What are your thoughts on new OSU DC Jim Knowles?
I'm sure Seth & the gang will have a writeup of about what to expect from OSU's new defense, but have you guys read/heard anything?
I've read his defense is a base 4-2-5 and he likes a lot of press man, but that was from his Duke days, pre-OSU(NTOSU). Space Coyote has some film breakdowns of a few of their plays on Twitter for those interested.
In the many preview podcasts I've been consuming, no one expects this defense to be elite, but they figure that if the defense is average, the offense will be good enough to win every game. I do find it interesting that many people are down on Michigan because of the lack of defensive star power, but there isn't anyone on this OSU defense going into this year expected to be great. They have 5 all BIG players on defense (all three teams) including Zach Harrison who is decidedly not a dynamic pass rusher and 2 defensive backs who gave up 428 yards through the air to Tulsa.
All that to say do you think he'll return them to good? great? Or could this experienced lifelong coordinator who loves to blitz be similar to Don Brown?
Sidenote: Ryan Day has challenged him to produce a top 5 defense this year.
Also: they have some minor injuries in the CB room and have a kicker who has been taking snaps at corner as well.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:14 PM ^
OSU had a mediocre defense last year somewhere in the 50's and bad statistical numbers against offenses with a pulse. On the flip side they did have good not great athletes. The leading tackler was a safety (by a wide margin) and their 3rd down conversion rate was putrid.
My opinion is the same as yours, they might be marginally better, but will not be instantly elite. Their offense can't afford to sputter in any game. A good offensive team stands a fighting chance against the buckholes in a shootout or if some other in game intangibles occur.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:06 PM ^
My thoughts? Undoubtedly profound. Indubitably deep.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:12 PM ^
I'm going to parrot why my t(tm)OSU colleague has had to say about Jim Knowles.
Last year (and in years prior) Ohio State's reXarkable talent has been wasted by Xediocre defensive coordinators. No, they did not roll over and accept a beating last year. They did not give up in the fourth quarter. They were not Xauled by Xichigan's offensive line nor could it ever be possible that soXe coXbination of JiX Harbaugh and Josh Gattis could have ever out scheXed theX. The failure lies exclusively with their once sainted position coach (and truly excellent recruiter) Kerry CooXbs who was "just in over his head".
JiX Knowles, on the other hand, is a defensive genius who will right the ship and get the Xost out of their elite recruiting.
My take: I'll believe it when I see it where a Big12 Defensive Coordinator handles the Big Ten even with that much recruited talent. Hard Work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard. That t(Tm)OSU team showed what happens when faced with adversity last year and when a team punches them in the mouth. I would imagine other coaches noticed this as well.
Prove it on the field Jim Knowles.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:14 PM ^
That we’re about to run over his defense in a few months
August 17th, 2022 at 4:30 PM ^
They're very excited about him on Eleven Warriors.. predicting a top 10 defense.
August 17th, 2022 at 8:34 PM ^
The writers and board at 11W are the most delusional, spoiled, and arrogant fans on the internet. I read the season prediction piece they put out the other day and it was like a high schooler’s level of analysis.
August 18th, 2022 at 12:15 AM ^
No need to insult high schoolers Randy.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:37 PM ^
All I can say with certainty is that I already dislike him.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:38 PM ^
Sure as cuss can’t get any worse.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:46 PM ^
Wait and see.
Was the Oklahoma State’s D successful because of the Big XII air raid offenses they consistently faced without a large concern for stopping a legitimate running attack? My gut says no, but I’ve been wrong about coaching hires and their impending success/failure many times before. Knowles will have the athletes to put what should be a very good to elite defense on the field, but will he be able to put them in position to successfully stuff heavy rushing attacks in Wisconsin, Iowa, MSU or UM if they fall behind or the offense ever misses scoring on a possession? All 4 of these opponents will want to slow everything down and keep the game as close as possible (or playing with a lead) for as long as possible to increase the variances that will allow the underdog (and I think all 4 of these are underdogs by 10+ points right now) a fighters chance of being ahead at the end of 60 minutes.
