Last Saturday, the Ohio State Buckeyes racked up the points and beat the Akron Zips 52-6. Now, while Akron is not much of an opponent for Ohio State, the offense for the Buckeyes has been highly praised entering this season, with some saying this team has "the best roster in college football in the last decade".
With receivers like Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, running backs like TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and Will Howard at quarterback, it makes sense why some analysts have such high expectations. But one such expert believes it is the Buckeyes' defense that will lead them to the promised land.
ESPN College Football analyst and former OSU quarterback Kirk Herbstreit went on the 'Pat McAfee Show' and was asked what he learned most after Ohio State's first game:
"The defensive line is so good," Herbstreit said, "There is so much experience there... these guys know this system, they know it very very well".
"Will Howard is so big and he can move..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 3, 2024
There's so much experience on that defense and those guys know that system very well"@KirkHerbstreit #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/X93xcGGpsG
Herbstreit highlighted that OSU only spent money in the transfer portal for safety Caleb Downs. Other than that, they have focused on bringing back players from last season. With guys like Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau leading the charge, headed by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, Herbstreit believes they will be the reason Ohio State goes far in the CFP:
"Ohio State is going to be a tough out because of what they are going to be doing on [the defensive] side of the football".
The Buckeyes look to keep up their defensive intensity as they host Western Michigan on Saturday, September 7 at 7:30 PM EST.
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