The Ohio State Buckeyes entered the 2025 Rose Bowl with high hopes of redeeming themselves after a season full of ups and downs. A dominant offensive lineup, led by standout players like Marvin Harrison Jr. and C.J. Stroud, offered a glimmer of hope for fans. However, when it came to Ohio State’s defense — a unit that had been touted as a key strength for the team — their performance against Oregon left much to be desired. Specifically, the efforts of star cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun, along with the rest of the defensive squad, raised serious questions about whether the Buckeyes have truly fixed their defensive issues.
The Denzel Burke Question: Elite Talent or Overhyped?
Denzel Burke, the highly praised cornerback who many believed could be one of the nation’s best, faced one of his toughest challenges of the season against Oregon’s dynamic passing game. While he showed flashes of brilliance, including a few critical pass breakups, his performance throughout the game was inconsistent and lacked the elite consistency that Ohio State fans expected.
Burke seemed caught off guard on several deep routes, allowing Oregon’s receivers to get behind him and make crucial gains. In the second quarter, a particularly egregious play saw Burke lose his footing on a route, allowing Oregon’s top wideout to haul in a long touchdown pass. The mistake was costly and indicative of the struggles that Burke faced all game. His performance against Oregon raised the uncomfortable question: Is Burke really the lockdown corner that Ohio State needs him to be, or is he merely a product of the Buckeyes’ recruiting hype machine?
The matchup against Oregon revealed some troubling signs for Burke’s future in the NFL as well. Against a team that had its own defensive struggles, Burke failed to step up in the key moments, leaving coaches and analysts questioning whether he has the elite skills to be a difference-maker at the next level.
Davison Igbinosun: The Transfer’s Disappointment
Davison Igbinosun, another key member of Ohio State’s secondary, came to the Buckeyes with big expectations after transferring from Ole Miss. However, his performance against Oregon, much like Burke’s, was underwhelming. Igbinosun was frequently caught out of position, allowing Oregon quarterbacks to exploit the middle of the field with ease. His tackling was hesitant, often leaving Oregon’s playmakers with ample space to gain extra yards after contact.
It wasn’t just the passing game where Igbinosun struggled. He was also part of a defense that allowed Oregon to establish a balanced running attack, with Ducks running backs breaking off huge chunks of yardage in the first half. The defense’s inability to adjust to Oregon’s versatile attack showcased Igbinosun’s struggles with coverage in both the run and pass games. His inability to shut down Oregon’s speedy receivers left fans wondering whether the former Rebel was truly the upgrade Ohio State needed in its secondary.
The Defensive Line: No Pass Rush, No Pressure
While Burke and Igbinosun were certainly underperforming, they weren’t the only issues. Ohio State’s defensive line, widely considered one of the more formidable units in the country, failed to generate consistent pressure on Oregon’s quarterback. Despite having talented pass rushers like J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, the Buckeyes only recorded a single sack in the entire game. Oregon’s offensive line did a commendable job of neutralizing Ohio State’s pass rush, forcing the Buckeyes’ secondary to cover for extended periods.
Without the threat of consistent pressure, Oregon quarterbacks had time to pick apart Ohio State’s secondary. With all the eyes on Burke and Igbinosun, the reality was that the defensive line’s inability to disrupt the pocket allowed Oregon to play with relative ease. The defense simply wasn’t able to generate the kind of chaos that had been expected from them heading into the game.
Tackling Woes: Missed Opportunities Everywhere
The biggest criticism of Ohio State’s defense in the Rose Bowl wasn’t just poor coverage or lack of pass rush. It was their inability to make tackles in critical situations. Time and again, Ducks running backs and wide receivers were allowed to slip through arm tackles, leaving Ohio State players grasping at air. Even the most veteran defenders like linebacker Steele Chambers and safety Ronnie Hickman had issues wrapping up on basic plays, leading to missed opportunities that kept Oregon’s drives alive.
It’s a known fact that a defense’s ability to tackle effectively can often dictate the outcome of the game. The fact that Ohio State couldn’t do so, especially when Oregon had multiple second and third-string players involved, points to serious systemic issues in the defense.
Oregon’s Offense: A Masterclass in Exploiting Weaknesses
The Rose Bowl was a clear example of how Oregon’s offensive scheme — one built on speed, misdirection, and well-timed throws — took full advantage of Ohio State’s weaknesses. The Ducks were able to methodically march down the field, picking apart Burke, Igbinosun, and others on short, quick throws, while occasionally taking deep shots to exploit coverage lapses. Oregon’s ability to make timely adjustments in the passing game forced Ohio State into reactive mode, making it clear that the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinators weren’t able to get ahead of the Ducks’ offense.
Despite the Buckeyes’ defensive talent, Oregon’s strategic game planning exposed holes that could have been addressed earlier. Head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles had no answer to Oregon’s pacing and the speed of their passing attack.
Conclusion: A Disheartening Look Ahead
In conclusion, Ohio State’s defense, led by Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun, failed to meet expectations in the Rose Bowl against Oregon. From coverage breakdowns to missed tackles and lack of pass rush, the Buckeyes’ defense looked more like a liability than a strength. The performance raised valid concerns about the unit’s ability to compete against high-level offenses, especially considering the caliber of talent in their secondary and on the defensive line.
The Rose Bowl wasn’t just a loss for Ohio State; it was a harsh reality check. If the Buckeyes hope to return to College Football Playoff contention, significant changes need to be made to their defensive approach. Burke, Igbinosun, and the rest of the defense must look inward and ask themselves whether they are truly capable of competing at the highest level — or if they are simply overhyped talents who are unable to live up to the billing. If they don’t address these issues, Ohio State’s national championship aspirations may continue to fade, much like their performance in the Rose Bowl.