To build excitement for the upcoming season, I will be releasing an individual team preview for each of my top 25 teams every day from now until the season starts on Thursday night. The preview continues with #16 Ohio State.
2013 Review
2013 was a season filled with great accomplishments for Ohio State. The Buckeyes started the year off without quarterback Braxton Miller, who was injured. His backup Kenny Guiton led the team just fine in relief for Miller, as the team opened the year 4-0, winning each game in blowout fashion. After Miller came back, they faced two tough test in a row against Wisconsin and Northwestern, winning both convincingly. They would roll through the rest of the season, finishing a perfect 12-0 for a second year in a row. They would finally lose for the first time in two years to Michigan State in the Big 10 championship. They would still be able to get into the Orange Bowl, where Miller was hurt again and they were defeated 40-35 by Clemson.
Season Outlook
Ohio State was originally in my top five, before Heisman hopeful quarterback Braxton Miller went down with a re-injured shoulder. Now, his backup J.T. Barrett will step into the starting role. Barrett is capable of leading the team to a solid season, even if that won't lead to a championship. They open the season with a fairly soft schedule, with home games against Virginia Tech, Cincinnati, Kent State, and Rutgers, and road games against Navy and Maryland. I could see them losing to a solid Virginia Tech defense, but overall I would expect a 6-0 start from the Buckeyes. The second half gets a lot tougher with a three game stretch with road games against Penn State and Michigan State, with a home game against Illinois in the middle. Without Miller, I think that they lose both of those road games. They end the season on the road against Minnesota, followed by home games against Indiana and Michigan. I am going to say that Ohio State will lose at least one game against either Michigan or Minnesota, even though they are capable of winning both.
Season Prediction
9-3 (5-3) 2nd in Big 10 East
No comments:
Post a Comment