Notre Dame and Ohio State have earned the right to play for the College Football Playoff Championship in Atlanta on Monday. In a season full of change, it will be two of the sport’s blue bloods duking it out for the right to be kings. We preview the Buckeyes defense, the best in the country, below:
Photo via Ohio State Athletics
Ohio State’s defense, mostly led by top-end returning talent, has been elite all season, with just one subpar outing on the year. Here is how the Buckeyes (15-2) have reached this point:
vs Akron (52-6, Win)
vs Western Michigan (56-0, Win)
vs Marshall (49-14, Win)
at Michigan State (38-7, Win)
vs Iowa (35-7, Win)
at Oregon (31-32, Loss)
vs Nebraska (21-17, Win)
at Penn State (20-13, Win)
vs Purdue (45-0, Win)
at Northwestern (in Chicago, 31-7, Win)
vs Indiana (38-15, Win)
vs Michigan (10-13, Loss)
vs Tennessee (CFP First Round, 42-17, Win)
vs Oregon (Rose Bowl, 41-21, Win)
vs Texas (Cotton Bowl, 28-14, Win)
The Buckeyes defense has been shutting down and limiting opponents all season. They lead the country in both points (12.2) and total yards per game (251.1) allowed. This defense, which is elite against both the pass and run, features eight potential 2025 NFL Draftees, most notably potential first-rounders DE Jack Sawyer and DT Tyleik Williams.
As mentioned in our offensive overview, Ohio St has been very disciplined this year. The Buckeyes rank among the 15th-fewest in the country in both penalties (4.4) and penalty yards per game (39.67).
Another reason the Buckeyes have found success is because of their elite red zone defense. They are allowing opponents to score on just 61.1% of their red zone trips, which leads the Big Ten and is the second-lowest percentage among all FBS teams.
The Buckeyes defense has also found success on the third downs. They are allowing opponents to convert just 34.7% of their attempts, the fourth-lowest percentage in the Big Ten and 30th among all FBS teams.
This defense is also not fond of putting up points themselves. Their four defensive touchdowns leads the Big Ten and are the fifth-most among all FBS teams. They have three scoop-n-scores, most notably Sawyer’s game-sealer last week, and one pick-six on the year.
As mentioned above, the Buckeyes defense has been elite against the pass this season. They enter Monday allowing 161.1 passing yards per game, the best in the country. Part of this success is due to a sensational pass rush that averages 3.4 sacks per game, the best in the Big Ten and third-most among all FBS teams. Additionally, opposing passers are averaging a 110.84 passing efficiency, the best in the conference and sixth-lowest efficiency in the nation. We preview the Ohio St secondary led by a sophomore transfer below:
The star of the secondary is sophomore safety Caleb Downs. The versatile Alabama transfer can also play slot cornerback. Last season, Downs became the first freshman in Alabama history to lead the team in tackles with 107. In addition, he had four passes defended, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 14 games played. Here are the accolades Downs earned during his freshman season:
Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year
SEC Freshman of the Year
AP Second Team All-American
First Team All-SEC
The young defensive back entered the transfer portal following the retirement of legendary Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. Downs then chose to continue his collegiate career at Ohio St among offers from, most notably, Georgia and Florida State. This season, the sophomore has tallied 76 tackles including eight for a loss, six passes defended, and two interceptions. Downs was named a consensus All-American, selected to the First Team All-Big Ten, and awarded Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year for his efforts this year. He has at least two tackles in each game including a season-high 11 versus Michigan, in addition to an interception. Downs has put together a solid CFP performance thus far as he recorded a season-high three passes defended in the Rose Bowl and had an interception last game in the Cotton Bowl. The sophomore DB is pretty much great at everything defensively. In coverage, he has allowed 18 receptions for 175 yards on 30 targets this year. He has a positive impact against the run and just nine missed tackles. Downs also is good when needed as a pass rusher with four pressures on just 16 pass rush snaps. Irish QB Riley Leonard must keep the ball away from the stud sophomore safety.
The second primary safety to highlight is senior Lathan Ransom. Like Downs, he is versatile and plays linebacker in certain situations. Before this season, Ransom had totaled 146 tackles including nine for a loss, ten passes defended, three forced fumbles, two and a half sacks, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery in 34 games played across the past three years. In two previous meetings against Notre Dame, the senior has combined for 20 tackles. This season, the defensive back has recorded 72 tackles including nine for a loss, three forced fumbles, two passes defended, an interception, a sack, and a fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown versus Akron, in 14 games played. He missed the Buckeyes’ matchup with Nebraska with an undisclosed injury. Ransom, who was named to the First Team All-Big Ten this season, has at least one tackle in each game played including a season-high nine versus both Akron and Michigan. During the CFP, the senior has 16 tackles, a sack, and a pass defended. He excels against the run and is a great pass rusher when needed with five pressures on just 16 pass rush snaps. Ransom has been good in coverage this year, having allowed 20 receptions for 258 yards and a touchdown on 28 targets. Additionally, he is a solid tackler with 14 misses, however, five have occurred in the past two games. If the Notre Dame offense chooses to target a safety, this would be the safer bet for success compared to Downs.
