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Ohio State Football: 5 reasons why the Buckeyes will struggle in 2017

By Andrew Miller

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes the field during the second half against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes the field during the second half against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 17: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks for running room in the second quarter as Tyvis Powell #23 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Eli Apple #13 of the Ohio State Buckeyes close in to defend at Ohio Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Penn State 38-10. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 17: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks for running room in the second quarter as Tyvis Powell #23 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Eli Apple #13 of the Ohio State Buckeyes close in to defend at Ohio Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Penn State 38-10. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

4. Penn State

No other team in the Big Ten presents as big of threat to the Buckeyes as the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State was the only team to defeat Ohio State during the 2016 regular season, and it came to the huge surprise of almost the entire country.

The team that Penn State returns this year is better than they were a season ago. Star quarterback Trace McSorley and superstar running back Saquon Barkley return alongside a group of one of the best receiving corps in the country. If Ohio State could not take care of business in 2016 then it will be even harder to do so in 2017.

However, a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown was the main reason that cause Penn State to get the win.

Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Michigan all present threats to Ohio State but none are as good as Penn State. Moreover, Ohio State easily took care of business against the Sooners and defeated Wisconsin and Michigan as well.

It would not be nearly as much of a surprise if the Nittany Lions defeated the Buckeyes in 2017 than it was in 2016.

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