It’s going to feel like an eternity until Ohio State kicks off the next college football season, especially with how things seemed to end so abruptly against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. As with any college football team, there are always holes to fill and questions that present themselves in the offseason that will need to be answered.
Here are five questions Ryan Day and the rest of the coaching staff will need to address heading through winter workouts, spring ball, and ultimately the fall.
No. 1 – Who steps up in the secondary?
It’s probably the biggest issue that needs addressed going into next season. The Buckeyes lose three of four starters in the back-end of the defense, and those are huge hole to fill. Gone are starters Jordan Fuller at safety, and Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah at the corner spots. Who will be the next man up at each spot?
At least Shaun Wade coming back will help out for the No. 1 corner spot, but there’s going to be one whale of a competition for the rest. Josh Proctor will get first crack at the safety spot, then you have Marcus Williamson, Sevyn Banks, Marcus Hooker, Amir Riep and others that will have to not only grab the other three, but play well in the spotlight.
Next … No Chase Young? Then who?
No. 2 – Who takes the baton at the defensive end spot?
You don’t simply lose a guy like Chase Young and not feel the pinch. Well, maybe not if you’re Ohio State. The Buckeyes have gone from Joey Bosa, to Nick Bosa, to Chase Young in succession to continue to churn out NFL caliber, game-wrecking defensive ends. Is there a next one waiting in the wings?
Former five-star target Zach Harrison seems like the likely guy to be that next eye-popping defensive end teams will have to game plan for, but there are others like Tyler Friday, Tyreke Smith, and fifth-year guy Jonathon Cooper who will all factor in. My money is on Harrison becoming a star, but either way, it should be another strength of the team.
Next … Youngsters at the wide-receiver spot?
No. 3 – Which of the incoming freshmen phenom wide-receivers will contribute?
Ohio State has arguably the best wide-receiver class it has ever welcomed to Columbus coming in to compete. It’s a good thing too, because for the second straight year, the Buckeyes lose three of the six receivers in the two-deep. Gone are all-time receptions leader in program history K.J. Hill, along with Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack.
Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave will be stars, but there’s still room for some major contributors to come from the likes of four of the top fifteen at their position according to 247Sports. Julian Fleming (1), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (5), Gee Scott Jr (12), and/or Mookie Cooper (15) are going to get some opportunities to catch passes from Justin Fields.
Next … Making up for the loss of Dobbins
No. 4 – How well will the running game absorb the loss of J.K. Dobbins?
There’s no question losing one of the best tailbacks to ever put on the scarlet and gray is going to sting a little. J.K. Dobbins was a work-horse, yet had the speed and wiggle to turn the tough in-between the tackle run into an explosive play.
His backup from last season, Master Teague, looks like the heir-apparent to take over the No. 1 role, but how effective will the rushing game be with a different style of back toting the mail? Teague is a big, strong, straight-line type runner that will get his yards, but will the threat be there like it was with Dobbins?
Next … Making up for the loss of Dobbins
No. 5 – How will Ohio State navigate its road schedule in 2020?
Ohio State’s road schedule was an easier one to navigate last year. Going to Michigan to play is always an unknown, but that’s really the only road game that looked to be a problem when you looked down the schedule last year. That’s not the case in 2020.
The Buckeyes jump headfirst into the hornet’s nest with a road game at Oregon the second game of the year on September 12. The Ducks will be a much different team than the one that came within an eyelash from making the College Football Playoff in 2019, but Autzen Stadium is always a loud, boisterous, and tough place to play.
Aside from that, the Buckeyes have to go to Penn State. Maybe we get surprised, but that’s usually going to be a white-out at night against what looks to be a team with the best personnel to beat Ohio State.
