Ohio State gets surprisingly leapfrogged by former DC Jim Knowles’ new team in first AP Poll originally appeared on A to Z Sports.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the defending champion of the college football world, but that earned them only so much respect in the first AP Poll entering this season. After finishing 14-2 and beating Texas and Penn State last year, the Buckeyes enter this fall behind both teams. The Buckeyes start the year No. 3, per the media.
Advertisement
Texas will come to Ohio Stadium in Week 1, giving the Buckeyes the chance to leapfrog Penn State into the top slot. The Nittany Lions will come to Ohio as well on Nov. 1. In that return will also be former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ return to Columbus.
View the original article to see embedded media.
The strange fallout between Ohio State and Knowles seemed to happen in real time during the College Football Playoff. It was no secret there was contention prior to that, as the Buckeyes’ defense relied on a veteran four-man front that rarely moved away from legendary line coach Larry Johnson’s ethos. Knowles’ input was seemingly diminished when it came to schematic adjustments in favor of a subordinate’s preference.
Advertisement
Knowles cashed in with a record $3 million-a-year deal to go to Happy Valley. He previously talked about why he’d move from the defending champs to Penn State. He explained that his decision to join the Nittany Lions was driven by a childhood aspiration to play for Penn State while growing up in Philadelphia.
“I’m grateful for my time at Ohio State and the opportunity that Coach Day gave me. We had the No. 1 defense in the country. We won a national championship. Had great relationships with the players and with Coach Day and the administration, felt supported,” Knowles said. “You reach a point in your career where you’re given opportunities based on past performance, and Penn State, for me, growing up in inner-city Philly, was the epitome of college football when I was a kid. I was never talented enough to make it to Penn State as a player, but given the opportunity to do it now as a coach, it’s really where I want to be to continue my career and bring any expertise that I can to the organization.”
Knowles was not directly questioned regarding a previous CBS Sports report, which suggested that his choice to depart from Ohio State was influenced by Day requesting him to modify his defensive strategies after Ohio State’s midseason defeat to Oregon. While Knowles would likely deflect anyway, Ryan Day had to push back when asked about some staff issues throughout the season between Larry Johnson and Knowles.
Advertisement
The veteran defensive line coach for the Buckeyes had more control than most assistants, as the team continued to deploy four-man fronts than what Knowles did at his previous job, Oklahoma State.
Day previously said Knowles and Johnson are “on the same page.” He said the three have discussed handling the unit, but there’s no massive chasm about what each party wants. If this is the case, then it’s more of a talent issue and a lack of scheme aggressiveness, causing inconsistent pressure on the quarterback.
Day acknowledged that Ohio State needs to stop relying on a straight four-man rush and that changes are coming. Ohio State has been stale for too long, and the combination of Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau is inconsistent, at best.
Advertisement
When inquired about his ambitions to become a head coach, Knowles expressed that his sole goal was to guide Penn State’s defense to match the success of Ohio State’s defense from the previous season, emphasizing his belief that the Nittany Lions are “very close” to achieving national championship status.
“My aspiration is to help Penn State win the national championship and be the No. 1 defense in the country, and that’s really all I’m focused on,” Knowles said. “This is the place because everything here is so close to winning it all, and I’m hopeful that I can help get it there.”
It’s hard to fault Knowles for wanting to get a little closer to home. Happy Valley is about half the distance to Philadelphia compared to Columbus. The strange part is how Knowles left after winning a title and before Caleb Downs’ collegiate eligibility is up.
This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