Another defensive back that could impact Monday’s game is senior Jordan Hancock. Although listed as a cornerback on Ohio State’s roster, the senior splits his time between safety and slot corner. Last season, he recorded 41 tackles, five passes defended, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions including a pick-six in 13 games played. He had a pass defended versus Notre Dame. This season, Hancock has 45 tackles, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, and an interception. He has at least one tackle in 14 games including a season-high six last week versus Texas, in addition to a pass defended. The senior’s best game this year occurred versus Nebraska when he had five tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception in the close win. Hancock is a very good defensive back who excels in coverage, having allowed 27 receptions for 213 yards on 47 targets. He is good against the run and a great tackler with just five misses on the year. Also, the senior is a solid pass rusher when needed with three pressures on 19 pass rush snaps.
The first of three true cornerbacks to highlight is senior Denzel Burke. Before this season, he had 95 tackles including six for a loss, 26 passes defended, two interceptions including a pick-six, and a forced fumble in 35 games played across the past three years. Burke was selected to the Third Team All-Big Ten in ‘21 and First Team All-conference last season. While Burke did not record any stats in last year’s meeting with the Irish, he did have a tackle and pass defended in the ‘22 matchup. This season, the senior has 45 tackles and two interceptions as he was named to the Third Team All-conference. He has at least two tackles in 13 games, including a season-high six versus Marshall and Nebraska. Burke is a good corner who is a great tackler with just four misses this year, although one occurred last week. He is good against the run and in coverage as he has allowed 31 receptions for 394 yards and two touchdowns on 40 targets.
Another cornerback to watch for is junior Davison Igbinosun. The former Ole Miss transfer entered this year with 96 tackles, ten passes defended, and two fumble recoveries in 26 games played across the past two years. He transferred to Columbus following his freshman year in Oxford. In last season’s meeting with Notre Dame, Igbinosun played well with six tackles and a pass defended. This year, the junior has 41 tackles, nine passes defended (leads team), two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. He has at least one tackle in 14 games including a season-high five last week versus Texas. During the CFP, Igbinosun has played well with 11 tackles and two passes defended. The good corner excels against the run. He is a good tackler, although three of his six misses on the year have occurred in the CFP. Also, he is a good pass rusher when needed with three pressures on just seven pass rush snaps. In coverage, the junior has been solid, having allowed 30 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns on 57 targets throughout the year.
The final Buckeye to highlight in the secondary is sophomore cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. Last season, he recorded 13 tackles and three passes defended including a pick-six in 11 games played. He did not play against Notre Dame. This year, Mathews has 21 tackles including three for a loss and a sack in 14 games played. He did not appear in Ohio State’s regular-season matchup at Oregon. The sophomore has at least one tackle in 11 games including a season-high four at Northwestern. He has six tackles during the CFP. Mathews is another good tackling CB with just two misses on the year. He is solid against the run and in coverage, having allowed 14 receptions for 107 yards on 23 targets this season.
Against the run this Buckeyes defense has been elite, allowing an average of 89.9 yards per game, the third-fewest among all FBS teams. In addition, their 7.1 tackles for loss per game are the third-most in the Big Ten and 21st in the country. We preview the key players involved in this front seven below:
One leader of this CFP Championship run for Ohio St is senior DE JT Tuimoloau. The right-side edge rusher is currently projected to be a round one or two selection in this year’s NFL Draft. Before this season, he had 83 tackles including 23 for a loss, 11 sacks, seven passes defended, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions including a pick-six, and a forced fumble in 39 games played across the past three years. The ‘22 and ‘23 First Team All-Big Ten selection has recorded seven tackles including one and a half for a loss and a pass defended in two previous meetings against Notre Dame. This season, Tuimoloau was again named to the First Team All-conference as he totaled 56 tackles including 20 for a loss, 11.5 sacks (leads team), three passes defended, and two forced fumbles entering Monday’s matchup. The senior’s 1.3 TFLs per game are the second-most in the Big Ten and 12th among all FBS defenders while his 0.77 sacks per game are the third-most in the conference and 14th in the country. Tuimoloau has at least two tackles in 14 games. This includes his impressive performance in the CFP First Round versus Tennessee when he recorded a season-high eight tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defended in a dominant win. Throughout the Buckeyes’ CFP run, he has contributed 18 tackles, five and a half sacks, and two passes defended. The edge rusher excels in stopping the run. He is a very good pass rusher with 48 pressures on 332 pass rush snaps and he has just five missed tackles on the year.
