Oct 114 min read

Ohio State Secondary to Face Its Toughest Challenge Yet

Ohio State | Jordan Hancock — © Adam Cairns-Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK

Ohio State's secondary will see its biggest challenge of the season so far on Oct. 12 when they travel to Eugene, Ore. to face the No. 3 Ducks (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten Conference). This game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 12 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. The most important unit for the No. 2 Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday could very well be their secondary. The defensive backs will be going up against the most talented passing offense they have faced in 2024.

Ohio State Secondary Personnel

The Buckeyes have spent the majority of their defensive snaps the last two weeks playing only four defensive backs. The Ducks' use of 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers) should allow them to go to their fifth defensive back in their nickel defense. This will put cornerback Jordan Hancock on the field much more often. Hancock is one of the best slot cornerbacks in the country and will help slow down the Oregon RPO (run-pass-option) offense.

The Buckeyes will then use cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun on the perimeter. Their star tandem at safety, Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom, will also likely play every snap on defense. Each of these four players is very aggressive. They are all physical and look to make plays with the ball in the air and after the catch.

Jermaine Mathews could also see much more time. Mathews started numerous games last season due to injuries. He was exceptional and is probably a clear starter at maybe any other school in the NCAA. He has only seen first-team snaps this season primarily as a sixth defensive back in their dime formations. The Buckeyes only go to this look when they get an offense in third-and-long. There is a possibility they use it more often this time out with the plethora of receiving weapons for the Ducks.

Coverage Schemes

The Buckeyes have struggled some against RPOs this season. Oregon will use some early and test them. The Ohio State defense mainly played soft cover four early in the year against this sort of attack. They would play their defensive backs further away from the line of scrimmage in this setup. The philosophy seemed to be to let their defenders play freely in space. They were content with teams taking yards underneath. Their cornerbacks and especially their safeties are all tremendous tacklers and do a great job of trying to punch the ball out and force fumbles. Ransom showcased that skill against the Spartans just two weeks ago.

Ohio State showed much more man coverage lately, which they have seemed to execute with more success. They showed a strong tendency to play Cover One, meaning everyone plays man coverage with a single defender covering the middle of the field over the top. Ohio State does not hide this look at all pre-snap. Teams like Iowa and Michigan State have motioned players to confirm that man defense before the play. The Buckeyes are comfortable showing this look most of the time. They firmly believe that their defensive backs will hold up in one-on-one coverage.

How Will They Match Up Against the Ducks?

Oregon has four very dangerous targets through the air. Their wide receiver trio of Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart and Traeshon Holden is one of the best in the nation. Terrance Ferguson at tight end has also been stellar working in the short area of the field, getting a surplus of yards after the catch. Running back Jordan James is also a very legitimate threat out of the backfield. Linebacker Sonny Styles could match up with either Ferguson or James when he is at the weakside linebacker spot. Look for Styles to mostly follow James and for one of the Buckeyes' safeties to cover Ferguson closely.

Also, look for the Buckeyes to come out and dare the Ducks to prove they can win one-on-one early. Head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles have stressed their desire to improve on defense and force more turnovers. They have done that in soft zone coverage by forcing fumbles and breaking hard on passes. Look for them to attack and be physical at the line of scrimmage early in this one. Oregon could take advantage of this aggressiveness by attempting to beat them over the top. Both Ransom and Downs are at their best playing downhill and flying to the ball. That should allow plenty of single-coverage matchups for Oregon receivers with the extra space down the field.

The Buckeyes will still absolutely mix in zone looks, mostly Cover Four and Cover Three. The experience of the defensive backfield will allow them to change things up at a moment's notice if needed or desired. Their point of emphasis in zone is to rally to the ball and keep things in front of them. The Ducks, under the calm, veteran presence of quarterback Dillon Gabriel, will be content most times to just take yards underneath and march down the field.

The chess match of these coverages and passing concepts will make for a unique battle in this huge Big Ten matchup. Ohio State will be tested by Oregon more than any offense they will face all year. Gabriel does a great job when he is decisive with the weapons at his disposal. Knowles and his defense will need to mix up looks and pressure him into making tough decisions throughout the game. The Buckeyes absolutely have the players to capitalize on defense. The deciding factor will be if they stay disciplined and keep the Oregon offense from being comfortable and gaining momentum.