Big Ten Football - 2021 Ohio State Buckeyes Preview
Our Ohio State Buckeyes preview 2021 observes that, once again, this team looks to be competitive on a national level. OSU has won the Big Ten title each of the last four seasons. Last year, the third-ranked Buckeyes made it to the CFP Championship game where they lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide 24-52. In the 2020, they were 5-0 in the conference and 7-1 overall. The Buckeyes seemed to roll over every team they played, including the number two Clemson Tigers who they defeated in the CFP Semifinal 49-28. The goal for this Buckeye team is a national title. Last season, they had the top offense in the Big Ten, while their defense was ranked fifth overall. This season, Ohio State could bring the conference’s top-ranked offense to the field, but there are various question marks on defense.
Ohio State Offense
In 2020, quarterback Justin Fields had a remarkable season. Fields completed 70 percent of his passes for 2,100 yards. He tossed 22 TD passes and ran for five more scores while allowing just six interceptions. Fields is gone, which means whoever starts in the pocket for the Buckeyes this season will do so having never thrown a pass in college. Freshmen C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller III, both redshirts, are favorites. However, true freshman Kyle McCord, a five-star recruit and three-time high school champion, brings a lot of talent to the field. The good news is that whoever starts at quarterback will be protected by one of the best O-lines in the country.
Three-of-four top receivers from last season return. Chris Olave, who had 50 catches for 729 yards and seven TDs, and Garrett Wilson, who made 43 grabs for 723 yards and six scores, are a dynamic duo. At running back, Master Teague III, who posted eight rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.9 YPA over 104 carries takes over for Trey Sermon. This unit has depth.
Ohio State Buckeyes Preview 2021 - Defense
Last season, Ohio State was tough versus the run, allowing just 97.6 ground yards per game. But their secondary proved to be inconsistent, allowing 304.0 YPG, which ranked last in the Big Ten and 122nd in the nation. Two-of-three top front men are gone; however, senior Haskell Garrett does return. Last season, he recorded 20 tackles, two sacks, and two TFL. Junior Zach Harrison and senior Antuwan Jackson join him. In 2020, both saw action.
The starting linebackers are all new. We expect three seniors to start with K’Vaughan Pope at SLB, Dallas Grant at MLB, and Teredja Mitchell at ILB. The secondary sees senior Sevyn Banks return at corner and senior Marcus Williamson come back at free safety. In 2020, Banks recorded seven PBU and one INT, while Williamson posted two PBU and one QBH. With 27 bringdowns, Williamson, who was sixth in tackles last year, is the team’s top returning tackler. Cameron Brown, who’s recovering from a torn Achilles, starts at the other corner, and Josh Proctor gets the call at strong safety.
Specialists
Our Ohio State Buckeyes preview 2021 notes that punter Jesse Mirco and placekicker Jake Seibert are both unproven true freshmen. Garrett Wilson will likely bring back punts and Demario McCall kicks. Neither is scintillating. This is a questionable unit.
Ohio State Buckeyes Preview 2021 - Projection
The Buckeyes have a schedule that is mediocre in terms of strength. Oregon, Tulsa, and Akron are at OSU in weeks two through four. Our Ohio State Buckeyes preview 2021 sees the away game at Indiana on October 23 and the home contest versus Penn State the following week to be huge tests for this team.
Big Ten Football - Ohio State Buckeyes 2021 - Predictions:
First Place - Big Ten East – Big Ten Champions
College Football Playoff Semifinal, Cotton Bowl – vs. Alabama