I firmly believe that if OSU goes undefeated in the regular season and wins the B1GCG it will be on the strength of their offense out scoring everyone, not because their defense actually holds any team below their season averages.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:48 PM ^
I know I've got fan brain - but I've been a bit confused by the universal belief in most previews I see that OSU is going to win the Big Ten uncontested. Stewart Mandel of The Athletic thinks that M going 11-0 is laughable - granted, 11-0 is unlikely, but I'm confused as to how it's crazier than, say, an 8 win season. Best I can figure, they think OSU's offense is great (true), the new DC will be fine (ok), that M has big holes to fill on D (also conceded), and that losing both coordinators is a sign of Harbaugh's disorganization....and that last one I'm not so sure about.
I think they're also looking at how we won 2 nail biter games, and got pasted by UGA, and couldn't beat Sparty. The aforementioned Mandel seems to think Maryland will be a challenger for our defense...nevermind that our O put up 56 on them last year.
Everything they're saying is fair, and they're saying Ohio "reloads" its lost talent to a level we don't. But, we largely return the same offense - minus Haskins and Steuber and an upgrade at Center - I think generally we aren't as worried about the OC/DC changes here, all of those nailbiter games are at home this year, and despite turning over half the D, we look to have a better secondary this year and a beast at Mazi.
In all, I think it's reasonable to expect OSU to win the Big Ten and M to not get to 11 wins - but frankly I'd be disappointed and surprised if we finish with less than 10, and I don't think OSU is a shoe in to get to the game 11-0. I have fan brain, but I see everything Mandel is seeing and I'm still not getting it.
August 17th, 2022 at 8:36 PM ^
Nationally and even among the fanbase there is far too much concern about UM changing coordinators when one was on the offensive staff last year and the new DC is running the same base scheme. Nothing dramatically is going to change besides maybe more balance as far as passing the ball more and bringing more blitzes to get pressure. Alot of people nationally are really underestimating how loaded UM's offense is this year. Barring injury issues I can almost guarantee UM will have top 10 scoring offense and the defense is not going to completely crater either and will have time to improve and grow before the OSU game. In the shoe will be tough but anyone already giving OSU the Big Ten crown is being silly.
August 18th, 2022 at 3:10 PM ^
Under Harbaugh changing DCs has been a net positive pretty much immediately. And whilst last years D was dynamic it wasn't all-world.
August 18th, 2022 at 8:00 AM ^
Mandel is a clown...a lot of takes are head-scratching. I think he predicted PSU to go 11-1 last year. But I have noticed this narrative every year...Michigan having a 2-4 year was a sign of things to come, PSU having a similarly bad year didn't count because of COVID.
I will say, I'm surprised that NO ONE believes MSU will be as good as they were last year.
I also think the whole Harbaugh to the NFL thing has run it's course. I don't know that that'll be a factor during this seasons games but its brought up constantly.
August 18th, 2022 at 12:42 PM ^
I get the MSU/PSU discourse - Sparty was 4-0 in 1-score games, PSU was 1-4, 3 of those to 3 of the 4 best teams in the league (they also lost to Ohio by two scores, but not a blowout). Luck doesn't immediately normalize the next year, but it's fair to expect Penn State and Sparty were both 8-9 win outfits last year. Sparty has to replace a guy who should've been in NY for the Heisman, and Penn State needs to find an OL. But I wouldn't be surprised if either won the big ten or finished behind Maryland.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:53 PM ^
Actually, quite a few guys are expected to be great under the new regime, but I just don’t know how a 4-2-5 is going to stop you guys and Wisconsin. My fingers are crossed, but it’s a head scratcher to me to say the least.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:34 PM ^
August 17th, 2022 at 8:34 PM ^
you guys will be in a 5-2 or a 4-3 for our game, having not played it but practiced it all year during 'michigan hour' each week of the season.
August 18th, 2022 at 12:20 AM ^
I predict this now: t(tm)OSU may well win in a track meet at Columbus in November but only if their offense handles their business. Michigan's offense is legit and Michigan hour running a 5-2 or 4-3 won't make any bit of difference to the mauling that will be coming with that offensive line.
The question for Ohio State fans and players this offseason, and it has to be an uncomfortable one after last year, is does that team have the heart, will and toughness to beat Michigan? They folded softly last year and accepted an hellacious beating at the line of scrimmage on both sides. Exactly what has changed?
