The No. 1 Buckeyes have the best defense in the country, and it may not even be close. Through four games, their defense is putting up numbers not seen in Columbus in over 50 years. In this week’s “By
The Numbers,” we will highlight how good the Buckeyes have been on defense heading into their Big Ten home opener in Minnesota on Saturday night.
We’ll also take a look at Julian Sayin’s efficiency in a tough environment, and why this Saturday could be a record-setting day for Ryan Day.
113
Saturday is Ohio State’s 113th Homecoming Weekend.
12
The Buckeyes have a 12-game winning streak against Minnesota entering Saturday.
5.5
Ohio State is allowing just 5.5 points per game over its first four games. It’s the first time since 1973 that the Buckeyes have allowed 10 points or fewer in their first four games. It’s scary to think how good this defense already is and how good it might be at its peak this season.
78.8/189.81
Buckeye quarterback Julian Sayin leads the country with a 78.8% completion percentage, and he’s also fourth in the country with a 189.81 quarterback rating.
13-0
When defensive lineman Caden Curry records just one tackle for loss, the Buckeyes are 13-0 in his career.
.882
If the Buckeyes win on Saturday, it would lift Ryan Day’s career winning percentage to .882. That would be the highest career winning percentage in major college history. The record of .881 is currently held by legendary Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne.
10
Saturday night, the Buckeyes will enshrine 10 players into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame. Among those getting inducted is former football center Billy Price. Price was a two-time All-American and a two-time team captain who set the school record with 55 consecutive starts
When Ezekiel Elliott ran 85 yards to seal the Sugar Bowl in 2015 — Ohio State’s Playoff Semifinal win over Alabama — it was Price’s block that sprung Elliott to run through the Heart of the South.
2000
Minnesota hasn’t beaten Ohio State in 25 years. The Gophers won 29-17 against the Buckeyes on Oct. 14, 2000.
50
The Buckeyes will celebrate their 1975 Big Ten championship team on Saturday.
5
Caden Curry had five tackles for loss in the Buckeyes’ 24-6 win at Washington last week. Curry’s performance earned him the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. His TFL total is the highest in a single game in Ohio State history, joining Chase Young (2019), Ryan Shazier (2013), John Simon (2012), Antonio Smith (2006), Andy Katzenmoyer (1996), Jayson Gwinn (1993), and Judah Herman (1991) on top of the list.
2
The Buckeyes have allowed just two touchdowns through four games.
