Bob Stoops Has Blunt Assessment Of Ohio State’s Defensive Problems

Ohio State’s defense has been abysmal to start the 2021 season, surrendering a combined 66 points in its first two games.

After dropping a home game to the Oregon Ducks last week, Buckeyes defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs vowed to get the defense back on track. However, former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops isn’t so sure Coombs can fix his unit’s issues in such little time.

“In this short window of time, there are three practices in the week. Are you able to change that much in three practices? I commend them for trying,” Stoops said on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.

Stoops believes Ohio State’s defense has become “far too predictable” under Coombs. In order to change that narrative, Stoops thinks the Buckeyes need to diversify their scheme.

“They need to try and get some diversity in their coverages and blitzes. Be more aggressive – they got speed all over the place. They are far too predictable in what they’ve been doing – I talked about it last week. They play a one-high safety 90 percent of the time, so you can’t mix up coverages and it makes things too easy for quarterbacks.”

Stoops’ colleague, Brady Quinn, believes the Buckeyes’ main issue on defense is they don’t have a true star to carry that unit.

“The thing that stands out to me is they don’t have a Chase Young,” Quinn said. “They don’t have Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa. Those guys aren’t there any more. But they do have talent that’s good enough, but those guys got to execute.”

Ohio State’s defense should be able to rebound this Saturday afternoon against Tulsa. The real test will come on Oct. 2 at Rutgers.

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