The defensive line is not getting enough pressure
Oregon's offensive line is winning the battle against Ohio State's defensive line. Not a grand statement or observation but needs to be pointed out.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) September 11, 2021
One way to combat issues on the back-end is to be really good on the defensive line. That’s what we were expecting from the Ohio State defense this year. You felt good about a talented front’s ability to win the line of scrimmage, get pressure on the quarterback, and buy some time for the back-end to improve.
That has not happened through two games. Despite a lot of high-end talent on the edge, Zach Harrison, Tyreke Smith, and some youngsters are not getting anything going off the end consistently. Most troubling in film study is watching Harrison’s slow reaction to the ball being snapped. He’s often the last to react and that’s not good when you’re trying to beat your man on an island.
Is it fixable?
This might be the most troubling development we’ve seen. Haskell Garrett has the credentials in the middle, and we expected Harrison to really take a step forward this season. If it doesn’t happen this year, will it ever? We’re not saying Harrison is a slouch, but that game-wrecking edge rusher Ohio State has been known for just isn’t there. The defensive coaching staff might have to dial-up more blitz packages with the hope that some of the younger guys like Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau develop and improve into that.