When comparing Ohio State's defensive performances between week one's 77-31 win over Oregon State and week two's 52-3 victory over Rutgers, it's almost like night and day.
In almost every aspect of the game, the Buckeyes' defense improved tremendously. You can look at the numbers and you can find the adjustments on film, but one underrated characteristic of Ohio State's defense last week – something that was missing in its season-opening performance – was the presence of veteran safety Jordan Fuller.
Without Fuller against the Beavers, the Buckeyes surrendered big plays, missed tackles in the secondary and allowed almost 400 yards of offense.