Matt Patricia is exactly who the Ohio State Buckeyes need right now. It’s not your father’s Big Ten anymore. You need to be prepared for a dynamic quarterback like reigning Heisman winner and all-time Indiana Hoosiers football legend Fernando Mendoza dicing you up. It’s not just scheming for a guy like Tyrone Wheatley to blast through the gap anymore. You might have a QB go sideline to sideline and fling a ball nearly 60 yards down the field.
Cleveland.com’s Stephen Means explained that point succinctly on the latest episode of Buckeye Talk, saying, “Because of where Ohio State’s defense seems to be evolving, it’s like they’re the epitome of multiple…Can they be a four-down front? Yes. Can they be a three-down front? Yes. Can they have a five-man front? Yes… Matt Patricia, who’s done every possible scheme you can think of and won Super Bowls — you can take that a step further.”
Patricia’s schematic versatility led to a trio of championships with the New England Patriots over the years. The more Patricia does his thing in Columbus, the clearer it is that Bill Belichick’s blueprint on the dynastic Pats wasn’t what we once thought…