As the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines prepare for one of the biggest matchups in the history of the rivalry, there has been a heavy focus on the quarterback matchup.
But what about the defenses?
The biggest problem Ohio State had in ‘The Game’ last season was stopping the run. They allowed 252 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, even with their top rusher Blake Corum carrying the ball only twice.
However, backup Donovan Edwards carried the load behind a stout offensive line.
This season, the two Wolverine backs have continued to split carries, leading Michigan to the No. 3 rushing offense in the Big Ten. Together, Corum and Edwards have dismantled defenses over and over again.
However, Ohio State has a dominant front stopping the run themselves. The Buckeyes have a top-20 rushing defense nationally, limiting opponents to just 108.5 yards per game and three total touchdowns, good for No. 3 in the country.
Junior defensive ends J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer have done a great job both containing quarterbacks in the pocket and preventing big plays.
The pass defense has also been elite for the Buckeyes, with the Ohio State secondary excelling despite injuries to senior safeties Lathan Ransom and Josh Proctor and junior cornerback Denzel Burke.
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