Ohio State's Defense Has What It Takes to Limit Oregon's Offense

There might not be a defense in the country that can shut down Oregon's high-flying offense.

Under the direction of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Ducks boast one of the nation's most potent attacks, ranking second in scoring offense and third in total offense. They've scored 38 or more points in all but one game this season—a 31-24 loss to Arizona in Week 6—with a 24.9-point margin of victory over their opponents.

It's hard to imagine Ohio State's defense putting together a dominant performance when it meets Oregon in the College Football Playoff Championship Game next Monday. However, the Buckeyes do have what it takes to limit the Ducks.

That may be enough for Ohio State to win its first national title since 2002.

It all starts up front for the Buckeyes with their star-studded defensive line. Unanimous first-team All-American Joey Bosa is a nightmare on the edge, and defensive tackles Michael Bennett and Adolphus Washington form one of college football's most formidable interiors.

Defensive end Steve Miller has stepped up opposite Bosa over the last few games, giving Ohio State a unit that could cause some problems for Oregon's offense.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

That's because the Ducks have struggled when they've faced elite, physical defensive lines in the past. Teams such as Stanford, LSU, Auburn, Boise State and even Ohio State in the 2010 Rose Bowl have handed Oregon losses because they were able to win the battle in the trenches.

Sportscaster Mark Kunz reports Bennett, who's projected by the Chicago Tribune's Teddy Greenstein (subscription required) to be Ohio State's top NFL prospect in this year's draft, is confident in the Buckeyes' chances against Oregon:

That's easier said than done, of course. To Oregon's credit, its struggles against size in the trenches appear to be diminishing as the Ducks notched victories over Michigan State, Stanford and Florida State this season.

The only loss Oregon suffered this season came against a Wildcats team that took advantage of a banged-up offensive line.

The reason for Oregon's success this year is in large part the result of Mariota, who leads the country in pass efficiency by a wide margin. The junior signal-caller has thrown only three interceptions all season long, countered by 40 touchdowns.

Ohio State knows that defending Oregon starts with Mariota.

The key for the Buckeyes defense will be to generate as much pressure as possible in an effort to force turnovers. That, too, is easier said than done because Oregon leads the country in fewest turnovers this season, giving up the ball just 10 times through 14 games.

Will Ohio State be up to the task? According to ESPN's Brian Bennett, the Buckeyes' star defensive tackle believes his team is ready for Mariota and Oregon's uptempo offense:

Whether that's true or not will be revealed next Monday. But as the big game approaches, Ohio State feels it has what it takes to get the job done.

All stats via NCAA.com and Bleacher Report research.

David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.