Ad Disclosure
Jim Knowles says his Ohio State defense is ‘built for tempo’
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Jim Knowles understands the task at hand for Ohio State. For his Buckeye defense, it is slowing down Tennessee and its high-powered up-tempo style employed by head coach Josh Heupel.
For some coordinators, that task may sound unbearable. But for Knowles, it’s exactly what his unit is designed to do.
Speaking with the media on Tuesday, Knowles said he engineered his scheme to stop up-tempo offenses at the request of Duke head coach David Cutcliffe years ago. Everything from the ground up in the system has been built for tempo offenses, so Knowles believes his group will be ready, even if the Buckeyes have not seen a lot of tempo this season.
“It doesn’t make it harder, it makes it different (in facing a style they haven’t faced a lot),” said Knowles. “I think we’re ahead of the game that way. Our defense is built that way, it’s built for tempo. David Cutcliffe made me do that back in the day at Duke, so hats off coach Cutcliffe. Because this is what everybody was doing, right? 10 years ago, 12 years ago, 14? I lose track of time… That’s how we set it up. Our calls, everything. It’s been that way in this system since back then at Duke. It’s built for tempo.”
At a different point in his press conference, Knowles expressed faith in his secondary. The DC says he is not worried if his cornerbacks wind up on an island against the Vols because that’s a situation the defensive backs are used to.
“It really doesn’t matter who you’re playing. Tennessee will challenge us in certain ways, but those guys are on an island all the time,” Knowles said in describing his cornerbacks. “Forget who you’re playing, it’s one-on-one many times out there. Anybody can just step back and throw the ball up in the air. We have complete confidence in our corners. There are ups and downs in any season, in any career, but those guys are great players… they’re going to have a great game.”
We’ll soon find out if Knowles’ defense is indeed ready. Ohio State heads into this game as a 7.5-point home favorite per bet365, and Vols fans can get the best offers with our betting apps for Tennessee!
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
