By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS - In the preseason, Ohio State fans salivated about the prospect of an offense returning 10 starters. Their thinking was, if the defense - which sent five starters to the NFL - could be even a shadow of its 2002 self, the Buckeyes could contend.

Instead, while the offense has sputtered, this defense has cast a shadow perhaps longer than its championship-season incarnation.

"The thought was we'd not be as good as a year ago," senior linebacker Fred Pagac Jr. said. "But that gives you motivation to come out and prove 'em wrong."

The Buckeyes (6-1) rank sixth nationally in total defense, allowing 269 yards per game - 51.9 fewer per game than last season. Their average of 60.6 rushing yards allowed ranks second in the country.

OSU finished second in the nation last season in scoring defense (13.1 ppg) and third in rushing defense (77.7 yards). The Buckeyes allowed 10 fewer TDs than any other Big Ten team - 19 in 14 games.

"There are some great defenses that have been here in the past, and we had such a great one last year," linebacker A.J. Hawk said. "I hope we live up to the hype."

Which defense is better, 2002 or '03?

"That evaluation will come after 12 games," defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio said. "Last year's group won the national championship. That's the measuring stick."

Last year's deep defense allowed seasoning for several talented understudies.

Now, those kids are starring. The top three tacklers are new starters: Hawk (65 tackles) and safeties Will Allen (43) and Nate Salley (42).

The other new starters are defensive lineman Simon Fraser, who already has won Big Ten defensive player of the week honors, and Pagac, a second-generation Buckeye.

Last Saturday was arguably this group's finest showing. It held Iowa's Fred Russell - the Big Ten's second-leading rusher going in, with a 121-yard average - to just 42 yards. Half of his 22 carries went for either no gain or a loss.

OSU had 12 tackles for loss Saturday, for a combined 66 yards.

"Our guys wanted to make a statement," Dantonio said. "It looked like every one of our players dominated the guy across the line of scrimmage from him."

OSU did that essentially without two starters. Linebacker Robert Reynolds served a one-game suspension and injured lineman Darrion Scott played only a little.

Yet the defense remains flush with talented backups. Freshman Quinn Pitcock had six tackles and a sack Saturday in relief of Scott.

OSU rotates eight players along the line and five at linebacker.

The front four of Scott, Tim Anderson, Will Smith and Fraser has been hailed as one of the nation's best.

"If they play well, the defense plays well," linebacker Mike D'Andrea said.

E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com