COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football’s primary defensive focus Saturday will be stuffing another rushing attack from the state of Michigan. Only seven Power 5 programs run the ball more frequently than the Wolverines. That run-pass ratio, though, has balanced out over the course of the season. So a Buckeye defense coming off of a complete shutdown of Michigan State will be out to make starting quarterback Cade McNamara as inefficient and ineffective as MSU’s Payton Thorne looked last week. Michigan did not attempt more than 17 passes in any of its first four games. McNamara alone has averaged 30.3 over the seven games since. However, by Pro Football Focus’ grading system, McNamara has attempted only 11 “big time throws” — well-time and located and generally thrown downfield or into a tight window. Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, by comparison, has nearly twice as many on 30% more attempts. McNamara has…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football vs. Michigan: Can Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy challenge the Buckeyes’ defense?
