Ohio State football is expected to do big things in 2017, but what are the possible reasons that the Buckeyes might disappoint.
There’s high expectations for the Ohio State Buckeyes entering the 2017 season since they were ranked No. 2 in the first edition of the Amway Coaches Poll. They had a rough finish to the 2016 campaign with a 31-0 loss to the eventual National Champion Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff Semifinals.
It was somewhat surprising that Ohio State was in the Playoff field in the first place since they didn’t even win their conference. Actually, Ohio State was not even in the Big Ten Championship Game as it was Penn State beating Wisconsin in the title game.
Since the Buckeyes’ only regular season loss came against Penn State, and they defeated the Oklahoma Sooners, Michigan Wolverines and the Wisconsin Badgers, during the regular season, it did make sense to put them in the top four. Ohio State was easily the best team in the country that did not win their conference, and their resume backed it.
Ohio State enters 2017 as the favorite to walk away with the Big Ten Championship. Penn State and Wisconsin should challenge them once again, but the Buckeyes are the clear cut favorite right now.
If the Buckeyes slip up on even one occasion, it could cost them their opportunity at another appearance in the Playoff. The Playoff committee likely won’t be as nice in letting Ohio State into the field this year if they do not win the Big Ten.
Now, let’s take a look at five reasons why the Ohio State Buckeyes will stink in 2017.
5. Regression from J.T. Barrett
Star Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett did not finish 2016 on a hot note. The shutout that Clemson pitched against the Buckeyes was largely thanks to Barrett’s incompetence. Barrett only threw for 127 yards and two interceptions in the loss.
If anyone knows how to rebound from a poor performance in a big game to end a season it’s Barrett. He’s one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country. At the same time, you cannot deny the fact that he seemed to regress as the season went along.
Ohio State goes as Barrett goes. Barrett did not play well in the Buckeyes’ only two losses of 2016. If Barrett does not play well in some games in 2017 then Ohio State will suffer the consequences and lose some games that they’re definitely not supposed to.
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.
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.
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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.
2. Returning production at receiver will cost them
Starting wide receivers Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin combined for less than 300 receiving yards in 2016. Senior tight end Marcus Baugh is the leading returning receiver but still did not have more than 300 receiving yards last year either.
Sophomore Binjimen Victor could be a breakout star but he has around 100 career receiving yards and is anything but a proven option. He’ll need to step up in the absence of former star wide out Noah Brown, who departed early for the NFL Draft.
The loss of Brown is the biggest departure at receiver for the Buckeyes. Brown declaring for the NFL Draft early means the loss of Ohio State’s leading receiver and seven touchdowns catches to replace.
Another departure that could hurt Ohio State in the passing game is H-back Curtis Samuel. He, like Brown, left early for the NFL Draft.
K.J. Hill is another name to watch out for at receiver. If Victor, McLaurin, or Campbell, does not perform as expected in 2017 then Hill could jump into a starting position quickly.
1. Hangover from 2016
As mentioned before, the end of the 2016 season was a rough one for Ohio State and its fans. Clemson put an abrupt end to Ohio State’s College Football Playoff run and that could kill any momentum that Urban Meyer thought the Buckeyes would carry into 2017.
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The only momentum that the Buckeyes had built at the end of the year that might carry into 2017 is the victory over Michigan. Yet, the Wolverines also lost their bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles, so it’s not like they finished in a great fashion either.
The season opener against the Indiana Hoosiers could actually be a rather tough test that could upend the Buckeyes if they are not ready. Following the Indiana game is the matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners in Week 2.
Next: 5 reasons why the Michigan Wolverines will struggle in 2017
OU surely will look for revenge after their embarrassing defeat in Norman a season ago. Baker Mayfield is still the Sooner quarterback and he’ll be more motivated than anyone to give Ohio State all they can take.