Ohio State Football: What We Learned from Buckeyes Defense vs. Virginia Tech

As the second quarter of Ohio State's matchup with Virginia Tech unfolded on Monday, it looked like quarterback Michael Brewer was primed to fuel another upset victory for the Hokies.

Brewer was doing all the things he did in Columbus against the Buckeyes last year, when Virginia Tech invaded Columbus and came away with a 35-21 victory.

He was finding openings and coming up with big conversions on third down. He was scrambling around and creating opportunities for the offense that shouldn't have been there. Most importantly, he was coming up with big play after big play as the Hokies rattled off 17 unanswered points to take a three-point lead into the locker room at halftime.

But the Buckeyes defense adjusted during the break, and when Brewer was knocked out of the game with a broken collarbone early in the third quarter—as announced by the team—Ohio State stymied Virginia Tech's outgunned offense.

The Hokies managed just 109 yards of offense in the second half, 59 of which came via a garbage-time drive against the second-team defense.

It was a solid outing, and it revealed a lot about what to expect as the Buckeyes continue their push for another championship.

The Line Needs Joey Bosa

Sam Hubbard and Jalyn Holmes filled in for the suspended Joey Bosa, and the pair of second-year standouts played admirably against the Hokies on Monday. Hubbard registered a sack and four tackles, while Holmes came away with six tackles and a forced fumble.

But neither commanded the attention that Bosa attracts on a weekly basis, and neither was as disruptive in Ohio State's pass rush or run defense.

Hubbard, in particular, was pushed around when the Hokies stretched their run game to the perimeter.

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Returning the consensus first-team All-American will provide a huge boost to the defense. Bosa is a special player because he not only creates a ton of pressure off the edge, he also occupies blockers and opens up lanes for Ohio State's linebackers better than any lineman on the team.

Defensive tackles Adolphus Washington and Tommy Schutt played brilliantly against the Hokies, anchoring a defense that allowed just 2.9 yards per carry. Tyquan Lewis shined at weak-side defensive end as well, registering a game-high 1.5 sacks.

When Bosa's back in the mix, Ohio State's defensive front will be one of the best in the country.

Raekwon McMillan Is Going to Be a Star

Expectations were high for Raekwon McMillan when he signed at Ohio State. The former 5-star prospect out of Hinesville, Georgia, embodied everything that head coach Urban Meyer wanted from his defense—a fast, attacking grinder with great leadership.

McMillan made an instant impact as a true freshman last year, sharing middle linebacker duties with senior Curtis Grant.

But the Virginia Tech game served as the start of McMillan's permanent role in the middle of Ohio State's defense, and he didn't disappoint.

The 6'2", 240-pound linebacker was all over the field on Monday night, tying for a team-high eight tackles against the Hokies. More impressively, McMillan showed that he belongs in a linebacker corps that already features two superstars in Darron Lee and Joshua Perry.

Because of that, McMillan's stock will only rise as the season wears on.

This Defense Has Dominant Potential

There were times against Virginia Tech when the defense looked like it was experiencing the growing pains it showcased early in the 2014 season, but by the end of the game, Ohio State was flexing its muscle and flashing its potential.

The Buckeyes' run defense looked much better than it did a year ago, when it allowed huge games to a slew of Big Ten running backs before hitting its stride in the postseason.

However, the biggest development of the night came in the secondary with Gareon Conley, who emerged as the starting cornerback opposite Eli Apple in fall camp.

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Conley was excellent, showcasing all-around skills as he tied McMillan with a team-high eight tackles. Above all else, it was his work in pass coverage that proved most noteworthy.

As a freshman last year, Conley struggled when the ball was in the air, and he cited a lack of confidence as the main reason for his poor play. That wasn't the case against the Hokies, though, and his emergence could be the key as Ohio State's defense pursues dominance.

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.