Buckeyes Loaded and Ready to Shoot Past 2018 Win Total
The drama surrounding Head Coach Urban Meyer notwithstanding, Ohio State is stacked with talent. Despite the high win total, every game on their schedule is very winnable and the „over“ won’t be a problem.
Ohio State Regular Season Win Total
NCAAF Pick: Over 10.5 Wins
Top Heisman Candidate: Dwayne Haskins: +1600
Odds to Win National Championship: +1000
Odds to Win Big Ten: +190
Head Coach Urban Meyer was ensnared in allegations that he covered up domestic abuse.
Ohio State launched a 14-day internal investigation and decided to suspend Meyer for __ games. Ryan Day has been acting as interim coach. He’s reportedly overseeing the offense while Greg Schiano focuses on the defense. The team isn’t skipping a beat.
Offense:
Dwayne Haskins replaces J.T. Barrett, who went 38-6 overall and 9-3 against top-10 teams while at OSU, at quarterback. Ohio State was so successful rather despite than because of Barrett. The key was always to feature Ohio State’s many skill players—whether at running back or wide receiver— and never to rely on Barrett to take over the game. Barrett’s ineptitude especially as a passer held his offense back. For example, whether at Oklahoma, Indiana or Ohio State, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson has always preferred a quarterback who could sling it. But last season, for example, Barrett ranked outside the top 100 in completion percentage on throws of 20-plus yards. Even worse was his completion percentage on deep passes outside the numbers. Barrett’s inaccuracy was a shame considering the speed and deep-play ability of his receivers. With Barrett unable to throw deep, defenses were able to stack the box, meaning that they had less space to defend, which made their job easier, especially because Barrett's speed grew insufficient to make the impact with his legs that he had done before suffering numerous leg injuries. Wisconsin executed this tactic in last year's Big 10 championship, in which Barrett was 12-for-26 with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Buckeyes still won, but less because of Barrett and more because of the explosiveness of their running backs and wide receivers
Conversely, Haskins went 5-for-6 on his deep passes and could also consistently execute deep throws outside the numbers. Haskins could step in against Michigan’s stellar defense, which had game-planned against Barrett, and go 6-for-7 with 94 yards, leading his team to victory. Haskins is vastly superior to Barrett in terms of accuracy and arm strength. He can stretch the field at will. So if a team like Wisconsin were to stack the box, he would burn the defense. Haskins—who, by the way, is also competent running in the open field -- will force opposing defenses to account for the entire field, stretching them out, giving them more space to account for, and making their life more difficult both because of the threat that he poses and that of his teammates in space.
Haskins has an incredible supporting cast. Running backs JK Dobbins and Mike Weber combined for over 2000 yards rushing. Weber averaged 6.2 yards per carry although he only began making an impact in November when he recovered his health. Dobbins averaged 7.2. It’s not like they only beat up cupcake teams, either. Against ranked opponents, Ohio State ranked sixth in rush yards per game. OSU’s o-line returns plenty of experience and features two All-Big Ten guys.
The receiving crew, although lacking a true number one guy, is stacked with six capable players able to lead the team in yards in a given game. It only loses a tight end. Parris Campbell led the team with 584 yards. He’s known for running a 40 yard dash under 4.40 and his speed helped him achieve a 74-yard touchdown against Indiana. Terry McLaurin is also a big-play threat with his speed and he achieved an 84 yard touchdown against Wisconsin.
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Defense:
Ohio State’s defense benefits from its depth last year because many players who weren’t starters received good playing time. Seven different defensive linemen started for a team that ranked fourth in opposing rush yards per game and achieved 45 sacks. Two starters and seven of the top 11 linemen return, the best among whom is First-team All-American defensive end Nick Bosa, who led his unit with 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He’ll line up opposite of five-star recruit Chase Young who has had an extremely strong Spring, constantly pressuring the quarterback in the spring game. The rotation will feature three defensive tackles with at least 25 games of experience, including Dre’Mont Jones, who has 23 career starts and could have opted for the NFL.
Ohio State also returns six of nine at linebacker. Sophomore Baron Browning was a five-star prospect who could break out, as could Malik Harrison, who was effective when he played, accumulating 36 tackles, and Justin Hilliard, who was Ohio State’s top recruit in 2015 and is finally healthy. Last season, Ohio State’s secondary lost three first round draft picks and regressed „majorly“ to 10th in opposing quarterback passer rating. Year in and year out, OSU boasts a solid secondary. This season, it is more experienced and returns six of its top nine, including two starters. It’s led by safety Jordan Fuller, the team’s leading returning tackler. Fuller could be one of the best safeties thanks to his physical attributes, his understanding of his position, and his leadership on the field. Cornerback Jeffrey Okudah is another rising star. The five-star recruit played in last year’s Cotton Bowl and helped shut down USC’s prolific pass attack.
