Ohio State’s defense has seemingly improved since its first game against Oregon, but the Buckeyes’ defense had been the best in the country entering that game, too.
Statistically, Ohio State’s defensive struggles against Oregon are an anomaly compared to its defensive performance in every other game it’s played this season. The Buckeyes allowed 32 points on 496 yards of offense in their one-point loss to the Ducks on Oct. 12; in their other 12 games this season, Ohio State has not allowed more than 17 points or 273 yards in any game.
Did Ohio State’s defense play its worst football of the season in Eugene, or was Oregon’s offense simply that much more capable of exposing the Buckeyes’ flaws than any other offense Ohio State has faced this year?