Joel Klatt explains the difference between Ohio State in 2021 and 2022

Ohio State has been in the national title conversation from the jump this season. Ryan Day, CJ Stroud, and the Buckeye offense were always going to have them in the mix for the CFP. Still, they needed to see growth in certain areas to really justify their spot among the elite teams. From what Joel Klatt has seen, they’ve done that and more and that’s why they’re ranked as they are.

Klatt spoke on ‘Breaking The Huddle’ about the ways in which Ohio State is different or improved. He said the defense is an obvious area of development while their run game has taken it up a notch too.

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“This Ohio State team is different than last year’s Ohio State team. Last year’s Ohio State team did not play great defense. And, quite frankly, they run the ball better this year,” said Klatt. “They’re better on their offensive line and they’re more deep at the running back position with TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. So this is just a different, and better, Ohio State team. If you can’t see that then I’m sorry.”

In the run game, the emergence of Williams has made their backfield more balanced. He played well a season ago but now Henderson is no longer dominating the snaps between the pair. The duo has combined for a total of 933 rushing yards for 12 touchdowns on 133 attempts.

However, the defense has been the glaring change that can’t be ignored. The Buckeye defense was barely a Top-40 unit last season as they gave up an average of 22.8 points per game. They were penetrable and it cost Ohio State in some of its biggest moments. Now, the defense is allowing a whole touchdown less per game at just 15.1 points a contest. They’ve emerged as a Top-10 group now and, although their offense will always get the headlines, Klatt believes this is the reason the team is in contention.

“By the way, their wide receivers are (still) elite, I think CJ Stroud is a better version of himself, and the defense makes them a much more bonafide title contender…Ohio State is in the Top-10 in scoring defense, total defense, passing defense, rushing defense, yards per play defense,” said Klatt. “What more do you want?”

There were next to no questions about Ohio State’s offense coming into the season. Their defense needed to step up, though, and that’s what has transpired under Jim Knowles’ leadership. The offense was always going to give them a chance to be in Los Angeles but, with this defense coming along with them, it gives them a far more legitimate shot to go win in the postseason.