Ohio State Football: 5 reasons Buckeyes will win 2017 national title

4. Coaching, position changes favor better outcome on offense.

The Ohio State Buckeyes return a lot of key pieces on the offensive side of the ball. Top receiving target Curtis Samuel is off to the NFL as is wide receiver Noah Brown, but Barrett still has plenty of experience for 2017.

Running back Mike Weber is set to be the featured running back after rushing for 1,097 rushing yards and nine touchdowns as a redshirt freshman last year. He’s on the Doak Walker Award watch list and with good reason. The Buckeyes are a team that throws to their backs out of the backfield a lot too. Weber has an opportunity to serve a dual purpose out of the backfield this season.

On the offensive line, center Pat Elflein is gone but former guard Billy Price will slide over to take his spot. Price has 24 career starts at the offensive guard and hopes the move can shore up the pass protection for 2017.

There are also some fresh faces in Columbus on the Buckeyes coaching staff. Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day were both hired this past offseason as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, respectively. Wilson is regarded as one of the best offensive minds in college football and quarterback J.T. Barrett could use some new tools at quarterback.