Another BCS game, another big challenge for defense

Published Dec. 20, 2010 4:36 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Marcus Hartman
FOX Sports Ohio | Buckeyesports.com
December 20, 2010

A highly regarded defense against a ballyhooed offense from another major conference. The Ohio State defense should be used to this storyline by now, but will the Buckeyes be up for the challenge again?

Two years ago, the Buckeyes traveled west to the Arizona desert to tangle with Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. Last season they hit the West Coast for a clash with Oregon at the Rose Bowl. This time, Ohio State is headed south for a battle with Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.

Three bowls, three high-powered attacks and three distinct styles.

Though the Buckeyes split the first two games, losing to Texas 24-21 and beating Oregon 26-17, the defense stood tall in both contests by holding both the Longhorns and the Ducks well below their gaudy season statistical averages.

While there was no mystery that Texas preferred to throw and the Ducks would to do most of their damage on the ground, zeroing in on what Arkansas will try to do might be more difficult.