Ohio State’s Coverage Toolbox from the CFB Playoffs | Pt 3: Cover 3

In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, we broke down how Ohio State used Cover 2 and Cover 1 to create post-snap confusion and dictate terms on defense. Now in Part 3, we’re diving into how the Buckeyes built out their Cover 3 toolbox, using it as a base, a disguise, and a change-up, all from their signature 4-down, 3-high structure.

This wasn’t vanilla spot drop. Ohio State used Cover 3 as part of a larger coverage plan, spinning late, rotating from depth, and mixing in pressure to force QBs into mistakes. Let’s get into it.

Fire Zone Cover 3

Our first look has the feel of a classic “Chop” pressure, Ohio State brings the corner blitz and spins to a 3-under, 3-deep fire zone behind it. The safety rolls over to take the corner’s deep third, keeping the coverage structure intact.

Texas is in an unbalanced formation, which forces the Buckeyes to adjust by spinning down Caleb Downs pre-snap as one of the curl/flat players underneath. Simple call, clean execution. This is a foundational pressure you’ll find in just about every defensive playbook, but the Buckeyes tie it together with clean disguise and strong eyes post-snap.

Double Buzz Cover 3

Here’s a clean look at Double Buzz, a simple, effective variation of Cover 3 that Ohio State ran out of their 3-high shell. Both the field and boundary safeties buzz down post-snap. The field safety takes the flat, while the boundary safety drops into the hook zone.

The beauty of this variation is it lets those safeties play from the top-down, which helps take away the windows that traditional Cover 3 beaters. It's a subtle adjustment, but it gives the defense more control over the intermediate zones without losing structure deep.

Double Buzz vs. Pin & Pull

In this clip, we get a great look at how Double Buzz Cover 3 plays into the run game, specifically against a pin & pull concept. Once the weak side safety buzzes down into the hook zone, he essentially becomes an interior linebacker in the fit. That means he’s got to scrape and track the ball all the way across to the play side.

It’s a tough ask, but the safety does a great job here, showing the kind of versatility you need to live in 3-high structures. Also worth noting: the backside defensive end chases this thing down and finishes with great effort. That’s the kind of pursuit you need at a championship level.