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5 Most Dangerous 2017 College Football Playoff Contenders

By Zach Bigalke

Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) jumps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) jumps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
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Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) scores the winning touchdown in the second overtime under pursuit from Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) scores the winning touchdown in the second overtime under pursuit from Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

Just like in 2014, the Buckeyes arrived on the scene a year earlier than expected. According to Phil Steele no team returned less experience to its roster in 2016 than Ohio State. Yet Urban Meyer’s team was able to run through its entire Big Ten schedule save a tough road trip to Happy Valley. That loss to Penn State kept the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten championship this year, but it was almost a blessing in disguise after the Nittany Lions took the league crown. With just one loss on their record, Ohio State reached the College Football Playoff for the second time in three seasons.

Next year the Buckeyes will once again have to contend with Penn State as well as Michigan, and they could also have to deal with a Michigan State rebound. With J.T. Barrett expected to leave Columbus for a shot at the NFL this spring, Ohio State will need to find a new signal caller next year. They will have 1000-yard running back Mike Weber back, however, and whoever wins the quarterback job will have an experienced offensive line and receiving corps to make his transition easier.

Playing in one of the toughest — if not the toughest — division in college football, Ohio State is hardly a lock to reach the College Football Playoff in 2017. But the Buckeyes should be ranked in the top five in the preseason once again, and barring a total collapse this crew should be in the hunt late into the regular season. As we’ve seen, from both 2014 and 2016, Ohio State is going to get into the bracket if they are close.

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