August 18th, 2022 at 12:44 PM ^
With Sawyer and JT being a year older and Eichenberg being one LB that’ll play against you guys, I don’t think we’re going to see a Steele Chambers hiding behind a lineman so he doesn’t have to hit a RB again. The staff is gonna have to see who wants to hit and who doesn’t. They have the dudes. Just gotta find out who wants to get down and dirty.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:54 PM ^
His first three years at OK St,not good ,year three they had 31 super Seniors (due to covid and not losing players to NFL)
Ohio St has recruited a ton of soft players on defense ,how many times did you see "less than decent effert" while making a tackle
August 17th, 2022 at 4:57 PM ^
Glancing at some OK State scores from seasons past, I think tOSU is going to need their offense to score a lot of points against good competition.
The 4-2-5 will probably work against a lot of B1G teams, but they will struggle against teams that can run the ball on their schedule like ND, Wisconsin and Michigan. Maybe also PSU and MSU if they get their OL issues figured out.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:11 PM ^
The 4-2-5 will probably work against a lot of B1G teams, but they will struggle against teams that can run the ball on their schedule like ND, Wisconsin and Michigan
I think this is the toughest part of coming out of the B1G. Other conferences have mainly balanced offenses or the run heavy teams don't really contend that well so your defense doesn't have to be based on being a brick wall up front against the run. Other than Georgia, it seems most of the CFP caliber teams usually have great QB's and either balanced or pass heavy offenses (even Alabama adopted this despite Saban's affinity for ball control and stiff defense).
But you absolutely can't compete in the B1G if you can't stop the run. Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Michigan, and depending on the season, Penn State and Michigan State are gonna lean on their ground game. We were cooked in 2019 because our interior d-line couldn't hold up to the big beefy teams. Ohio State has been correcting their schemes for the teams they might face in the CFP, but you can't get there in the first place if you're shredded by Wisconsin's current bruiser.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:58 PM ^
December 2022. Columbus, OH
"Next up... we have JIM!", boomed the karaoke host.
Jim Knowles looked around at the assembled crowd. He was going to miss the place. Karaoke wasn't the worst place to unwind after a big game, and this joint had become a home away from home in a matter of months. If this was going to be his last hurrah then he had something special prepared. As the opening melancholy guitar riff of the Killers' "Mr. Brightside" echoed through the club, Knowles stepped up to the mic and sang:
Choking on my rage
And we're being mauled by their line
They got another first down
From Corum running the ball
Outsmarted our timed blitz
What's wrong with our run fits?
(It was only a blitz), it was only a blitz
Cam Brown's falling asleep
And he just got a flag
While Denzel Burke's getting smoked
By Bell running a drag
Now they're kneeling instead
And our whole team is sick
And fans all want my head
Their O-line used a shamwow
Our D-line, well they got plowed
(Let it snow)
Day just can't look, snow's chilling me
They're taking control
Misery, Bucknut fans are a disease
Sobbing Buckeye Battle Cry
Shambling up and down North High
My boss for now is Ryan Day
My agent, he is calling me
Exposing more of Meyer's lies
Our d-line's offsides
August 17th, 2022 at 8:35 PM ^
sadly, this post will not get the love it deserves.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:55 PM ^
Logged in just to + this fantastic post.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:11 PM ^
The hope is they have to stack the box to stop our strong run game. When they stack the box we go to the air. I am looking forward to watching the O line mash again this year, but want to see more passing early in the season.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:11 PM ^
Crap, they gave up 40+ to Texas Tech regularly and gave up 509 passing yards to Jack Coan. I’m not seeing what makes Knowles better when the Buckeyes don’t have great DBs and LBs.
August 18th, 2022 at 12:24 AM ^
Desperation makes him better.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:16 PM ^
Looks like they've got some major margin for error--I like it!
August 17th, 2022 at 5:19 PM ^
He makes sense. OSU is going to score a ton of points and likely will score early, so teams will be playing catch-up and will want to throw. If OSU knows that and has a 4-2-5 base, they don't need NFL CBs and DL to slow down/ stop good offenses.
