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Joel Klatt identifies where Ohio State must improve vs. Michigan
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Ohio State will be seeking some revenge on rival Michigan this season.
The Buckeyes lost to the Wolverines last season for the second time in as many seasons, and ended with an 11-2 record. Meanwhile, Michigan used the victory to catapult to a Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt believes there a clear area of improvement for Ohio State if it’s going to avenge that defeat, and it resides in the trenches.
“Ohio State has got to get better on the defensive line. Now, I think that they will be. This is what makes this so intriguing. The biggest question surrounding Ohio State for me is not about their quarterback. It’s about their defensive line,” Klatt said. “If you back and listen to the shows, right after the loss to Michigan, what did I say? I said they got beat on the interior of each line of scrimmage. Guard, center, guard or defensive tackles. Michigan was better and tougher in those areas.”
In Michigan’s 45-23 rout, Ohio State finished with 143 rushing yards and went 5-for-16 on 3rd downs.
“Ohio State had an inability to run the ball. They got forced into must-passing situations and Michigan won the game,” Klatt said. “Michigan, they were able to control the game and late get Ohio State into vulnerable defensive structures based on their need to stop them and they were able to pop big runs.”
Klatt believes Ohio State’s defensive line isn’t just the key to stopping Michigan, but also recapturing the Big Ten.
“Kyle McCord’s going to be fine as a quarterback. If I’m a Buckeye fan, the last thing I’m worried about is the fact I’ve got a new quarterback,” Klatt said. “The most imminent thing I’m concerned about is my defensive line good enough and better and up to par to stop the run of the Michigan Wolverines. That’s the only way they’re going to go out there and win that division.”
Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.