Interesting stat......

[stxbuck]

For everyone worrying about the defense, here is an interesting stat that ought to make you feel.....better? I don't know, but last years D, good as it was, only forced 12 turnovers, according to collegefootballnews.com. That was 111th in D-1-the only teams worse were Illinois and Rice. With our explosive offense, if the defense can force a few more turnovers, it could cover for some inexperience, if Troy and Co. can cash them in.

[BDtheBuckeye]

They actually kind of remind of the Indianapolis Colts. Not necessarily the players that play for the Colts, but the Colts have all that offense, like the Buckeyes, and a defense that is getting better by each year. Im kinda wishing that Troy Smith wasnt a SR though. Id like to see hime play with a younger & less experienced defense just to see what he could do.

[HilmerJ]

i think it may have to do with the fact that hawk and co. got to the qb before he could make a bad throw.

[rocketman]

I'll tell you whats getting real annoying - trying to explain to other teams' fans that our 9 replacements on defense are NOT seeing the field for the first time in their careers. Man I sure hope those guys shut up a lot of critics come September...

[jwinslow]

this was discussed a bit in the texas thread... the worst was the lack of INTs... OSU had regularly been in double digits for team INTs, and then only snagged 4 IIRC last year.

With a better pass rush off the ends, a nickel formation that uses LBs fast enough for 3rd and long (not Schlegel), and an aggressive young D... i expect that INT total to get back to the double digit trend under tressel.

[OhioExile]

Last years D seemd to get a lot tougher when opponents crossed the 50yd line. To me it seemed as if they played a little lose until the other team started to put some plays together. Hopefully the D can step up and make some big plays this year...especially early in the season.

[BB73]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

this was discussed a bit in the texas thread... the worst was the lack of INTs... OSU had regularly been in double digits for team INTs, and then only snagged 4 IIRC last year.

6 picks last year. Whitner had 2, Salley, Youboty, Mitchell, and Hawk.

[BDtheBuckeye]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

this was discussed a bit in the texas thread... the worst was the lack of INTs... OSU had regularly been in double digits for team INTs, and then only snagged 4 IIRC last year.

With a better pass rush off the ends, a nickel formation that uses LBs fast enough for 3rd and long (not Schlegel), and an aggressive young D... i expect that INT total to get back to the double digit trend under tressel.

But playing the nickel formation would allow a good RB to pick up 3-4 yards a carry. Plus playing so aggressive could lead to a lot of defensive holding penalties and pass interference calls. Its a young secondary so i see mistakes happening. Hopefully they are quick learners and will be able to defend the long ball very well.

Ohio St.'s run stopping defense has been ranked in the top 10 for the past 5 or 6 years i believe. I would have to go and take a look at some of the stats but dline has always been good.

[jwinslow]

OSU's DL lacked a pass rusher, forcing Carp to move to DE, plus Freeman was hurt all year. Either of those two would have been a better option than Schlegel in a nickel package on 3rd and long.

OSU's run D was not in the top 10 in 2004 (35th). Also, the DL was not very effective in the early portion of 04.

[BDtheBuckeye]

Well apart from the "rebuilding year" as i like to call it, it's always been a good Dline.
We could all be surprised and maybe see a DLine and secondary that might be just as good as last years crew. They are lacking the knowledge but if they're fast and can pass rush and cover well, you could see a lot of forced incompletions and maybe see that TO rate go up.