Should the Ohio State Buckeyes Really be B1G Favorites?

Special Teams

The Buckeyes return perhaps their most valuable asset on the team next to Miller in sophomore punter Cameron Johnston. As a freshman last year he averaged 44 yards per punt, and 31 of his 49 punts were downed inside the 20 while 24 were fair catches. That’s incredible. He should be the favorite to win the Ray Guy Award this year, because he can reverse field position and keep returns from happening. He’ll be even better this year with more experience.

Apr 12, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Gray Team punter Cameron Johnston (95) punts the ball during the Ohio State Buckeyes Spring Game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Kicker Drew Basil is gone, leaving Kyle Clinton as the likely starter at the position. The Buckeyes didn’t need field goal kicking a lot last year, but when they did, Basil was very reliable, going 8 for 8 on kicks under 40 yards and 1 for 2 on kicks 40 and beyond. This year, Clinton just needs to be accurate and make the kicks he’s expected to. It’s worth noting he did kick 3 extra points last year and made all of them, and he had three kickoffs, one of which went for a touchback, so the leg strength is there. But expect, like always, for him to struggle a bit his first year starting.