Storyline: I believe 2017 is going to be the “Year of the Buckeyes.” Mark your calendars: Mon., Jan. 8th, ’18, Atlanta, GA: Ohio State vs (probably) Alabama.
New Year’s Eve was bad for Ohio State. Let me get that out of the way.
Clemson overwhelmed the Buckeyes in the CFP semi-finals (photo, The State)
Getting shut out and dominated by Clemson is about as bad as it gets. There’s no way around that. But the season shouldn’t be judged on one game. What the Buckeyes accomplished in 2016 was nothing short of great.
It was a rebuilding year in Columbus. Think about what OSU lost from the 2015 team. It was the best NFL draft class produced by a single school in college football history. Twelve starters were drafted.
In all, the Buckeyes lost three of five offensive lineman, two of the three top receivers, two of three linebackers, three of four defensive backs, half the defensive lineman, and a host of other players, including the starting quarterback.
To make it back to the CFP under those circumstances is an incredible feat. But even though OSU had the youngest team in the Top 25, the Bucks played like seasoned veterans … until the last game.
Urban Meyer will have the Buckeyes ready to compete for a national title (photo, USAToday.com)
What do I think will happen next?
I believe 2017 is going to be the “Year of the Buckeye.” OSU loses only a few players through graduation. Heisman candidate, JT Barrett, will return as will running back Mike Weber. These prime players will also return: cornerback Malik Hooker, receiver Curtis Samuel, linebacker Chris Worley, and defensive end Sam Hubbard.
The biggest question will be if they can improve along the offensive line. That was the biggest problem in 2016 season.
The Bucks also have a favorable schedule. They host Oklahoma, Penn State, and Michigan State, and OSU won’t be tested as much on the road in ’17 as they were last year.
Yes, traveling to Ann Arbor is never easy, but that’s a Red Letter game every year, no matter where it’s played or how strong are the teams. But make no mistake about it: just like this past year, the ’17 game will be the deciding factor for the College Football Playoff.
What’s it all mean? With the youngest team in college football getting one year older and with recruiting as strong as ever, you can bet that Urban Meyer will have the Buckeyes ready to make national noise. If they could make the CFP during a rebuilding year, there’s incredible upside going forward.
Here’s my prediction: Monday, January 8th, 2018, Atlanta, Georgia: it’s Ohio State vs (probably) Alabama.
You heard it here first.
