Ohio State’s defense has a tackling problem, and it’s already impossible to ignore.
Through two games, the Buckeyes have piled up 28 missed tackles, a number that jumps off the page for all the wrong reasons. It was bad against Ball State, and it was worse in the loss to Texas, where 13 more missed stops helped fuel the Longhorns’ comeback and turned a defensive issue into a major talking point. Against a Top 5 opponent, that kind of sloppiness is a killer.
The loss also underscored how much Ohio State is feeling the absence of its former first-round-caliber talent. With Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles no longer around, the margin for error has shrunk fast.
The difference at linebacker has been especially noticeable, and Payton Pierce has been at the center of it. He has had a rough start to the season, and against Texas he was second on the team with three missed tackles.
Freshman Jay Timmons led the Buckeyes with four.
That’s the kind of number that sends a coach back to the basics, and that’s where Matt Patricia has to attack this problem. Ohio State can’t keep living with poor form and weak finishing at the point of contact.
The Buckeyes missed 15 tackles against Ball State, then added 13 more against Texas. At that point, it’s not a one-game hiccup.
It’s a trend.
The linebacker room in particular needs a response. Everyone expected some drop-off after Styles, who had 82 tackles last season, and Reese, who posted 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2025, moved on.
But the first two games have made the size of that drop-off crystal clear. Ohio State needs somebody in that group to steady things immediately.
And it’s not just about one position. The defense needs someone to step up and set the tone.
There has to be more pride in finishing plays, more urgency in wrapping up, more toughness when an opponent is trying to steal extra yards. Arm tackles won’t cut it.
The Buckeyes have to look like the Buckeyes.
Patricia can only do so much from the sideline and the film room. He can clean up technique, point out the busted plays and hammer home the details. But the players have to carry it onto the field.
Week 3 brings Kent State, where Ohio State should have a much easier time. After that, the Big Ten schedule starts, and the cushion disappears. If the missed tackles keep piling up, Ryan Day may have to start sending players to the bench and seeing who can actually get the job done.
In Other News...
Ohio State Freshmen Frustration Just Put A New Problem In Public
Ohio States loss to Texas did more than dent the Buckeyes early-season momentum. It also spilled a little of the programs internal frustration into public view, as three freshmen used social media to air dissatisfaction with their roles and limited opportunities, a jarring development for a team that is still trying to settle itself after an important defeat.
Jerquaden Guilford, Brock Boyd and Bey were among the players whose posts drew attention, with language that pointed to a desire for more involvement. For a staff already sorting through a disappointing result, it adds a fresh layer of concern about buy-in and roster harmony, even if there has been no official response yet. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Just Added New Controversy To Texas' Win Over Ohio State
Texas win over No. 1 Ohio State already had enough postgame baggage after Steve Sarkisian abruptly cut off ESPN reporter Holly Rowe during a brief on-field exchange. The moment itself was awkward enough, but it quickly became a bigger talking point once a fake AI-generated video of Sarkisian slapping Rowe started making the rounds online, giving the upset a strange and unnecessary afterlife beyond the scoreboard.
Arch Manning then poured fuel on the reaction when he weighed in on the clip during a Monday exchange, describing it as hilarious. The comment drew immediate criticism on social media, with some users calling for apologies and public statements from both Manning and Sarkisian, turning a celebratory Texas moment into another reminder of how fast a viral postgame clip can shift the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Needs More Than A Win Against Kent State
Ohio State gets a chance to reset at home this week against Kent State, with the Buckeyes coming off the Week 2 loss to Texas and looking for a cleaner showing on both sides of the ball. The matchup will be carried on FOX and streaming platforms, and on paper it gives Ohio State a comfortable spot to get back on track while working through some of the issues that showed up last time out.
The bigger value here may be less about the result and more about what the Buckeyes can take from it, especially on offense. A lopsided win would be welcome, but Ohio State needs a performance that helps settle the unit, builds confidence after the setback and gives the coaches a better feel for where this team is headed as the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]