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Ohio State Football: 3 guaranteed wins on Buckeyes’ 2017 schedule

By Andrew Miller

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 19: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 19, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 17-16. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 19: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 19, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 17-16. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State football has some tough matchups in 2017, especially in the Big Ten. Who are the three opponents they are guaranteed to beat?

Head coach Urban Meyer has the Ohio State Buckeyes in a good position to make a run in 2017. Following an embarrassing 31-0 defeat to the National Champion Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff semifinal, Meyer does have some work to do.

Ohio State kicks off their season on Aug. 31 against the Indiana Hoosiers. The Buckeyes have to deal with kicking off their season opener in the Big Ten. Indiana should be a good team. Led by senior Oklahoma State transfer quarterback Richard Lagow, the Hoosiers could be dangerous.

A few games that Ohio State should win out of conference include Army and UNLV. Ohio State will be heavy favorites in those matchups. In conference, Ohio State will take care of Rutgers, Maryland, and Illinois. The Big Ten has some bottom dwellers that do not compete with Ohio State.

Senior QB J.T. Barrett and sophomore rusher Mike Weber lead the way for OSU’s offense. The receiving corps has some turnover to deal with. The defense is a different story. Ohio State’s front seven could be the best in the country.

A defensive line featuring Sam Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis, and Tracy Sprinkle is ferocious. Opposing quarterbacks have to worry about the pass rush of Ohio State. Even Nick Bosa, Dre’Mont Jones, and Jalyn Holmes are real threats.

The way back to the playoff starts with Ohio State’s Sept. 9 matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners. Last year, the Buckeyes notched a 45-24 victory over Oklahoma. The Sooners come to Columbus in 2017.

Meyer took Ohio State to the Playoff in two of the last three seasons. With a No. 2 preseason ranking in the AP Poll, much of the same is expected this year. A Big Ten title could be on the horizon as well.

Now, let’s take a look at three games the Ohio State Buckeyes are guaranteed to win in 2017.

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