a more stout front (On a personal level, its also a great opportunity for Williams to demonstrate his ability to play a 3-4 NFL outside linebacker).  Storm Klein and Etienne Sabino then rotated series at the Mike position.  Though each played well for their first real action, neither stood out and expect them to continue to battle for playing time.  Christian Bryant also took approximately every third series from Ohrian Johnson.  Bryant is more similar to C.J. Barnett than Johnson, and it will be interesting to see if this rotation will continue.

Though this OSU defense is relatively inexperienced, it has the potential to be a dominant unit, because of its defensive line and the fact it perhaps has more top-line players than in the recent past.  Expect the defense to unveil its full package as the experience and competition progresses.