The Ohio State Buckeyes went 24-0 in Urban Meyers 1st 24 games, but coming into this year they have now lost their last 2 games in a row, after losing in the Big 10 title game to Michigan State and then in a thrilling Orange Bowl game to Clemson. The Buckeyes have to rebuild some on offense, but this is still a very team that is more than capable of making it to the new NCAA playoffs. Preview & schedule are below.
The Buckeyes averaged a healthy 45.5 ppg last year, but have lost some key pieces to that group, so repeating last year’s numbers will be tough. They do have Braxton Miller back and he is a definite Heisman contender. Last year Braxton threw for 2094 yards with 24 TDs and 7 INTs, while he also ran for 1068 yards and 12 TDs. He does lose his top WR from last year, but Devin Smith and Jeff Heuerman return after combining for 1126 yards receiving and 12 TDs a last year. They also have Corey Smith and Dontre Wilson ready to step in and both were highly touted players. The running game loses its top 2 RBs from last year, but Ezekiel Elliot was a number 14 RB out of HS and is ready to step in. The problem for this offense may be a line that has to replace 4 starters. Still with a bunch of highly touted players ready to step in this will be a solid unit, just will take a little time to gel. The defense is used to allowing 15 ppg or less, but they have allowed 21 ppg or more in each of the last 3 years. That should change this year. The Buckeye have 7 starters back on this side of the ball and are led by a DL that is rated tops in the nation by Phil Steele. All 4 starters are back to this group and are led by a pair of powerful Des in Noah Spence (8 sacks last year) and Michael Bennett (7 sacks last year). Joshua Perry and Curtis Gran are back to solid LB corps, while the secondary still have a few holes after allowing 268 ypg on 61.8% passing last year.
The Buckeyes lost some key personnel on offense, especially along the Line and at RB, while the defensive front 7 will be very stout, but they could struggle vs the pass again. The buckeyes do have some holes, but they were plugged in by the top rated recruiting class in the Big 10 and the 3rd best class in the nation. Still it will take some time for this group to gel and while the Buckeyes do have Braxton Miller, he can’t do it all on offense, plus he can’t defend the pass. Overall I rate the Buckeyes and Spartans about equal in talent and with Ohio State having to travel to East Lansing, I feel that they will fall just short of making it back to the Big 10 title game. Still that could be their only loss and may be enough to have them play in the National title playoff. KEY TREND: 14-1-1 ATS after playing Penn State
2014 Ohio State Football Schedule
Aug. 30 Navy (in Balt.)
Sep. 6 Virginia Tech
Sep. 13 Kent State
Sep. 20 OPEN DATE
Sep. 27 Cincinnati
Oct. 4 at Maryland
Oct. 11 OPEN DATE
Oct. 18 Rutgers
Oct. 25 at Penn State
Nov. 1 Illinois
Nov. 8 at Michigan State
Nov. 15 at Minnesota
Nov. 22 Indiana
Nov. 29 Michigan
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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