5 Ohio State predictions with Oklahoma coming to the Horseshoe
By Eric Pitcher
1. Ohio State Defensive Line Will Dominate Oklahoma Offensive Line.
Ohio State’s defensive line without a doubt is the strong suit of this Buckeyes defense. Against Indiana they showed the potential they have. Especially against the run. Despite Richard Lagow throwing for over 400 yards, the Buckeyes defensive line got to Lagow 5 times and rushed his throws twice.
That isn’t really on the defensive line though. Lagow threw some very nice passes only his receivers could catch, and the receivers made some really nice catches, including a couple one-handed grabs.
Where the defensive line did shine is when it came to stopping the run. Indiana rushed the ball 27 times. Out of those 27 rushing attempts the Hoosiers could only manage 17 yards.
The Sooners will test the Buckeyes defensive front a little more, but they will not be able to run the ball that much better.
The Sooners shouldn’t be able to run the ball for more than 75 yards.
On first and second down defensive coordinator Greg Schiano likes to go with the traditional two tackles, two ends. On third down however, Schiano likes to go with 4 defensive ends, taking out the two defensive tackles. In doing this, it creates a lot of speed and power on the defensive front, in hopes to get to the quarterback.
With a guy like Baker Mayfield at QB who can evade tackles a lot better than most quarterbacks in college football, Schiano may go with the 4 defensive ends more than just 3rd down. By doing that it will put pressure on Mayfield forcing him to make bad throws.