Buckeyes back to defensive drawing board after forgettable end of season

Jim Knowles was hired away from Oklahoma State to rebuild the Buckeyes defense, which ranked ninth in the Big Ten in both points per game allowed and yards per game allowed last season. Through 11 games this year, it appeared as if he and the rest of the revamped Ohio State defensive staff had accomplished that goal — after all, the Buckeyes were top five in the league in scoring defense, passing defense and rushing defense, among other major defensive categories. Except, against Michigan, Knowles' 4-2-5, bend-but-don't-break defense broke.