Fulton Analysis: Freelancing

The Ohio State defense deserves its share of the blame for the Buckeyes’ loss to Oklahoma. Like the offense, the defensive failings resulted both from scheme and execution.

Against the Sooners, Ohio State primarily played cover 1 robber on early downs. The Buckeye defense went so far as to telegraph that coverage early, starting the game in a five-man front with a single high safety.

The Buckeyes mixed this man defense with cover 4 quarters, before including deeper zones such as cover 2 and cover 3 on third down.

Knowing the challenge they faced rushing the football, Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma had a creative plan to try and generate yards on the ground. For instance, the Sooners borrowed a page from Clemson’s playbook last year – but with a twist. The Tigers had Deshaun Watson fake a toss read before running counter trey. Oklahoma did much the same – except the running back took a direct snap, so that he could be the one to fake the pitch before following his pulling linemen.