Insight on the Defenses of #2 vs. #3 in our Match-up of the Week

Oct 12, 2024 2:43 pm

Coach -

Our match-up of the week is a much awaited contest the new Big10 opponents, and the winner may jump to the #1 spot in the next poll.

Let’s take a look at #2 Ohio State vs. #3 Oregon.

Across the board, these two teams have had similar results with top rated offenses and defenses. It could come down to big plays on defense (sacks and turnovers) and in this regard, Ohio State has has an edge in their performance in 2024.

Their powerful running game (222.2 yards per game) allows them to have balance, throw play action and mix in RPO which also allows them to protect the passer.

That is important against a Dan Lanning defense that loves to be aggressive (3.2 sacks per game).

Ohio State is aggressive behind Jim Knowles defense in getting after the quarterback (2.8 sacks per game).

It will come down to keeping the quarterback upright and that may be a factor of who runs the ball more effectively. Ohio State has a slight edge in both rushing O and rushing D.

Taking care of the football may be the single most important factor in the game, and this is an area where the two teams differ with Ohio State in the positive in the turnover margin and Oregon in the negative.

With their lone common opponent, Michigan State, the scores were similar with Ohio State posting a 38-7 win and Oregon 31-10.

This one could be an instant classic, and it’s certainly one of the best match-ups so far in 2024.

Let’s get some insight from each of these staffs.

Ohio State - Jim Knowles’ Stop Rate and Muckle

The total offense yards per game are on the rise as well with the uptempo style of the game and more plays being run as a factor. Yards per game are not the best indicator of success. Points will always be the bottom line.

As those points continue to rise, we need to look at what numbers define a good or great defense.

In his talk at the 3rd Annual Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator explained that “stop rate” is a better indicator of defensive success.

He shared, according to Max Olsen, senior writer for The Athletic, Stop rate is the percentage of a defense’s drives that end in a punt, turnover, or turnover on downs. This simple metric can offer a more accurate reflection of a defense’s effectiveness in today’s faster-tempo game than yards per game or even points per game.

Stop Rate is something Coach Knowles's defenses have been successful with. He shares what the stop rate is and the results in this video (click on image for video):

Video: Stop rate

Muckle - Linebackers Have to Stop the Pass

For the Buckeyes, “Muckle” is a made-up word, but it could be a key factor in this game. It means putting a body on a body in pass coverage. It’s a key technique in making linebackers good pass defenders. Coach Knowles teaches it so that the LBs can gain leverage on the route runner and keep it. It gives them a plan and approach to defending the route. It’s an aggressive technique that closes the space and also has in and out-of-phase components. Coach Knowles shares it in drills and game film in this video:

Video: Muckle

Oregon - Dan Lanning’s Breakdown of a Sim to Stop “5 in the Closet”

Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning shared his thought process used while he was the defensive coordinator at Georgia in the National Championship against Alabama. He showed what they saw on film, and then the plan to cover everything up on the backend, especially the two routes Alabama wanted most, the OTB and the Wheel, and how they defeat the protection with a Sim.

This is an example of how to apply all the knowledge you have gained to defeat something specific. (click on image for video):