The drama surrounding Head Coach Urban Meyer notwithstanding, Ohio State is stacked with talent. Despite the high win total, every game on their schedule is very winnable and the „over“ won’t be a problem.
Ohio State Regular Season Win Total
NCAAF Pick: Over 10.5 Wins
Top Heisman Candidate: Dwayne Haskins: +1600
Odds to Win National Championship: +1000
Odds to Win Big Ten: +190
Head Coach Urban Meyer was ensnared in allegations that he covered up domestic abuse.
Ohio State launched a 14-day internal investigation and decided to suspend Meyer for __ games. Ryan Day has been acting as interim coach. He’s reportedly overseeing the offense while Greg Schiano focuses on the defense. The team isn’t skipping a beat.
Offense:
Dwayne Haskins replaces J.T. Barrett, who went 38-6 overall and 9-3 against top-10 teams while at OSU, at quarterback. Ohio State was so successful rather despite than because of Barrett. The key was always to feature Ohio State’s many skill players—whether at running back or wide receiver— and never to rely on Barrett to take over the game. Barrett’s ineptitude especially as a passer held his offense back. For example, whether at Oklahoma, Indiana or Ohio State, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson has always preferred a quarterback who could sling it. But last season, for example, Barrett ranked outside the top 100 in completion percentage on throws of 20-plus yards. Even worse was his completion percentage on deep passes outside the numbers. Barrett’s inaccuracy was a shame considering the speed and deep-play ability of his receivers. With Barrett unable to throw deep, defenses were able to stack the box, meaning that they had less space to defend, which made their job easier, especially because Barrett's speed grew insufficient to make the impact with his legs that he had done before suffering numerous leg injuries. Wisconsin executed this tactic in last year's Big 10 championship, in which Barrett was 12-for-26 with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Buckeyes still won, but less because of Barrett and more because of the explosiveness of their running backs and wide receivers
Conversely, Haskins went 5-for-6 on his deep passes and could also consistently execute deep throws outside the numbers. Haskins could step in against Michigan’s stellar defense, which had game-planned against Barrett, and go 6-for-7 with 94 yards, leading his team to victory. Haskins is vastly superior to Barrett in terms of accuracy and arm strength. He can stretch the field at will. So if a team like Wisconsin were to stack the box, he would burn the defense. Haskins—who, by the way, is also competent running in the open field -- will force opposing defenses to account for the entire field, stretching them out, giving them more space to account for, and making their life more difficult both because of the threat that he poses and that of his teammates in space.
Haskins has an incredible supporting cast. Running backs JK Dobbins and Mike Weber combined for over 2000 yards rushing. Weber averaged 6.2 yards per carry although he only began making an impact in November when he recovered his health. Dobbins averaged 7.2. It’s not like they only beat up cupcake teams, either. Against ranked opponents, Ohio State ranked sixth in rush yards per game. OSU’s o-line returns plenty of experience and features two All-Big Ten guys.
The receiving crew, although lacking a true number one guy, is stacked with six capable players able to lead the team in yards in a given game. It only loses a tight end. Parris Campbell led the team with 584 yards. He’s known for running a 40 yard dash under 4.40 and his speed helped him achieve a 74-yard touchdown against Indiana. Terry McLaurin is also a big-play threat with his speed and he achieved an 84 yard touchdown against Wisconsin.
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Defense:
Ohio State’s defense benefits from its depth last year because many players who weren’t starters received good playing time. Seven different defensive linemen started for a team that ranked fourth in opposing rush yards per game and achieved 45 sacks. Two starters and seven of the top 11 linemen return, the best among whom is First-team All-American defensive end Nick Bosa, who led his unit with 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He’ll line up opposite of five-star recruit Chase Young who has had an extremely strong Spring, constantly pressuring the quarterback in the spring game. The rotation will feature three defensive tackles with at least 25 games of experience, including Dre’Mont Jones, who has 23 career starts and could have opted for the NFL.
Ohio State also returns six of nine at linebacker. Sophomore Baron Browning was a five-star prospect who could break out, as could Malik Harrison, who was effective when he played, accumulating 36 tackles, and Justin Hilliard, who was Ohio State’s top recruit in 2015 and is finally healthy. Last season, Ohio State’s secondary lost three first round draft picks and regressed „majorly“ to 10th in opposing quarterback passer rating. Year in and year out, OSU boasts a solid secondary. This season, it is more experienced and returns six of its top nine, including two starters. It’s led by safety Jordan Fuller, the team’s leading returning tackler. Fuller could be one of the best safeties thanks to his physical attributes, his understanding of his position, and his leadership on the field. Cornerback Jeffrey Okudah is another rising star. The five-star recruit played in last year’s Cotton Bowl and helped shut down USC’s prolific pass attack.
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