The Ohio State Buckeyes are preparing to face one of the toughest schedules in the country this year, but they still expect to not only win the Big Ten - but compete for the national championship. With fall camp winding down, it's time to forecast who will win the remaining position battles. With that in mind, here are 3 Buckeyes position battles to watch - and who will win.
Cornerback
Ohio State is tasked with having to replace top-10 pick Eli Apple on the perimeter, and while Gareon Conley appears to have the starting spot locked up on one side, the other starting cornerback position is still very much in the air. That battle is coming down to redshirt sophomore Marshon Lattimore and true sophomore Denzel Ward.
Winner: Lattimore
Lattimore played in just three games last season while Ward saw a bit more time, appearing in five games. However, Lattimore is the bigger guy at 6'1" and 195 lbs. - the kind of big corner that head coach Urban Meyer loves. Whichever players loses this battle will likely see time at nickel corner.
H-Back
With redshirt freshman Mike Weber set to take over as the starting running back this season after Bri'onte Dunn was kicked off the team, putting increased pressure on the H-back to help take some of the load off him. Ohio State was planning on having Jalin Marshall in the role this year, but he left for the NFL Draft, leaving Dontre Wilson and Curtis Samuel to vie for the position.
Winner: Samuel
Samuel, a junior, is more of a runner than Wilson, who is more of a receiver. Both players will undoubtedly see a lot of time on the field, but Samuel will receive a bulk of the carries - at least until Weber (or someone else) proves to Meyer they can carry the load.
Left Guard
Ohio State is having to replace several starters across the offensive line, but left guard is the battle that provides the most intrigue, pitting redshirt sophomore Demetrius Knox against true freshman Michael Jordan.
Winner: Jordan
All indications are that it's Jordan's job to lose at the moment, thanks to consistent outstanding performances in practices this spring, summer and fall. He will be the first Ohio State freshman offensive lineman to start the season opener since Orlando Pace in 1994, and would be the second true freshman lineman Urban Meyer has ever started.
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