The Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to get back to playoff caliber as Ryan Day takes over for Urban Meyer, but that isn’t the only change on the coaching staff. Co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and linebackers coach Al Washington both came over from Michigan. Jeff Hafley came from the NFL to be the other co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Mike Yurcich came from Oklahoma State to be passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Matt Barnes came from Maryland to takeover as special team’s coordinator. That’s a hell of a lot of turnover, but it might be exactly what Ohio State needed.
Prestige Rank: 6*
The Buckeyes have won at least eleven games in seven straight seasons. That includes three Big Ten titles, four New Year’s Six bowl wins and a national championship.
Last year’s record: 13-1(9-1)
The lone loss for Ohio State came in memorable fashion with Rondale Moore torching the Buckeyes for nearly 200 total yards in a 49-20 Purdue win. While the Boilermakers were the only loss on the year, most of Ohio State’s wins were closer than they would’ve wanted. Having a tight game go down to the wire against Penn State is expected, but barely holding on against Nebraska and Maryland is pretty disappointing. Especially when you consider how close they were to losing on the last play against the Terps:
However, the Buckeyes were still able to blowout Michigan for their seventh straight win against their rival. They also were able to beat Northwestern for their second straight Big Ten championship and hold on against Washington to win their first Rose Bowl since 2009.
Key Losses:
The biggest loss will be Heisman finalist, All-Big Ten QB and first round pick Dwayne Haskins who threw for 50 TDs and nearly 5,000 yards. They also lose three out of their top four receivers(Parris Cambell being the most important of those) and four starting offensive linemen. Meanwhile, the only real losses on the other side of the ball are CB Kendall Sheffield and DT Dre’mont Jones.
Projected Returning Starters
Offense: 5
- RB J.K. Dobbins
- WR K.J. Hill
- WR Austin Mack
- TE Luke Farrell
- LT Thayer Munford
Ohio State lost more offensive production than almost anyone in the country, but they still have some elite players coming back. Dobbins has had two straight 1,000 yard seasons and improved as a threat in the passing game last year. Hill has been the best non-Cambell receiver the last two years and Mack is capable of some really spectacular catches:
Defense: 7
- DE Jonathon Cooper
- DT Robert Landers
- DE Chase Young
- LB Malik Harrison
- DB Brendan White
- CB Damon Arnette
- S Jordan Fuller
While Ohio State loses more on offense than most teams, the Buckeyes are on the total opposite end of the spectrum for defense. Seven of the top eight tacklers are back, along with eight out of nine players with the most pass breakups. Young will lead the line after an absurd 14.5 TFLs and 9.5 sacks. Fuller will lead the secondary from the back, but there is still plenty of talent around him. Arnette should improve with a new scheme and former 5-star Jeffrey Okudah will be starting opposite him. White will also have a bigger role as a hybrid safety/linebacker after excelling in the second half of 2018.
However, the biggest question is how much the linebacker play will improve in Washington’s first year. Harrison will still be a starter on the outside, but the rest of the snaps will likely be split by several rotating players until someone separates from the pack. The potential players are 5-star Baron Browning, high 4-star Teradja Mitchell, junior Pete Werner or junior Tuf Borland.
Special Teams: 2
- K Blake Haubeil
- P Drue Chrisman
Haubeil was effective in the second half of the season after taking over for Sean Nuernberger, making all his extra points and 10/13 field goals. Chrisman was excellent as he averaged 43.2 yards per punt.
Key Newcomer on Offense: QB Justin Fields
Fields transferring from Georgia was a huge get for Day in his first weeks as head coach. The former 5-star wasn’t able to get much playing time behind Jake Fromm, but no one disputes that he is ridiculously talented. He might be a slight downgrade in the passing game compared to Haskins(who wouldn’t be though?), but adds a running element that was noticeably lacking last season.
Key Newcomer on Defense: DE Tyreke Smith
Smith will likely be starting opposite Young on the defensive line after being a highly coveted, top 50 recruit in 2018. He saw limited time as a true freshman, but a year under Larry Johnson’s tutelage should have him primed for a breakout season. Johnson has helped produce some outstanding talent on the line in his career and Smith looks to be next.
Circle this Game: Michigan- Saturday, November 30th
The answer for this one is going to be the same for Ohio State every year, but it’s even more true in 2019. The Wolverines will be the best team the Buckeyes will play, especially with the game being in Ann Arbor. It will also likely decide the Big Ten East division winner and the East is still 5-0 in the championship game. Ohio State also has the added motivation of the potential to extend their record for longest win streak against Michigan to 8(!) straight years.
Win the Big Ten if:
To win the division, the Buckeyes will have to get through their schedule with no more than one loss. The most important games will be against other East division heavyweights Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State, but there are other spots for potential slip ups. Going to Lincoln to play an improving Scott Frost led Nebraska team could turn into this year’s random disappointing loss to a West team. There’s also always difficult Wisconsin and Northwestern teams to deal with. Ohio State could potentially overcome a loss to a West team if they sweep their East counterparts, but that will be as challenging as ever.
2019 Outlook:
Ohio State will once again be the most talented team in the conference, but the Buckeyes will still have questions to answer. There is shakeup all over the coaching staff and most of the offense is gone. But if the new staff can get the offense clicking and cut down on the disasters on defense, the Buckeyes will be squarely in the conversation for the College Football Playoff.
