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Ohio State Football: 5 reasons why Buckeyes will beat Oklahoma

By Connor Muldowney

BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a two point conversion during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a two point conversion during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Ohio State’s elite running back tandem

What if I told you that Ohio State would lose Ezekiel Elliott to the NFL before last season and have an even brighter outlook in the backfield about a year later? It’s almost impossible to believe, but that’s the case as the Buckeyes found another piece to a potential national title puzzle in their Thursday opener.

In fact, Mike Weber, the previous season’s breakout freshman sensation, was ruled a game-time decision against the Hoosiers. He had rushed for 1,000 yards in 2016 as a redshirt freshman and was looking to put a stranglehold on the starting job, but that changed quickly.

Weber didn’t see the field for precautionary reasons, and he didn’t need to. Freshman J.K. Dobbins broke out and put up a record of 181 yards in his first career start. Although he didn’t reach the end zone, he looked every bit the part of the team’s top running back.

With Weber getting healthy, these two could combine for one of the best backfield duos in the entire nation. Imagine both backs putting up 100-plus yards against Oklahoma’s defense. It’s possible. Remember, Oklahoma’s defense essentially was the reason the Sooners were left out of the playoff.

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