The No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes made a powerful statement on Saturday night, overpowering the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers 42-17 to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Now, the Buckeyes are set for a highly anticipated rematch against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks in the prestigious Rose Bowl Game, with a berth in the semifinals on the line.
The previous meeting between these two teams earlier this season was a thrilling classic in Eugene, Oregon, where the Ducks narrowly triumphed 32-31 in a game that saw multiple lead changes and intense late-game drama. Since that Oct. 12 battle, Ohio State has gone on a remarkable defensive tear that has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike, setting the stage for an even more electrifying showdown.
Ohio State’s defense has been nearly flawless, not allowing a passing touchdown since their matchup against Oregon in Week 7. Over the last seven games, including three against top-10 teams, the Buckeyes’ defense has kept opposing quarterbacks completely scoreless through the air, despite ongoing concerns about their secondary.
According to ESPN, Ohio State’s defense is ranked No. 1 in the FBS, having allowed the fewest yards in the nation—an average of just 242.2 yards per game, totaling a mere 3,149 yards. They’ve also given up only 11.4 points per game, leading the nation in that category as well.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has been the mastermind behind this impressive feat, earning praise for his ability to keep his defense operating at an elite level, often flying under the radar despite their dominance on the field.
However, the Buckeyes’ defense will face its biggest challenge yet when they go up against Oregon’s fast and explosive offense, guided by veteran quarterback and Heisman finalist Dillon Gabriel.
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