There is no question that, through the first 11 games of the season, Ohio State’s defense has been remarkable. The unit leads the country, allowing only 206.6 yards per game, 34.3 yards better than the second-place team (Toledo). The Silver Bullets are the best pass defense in college football, allowing just 126.6 yards through the air per game, and the second-best rush defense behind Texas Tech (71.82), giving up just 80 yards on the ground per game.
But the most eye-popping number put up by Matt Patricia’s defense so far this season is that, through 11 games, they have given up just 84 points. There have been nine games this season in which the final score was over 90 points, more than the Buckeyes have allowed all season. That breaks down to 7.64 points per game.
With just one game remaining in the regular season (you know the one), the Buckeyes are looking to cement themselves as one of the best defenses in the 21st Century.
Using the data readily available, I have charted the top regular-season scoring defenses in college football going back to 2003. This year, unless they give up 44 or more to TTUN, will be the third time during this span that the Buckeyes lead the country in that category during this period.
What are the best regular-season college football scoring defenses since 2003?
| Year | Team | Points Allowed per Game | National Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Ohio State | 10.9 | Ohio State |
| 2023 | Michigan | 10.3 | Michigan |
| 2022 | Georgia | 12.4 | Georgia |
| 2021 | Georgia | 6.9 | Georgia |
| 2020 | Marshall | 14.1 | Alabama |
| 2019 | Clemson | 9.7 | LSU |
| 2018 | Mississippi State | 12.5 | Clemson |
| 2017 | Wisconsin | 12 | Alabama |
| 2016 | Alabama | 12.2 | Clemson |
| 2015 | Wisconsin | 13.1 | Alabama |
| 2014 | Ole Miss | 15.1 | Ohio State |
| 2013 | Michigan State | 11.3 | Florida State |
| 2012 | Alabama | 10.1 | Alabama |
| 2011 | Alabama | 7.7 | Alabama |
| 2010 | TCU | 11.8 | Auburn |
| 2009 | Florida | 10.5 | Alabama |
| 2008 | USC | 7.8 | Florida State |
| 2007 | Ohio State | 11.1 | LSU |
| 2006 | Virginia Tech | 10.2 | Florida |
| 2005 | Virginia Tech | 10.6 | Texas |
| 2004 | Auburn | 10.3 | USC |
| 2003 | LSU | 10.9 | LSU, USC |
Of course, the last time was just a season ago, when OSU became the fourth-straight team to lead the FBS in regular-season scoring defense and then go on to win the national title… we, of course, are hoping to make that five in a row.
Now, there is no way for Ohio State to finish the regular season with the lowest points per game average during this time period, because the 2021 Georgia Bulldogs allowed only just 83 points in the regular season, meaning that unless the Buckeyes can hold Michigan to -2 points tomorrow, that number is out of reach, but everything else is still on the table.
So, check out what the Silver Bullets would need to give up in order to hit certain point-total milestones. Personally, I am really rooting for that 7 points per game mark!
| If Michigan scores… | Ohio State’s PPG would be… |
|---|---|
| 0 | 7.00 |
| 2 | 7.17 |
| 3 | 7.25 |
| 4 | 7.33 |
| 5 | 7.42 |
| 6 | 7.50 |
| 7 | 7.58 |
| 8 | 7.67 |
| 9 | 7.75 |
| 10 | 7.83 |
| 11 | 7.92 |
| 12 | 8.00 |
| 13 | 8.08 |
| 14 | 8.17 |
| 15 | 8.25 |
| 16 | 8.33 |
| 17 | 8.42 |
| 18 | 8.50 |
| 19 | 8.58 |
| 20 | 8.67 |
| 21 | 8.75 |
| 22 | 8.83 |
| 23 | 8.92 |
| 24 | 9.00 |
| 25 | 9.08 |
| 26 | 9.17 |
| 27 | 9.25 |
| 28 | 9.33 |
| 29 | 9.42 |
| 30 | 9.50 |
| 31 | 9.58 |
| 32 | 9.67 |
| 33 | 9.75 |
| 34 | 9.83 |
| 35 | 9.92 |
| 36 | 10.00 |
