The Ohio State Buckeyes surprisingly missed out on the College Football Playoff last season after being upset by Michigan State, and many expect them to take a step back this year because of the mass exodus of talent to the NFL. However, that simply will not be the case - this team is determined to recapture their place at the top of the sport. Here are four reasons why they'll return to the College Football Playoff again this season:
4) New talent
Sure, Ohio State will feel the pain of losing Ezekiel Elliott, Braxton Miller, Joey Bosa, Darron Lee, Von Bell and others, but that doesn't mean the Buckeyes necessarily are worse off. Head coach Urban Meyer has been stockpiling talent even since he arrived in Columbus, and just has those players stepped in for players that came before them, the same thing will happen now. The Buckeyes have had a top five recruiting class in four of the past five years, and that depth will show this year as we get introduced to new stars.
3) Favorable schedule
Ohio State's toughest game this season will be against Michigan, but the Wolverines have to come to the Horseshoe. Big Ten West favorite Nebraska also has to make the trip to Columbus. Road trips to Wisconsin and Michigan State aren't as daunting due to rebuilding years for those teams. A non-conference game against Oklahoma in Norman will be tough, but the Big Ten schedule sets up very well for the Buckeyes.
2) J.T. Barrett
Ohio State's offense struggled for most of last season with Barrett on the bench, but they returned to being one of the most dominant units in the country with Barrett under center instead of Cardale Jones. Now, Barrett comes into the season as the unquestioned starter and leader of this team. His running ability is capable of shredding defenses on it's own, but it's his deadly accuracy and excellent decision making that picks opposing defenses apart. Expect him to win his second Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award in three years.
1) Urban Meyer
Let Jim Harbaugh have the headlines over there in Ann Arbor. There is no more calculated manager of talent and egos in college football than Urban Meyer. Meyer gets his players' respect by allowing them to function as individuals on their own time, while commanding respect and solidarity when it comes to the locker room and the field. His track record speaks for itself. He's easily worth a couple victories on his own just by standing on the sidelines in Columbus. Easily.
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