Seven drives, two and a half quarters, 65 yards and just two first downs.

That's what the Ohio State Buckeyes' defense held the UCLA Bruins to in Saturday Night's 48-10 victory. For the now 12th straight week and 10th straight game, the Buckeyes' defense proved that it is the best group in the entire country. 

Second place might as well be 100th place because this unit is far and away the best in the country.

For defensive coordinator Matt Patrica and the program, the Buckeyes have superstars at every level. The front four reloaded from last season with the likes of Caden Curry, Kayden McDonald, Eddrick Houston along with many others as the unit had to replace four starters, all four of which were high draft picks.

In addition to a stout front four, Ohio State's linebacking corps might be the best that have ever put on the Scarlet and Gray. Junior Arvell Reese is listed as a linebacker, but really is just a pass rusher and is widely considered the best in the country. His efforts throughout the 2025 season have catapulted his draft stock to be a top-5 draft pick. 

His running mate, Sonny Styles, is the most steady player I have ever seen at the college level. Styles is elite in every way, but he has the right head on his shoulders. He is a leader of the team and takes great pride in this role. 

Behind them is arguably the best defensive player in the country in star safety Caleb Downs. The former Alabama Crimson Tide standout was largely regarded as that player heading into the season, but has not been relied on much this year due the seven guys in front of him.

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Individually, these players are elite. But collectively, they are the best in the country. On Saturday, the defense proved that they are better together for this year's team.

For the first time all season, the Buckeyes' offensive attack wasn't its normal self. Thankfully, it was against UCLA, so it didn't cost them. However, it was clear that the offense was not as sharp, especially when star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith left the game late in the second quarter.

As redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin and the offense worked through some unusual growing pains, the Buckeyes' defense held it down. In the second half, when the offense was forced to punt on several occasions, head coach Ryan Day's squad gave up no ground to the Bruins due to the lock-down play from the defense.

Now, imagining a scenario against a better team, what happens when the Buckeyes' offense struggles again? It is unlikely to happen consistently, but Saturday night's performance poses an interesting hypothetical.

This defense is good enough that if the program's star wide receiver duo of Smith and junior Carnell Tate can't go for a couple of weeks, or if Sayin is failing to execute, they can absolutely stop an opponent in its tracks util the offense figures it out. 

This defense is the great equalizer in 2025.