LOOKING GOOD: Behind Defense, Ohio State Play Like Champs

I understand that they haven’t really faced anybody and that their conference is very average, but Ohio State’s defense looks good.

Really good.

Like, National Champions good.

Just look at the numbers. 6, 2, 14, 7, 7, 7, 3, 17. These are the number of points Ohio State has allowed this year. And the highest of those, 17, is misleading. Michigan State was able to get an interception and a fumble returned for touchdowns in the second half of their tilt with the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s defense only gave up 3 of those points.

Look at the other offensive stats for Michigan State. They were held to 59 yards on 28 carries. Their running back, Javon Ringer, ran 18 times for 49 yards, less than 3 yards a carry. The Spartans were only 12-24 passing with no scores, an interception and only 126 yards passing.

The Spartan’s offense did nothing. They were a team that scored 31 or more points four times on the season. But their offense could only muster three against the Buckeyes.

The Buckeyes are still very young and unproven offensively, and it is still a mystery if the offense can produce points to win a shootout. But all those young players on defense that terrorized the Big Ten last year are all a year older and they’re all a year better. And if they don’t lose, they may all get a shot at avenging last season and playing for a National Championship.

—E. Blasco