Should the Ohio State Buckeyes Really be B1G Favorites?
Yes, the Ohio State Buckeyes have gone 24-2 their first two years with Urban Meyer. Yes, they remain undefeated in the regular season. And yes, they return enough key players, have great recruiting, and great coaching to suggest that they should be a national title contender.
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But the Big Ten favorites? Meyer has lots of questions to answer about his team before they can make that claim.
The Buckeyes were thoroughly exposed defensively the last three games of last year, giving up 41, 34, and 40 points. Nobody in the secondary should be allowed to show their faces in Columbus after those pathetic performances, and the defensive backs who graduated should be banned from ever returning. It was that bad in the way they got exposed.
There is also lots of talent that left the program, and although Meyer has recruited very well, there isn’t a lot of experience yet at some of the positions.
Jan 3, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer (right) talks with his players in a timeout against Clemson Tigers during the first half in the 2014 Orange Bowl college football game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
If Ohio State is going to win the Big Ten and make it to the college football playoff this year, it will have to overcome inexperience in specific spots. On paper, they appear to be good enough to do that, with key returners at certain positions as well as very good recruiting.
But will that translate to the field?
Ohio State has to make significant improvements over last year because it barely belonged in that game against Michigan State for the Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes need to improve to get to the level of the Spartans, who are very experienced and extremely well-coached.
There are certain issues they will have to address if that is going to be the case.