How fans feel about Ohio State's defense: 'inevitable ... intoxicating ... warm and fuzzy ... and nervous'

Checking in on OSU's dominant defense, and how it makes people feel

Ohio State defensive tackle Tywone Malone celebrates making a play against Washington (Photo courtesy of Ohio State athletics).

COLUMBUS — It starts with trust.

That’s how Ryan Day described it this week. Trust from Ohio State’s players in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Trust from Patricia in the players. Assistants trusting in Patricia, and vice versa. Players trusting their position coaches. Players trusting each other.

“You have to build trust,” Day said. “Matt, coming in, had a certain level of credibility because of his resume. But when he came in, he also let his personality go, and he connected with the people in the building. That’s what gave him some early wins … We played well early in the season, and there was a belief there.

“Combine that with guys who have been there before, and can bring others along, make them better … That’s been a huge part of this. When Jaylen McClain is next to Caleb Downs, he feels stronger. When Lorenzo Styles is next to Jermaine Mathews, they feel stronger together.”

That’s how Ohio State has built the best defense in the country. Again.