College Football: Preseason Top 25 Projections

Until Urban Meyer was placed on administrative leave, Ohio State looked far and away like the class of the Big Ten this year. The Coaches Poll already put the Buckeyes up at No. 3 in their initial rankings. And while the uncertainty around Meyer’s status has Ohio State sitting in limbo, the AP Top 25 will probably still list the Buckeyes as a top-five squad.

But while they will almost certainly be highly ranked, there are still questions about whether this is the top team in the Big Ten East. The Buckeyes lost seven starters on defense, but Nick Bosa is back to terrorize opposing backfields. So too is safety Jordan Fuller, the second-leading tackler on last year’s squad. There is plenty of talent in Columbus to field another solid defensive unit in 2018.

There are even fewer question marks on offense. While longtime starter J.T. Barrett is gone from campus, Dwayne Haskins proved in backup duty last year that he is ready to take on a larger role for the Buckeyes under center. He will enjoy the two-headed backfield of J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber as he transitions to full-time work. Meyer or no Meyer, the Buckeyes will certainly be among the top teams in the AP Top 25 until they prove otherwise.