Jim Knowles identifies biggest difference for Ohio State defense this season

An elite defense this season has helped Ohio State to remain in the hunt for both a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance. The Buckeyes have ranked third in the country in points allowed per game (10.0) and second in yards allowed per play (3.9) this season on their way to a 7-0 start.

That defense was on full display this past week in a 20-12 victory against Penn State. Ohio State held the Nittany Lions, who rank second in the Big Ten with 181.3 rushing yards per game, to just 46 yards on the ground and recorded four sacks.

It’s a testament to the job defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has done since arriving last season from Oklahoma State. The Buckeyes were a solid defense before then, ranking among the top 50 in most categories. However, they’ve taken that next step into now being considered one of the top units in the country, a change from the offensively driven teams of 2021 and 2022.

“You’ve got great leadership,” Knowles said. “You’ve got guys who want to hold up our end. Guys who want to be counted on. You throw that in with an extra year of knowledge in the scheme. Knowledge of the scheme is really a big deal. Being able to see the forest through the trees. Understanding. Being able to handle adjustments through the week where maybe in the past you’re hesitant to put new things in because guys don’t quite understand. They pick things up and they study and they take a lot of pride.”

The Buckeyes stopped Penn State on 15 of its 16 third-down tries Saturday and held them to just 167 yards prior to the final drive of the game. With the offense going from leading the country in points per game in 2021 to ranking just 34th this season, it’s been the defense that has stepped up big in the Buckeyes’ win this past week and against Notre Dame.

Knowles has managed to find success wherever he’s been, turning Oklahoma State into a top five defense in the country in 2021. Now a similar transformation has quickly taken place with the Buckeyes, who are reaping the benefits of that in their results on the field.

With another potential defensive battle coming up this season against Wisconsin, Ohio State will look to continue to rely on names such as JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer on the defensive front. They’re also awaiting the return of Denzel Burke in the secondary, which should only make things better.

If the offense catches up to the defense, this has a special to be a special season for Ohio State. Kickoff between the Buckeyes and Badgers is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Madison.