Ohio State Football: 3 Off-Season questions for the Buckeyes

Do the Buckeyes have a clear path back to the Playoff?

The short answer is no. Ohio State has separated itself from the rest of the Big Ten. The Buckeyes have owned the Big Ten the last decade, winning six conference titles in that span. The primary reason it is going to prove difficult to dethrone the Buckeyes is recruiting. Ryan Day and the Ohio State recruiting staff are at an elite level when it comes to recruiting.

Since 2018, Ohio State football has finished number one in recruiting every year except 2019; the Buckeyes finished behind Michigan and Penn State. Even that year, the Buckeyes nabbed three five-star recruits. College football is a talent game as much as it is about the scheme; Ohio State has more talent than everyone else.

In addition to the talent advantage, Ohio State plays in the superior division. No matter who wins the Big Ten West, the Buckeyes are going to be heavy favorites to win that game. Ohio State has won the championship game going away the last two seasons.

If the Buckeyes are going to get tripped up, it is going to come in their own division; however, this seasoner, Michigan is breaking in a new quarterback, and Sean Clifford is a limiting factor at Penn State.

Maybe a team like Indiana could catch Ohio State on a bad day, but that is a big maybe. The Buckeyes will have a new starting quarterback this, so this is the year to pull the upset, but that is easier said than done.

Can the Ohio State secondary improve?

There are no two ways about it, Ohio State’s pass defense was terrible last season. The Buckeyes’ pass defense ranked 112nd in the country last season, surrendering 304 passing yards per game last year.

Ohio State gave up at least 400 yards passing three times last season, including 491 against Indiana in a game they almost lost. Ohio State gets some grace because they did have some COVID-19 issues last season.

However, their secondary was exposed against elite competition last year. Though most of Clemson’s yards were because they played most of the game from behind, the Buckeyes’ success came primarily because of the pressure they generated against the Tigers. The Alabama game was a different story. The Crimson Tide protected Mac Jones and they torched the Ohio State secondary.

This season, the Buckeyes will be without cornerback Shaun Wade who struggled last season. This year, the secondary has some experience.