In both of its losses this season, Ohio State's defense was the culprit upon which blame was deservedly pinned. But while Oregon and Michigan kept the Buckeyes on their heels by disguising diverse run games that opened up RPOs and play-action passes, it was the unit's general passivity that caught fans most off guard, rarely having seen the scarlet and gray get pushed around so easily.
While Utah may not seem on the surface to be the kind of program capable of manhandling Ohio State, Kyle Wittingham's team brings exactly the kind of physicality Ryan Day was likely hoping to avoid before formally handing over the reins to new coordinator Jim Knowles this offseason.