No. 1 Ohio State’s defense isn’t just messing around — it’s sending a message loud and clear across college football. Through the early stretch of the 2025 season, the Buckeyes’ defense has been utterly dominant, consistently shutting down high-powered offenses and proving that last year’s success was no fluke.
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### A defensive clinic so far
As of now, Ohio State’s defense is giving up a stunning **5.5 points per game** over its first four contests, ranking among the all-time great starts. ([Land-Grant Holy Land][1]) The unit has allowed just **two touchdowns total** in that span. ([Land-Grant Holy Land][1]) To put that in perspective: many defenses would count themselves lucky to hold even one explosive offense in check for a full game, let alone across multiple.
Their red zone defense has been equally jaw-dropping. Through multiple games, opponents have been unable to punch in a touchdown — a testament to Ohio State’s discipline, execution, and ferociousness in the most compressed parts of the field. ([Reddit][2])
The latest showcase came in a **24–6 win over Washington** on the road. The Huskies entered averaging over 40 points per game and had a 22-game home winning streak. Ohio State’s defense held them to just six points, no touchdowns, and repeatedly slammed the door when Washington tried to gain momentum. ([Land-Grant Holy Land][3]) Players like **Caden Curry** (five tackles for loss), **Arvelle Reese**, and **Sonny Styles** stood out, collapsing passing lanes and battering Washington’s offense from all angles. ([Land-Grant Holy Land][3])
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### New leader, same savage identity
Losing defensive coordinator **Jim Knowles** to Penn State was a concern for many. After all, under Knowles, Ohio State’s defense in 2024 led the nation in yards allowed, points allowed, and red zone defense. ([SI][4]) But Head Coach Ryan Day made a bold move — bringing in former NFL head coach and veteran defensive mind **Matt Patricia** to maintain the unit’s elite status. ([SI][4])
And Patricia’s impact has already been felt. In the season opener against No. 1 Texas, the Buckeyes defense blanked the Longhorns until late. They recorded multiple red zone stops, forced fourth-down failures, and effectively bottled up Arch Manning and Texas’s offense for most of the game. ([Land-Grant Holy Land][5]) Patricia brought more disguise, complexity, and unpredictability to the schemes — shifting front alignments, hiding coverages, and mixing up pressures in a way that messed with opposing quarterbacks. ([spectrumnews1.com][6])
Coach Day didn’t mince words after the Washington game: “What matters is buy-in. Plays are just plays; believing and execution bring them to life.” ([spectrumnews1.com][6]) And so far, that buy-in is showing every time the Buckeyes take the field.
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### Momentum, confidence, and the path ahead
Going forward, Ohio State’s defense becomes a forcing function for games. With opponents knowing they must work for every yard and every point, the psychological advantage tilts sharply in Columbus’s favor. The margin for error is closing in on zero for challengers.
In the big picture: even as the offense finds consistency and balance, this defense becomes the foundation upon which championships are built. If they keep this up — creating turnovers, winning in the trenches, harassing quarterbacks, and stiffening in the red zone — they’ll carry Ohio State deep into the postseason on the backs of that dominance.
So to anyone lining up across from the Buckeyes this year: bring your best, your boldest, your most creative — you’ll need it. Because this defense isn’t messing around.