There can certainly be a chicken or the egg argument here, but minimal pressure on the opposing QB has often resulted in big play after big play being given up by the Buckeyes’ secondary. Even in today’s game, with air-it-out offenses becoming more and more prevalent, that (34 sacks) is not going to get it done. OSU has struggled to get to the opposing quarterback in recent seasons, bottoming out with just 34 sacks in 2022. And I asked myself: What do I want from Jim Knowles and the Ohio State defense? Furthermore, what do the Buckeyes need to be successful and potentially win games in spite of their offense? The answer to both questions was the same. So pretty much by default, I ended up looking at team defensive records. Tuimoloau or Jack Sawyer to rack up five sacks against Penn State or TTUN, there is that whole ‘reasonable’ thing I mentioned earlier. Single game records seem fun, but also fluky, and as much as I might want J.T. Few Buckeyes are starting for 3+ years, and if they do, they are not putting up numbers like Sensibaugh, Marek, or Vrabel. Which is why I had to avoid all career total records. Gene and I are talking about records we personally want to see broken, but I still want to avoid sounding like a delusional homer here. 572 will stand the test of time forever, no doubt in my mind. The highest total for a player who saw action after 1990 is 408 (Steve Tovar). Case in point: Marcus Marek’s total career tackles record of 572. Many were set in a different era when offenses were far less sophisticated and/or teams ran the ball 50 times per game. Some of the Ohio State defensive records are just insane. **Side note: I did not mean to rhyme just now, but that was a hot bar! And it is on that side of the ball that I want to see records fall in 2023. will be mentioned often this week, so I will let others lead the Marv charge. As far as the receiving stuff goes, I have a feeling that Marvin Harrison Jr. if they get solid blocking from a revamped offensive line. In the backfield, OSU boasts a million running backs, making it easy to spread the wealth. Whoever wins the starting quarterback job will be unproven, meaning fans should not expect Stroud-esque production right away (if ever). While I am optimistic about the upcoming season, I also want to be reasonable when it comes to player expectations. Rushing records? How about names like Archie, Eddie, and Zeke? Certain receiving records might be within reach, but then you jump over to the defensive side of the ball and see a lot of Spielman, Cousineau, Vrabel, and Sensibaugh - guys who played in Columbus 20, 30, even 40 years ago. Most of the passing records belong to Barrett, Haskins, and Stroud, all certified Buckeye legends. That being said, if you just look at the player names and the years in which many of these Ohio State records were set, then I think it becomes easier to at least understand why I feel this way (about records), even if you do not agree. In fact, I am rather optimistic about the upcoming campaign. But the latter does not mean I expect OSU to stink this season. And 2) I don’t see any of them falling in 2023. LGHL’s summer content theme this week is Broken Records, and when it was first presented to us, or I first gave it any thought, two things jumped out rather quickly: 1) Ohio State football has some impressive (to say the least) records. This week’s topic: Which Ohio State record would you like to see broken this year? Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts. In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts. Įverybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Broken Records” articles here. This week is all about records, the ones that have been broken, the ones that could be broken, and the ones that will never be broken. From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week.
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