First off I will say that with a new defensive coordinator, no one knows how good or bad OSU defense is. However, one fact is that last year OSU's defense was horrendously coached. In the Oregon game Oregon ran the same sweep twice and scored each time without an OSU player even touching the Oregon runner. It was so bad that the defensive coordinator, Kerry Combs, (a legendary db coach in way over his head as coordinator) was demoted after a several games and Matt Barnes the secondary coach became the defensive play caller and head of the defense. Under Barnes, defense was bad but not completely horrendous. In effect, last year OSU defense did not have a defensive head coach. I think the schemes were so bad they made the players look bad.
Overall, OSU is reasonably talented with three 5 star defensive ends (Tumataloa [sp], Sawyer and Harrison) Harrison is an under-performing senior while the other 2 ends are young and got a fair amount of playing experience for the first time last year. Possible that there may be a large jump in performance from those 2. Veteran linebackers mediocre based on last years performance. Stud corner Denzel Burke in secondary with several young players also making names in fall camp at corner.
I don't think the defensive tackles were as bad as they looked last year because I believe the scheme made them look bad. One interesting player is Tyleik Williams who is big, fast and explosive. He admits he was out of shape last year. With the right attitude and fitness he could be a major, pleasant surprise.
Just my takes on OSU. A lot of respect for Notre Dame.
Overall, OSU is reasonably talented with three 5 star defensive ends (Tumataloa [sp], Sawyer and Harrison) Harrison is an under-performing senior while the other 2 ends are young and got a fair amount of playing experience for the first time last year. Possible that there may be a large jump in performance from those 2. Veteran linebackers mediocre based on last years performance. Stud corner Denzel Burke in secondary with several young players also making names in fall camp at corner.
I don't think the defensive tackles were as bad as they looked last year because I believe the scheme made them look bad. One interesting player is Tyleik Williams who is big, fast and explosive. He admits he was out of shape last year. With the right attitude and fitness he could be a major, pleasant surprise.
Just my takes on OSU. A lot of respect for Notre Dame.