The Ohio State Buckeyes have ruled the Big Ten with an iron fist the last four years. They have won four consecutive Big Ten titles, beating Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2017 and 2019 and Northwestern in the title game in 2018 and 2020. Once again, their toughest tests in the conference are likely to be in the East Division as a team from the West Division has not won the Big Ten since the conference was divided into its current format before the 2014 season.
Although Ohio State has a new starting quarterback following the departure of Justin Fields, the Buckeyes are still odds-on favorites to win the Big Ten.
Ohio State Buckeyes Season Win Total
Over 11 +108
Under 11 -132
Ohio State Buckeyes Preview
C.J. Stroud will get the first bite of the apple in replacing Fields. Ryan Day has said that Stroud is currently ahead in the quarterback competition, confirming what everyone expected this spring. However, this situation is still very much fluid as all four quarterbacks competing for the starting job are freshmen. Former 2022 super-recruit Quinn Ewers is someone to watch too, but he just joined the team in mid-August and will need some time learning this offense.
There is no doubt about the starting running back. After splitting time with J.K. Dobbins and Trey Sermon the last two seasons, it’s time for Master Teague III to be the top back on Ohio State. Teague has run for 1,409 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 YPC in his three seasons with the Buckeyes. Miyan Williams is likely to be the second running back after Steele Chambers moved to linebacker, but he only carried the ball 10 times in 2020.
The winner of the quarterback competition will have the luxury of throwing to two of the best receivers in the Big Ten. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson put up very similar numbers last season in being named Second Team All-Big Ten receivers. Senior tight end Jeremy Ruckert was the third most thrown to target, but he had just 13 receptions, emphasizing the roles of Olave and Wilson in this offense.
Three of five starters return on the offensive line, anchored by star left tackle Thayer Munford. Nicholas Petit-Frere is making a name for himself at the other tackle position, and Harry Miller is a versatile player you can use at guard or center.
Defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs is under some pressure in his second season. Ohio State’s defense allowed 25.8 PPG and 5.9 yards per play last season, both highs for this unit since the 2014 season. There are real concerns about the front seven in 2021, as only two starters return along the defensive line and there are no returning starters in the linebacking corps.
Zach Harrison has the potential to be the best defensive end in the Big Ten this season. Haskell Garrett is a quality interior lineman that earned all-conference honors in 2020, but the top five tacklers from last season’s roster are gone.
This secondary needs to improve after allowing 400 passing yards or more to Indiana, Clemson, and Alabama. Three starters return to this unit, so there should be better numbers, but this is something to keep an eye on in 2021.
2021 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule
September 2 @ Minnesota
September 11 vs. Oregon
September 18 vs. Tulsa
September 25 vs. Akron
October 2 @ Rutgers
October 9 vs. Maryland
October 23 @ Indiana
October 30 vs. Penn State
November 6 @ Nebraska
November 13 vs. Purdue
November 20 vs. Michigan State
November 27 @ Michigan
Ohio State Buckeyes Win Total Prediction
The Buckeyes have a somewhat difficult schedule. They will have to go on the road to face Minnesota in their season opener before taking on their toughest non-conference test in Oregon the following week. Ohio State will also have to face Indiana and Penn State in back-to-back weeks, so not having their toughest challenges spread out could really hurt them.
Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are certainly the team to beat in the Big Ten, but this is the most vulnerable they have been under his tenure. There are questions at quarterback and in the defense, so the Under is the pick at this price.
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