After celebrating their triumphant 34-23 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the national championship game, the Ohio State Buckeyes and their fans are basking in the glory of their ninth title. The win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta not only brought head coach Ryan Day his first national championship but also cemented the Buckeyes’ place atop college football’s elite.
A season of dominance was powered by standout performances on both sides of the ball, but it was Ohio State’s defense—anchored by defensive linemen Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau—that made life a nightmare for opposing offenses. The front line was a force to be reckoned with, while in the secondary, freshman sensation Caleb Downs emerged as a key playmaker who disrupted passing games and provided a reliable backbone for the Buckeyes’ defense.
However, while the future looks bright in Columbus, there’s a storm cloud looming on the horizon, and Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt has wasted no time pointing it out. During his “way too early” 2025 top 10 rankings segment, Klatt placed Ohio State at a respectable third overall. But his analysis came with a stern warning: the Buckeyes’ path to another national title could be jeopardized by one glaring vulnerability—their defense.
A Potential Weak Spot in the Armor
Klatt highlighted the potential for serious challenges on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in two critical areas. With several key players on the defensive line and at the safety position likely heading to the NFL, Ohio State’s record-breaking defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will face a monumental task in reloading his unit.
“They have to rebuild up front, on the defensive line, which was a huge strength for them this last season,” Klatt explained. “And Caleb Downs is going to have to break in some new safeties around him. The safety in that three-safety defense for Jim Knowles was a huge key to their success.”
The loss of stars like Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau would leave a significant void in the trenches. Their relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks was a cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ defensive dominance, forcing mistakes and making life easier for the secondary. Without comparable replacements, Ohio State could struggle to replicate that same level of disruption.
Meanwhile, Downs, who was a game-changer as a freshman, will be tasked with leading an entirely new safety unit. The three-safety scheme deployed by Knowles was critical to the Buckeyes’ ability to shut down some of the best offenses in the country. If the new personnel can’t step up to fill those roles effectively, it could become a glaring weakness for the Buckeyes.
Why Defense Will Be Crucial in 2025
This past season, the Buckeyes’ defense was nearly impenetrable, particularly during their four-game College Football Playoff run. They never allowed more than 23 points—the same total Notre Dame managed in the championship game—and consistently shut down high-powered offenses. That defensive prowess was a big reason Ohio State captured the title. Without it, the Buckeyes’ 2025 campaign could take a very different trajectory.
Ohio State’s schedule in 2025 won’t do them any favors, as they’ll likely face a gauntlet of elite offenses in both conference play and the postseason. If the defensive line fails to pressure quarterbacks or the secondary struggles to maintain its composure, opponents will exploit those weaknesses mercilessly. For a team with championship aspirations, even minor cracks in the defense could derail their season.
What Needs to Happen Next
The good news? Ohio State is no stranger to reloading talent. The Buckeyes consistently produce some of the best recruiting classes in the country, and they’ll need to rely on those incoming players to rise to the occasion. Jim Knowles, widely regarded as one of the brightest defensive minds in college football, will have his work cut out for him, but if anyone can rebuild this unit, it’s him.
The Buckeyes’ ability to maintain their defensive edge will likely hinge on several key factors:
- Developing Depth on the Defensive Line: While Sawyer and Tuimoloau may leave, Ohio State has a pipeline of young talent waiting for their opportunity. The coaching staff must accelerate their development to ensure a smooth transition.
- Finding Leaders in the Secondary: Caleb Downs has already proven he’s a star, but he’ll need new running mates in the safety group who can grasp Knowles’ complex defensive schemes and perform under pressure.
- Adaptability: Knowles may need to tweak his defensive strategies to play to the strengths of the new roster, ensuring that the Buckeyes remain unpredictable and effective.
Looking Ahead
As Klatt noted, Ohio State is still a top contender for 2025, and with Ryan Day at the helm, the Buckeyes will undoubtedly enter the season as one of the favorites to win it all. But championships are won and lost in the details, and the defense will be the key to whether Ohio State can defend its title or fall short of expectations.
For now, Buckeye Nation can savor their victory, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Can Ohio State rebuild its defense in time to stay on top? Or will this potential Achilles heel be their undoing? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Columbus in 2025.
