DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Squabbling among players has been occurring at Ohio State, but no one should worry about dissension in the ranks of the nation's No. 1 team.

While the defense has been a cohesive bunch on the field — surprising nearly everyone in becoming the stingiest unit in the land — a good-natured rivalry is brewing between the linebackers and defensive backs over interceptions.

The Buckeyes lead the Big Ten and are tied for second nationally with 18 picks, and the linebackers have been making a stunning contribution to that total.

James Laurinaitis has four, Marcus Freeman two and Larry Grant one. But they're losing ground to the DBs, who have 10.

"In the weight room, we're always talking about it," Freeman said. "For a while, the linebackers had more interceptions than the DBs, and that's something we bragged about. They've taken the throne back. We want to go out this week and take it back.

"It is a friendly competition. We love interceptions. We want to (cause) turnovers. And it's something we can do to make ourselves better."

Sophomore Malcolm Jenkins, who appears on the verge of becoming the next great cornerback at OSU, has four interceptions. And he's the main instigator in the feud.

"He's the one who tells everybody, 'We're going to win,' " Freeman said.

While the Buckeyes had the Big Ten's top-rated defense last season, the unit generated just six interceptions, making this year's rampage all the more startling.

Despite replacing nine starters, the current unit is statistically better than the 2005 gang, allowing fewer total yards (261.0-281.3) and points (7.3-15.2) and far surpassing its predecessor in takeaways (20-12).

"What I like about this group is everyone seems to want to do what the team needs done," coach Jim Tressel said.

Even the 2002 defense — the backbone of a national-title team — doesn't measure up. It finished with a robust 30 takeaways (in 14 games) but allowed an average of 320.9 yards and 13.1 points.

"That 2002 defense was special, but they didn't do the things this one has done," fifth-year senior guard T.J. Downing said. "For as much (skepticism) as was put on them by the media, they're really stepping up. They're the leaders of this ball club right now."

On that point, even the linebackers and DBs might agree.

C

ontact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.