Ohio State Football: Will Ryan Day era yield Urban Meyer-like results?

Defense has room for improvement

On the defensive side of the ball, there’s room for improvement. This unit, which returns nine starters in 2019, allowed 25.5 points per game, the most in school history. They also finished 71st in the country, and 10th in the Big Ten, in total defense.

While questions exist about the defense as a whole, there are certainly some very talented bright spots. Chase Young, the electric defensive end, had 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks last season. Safety Jordan Fuller chose to remain for his senior year. He, along with linebacker Malik Harrison, led the team with 81 tackles in 2018.

In the middle, it is junior Tuf Borland who will anchor the defense. He was solid in 2018, but was also playing after an offseason achilles injury. Now, a 100 percent healthy Borland could be poised for a big year as he begins his time as an upperclassman.

A key number for the Buckeyes, in 2018, was 4.5. That was the amount of yards per carry they allowed, and that was the root of their defensive problems. As the linebacking core rounds into shape and the talent up front gains experience, all along with a reliable back end, this unit will certainly improve in 2019.