Re-Engineering the Defense Midseason

The Silver Bullets have featured some very different schemes over the past two weeks after getting exposed in Eugene.

Caleb Downs has led a revitalized Buckeye defense following a poor performance in Oregon.

Searching for Solutions on D

While an improved pass rush certainly won't hurt, foundational schematic problems across the entire defense must be addressed for the Buckeyes to achieve their goals this season.

The pressure is on Jim Knowles to shore up his defense following the lackluster performance in Oregon.

Film Study

Eleven Warriors' Kyle Jones brings you inside Ohio State football's playbook.

Film Study: Another Marv-elous Game Plan

Despite what the haters have told you, Ryan Day still knows how to scheme up a passing game with the best of 'em. Just ask Penn State.

26 Oct 2023
by Kyle Jones

23 Comments

Film Study: The Silver Bullets Are Back

Four goal-line snaps against Purdue showed why fans (and opponents) should believe in the Buckeye defense once again.

19 Oct 2023
by Kyle Jones

46 Comments

Film Study: Struggles at the Second Level

Ohio State's O-line continued to have trouble executing basic zone-blocking principles, leaving Maryland linebackers unblocked and runners with nowhere to go.

12 Oct 2023
by Kyle Jones

130 Comments

Film Study: Coaching Matters

Until some questionable decisions late in the game, both the Ohio State and Notre Dame coaching staffs made critical adjustments to give their teams a chance to win.

28 Sep 2023
by Kyle Jones

115 Comments

Film Study: Building Off Boundary Runs

What appeared to be a weakness during the first two weeks became a strength against Western Kentucky.

21 Sep 2023
by Kyle Jones

65 Comments

Is D for Dominant?

How much can we trust the improvement of Ohio State's defense through the first two games of 2023?

14 Sep 2023
by Kyle Jones

87 Comments

A Very Different Looking Offense

Despite featuring the best WR room in America, it was the surprising deployment of Ohio State's tight ends and running backs that made the difference in week one.

07 Sep 2023
by Kyle Jones

68 Comments

Film Study's Biggest Fan

In a break from the norm, Kyle honors the series' biggest fan and shows why it could have never existed without him.

31 Aug 2023
by Kyle Jones

118 Comments

12P is the New Way to Be

After decades of spread offenses dominating the sport, Jim Knowles and the Silver Bullets must be prepared for a barrage of two-tight end sets designed to do much more than just...

24 Aug 2023
by Kyle Jones

66 Comments

Truth vs. Fiction from Knowles' First Year

The Buckeye defense faltered at the worst possible time in 2022, leading some to question whether the veteran coordinator is up to the task. Film Study tries to shed some light on...

26 Jan 2023
by Kyle Jones

191 Comments

A Revamped Run D Seeks Revenge

The Silver Bullets have been waiting 52 weeks to get a shot at what might be Jim Harbaugh's best offense yet.

23 Nov 2022
by Kyle Jones

53 Comments

What's Wrong With the Run Game?

The OSU ground game hasn't looked great recently, but fixing it might not be as hard as you think.

10 Nov 2022
by Kyle Jones

137 Comments

Don't Blame Bubble Screens

The Buckeyes' game plan for Penn State was sound, even if their execution was not.

04 Nov 2022
by Kyle Jones

176 Comments

The Anatomy of an INT

Tommy Eichenberg's pick-six came thanks to the efforts of many on the OSU defense, including the play-caller.

27 Oct 2022
by Kyle Jones

34 Comments

The Basics of Iowa's Stingy Defense

All of the focus on the Hawkeyes' putrid offense has overshadowed a defense that is once again a force to be reckoned with.

20 Oct 2022
by Kyle Jones

50 Comments

Doing More With Less

With some key skill players out due to injury, the Ohio State offense got creative with its game plan against MSU.

13 Oct 2022
by Kyle Jones

42 Comments

Rutgers Emptied the Playbook on D

The final score may not have shown it, but the Rutgers defense made life more difficult than C.J. Stroud and co. probably expected.

06 Oct 2022
by Kyle Jones

51 Comments

It Shouldn't Be So Easy

The OSU coaching staff does such a good job drawing up game plans, could it possibly hurt C.J. Stroud's reputation in the eyes of NFL evaluators?

29 Sep 2022
by Kyle Jones

94 Comments

Scouting Wisconsin's 3-4 Defense

Jim Leonhard has built one of the nation's consistently best defenses in Madison by tapping into concepts he found success with as a player in Rex Ryan's system.

22 Sep 2022
by Kyle Jones

47 Comments

Knowles’ Aggressive Approach is Working

"When it all comes together, it's a beautiful thing to watch," Jim Knowles remarked of his blitz-heavy system's performance through two games.

15 Sep 2022
by Kyle Jones

38 Comments

Film Study

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