COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football should safely expect to put up points Saturday against Tulsa. The bigger question is what sort of momentum the defense can begin to build. Those defensive doubts may explain why a better line that opened with the Buckeyes as a 31-point favorite had dwindled to 24.5 as of Thursday evening. Comparing numbers nationally right now is a flawed proposition, since the quality of opponents so far can vary wildly. Especially in terms of defending the run, OSU has played two tougher foes than most. Still, this is not the neighborhood in which Ohio State ever wants to live: • Tackles for loss per game: 2.5, tied for 127th nationally (only one program has fewer) • Total sacks: 2 (101 programs have 3 or more) • Yards allowed per rush: 5.36, tied for 115th nationally • Opposing quarterback efficiency rating: 129.91, 80th nationally
Continue Reading: Ohio State football vs. Tulsa predictions: Will the Buckeyes’ defense finally assert itself?
