Matt Patricia Teases New Strategy For Ohio State Defense To Beat Miami In The Cotton Bowl

Matt Patricia has something special in store for Miami. The defensive coordinator at Ohio State could not contain his excitement for the Cotton Bowl game plan.

He won’t give away his secrets but the smile on his face spoke louder than words.

Perhaps this is a smoke screen to keep his opponent on their toes, given the nature of the question he was asked. It could also be a teaser for what is to come during the college football game on Wednesday.

Ohio State’s calling card is the defense.

Although the Buckeyes have looked strong on offense throughout most of the season, their defense will be the key to victory on New Year’s Eve. They have allowed only 106 points to their opponents this year. That is the lowest total in 50 years!

Ohio State ranks first in the country with only 8.2 points allowed per game. It also boasts the top-ranked defense in terms of total yardage and against the pass— allowing only 129.1 passing yards per game and only 213.5 yards per game in total.

The front line features two first-team All-Americans. Caden Curry recorded 16.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks during the first 13 games of the season. Kayden McDonald is going to be a first-round pick in April.

Behind them are All-American linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. Styles leads the team with 80 total tackles. Reese has 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Even though Julian Sayin went to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, safety Caleb Downs is the best player on the team. He will be a top-10 pick in the future.

All of this goes to say that the Buckeyes are stacked on all three levels. And at the forefront of the defense is the defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia.

The former Detroit Lions head coach and three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots is in his first year with the program. Talent does not matter if the players aren’t in the right scheme. The game plan for a highly-potent Miami offense is just as important as the athletes.

Let Matt Patricia cook!

Patricia has been able to work on his game plan for the Cotton Bowl since Dec. 20. He has something special planned!

Although Ohio State must focus primarily on the Miami offensive line, it sounds like there will be some new wrinkles to the defensive system. The 51-year-old could not keep the smile off of his face.