***OBLIGATORY POST-2018 DISCLAIMER*** I'm referencing Zach Smith's analysis of TTUN and OSU. I know some do not care for him personally. I know some don't care for his online schtick. I understand that dynamic and it's one's right to feel that way. I absolutely believe he knows football and is worth listening to when it comes to the Buckeyes, B1G, and CFB analysis.
Many here have said TTUN's defense isn't good compared to last year. While they don't have the edge rushers from last year, Smith says their two DTs are elite...comparable to Georgia's interior DTs and that OSU must play their best game to beat them (and Georgia, should they play). TTUN's strength on D lines up with our weakness, interior Oline play. He lists all of the stats for TTUN's defense and overall, they're very good statistically.
I post this because I personally believe our inability to run against TTUN last year was the biggest reason we lost. Did our defense suck? YES... all year long. I figured that our offense would simply outscore TTUN like we did and 2018/2019 and our defense would be mostly irrelevant. In other words, I envisioned more of a 2021 ROSE BOWL type game. Never expected the D to do well. However, we had no run game. Our offense was one dimensional (still put up 27) but didn't have a run game to (A) keep TTUN from having the ball and (B) keep the offense balanced and on schedule. I figured we'd win last year's game like 45-38 or 42-35 or so...IF we had a run game...
Anyway, beginning at 26:54 he addresses TTUN's defense and the dynamic DT duo and how he thinks we need to attack them (TEMPO is one key):
