There’s been a fight all season (for years really) about which team is college football is DBU. Standing for Defensive Back University, it’s been Florida and LSU bickering for the top spot. But somebody has to tell them.
Many believe it’s been Ohio State’s title to lose all along. And that isn’t about to happen this year.
With Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette, the Buckeyes easily have the most talented corner tandem, with Okudah projected to be the best cornerback prospect in college football.
Arnette and even fellow corner Shaun Wade are supposed to hear their names called in the late April draft as well. It’s not just about the potential on this roster but their success. And that’s before we even begin discussing safety Jordan Fuller who is the eraser on the back-end playing center field. He too, is most likely going to land on an NFL roster.
But wait. Here’s a stat by PFF College that proves exactly why Ohio State is DBU — at least this year.
Only one TD allowed by the combination of Okudah and Arnette in 2019? That’s hard to believe, and speaks volumes for what this group does for a much improved defense this year.
But it’s not just this year.
Ohio State has boasted elite corners such as Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward and Eli Apple this past decade. The Buckeye program consistently trains some of the best corners in the world.
That said, with one of the nation’s best defenses, Ohio State’s secondary will be tested like they’ve yet to be this season on Saturday.
The nation’s No. 2 ranked Ohio State pass defense, giving up just 148.5 yards per game through the air, will meet Clemson’s No. 1 pass defense, giving up just over 138.5 per game.
The Ohio State-Clemson matchup will be a battle of two elite defense going against two potent offense. Something’s got to give right?
The dynamic QB-WR trio of Trevor Lawrence, Tee Higgins, and Justyn Ross will meet Okudah, Arnette and gang in the Fiesta Bowl, and it will be a matchup for the ages. The 6-foot-4 Higgins has averaged over 140 yards per game over Clemson’s last two games alone and is a red-zone nightmare for opposing secondaries.
Will Ohio State’s defensive backs continue to lock down some of the nation’s best? This will be the real test of whether or not it deserves the title of DBU.
Or in the case of what they’ve dubbed themselves — BIA (Best in America).
