2016 College Football Predictions: Ohio State Buckeyes 2016 Football Team Preview

2016 College Football Predictions: Ohio State Buckeyes 2016 Football Team Preview: The Buckeyes entered the 2015 season with visions of back-to-back national titles. However, a slip up against Michigan State ultimately kept them out of the Big Ten title game and out of College Football Playoff. An impressive win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl validated the Buckeyes as one of the best teams in the country, but given the expectations, last season was a bit of a letdown for Urban Meyer’s bunch.

The situation is different heading into 2016. There were a lot of Buckeyes that heard their names called during this year’s NFL Draft, so after returning nearly everyone last year, there will be a lot of new faces starting on both sides of the ball. The question for Ohio State is whether the lack of experience will keep this group from being in contention for both the Big Ten and a national championship.

2016 College Football Predictions: Ohio State Buckeyes 2016 Football Team Preview

The Good News

A quarterback controversy hovered over the Buckeyes throughout last season, and it likely had a lot to do with why the offense never seemed to click. This time around, dual-threat weapon J.T. Barrett is the unquestioned starter, and the last time he had the reins of the offense, he finished fifth in the Heisman voting. While Barrett will lead the offense, linebacker Raekwon McMillan will provide will serve as a playmaker and leader for a revamped defense. Perhaps most importantly, Meyer has been accumulating a wealth of talent in Columbus, so while the Buckeyes will have a lot of new starters, they also have as much natural talent and athleticism as any team out there.

The Bad News

The Buckeyes didn’t just lose a bunch of starters. The lost a lot of high-end talent. Ohio State sent 14 players to the NFL, including five in the first round. Losing running back Ezekiel Elliott and defensive end Joey Bosa leaves the Buckeyes without their biggest playmakers on both sides of the ball, and perhaps more concerning, the secondary was absolutely gutted. For a team looking to break in new pieces, Ohio State’s schedule doesn’t do any favors. The Buckeyes will go on the road to face Oklahoma in a huge out-of-conference matchup, and they also travel to Wisconsin and Penn State before November. Meanwhile, rivals Michigan State and Michigan are waiting to close the regular season.

Bottom Line

It is never easy to overcome massive personnel losses, but Ohio State is one of the few teams that has the talent to remain competitive while rebuilding. Barrett should shine as the leader of the offense, and the team as a whole should only improve as the year goes on. Unfortunately, the Buckeyes don’t have a lot of time to improve before facing some tough tests, and the lack of experience on the offensive line and in the secondary could be particularly troublesome. Going on the road and beating Oklahoma in the first month of the season seems like a longshot, and back-to-back road games against the Badgers and Nittany Lions could result in another defeat. A still expect Ohio State to reach double-digit wins, but I think a run at a title will have to wait until 2017.

Prediction: 10-2, 2nd in Big Ten East Division

Get updated 2016 College Football odds for the 2016 season daily on NSAwins.com including updated odds to win the 2017 National Championship. NSAwins.com’s is America’s premier website for the best college football picks from the best football handicappers.