Saturday Blitz
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 1: Andre Patton #88 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights attempts to pull in a pass reception in front of Marshon Lattimore #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. The pass was incomplete. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 1: Andre Patton #88 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights attempts to pull in a pass reception in front of Marshon Lattimore #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. The pass was incomplete. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

3. Departures in the secondary

The safeties returning for Ohio State do have a lot of experience. However, the two starting cornerbacks are a sophomore and a junior. The sophomore is Damon Arnette who does have one career interception. The junior is Denzel Ward who does have some experience but has never forced a turnover in his two year college career.

Safeties Erick Smith and Damon Smith could be a solid combination but they cannot make up for the losses of Marshon Lattimore and Malik Hooker. Both Smiths need to step up this year if they want to be playing on Sundays as well.

Related Story: Ohio State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

Lattimore was a shut down corner that intercepted four passes and deflected nine last season. He held things together alongside Hooker and was a better defensive back in coverage against opposing team’s best receivers.

Hooker was a ball hawking safety that intercepted seven passes, notched 5.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. The combined 11 interceptions that Ohio State loses from Hooker and Lattimore is going to be nearly impossible to replace.

Home/Ohio State Buckeyes