Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines: A Battle of Top Defenses
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.
Sophomore safety Sonny Styles has been a leader for the secondary when the veterans have been out. Styles himself has played all around the secondary, going from linebacker to safety to corner and even rushing the passer often.
Although the Michigan secondary has been nearly just as good as the Buckeyes, their pass rush has also been a major factor. Senior edge rusher Jaylen Harrell leads the team with 6.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.
As a team, the Michigan defense has combined for 27 sacks and a whopping 66 tackles for loss.
Both offenses are now set to face each of their toughest tests of the season, with the top two scoring defenses nationally, and quarterbacks Kyle McCord and J.J. McCarthy will look to pinpoint any weaknesses they can find.
Ohio State and Michigan kick off Saturday at noon ET.
