CHICAGO — Nobody is afraid of Ohio State’s cornerbacks, a group that was supposed to be among the nation’s best.
Oregon torched the group on its way to a 32-31 win and it was supposed to be an outlier. That should’ve been a credit to the Ducks for putting together a great game plan mixed with Denzel Burke having the worst game of his career. It was fair to think that the game was an anomaly, not the new expectation.
But the latter is happening. Regardless of the opponent, these cornerbacks haven’t been reliable.
One-on-one chances with Burke have often ended in completions thanks to Burke not getting his head turned around to make a play. Davison Igbinosun’s reputation for being handsy in coverage is why he’s second nationally in penalties amongst cornerbacks with nine, behind Nevada’s Chad Brown.
Both have had quality moments. Burke’s got two interceptions. He snatched the ball away from a receiver for one and returned another for a touchdown. Igbinosun had a touchdown-saving interception against Penn State that was probably the most crucial play in a 20-13 win
But those moments haven’t come against anyone with true talent on the perimeter. The only team who’s had that talent torched this group, badly. Another (Indiana) comes to Columbus next week looking at this duo thinking it can do the same
Coming into the Northwestern game Burke had been targeted 28 times, allowing 23 catches (82.1%) for 328 yards and two touchdowns. Igbinosun had been targeted 33 times, allowing 18 catches (54.5%) for 226 yards and a touchdown.
Neither of those stats are what you would call elite. One corner is allowing too many catches while the other is committing too many penalties.
This isn’t a problem Ohio State thought it would have when the season started. Somehow it’s become its biggest problem, heading into a playoff stretch where two of its next three potential teams can look at the position group and lick its chops.
The Buckeyes need more from their corners. They’re two future NFL players, who the Buckeyes should be able to trust to win their fair share of matchups, which makes defense coordinator Jim Knowles feel comfortable about leaving them on islands in favor of being aggressive with his play-calling. Right now they aren’t living up to their preseason expectations, and time has run out on figuring out how to be better.
Ohio State’s defense backs have long claimed the phrase B.I.A., standing for Best in America. The safeties have lived up to that billing all season. It’s time the cornerbacks do the same because the road to a national title demands them to.
If they don’t, it could cost this team a national championship.