The phenomenon of Ohio State only facing undefeated teams marches on Saturday as Ohio State welcomes the 5-0 Maryland Terrapins to the Shoe for a Big Noon banger.
Ahead of the matchup, Ryan Day met with the media yesterday to discuss numerous topics. Chief among them was the game within the game that features Maryland's talented signal-caller, Taulia Tagovailoa, against Ohio State's rejuvenated (pass) defense.
Day knows it'll be a big challenge for Jim Knowles and company.
Taulia’s played a lot of football. He makes a lot of plays. They have weapons on offense, you saw that last year (against OSU).. Ultimately it comes down to winning the game up front but sure our secondary is going to get challenged this week. We need to get pressure on him. That’s a big part of the equation. – Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day
Though Ohio State isn't lighting up the stat sheet with sacks through four games, the secondary has more than held its own in slowing down opposing passing attacks.
In fact, the 2023 Buckeyes are on pace to post their best pass defense metrics since the elite 2019 team ranked No. 1 in passing yards allowed per game and passing yards per attempt allowed while posting the 3rd-best completion rate allowed.
Right now, the 2023 Buckeyes are giving up fewer pass yards per game on a lower yards per attempt than Jeff Hafley's '19 bunch.
| SEASON | PASSING YARDS / GAME | NATL RANK | YARDS / ATTEMPT | NATL RANK | INTERCEPTIONS | NATL RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 149.0 | 3 | 5.4 | 10 | 3 | 70 |
| 2022 | 200.5 | 26 | 7.2 | 66 | 11 | 51 |
| 2021 | 245.8 | 96 | 6.9 | 32 | 12 | 40 |
| 2020 | 304.0 | 122 | 7.7 | 85 | 7 | 58 |
| 2019 | 156.0 | 1 | 5.6 | 1 | 15 | 9 |
Ohio State's defense has held each of the three FBS opponents faced so far to well below their passing yards per game averages.
Indiana's passing attack, ranked No. 80 in the land, is averaging 224 yards per game but managed only 82 versus the Buckeyes. Western Kentucky stands No. 26 in the country with 286 passing yards per game but Ohio State held it to 204. Versus Notre Dame's 44th-ranked passing attack, the Buckeyes held Sam Hartman to 175 yards versus the Irish's average of 269 yards per game.
On average, Ohio State has held those three opponents to about 106 yards below their per game passing yard averages.
And the Buckeyes have done that without a consistent pass rush thus far. The eye test (at least my eye test) thinks the pressure has been a little better than the numbers suggest but there's obviously room for more improved production. Statistically, Ohio State slots a dreadful No. 119 out of 133 FBS teams in sacks per game at 1.25 and No. 126 in sack yardage (33). Yeah, that's not going to cut it long term.
Whether or not Ohio State can turn up the pressure on Tagovailoa without totally losing contain will be a key factor in Saturday's contest and on paper, it looks like a legit challenge. The Terps slot No. 5 nationally giving up just 0.60 sacks per game due in part to Tagovailoa's excellent mobility and experience.
Beyond his escapability and ability to make something out of nothing, he's been solid in the pocket and over the last two weeks, he shredded Big Ten opponents Indiana and Michigan State. In wins over those two also-rans, he completed 64% of his throws for 575 yards and eight touchdowns, plus two more scores on the ground, against one pick.
Last year against the Buckeyes, Tagovailoa completed 72% of his throws for 293 yards and two scores while adding some big plays with his feet but he was also sacked five times including one for an Ohio State touchdown. The Terps led 13-10 at the half and trailed just 33-30 midway through the fourth quarter before Ohio State eventually recorded a 43-30 victory.
Bettering last year's performance against Tagovailoa feels like a good bet and should ensure Ohio State's advances to the winner's circle on Saturday.
