Can Ohio State Have a Top Five Defense This Year?

Will Ohio State Have Another Top-5 Defense in 2026? Buckeye Weekly Podcast

On the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss whether Ohio State can field another top-five defense this season after losing several high-end, versatile defenders. They note last year’s unit was historically great (9.3 points per game, 4.0 yards per play, and no opponent scored 20 defensive points), making a repeat unlikely, especially with a tougher schedule that includes improved offenses like Texas plus high-scoring teams such as USC, Oregon, and Indiana. The hosts expect the defense to remain excellent, citing year two under Matt Patricia, better familiarity with personnel, and the ability to shape roster additions, while acknowledging a more aggressive offense could create shorter fields.

00:00 Welcome and Banter
00:47 Top Five Defense Question
02:44 Why Last Year Was Historic
03:57 Patricia Year Two Impact
06:29 Schedule Makes It Harder
09:33 Roster Depth and New Stars
11:45 Predictions 
13:50 Wrap Up and Subscriptions