The Ohio State offense overcame TCU’s aggressive defensive game plan – and the Buckeyes’ own miscues – to gain over 500 yards of offense and allow Ohio State to eventually pull away from the Horn Frogs.

TCU used a strategy that Ohio State has faced before. To limit the Buckeyes’ base tight zone run game, the Horned Frogs often slanted their defensive line to clog up interior run lanes, and/or brought a strong safety or linebacker as a “rifle” blitzer off the edge for an extra run defender.

On third down, TCU frequently used overload blitzes from two linebackers to one side, often playing combination man coverage behind the front.