Ohio State’s Defense Keeps Getting Better While Sign-Stealing Allegations Cloud Michigan’s Success

Real Pod Wednesdays

Ohio State’s defense keeps getting better.

The Buckeyes had their most impressive defensive performance of the season yet as they held Penn State to just one touchdown and one third-down conversion in a 20-12 victory that was good for Ohio State’s second top-10 win of the season.

We begin this week’s episode by discussing what impressed us most in Ohio State’s win over the Nittany Lions – including another memorable performance by JT Tuimoloau, how Jordan Hancock and Jermaine Mathews Jr. stepped up in Denzel Burke’s absence and Marvin Harrison Jr. making his case that he belongs in the Heisman Trophy conversation – as well as the one major concern that lingers after that game after the Buckeyes were held under two yards per carry for the second time in three weeks.

Next, we look ahead to this week’s game against Wisconsin and make our predictions for how the primetime road test will play out in what looks to be the Buckeyes’ toughest remaining game until they play Michigan in their regular-season finale.

Of course, we also had to talk about the week’s biggest story in college sports as evidence continues to mount that Connor Stalions and the Wolverines used prohibited tactics to steal signs from opponents. Finally, we share our takeaways from the Ohio State men’s basketball exhibition win over Dayton on Sunday.

The full rundown for this week’s show:

• 0:48: Ohio State’s defense has been great all year, but it reached another level against Penn State
• 5:44: JT Tuimoloau continues his dominant October by outplaying a projected top-five NFL draft pick
• 7:26: Jordan Hancock, Jermaine Mathews Jr. show Ohio State has tremendous depth at cornerback
• 11:15: Should Hancock and Cody Simon replace Sonny Styles, Steele Chambers in starting lineup?
• 18:13: Marvin Harrison Jr. makes Penn State look foolish for trying to play man coverage against him
• 24:07: Cade Stover has become an elite receiver with a legitimate chance to win the Mackey Award
• 27:09: Ohio State’s passing offense can still be elite, but its rushing offense remains a clear weakness
• 36:17: Wisconsin remains a team in transition that probably isn’t ready to upset Ohio State
• 40:01: Running remains Wisconsin’s strength, but a more balanced offense makes it tougher to defend
• 46:40: Another test for Ohio State’s offense, but Wisconsin’s defense hasn’t been as good as usual
• 49:56: Tristan Gebbia likely becomes the next man up at quarterback with Devin Brown sidelined
• 54:37: Why we both expect the Buckeyes to cover the spread and beat Wisconsin
• 57:13: It seems unlikely that Jim Harbaugh didn’t know about alleged sign-stealing scheme
• 1:01:06: The NCAA doesn’t typically move fast enough for Michigan to be penalized this season
• 1:05:38: Michigan’s wins might get an asterisk, but that doesn’t give Ohio State a free pass for losses
• 1:13:30: It’s just an exhibition, but OSU hoops (especially Bruce Thornton) was impressive vs. Dayton