Kirk Herbstreit reveals the biggest issue facing Ohio State’s defense
By John Buhler
Kirk Herbstreit thinks he knows the main reason behind Ohio State’s defensive struggles.
After losing at home to the Oregon Ducks, former Ohio State football star Kirk Herbstreit explains why his Buckeyes have looked so utterly pedestrian on defense in recent games.
Herbstreit appeared on the ESPN College Football Podcast to best explain why his alma mater cannot stop a nosebleed defensively of late. What he revealed is not going to sit well with Ohio State football fans one bit, so brace yourselves, Buckeye Nation.
“The one thing with Ohio State is their defense was a bit of a mystery a year ago, said Herbstreit. “Jeff Hafley left to go to Boston College and become the head coach. Kerry Coombs took over. He went with (Mike) Vrabel to Tennessee and came back when Jeff Hafley left to become the Ohio State defensive coordinator.”
“Since Jeff Hafley left, they’ve had some moments where they’ve been good and some other moments where they just don’t look like they’re on the same page. They’ve not appeared to be as dominant as some of those other defenses that they’ve had in the past.”
So it is a change at defensive coordinator that has led to Ohio State looking so lost on that side of the football? Even if that is the correct diagnosis for what’s up with the Buckeyes, this has to make their fanbase furious, as it pretty much means Ohio State is not going to be a national championship contender for the time being. They have time to make adjustments, but wow…
Week are only entering Week 3 of the 2021 college football season…
Kirk Herbstreit addresses the Ohio State football teams’ issues on defense
Hafley is an excellent coach. However, to say that he was what was propping up the Ohio State defense is just not acceptable. This is Ohio State, people. They are the only team north of the Mason-Dixon Line that has a roster that can regularly compete in the SEC. You have better players, so go win.
Conversely, Mario Cristobal has done a phenomenal job since taking over at Oregon. He too has recruited at an SEC level in Eugene. The Ducks are a serious threat to make the playoff. Oregon was just the better team on that Saturday in Columbus and exposed an Ohio State defense that has some glaring weaknesses they need to address if they hope to return to the playoff themselves.
Let’s just say it has been a rough few weeks for Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs who may not call plays this weekend vs. Tulsa and his job status is in serious jeopardy moving forward.
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