Ohio State fans know football. They don’t just know about the Buckeyes, but they also know about a lot of other teams in college football.
When you are a fan of an elite program, you have a lot of resources to acquire knowledge. You also have a thorough understanding of what makes an elite program, and respect the other elite programs in the country.
With that, we’re going to give you one number from each of the 12 College Football Playoff teams. That is the subject of this week’s “By the Numbers.”
1. Indiana Hoosiers (13-0, Big Ten Champions)
6-of-22
If you wonder why Ohio State struggled in the red zone Saturday night in the Big Ten Championship, perhaps consider Indiana’s red zone defense as the reason why.
The Hoosiers, through 13 games, have only allowed six touchdowns in the red zone. That’s on 22 total red zone trips allowed this season.
Indiana’s offense, primarily Fernando Mendoza, gets most of the attention. But its defense has been lights out this entire season, particularly in the red zone. That was the difference in the Big Ten Championship.
If these two teams meet in the National Championship, that will be a major key going into the matchup.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1)
8.2
Ohio State’s dominant defense has been the story of its season so far. It’s been so dominant that the Buckeyes are allowing less than double-digit points per game this season.
How impressive is the Buckeyes’ defense this season? Consider that last season, eight of their players were drafted into the NFL. Not to mention, they changed defensive coordinators.
This season, their defense is better than last season. That’s extremely impressive, and they will make it difficult for opposing offenses they face in the College Football Playoff.
3. Georgia Bulldogs (12-1, SEC Champions)
45%
The Bulldogs are a really good team. However, I’m not as in on them as I was in 2021 and 2022. Here’s one number that proves why.
Georgia has only converted 45 percent of its third downs. That’s problematic for them, and it can play into the Buckeyes’ favor in the event these two teams play in the Semifinals.
Ohio State has been great on third down defensively this season, and that can be something they expose about the Bulldogs if they play them.
4. Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-1, Big 12 Champions)
289.4
Texas Tech averages 289.4 passing yards per game. The Red Raiders are known for their defense, but they have a really good passing game led by quarterback Behren Morton. Morten has 2,643 passing yards and 22 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He’s completing 67 percent of his passes.
Morton is a really good, experienced quarterback. He’s not fazed by much. In a Playoff with a lot of really good players, do not overlook Morton.
5. Oregon Ducks (11-1)
19-of-29
Oregon’s opponents have gone for it on fourth down 29 times this season. On 19 occasions, they have been successful. This means opponents have been aggressive against the Ducks’ defense, and have been rewarded in doing so.
Keep that in mind.
6. Ole Miss Rebels (11-1)
26-of-32
The Rebels do allow opponents to reach the red zone and score once they get there. For as good a team as the Rebels have been, their defense is leaky in some areas.
It’s most notably leaky in the red zone, where they’ve allowed points on 26 of 32 trips for the opposition.
7. Texas A&M Aggies (11-1)
21.9
The Aggies allow a lot of points per game for a team that started 11-0 this season and is in the Playoff. Even though the Aggies allow just a 23% success rate on third downs, they are still giving up a lot of points — 21.9 per game, to be exact.
8. Oklahoma Sooners (10-2)
11-of-28
The Sooners are led by their defense. In particular, the Sooners are great in the red zone. Through 12 games, opponents have scored just 11 times in 28 red zone trips. That’s more than just bend-but-don’t-break defense.
Oklahoma is denying opponents points in the red zone.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide (10-3)
2-2
The Crimson Tide are just 2-2 in their last four games going into the College Football Playoff. Prior to losing to Oklahoma on Nov. 15, with a rematch in less than two weeks, Alabama had won eight straight games following a season-opening loss at Florida State.
Still, 2-2 with the way the Crimson Tide have played is not great.
10. Miami (FL) Hurricanes (10-2)
48-of-52
The Hurricanes are really efficient in the red zone, scoring on almost every trip (48-of-52) inside the 20-yard line. If the Buckeyes play Miami (FL) on New Year’s Eve, red zone defense will most certainly be a key to the game.
11. Tulane Green Wave (11-2, American Champions)
255.2
Tulane’s pass defense is very suspect, allowing 255.2 passing yards per game. Playing against a team like Ole Miss, Tulane’s passing defense will be facing a very difficult challenge.
12. James Madison Dukes (12-1, Sun Belt Champions)
76.2
If James Madison wants any shot at beating Oregon, they are going to have to stop the run game Oregon has. The Dukes allow just 76.2 rushing yards per game, which is really good.
If that level shows up in Eugene on Saturday, the Dukes might have a chance.