Ohio State’s other starting edge rusher is senior DE Jack Sawyer, who is just as, if not more, talented than Tuimoloau. He is a potential first-round pick this upcoming April. Before this season, Sawyer had 85 tackles including 20 for a loss, 14 sacks, four passes defended, and three forced fumbles in 38 games played across the past three years. He notched a tackle and pass defended versus Notre Dame last year but did not record any stats in the ‘22 meeting. This season, Sawyer has 56 tackles including nine for a loss, nine sacks, six passes defended, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries including two scoop-n-scores, and an interception. The senior was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten as his 0.6 sacks per game are the seventh-most in the conference and 35th among all FBS defenders. He has at least two tackles in each game including a season-high seven at Northwestern, in which he added a forced fumble. Sawyer had a season-high two sacks and three passes defended versus Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Throughout the CFP, he has ten tackles, six passes defended (had zero during the regular season), four and a half sacks, a forced fumble, and a game-sealing scoop-n-score which occurred in the Cotton Bowl versus Texas. The elite edge defender is a great pass rusher with 60 pressures on 349 pass rush snaps. He is also great against the run and a solid tackler with just eight misses this year.
At linebacker, the Buckeyes feature versatile junior Sonny Styles. Sonny’s brother, Lorenzo Jr., was a WR for two seasons at Notre Dame before transferring to Columbus in June ‘23 and converting to DB. Sonny can line up as an interior or outside backer and slot corner. Last season, he had 53 tackles including five for a loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble in 13 games played. He recorded six tackles versus the Irish. This season, Styles has totaled 94 tackles including ten for a loss, five sacks, five passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The junior has at least four tackles in each game including a season-high nine against Oregon, Penn St., and Texas. He had a season-high two sacks and two passes defended at Northwestern, adding to his six tackles. Through the CFP, Styles has 18 tackles, two passes defended, a sack, and a forced fumble. He is a very good pass rusher with 17 pressures on 73 pass rush snaps. The junior is solid against the run and in coverage, having allowed 40 receptions for 338 yards and a touchdown on 56 targets. He has struggled with tackling throughout the year, with 18 misses including three last week and five in the CFP.
Ohio State’s premier inside linebacker is graduate student Cody Simon. The versatile backer who can play slot corner entered this season with 143 tackles including 12 for a loss, four passes defended, three sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble in 37 games played across the past three years. He has four tackles in two games against Notre Dame. This year, Simon has racked up 104 tackles (leads team) including 12 for a loss, seven sacks, seven passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 14 games played. He missed the Buckeyes’ season-opener versus Akron. The First Team All-Big Ten backer has at least two tackles in each game played. He has five games with five or more tackles including a season-high 12 versus Tennessee, in which he also had a pass defended. The grad-student had a season-high two and a half sacks versus Indiana where he added ten tackles and a forced fumble. He has 30 tackles, two sacks, and two passes defended in the CFP. Simon is an elite run-stopper and great pass rusher with 19 pressures on 81 pass rush snaps. He has been solid in coverage, having allowed 33 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown on 39 targets this year. Additionally, he is a good tackler with 13 misses.
The first of two defensive tackles to highlight is senior Ty Hamilton. Before this season, he had 65 tackles including eight for a loss, four and a half sacks, two passes defended, and a fumble recovery in 39 games played across the past three years. He tallied five tackles in two previous meetings with Notre Dame. This season, the senior has 51 tackles including six for a loss, three and a half sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Hamilton has at least one tackle in each game and had his best performance of the year versus Iowa when he recorded five tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. He has 11 tackles and a sack in the CFP. The senior tackle is a good run-stopper and tackler with four misses on the year, including two last week. Also, he is a solid pass rusher with 18 pressures on 340 pass rush snaps.
The final Buckeyes defender to keep an eye on is senior DT Tyleik Williams. Before this season, the potential first-round selection had 90 tackles including 20 for a loss, nine sacks, nine passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery which he returned for a touchdown in 38 games played across the past three years. The ‘23 Second Team All-Big Ten selection had four tackles including one for a loss and a pass defended against Notre Dame last year. He did not record any stats in their ‘22 matchup. This season, Williams has 42 tackles including seven for a loss and two and a half sacks in 12 games played. He missed three games with an ankle injury but was still named to the Third Team All-conference. The senior tackle had his best game of the year versus Akron when he tallied seven tackles and a sack. During the CFP, he has added ten tackles and a pass defended. Williams is a very talented run-stopper who is a solid pass rusher with 20 pressures on 291 pass rush snaps. He is also a fine tackler with seven misses on the year.
Notre Dame will have their hands full trying to put up points on this elite defense en route to a College Football Playoff Championship. They have been doubted all season, especially following the loss to Northern Illinois, so Monday’s matchup is nothing new. The Irish excel under pressure and deserve to be trusted with being prepared for this game.
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