In Ohio State’s two losses last season to Oklahoma and Iowa, one of the Buckeyes’ most glaring weaknesses was their linebacker play.
With a starting lineup of Chris Worley at middle linebacker, Jerome Baker at weakside linebacker and Dante Booker at strongside linebacker, Ohio State’s linebackers struggled mightily in coverage against Oklahoma, as the Sooners’ backs and tight ends combined for 14 catches, 177 yards and two touchdowns to help hand the Buckeyes a 31-16 loss in their second game of the season.
That same lineup of linebackers struggled even worse in the Buckeyes’ ninth game of the season against Iowa, when the Hawkeyes’ backs and tight ends combined for 13 catches, 167 yards and five touchdowns in a 55-24 thrashing in Iowa City.