So far in the 2023 season, the Ohio State pass defense has sleepwalked its way through two games against lesser competition. Now that Western Kentucky — yes, Western Kentucky — is coming to town, every aspect of the pass defense will be tested.
After stifling the passing attacks of Indiana and Youngstown State, the Buckeyes sit as the sixth-best passing defense by allowing just 108.5 yards per game. Through two games, Ohio State hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown and offenses are only completing 55.3% of their passes. They’ve looked good for the most part but WKU isn’t anything to overlook. If the Buckeyes are looking forward to their matchup with Notre Dame, the Hilltoppers will make them pay.
The Ohio State Pass Defense Has to Step Up Against WKU
Don’t Ignore the Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky loves to sling it. Last year, the Hilltoppers averaged 352 yards through the air. The year prior was a whopping 433 yards per game. Austin Reed led the offense last year with 4,746 yards, the most in FBS. He got to that total after passing for over 300 yards nine times. His season was topped off by a 497-yard, four-touchdown effort in the New Orleans Bowl over a stout South Alabama defense.
This year, Reed is still throwing it all over the yard. He’s tied for 10th in FBS with 83 passing attempts, 20th with 589 yards, and tied for ninth with six touchdowns. He will be getting his dynamic receiver back, Malachi Corley. Last year, Corley exploded onto the scene with 1,295 yards and 11 touchdowns off of 101 receptions. This season, however, he only suited up for the season-opener where he hauled in four passes for just 55 yards.
This is an offense that cannot be overlooked. It could be a perfect storm for Western Kentucky. Of Corley’s 1,295 receiving yards, 975 were after the catch. Ohio State loves to play man coverage and leave its corners and safeties on islands. This is an offense that will take advantage of each and every missed tackle or blown coverage. One of the keys heading into this season was to keep explosive plays at a minimum.
The Secondary is Primary
Indiana and Youngstown State were not much of a test for the Ohio State pass defense on the back end. Outside of a busted coverage in the first quarter, the secondary looked good last week. Naturally, Western Kentucky is not Youngstown State.
The focus will be on Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun. Both corners have been making plays for the Buckeyes and will have to continue that this week. Igbinosun will be a good matchup against Corley or Easton Messer, the Hilltoppers’ leading receiver to this point. Burke will get to face off against the other and has just as tough of a test.
Sonny Styles has been a staple of the safety room and has shown why he has generated a lot of hype among Buckeye fans. He’s registered eight tackles and one-and-a-half tackles for loss through two games but he will have the opportunity to shine this week. The WKU offense is going to try to take advantage of the Buckeyes’ love of playing man coverage, so Styles will have to be ready to come downhill for any crossers or to clean up.
Keeping explosive plays to a minimum and not missing tackles are about as obvious of keys one can come up with. This week, it’s about as true as it can be. Ohio State has had an issue with both over the last two seasons. Against Western Kentucky, it’ll be the first true test to see if the defense truly is fixed or if they are heading for another frustrating season filled with getting to know the opponent’s nameplates.
What Pass Rush?
Despite holding opposing offenses to 10 points and controlling the game, the Ohio State pass defense is missing a crucial aspect: a pass rush.
One of the calling cards of the great Ohio State defensive linemen of the last decade or so was teeing off on lesser competition. This year, it’s missing. To this point, the Buckeyes have only forced three sacks. Those three are broken down one by a linebacker, one by a defensive tackle, and one by a backup defensive tackle. Noticeably absent is any star edge rusher.
With Western Kentucky coming to town with a pass-happy offense, therein lies a great opportunity for guys like Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau to have their 2023 breakout moment and take over the game. Between the two, there are 10 starts, 13 tackles, one-half of a tackle for loss, and zero big plays. However, Jim Knowles and his coaching staff are not concerned. They believe that the duo is doing their job but the opportunities haven’t been there due to opposing game plans.
The Hilltoppers, through two games, have thrown the ball 88 times. Assuming the offense does its job, the Ohio State pass defense and pass rush will have plenty of opportunities. All eyes will be on Sawyer and Tuimoloau to finally take over a game.
The Season Heats Up
This is the first time Ohio State and Western Kentucky have ever faced off. It’s been a long time since the Buckeyes have dropped a game against a non-Power 5 team and it’s not likely to happen again this week. However, that’s not to say that OSU can sleepwalk through this game.
The team has announced that Kyle McCord is officially the starting quarterback and the offense is starting to gel. An area where the offense will need to improve is on third down. They have converted on just 29.2% of their third downs, the 15th-worst mark in all of college football.
The Hilltoppers are a favorite to take Conference USA. They will not lie down. The Buckeyes should be able to take care of business in this one to set up a massive showdown at Notre Dame.
Photo courtesy: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
