Optimism is running high after defensive coordinator Jim Knowles improved Ohio State's 2022 defense in nearly every statistical category versus the previous season, despite the Buckeyes giving up what felt like a million points in back-to-back losses to Michigan and Georgia.
In fact, it was 87 points and 1,063 yards allowed - much of that via explosive plays - that doomed the 2022 Buckeyes from reaching their goals of winning the Big Ten and capturing a national title but the campaign wasn't without improvement.
The 2022 group shaved 1.8 points per game allowed off the 2021 defense's effort (21.