In today's episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, Ross Fulton, one of the Scheme Insiders from BuckeyeInsiders.com, joins host Tom Orr to discuss three things he's expecting to see from the Ohio State defense, as well as three areas of concern. Here's what he's expecting from Matt Patricia and the Ohio State Defense:
More Situational Packages: No, this is not a prediction that Patricia will rotate more solely for rotation’s sake. I expect guys like Payton Pierce, Jaylen McClain, and Earl Little to be on the field for nearly every snap that matters. But I do expect Patricia to deploy more situational packages than he did in 2025. Last year, Patricia effectively used three packages—nickel against 11 personnel, 4-3 against 12 personnel, and a dime package (which was a 3-2-6) on certain third and longs. This year, while those three looks will remain the mainstays, look for Patricia to add several more packages. In particular, I expect Patricia will use a 3-3-5 look on certain passing downs, using a linebacker (likely Christian Alliegro or Riley Pettijohn) as an edge rusher, and a “big nickel” package, with more of a hybrid linebacker/safety type (think Simeon Caldwell) at that spot.
More Creepers and Simulated Pressures: In line with the above concept of aiding the defensive line in creating pressure, I expect Patricia to use a higher percentage of creepers and/or simulated pressures, where the defense rushes four defenders, but one of those four is a back seven defender, while a defensive lineman drops into underneath coverage. Such pressures force the offense to block rushers from different spots—while still allowing Ohio State to play its base cover 2 and cover 3 zones behind. The Buckeyes also have the benefit of having a defensive end like Qua Russaw who is more comfortable dropping into the curl/flat in space on such looks.
More Penny Front: Finally, consistent with the trend across college football, I expect Patricia to use even more of a 5-1 Penny front this year. Such a look fits with Ohio State’s current personnel and takes advantage of the Buckeyes’ versatility—while minimizing the Buckeyes’ reliance on the defensive end spot opposite Kenyatta Jackson. Specifically, Alliegro can play the role Arvell Reese did last year of a standup outside linebacker. And Ohio State’s personnel provides Patricia options within the Penny front. Patricia can go to a heavier Penny look—using Eddrick Houston and James Smith as the two defensive tackles flanking the nose guard—or he can bump Jackson inside like he did last year and use Qua Russaw as the other stand-up outside linebacker.
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