OFFENSE

It should be leaps an bounds better than last year. I think Urbs finally figured out what makes the offense go ….. RB Ezekiel Elliott. Gotta ride him as far as he’ll take them. But there is plenty of depth in case he gets dinged, which is bound to happen.

There are also plenty of sure-handed wide receivers and the offensive line should be among the best nationally.

I will be really shocked if OSU doesn’t score (not average) at least 40 points a game. This team really found itself after the Virginia Tech debacle and will pick up right where it left off against Oregon, minus the turnovers.

Oh yeah, what about the quarterback? Well, let’s take Braxton Miller out of the equation because he won’t play QB at OSU unless its an emergency. He is one of the quickest runners on the team and should be used elsewhere. Whether it’s Cardale or Barrett, they’re going to be handing off to Zeke quite a bit but both can get the job done. Jones has a better arm. Barrett is probably the better all-around quarterback.

Urbs should and will find a way to use both. — Scott (@ohiostatescott)

 

DEFENSE

Despite the loss of several key players, the defense will be better this year. The starting position-by-position talent should be here for the Buckeyes, but the difference will be better developed depth of talent this season. They are in a legitimate position of being able to truly rotate eight (8) players along the defensive line. Last year, that was a goal, this year it will be a reality. Urban Meyer puts an emphasis on athletic, productive defensive lines. He may have one this year.

The loss of cornerback Doran Grant will be a big position to fill, but sophomores Gareon Conley and Damon Webb will provide good presence opposite the other cornerback, Eli Apple. The depth chart at cornerback is pretty much all sophomores, so if an opponent is going to attack the corners, it needs to be this season.

However, All-American Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington return as starters on the defensive line, so actually having time to throw for an opponent may be problematic. The Buckeyes will offer stout men to stuff the run and provide an inside push at the defensive tackle position and fast, athletic defensive ends.

With Ohio State running an uptempo offense (73 plays per game) the defense will have its share of possessions to defend. Being able to go a full two-deep on the defensive line should reduce the number of 4th quarter points, nearly 30%, points allowed last year.

The line-backing corps lost run-stuffer Curtis Grant to the NFL, but honestly, with presumed replacement Raekwon McMillan filling in, that position should improve a bit. At 6’2, 240, McMillan possess the same run-stuffing size, but has much better sideline to sideline speed. Leading tackler Joshua Perry and 3rd leading tackler, Darron Lee, return as starters. — Ken Kohl (@KenKohl1)

 

Buy or Sell?

This will be an interesting year to say the least. First off and for the most part, history is against Ohio State. The Buckeyes have never repeated and in almost every championship season they had the makings of being better the next year only to have their rival spoil things in most cases. 2003 comes to mind (Wisconsin and TTUN), then there’s Woody’s true glory years in the late 60’s and Bo ruined it for him in ’69.

This supporting argument for why this team will go undefeated and repeat as National Champions has some recent success by teams like Bama and USC repeating, and even though they weren’t in the conference at the time Nebraska is the last B1G team to repeat (94/95).

As far as the team itself goes and where the program is, they probably stole one last season and they’re going to be the front runners this upcoming season regardless. The leadership that has been lost will be hard to replace but there’s talent, probably still second best talent to Bama, but talent that will reign supreme this season.

The Buckeyes should get past the schedule in spite of a trip to AA and will be the team to beat come the final four. The core of brotherhood that led them is still there and they play like they are family. Unique situation in Columbus right now, I hope it lasts.  –WVaBuckeye (@wvabuckeye)

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Several writers from The Buckeye Battle Cry contributed the information for our Ohio State Football 2015 Spring recap. For more Ohio State football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow The Buckeye Battle Cry on Twitter @The_BBC.  

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