Go up 14-0 on Iowa or Illinois, or Wisconsin and the game is basically over.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:24 PM ^
Dont give a shit, our Oline is better than their Dline....give Cade/JJ all day back their they will eat you alive.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:50 PM ^
None, really,. because 
August 17th, 2022 at 6:12 PM ^
OSU was ranked 60th in total Defense last year. They will improve by having a boat load of talent and will play better team defense under Knowles. However it doesn’t make sense that the 4-2-5 will be the best scheme against our run game. Unless that D front becomes the best in the Big. I just don’t see that happening in one year. Improved but no top 5. Not with that scheme in the Big Ten.IMO
August 17th, 2022 at 8:11 PM ^
Being lazy and not looking it up; anyone know how they've recruited on defense over the last few years? I know it doesn't mean everything but have they neglected the defense or do they have some potential 5*/ high 4* dudes on D. College teams are not the same year after year. Depending on who they got coming through the pipes, their defense could have a big turn around. I wonder if they have the “dudes” to fit the scheme their new coach wants to implement
August 17th, 2022 at 9:15 PM ^
Without looking it up, I saw someone post a breakdown of the 5* guys Day has recruited vs how Meyer did. They both had about the same number of 5* guys, but the majority of Day’s were QBs and WRs while Meyer HS an even distribution between offensive and defensive talents.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:42 PM ^
OSU has two 5s as freshmen. One is a probable starter but is young. Tuimoloau is a Fresh Edge 5* . The RS fresh guys are undersized. For example. Jerkins is at 285 which is the lightest up front for us. Mazii is like 337 Graham 317 Bonney 292
Michigan went to the block eater DL to fit the run for backers to make the tackles.
So while OSU has talent, Day has recruited more skilled people for the Air Raid game. Or Dbacks. Now they are playing catchup on DL after last year I think.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:47 PM ^
He'll probably be fine but I'll still mock them for hiring a Big 12 DC to fix their DEFENSIVE problems.
It's akin to me hiring a bartender to help kick a drinking habit.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:54 PM ^
Their D will be improved, how can it not be. They will likely lead the nation in Offense. I doubt ND will be in the game, something like 55 - 24
August 17th, 2022 at 7:54 PM ^
Seems like Don Brown Light and I'm hoping Ryan Day is building a soft ass program. They have top offensive talent but I'm not sure they want to battle in the trenches. Utah had a great chance to win without QB injuries (and admittedly a flawed defensive game plan).
August 17th, 2022 at 8:04 PM ^
Somebody is gonna hang a hundred on him.
August 17th, 2022 at 8:35 PM ^
He sucks
August 17th, 2022 at 10:18 PM ^
Ohio State corners have played bail technique and just relied on athleticism and/or offense errors in the throw game for at least 10 years. If they switch to legit press man, two outcomes are possible.
1. Their elite recruiting has supplied them with 3 bona fide lockdown corners. Ouch. But doubtful.
2. Their shit DB coaching has left them helpless when it comes to real throw game coverage, and there is a one year window in which a well oiled passing game with good protection, an elite QB and the best receiving corps in the big ten will just have it's way with them no matter what they try.
August 21st, 2022 at 12:47 PM ^
In regards to coaching, all of the defensive coaching staff except for DL coach Larry Johnson Sr. were all replaced this off-season. Likely a lot of growing pains associated with such a complete overhaul.
August 18th, 2022 at 6:38 AM ^
They place a lot of emphasis on the passing game. There is a reason why Wilson wants to bolster the running game. Something has got to give and I don't recall a team that is heavy in the passing game winning the championship.
Is it possible? It is very possible for OSU to win a championship but it will be very challenging for them to do so.
August 18th, 2022 at 2:26 PM ^
Ryan Day challenged him to have a top 10 defense this year. Jim Knowles response was “I wish he would of said top 5”.
2021 @ Oklahoma State they were #5 in total defense.#9 in scoring defense @ a little more than 18 points a game. #5 in stopping the run @ 87 yards a game. Although they gave up 35 points to Notre Dame in their fiesta bowl win, don’t forget this was done @ Oklahoma state. Their previous recruiting classes were ranked 35,34,37,39,34. Don’t get me wrong I am not naive in thinking just because they had a statistically top defense, in the BIG 12. Doesn’t necessarily mean they actually were a top 5 defense. It does tell me that Jim Knowles knows how to develop his players.
My prediction is they will probably end up as a top 20-30 defensive unit, improving as the season rolls on. OSU was only showing opponents a couple different looks pre-snap last year. Just having a legitimate coaching staff alone will improve their defense easily to a top 30 defense.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:52 AM ^
I just hope there's a learning curve and OSU's defensive recruiting suffers for a couple years. (Yeah right. Wishful thinking. Anyone competent will win 95% of their games.)