Jim Knowles updates progress on defensive install at Ohio State

So much of how great Ohio State can be in 2022 will fall back on the Buckeye’s defense. Everybody has a pretty good idea of what Ryan Day’s team will bring to the table on offense. Their defense the last two seasons, though, has cost them at times by finishing outside the top-35. The hiring of former Oklahoma State DC Jim Knowles is Day’s opportunity to rectify that.

With that said, Knowles’ defense needed to be taught before it does Ohio State any good. However, Knowles said during a press conference Monday that the Buckeyes are ahead of schedule on the instillation. He’s more than okay with where his defense is at considering they’re farther than he ever expected them to get this fall.

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“We’re up to about 75%. I’m really, very comfortable with where we’re at because we’re going to have to pare it down (and) get it specific to our opponent as we go. I think we’ve come a long way in terms of instillation…Farther than I would have expected,” said Knowles. “The players are very open to learning and they want to be great. That part of it has been exciting and we’ve been able to get a lot in.”

The Cowboys defense under Jim Knowles finished 34th and ninth the last two seasons by giving up an average of 20.8 points per game. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes finished 44th and 38th in the same span by giving up 24.3 points a content.

While his whole defense hasn’t been installed yet, Knowles says it’s alright. He never wanted them to learn 100% of his defense because that’s not what he believes in. Knowles said it’s more about teaching his players everything he can so that during the season they can go back to those lessons and use them effectively on the field.

“I never expected to get to 100%. We’ll keep some things in reserve and pull them out as needed as we go through the season. But I don’t like to spring things on the players that are brand new as you’re preparing for an opponent. My philosophy is get as much in as you can and then have enough so that you have answers,” said Knowles. “I think we’ve always been good in the second half. That’s not because we’re creating new things but because we’re pulling from a tool chest that already has answers in it that they’re aware of and they know how it works.”

Ohio State will win a lot of games based on their offensive firepower alone. Even so, Jim Knowles’ defense could really maximize their potential. They’re already contenders for the College Football Playoff and they haven’t played a down yet. If they pair comparable scoring to 2021’s team with an improved defense too, they’d make their case as the best two way team in the nation. That’d also make Ohio State the potential favorite to win the whole thing this season in Los Angeles.