Post Game Analysis: Ohio State's Doctor "D" Performs Surgery Again

- Michigan State managed just nine first downs.

 The not so good...

- The 14 defensive points Michigan State generated count against OSU's defensive points allowed statistic.  Not fair.  OSU came into saturday ranked #1 allowing just 6.9 points per game.

- The "D" still can't hold a shut out, allowing Michigan State a field goal late in the fourth.

Key moments...

- When the "D" once again bailed out the offense allowing just a Michigan State field goal after a late fourth quarter punt.  Leaving Michigan State looking for 7 points rather than 3 was huge.

- Cameron Heyward saved OSU from giving up a first down inside their own 20 by providing a nice hit that knocked the ball loose from receiver, Terry Love's grasp late in the fourth quarter.

Key Players

- MVP - James Laurinaitis. The unquestioned leader of this defensive unit never fails to give anything less a solid performance.  He ended up with 12 tackles, the most of any Buckeye in Saturday's precedings. 

- Honorable Mention - Doug Worthington.  I give him two thumbs up for a pretty athletic interception on the 29 yard line in Michigan State territory -- which set up a Buckeye touchdown and a 17-0 lead.

Overall, the defense was the same group that we've been seeing all season.  They're hungry, they're quick, and they're physical. 

The main thing that this "D" excels in is sure tackling.  Every guy on that side of the ball can and will make a game saving play; It's just a question of who gets to the point of attack first.  A lot of times it two, three, and four Buckeyes.

The Buckeye D went into Saturday finally looking for and expecting some sort of a challenge... and it seems they're still looking.  Holding a good Michigan State offense to under 200 yards is remarkable in my opinion.

As good as the performance was, I want to get back to something I alluded to earlier.  The stats and collective physical effort of this unit are great, but a "Mission Accomplished" banner is a bit premature. 

The real test starts next week in Happy Valley.  How will this Buckeye 'D' perform on the road in by far the most hostile environment they've had to play in all season?  I've got a feeling the whole nation will be watching next Saturday in primetime. 

I'm confident, and I've yet to find a reason not to be.  However, I'd like to think this defensive unit isn't. Confidence too often translates into relaxation and complacency, two things for which Penn State's offense will have no mercy.

So what's the bad news?

The Offense

I was impressed; I was in shock; I finally took a breath -- and all in that particular order.

I was impressed...

First of all, what a nice catch by tight end Jake Ballard. 

Overall, I have to say I was pretty impressed with the offense, late in the third quarter with a 24-0 lead.  I thought it was over, and was fully expecting another seven points at least to break that 30 point mark.  How good would that have looked?  If only, if only...

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