Ohio State Buckeyes 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: The Buckeyes are probably wishing that they could take back one absolutely horrible day in Iowa City last November 4th, as they failed to get off the bus in a 55-24 drubbing by the highly average Hawkeyes of Iowa. That one game, compounded with an earlier loss to Oklahoma in September effectively eliminated Ohio State from playoff consideration, not necessarily because of the second loss of the season, but because of how, and against whom, it happened. That loss has resounding tones coming into the 2018 season, as if Ohio State is to be knocked off the top of the Big 10 heap, it's got to come this season. The Buckeyes are starting over at QB, and only 4 starters return on defense. The Buckeyes may just be as vulnerable as they have been in years.
Breakdown Offense: JT Barrett is gone at QB, and a lot of experience went out the door with him. Dwayne Haskins has been given the blessing as the starter heading into camp this fall, as he edged out Tate Martell in the spring battle. Joe Burrow, who also lost out on the job, ended up taking a transfer to LSU. Haskins was strong in limited duty last season, and even filled in for an injured Barrett at one point. He completed 70.2% of his passes for 4 scores and just one INT, passing for 565 yards. He is not quite the runner that Barrett was, so expect some small changes in how the Buckeyes game plan with him. Not saying he cannot run, just that he does not run like Barrett. With Burrow out, Martell is the only depth that they have left, and he has yet to take a collegiate snap.
JK Dobbins came in and yanked the starting RB job from Mike Weber in week one, and went on to rush for 1403 yards and 7 scores last fall. Weber still managed to rush for 626 yards and 10 games, but missed 2 contests to injury last season, which opened the door for Dobbins early. They are both home run threats in the run game, as Dobbins averaged 7.23 yards per carry, and Weber averaged 6.2 YPC. Antonio Williams rushed for 3 scores last fall and averaged 5.09 yards per carry as the 3rd back, and he returns as well.
Parris Campbell is back at H-Back, and led the Buckeyes with 584 yards receiving, while scoring 3 times and averaging 14.6 yards per catch last fall. KJ Hill, who led the team with 56 receptions, is also back and will work with Campbell in the H-Back slot. Demario McCall, who caught 2 passes as a freshman last season, rounds out the group.
The Buckeyes did not exactly have the most explosive WR group in the nation last fall, but both starters return in Austin Mack and Johnnie Dixon. They caught a combined 42 passes last fall for 765 yards and 10 scores last fall. Dixon scored 8 times, and is the more explosive of the 2, and must be used more in the long game this season, as he averaged over 23 yards per catch. Mack caught just 1.8 passes per game last season. Terry McLauren and Benjimen Victor are the immediate post spring backups, while Jaylen Harris and incoming freshman Jaylen Babb bring up the 3rd unit.
The Buckeyes have to rebuild the offensive line from Center to the Right this fall, as only LT Isaiah Prince and LG Michael Jordan return. Brady Taylor, a 5th year senior, is expected to step in at C, while Brandon Bowen (RG) and Theyer Munford (RT) are expected to win the jobs on the right side of the line. Joshua Alabi will likely back up the LT spot, while true freshman Nick Petit-Frere is expected to be the only depth at RT, which could be concerning. Matthew Burrell and Demetrius Knox are the backups at OG, and Josh Meyers is the backup at C.
Breakdown Defense: The Buckeyes only allowed 19.1 points per game last fall, which was actually a downturn, as they allowed 15.1 points per game in 2016. Still, that is not the reason anyone needs to be concerned. That would be because the Buckeyes return just 4 starters on defense in 2018.
The defensive line will see 2 of those returning starters, including a great one in DE Nick Bosa. Bosa totaled 16 TFLs last fall, and led the team with 8.5 sacks. He totaled 34 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 9 QB hurries. He will be joined as a returning starter by DT Dre'Mont Jones. He totaled 5 TFLs last season, and added one sack, 20 tackles, 2 PBUs, and 2 QB hurries. Sophomore Chase Young fills in at the open DE spot, while Robert Landers is likely the new starter at DT. Young has a ton of potential and hype, but nothing to show for it yet. Jonathon Cooper and Jashon Cornell are the backups at DE, while the DT spots are backed up by Haskell Garrett and true freshman Antwuan Jackson.
Tuf Borland is the lone returning starter at LB this fall. He recorded 58 tackles as a freshman last fall. He recorded 3.5 TFLs, one sack, and one QB hurry. Malik Harrison and Keandre Jones, both juniors, are expected to flank him in camp. Harrison totaled 36 tackles as a sophomore last fall, while Jones finished with 15. Dante Booker will back up Harrison, while Baron Browning backs up both Borland and Jones. Depth is not great as it pertains to experience or production, and Browning could end up covering the starting job for Borland, as he may not be ready for fall camp, and missed all of spring ball. If that is the case, depth suffers.
The secondary took some hits after last season, but 2 starters return in CB Damon Arnette and S Jordan Fuller. Arnette finished the season with 8 PBUs, 2 INTs, and 44 tackles on the year. Fuller finished with 2 PBUs, 2 INTs, and finished 2nd on the team with 70 tackles. Kendall Sheffield is the projected new starter at CB, while sophomore Isaiah Pryor is penciled in at S. Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade are the backups at CB, while Jahsen Wint and Brendon White are the backups at Safety.
Breakdown Special Teams: Sean Nuernberger returns at PK after hitting 17/21 FG attempts last season. He hit all 71 of his PAT attempts, and is about as solid as can be.
Drue Christman is one of the better Punters in the nation, and averaged 44.24 yards per punt last season.
Campbell, KJ Hill, and Mike Weber all took shots at KR last fall, and all 3 return. Campbell and Hill should be the primary guys there. Hill averaged 5.54 yards per return on punts.
Final Analysis: The Buckeyes are still the overall favorite in the Big 10, but Wisconsin should be breathing down their necks this fall. If there has ever been a year under Urban Meyer that the Buckeyes can be taken down outright, it would be now. There are several questions across the board, and with a largely rebuilt defense coming back, the Buckeyes are in position to be taken out. This window will not stay open long, and it may not be open very widely, but this is the chance for Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State to all take their shot.
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