It’s almost time for fall camp to start at Ohio State, and when it does, it’ll be one of transition. There’s a new head coach, new coaching staff, a new starting quarterback, and a lot of new personnel that’ll need to step up and continue the level of production we’ve seen over the last few years.
It sounds like a lot, and because of that, many national publications and websites expect Ohio State to take a wee-bit of a step back in 2019. It’s to the point where it’s almost expected across the board, even though there’s still more talent on the Buckeyes’ roster than any other team in the Big Ten.
But we don’t necessarily buy it here at Buckeyes Wire. We believe the national media is sleeping on how good this Ohio State team will be. We think Ryan Day is a star in the making, the new quarterback is one of the most highly-sought after in recruiting history, and the coaching staff put together is a proven one in a former life somewhere.
To that end, here’s five bold predictions for Ohio State football in 2019. Remember, these are bold predictions, meaning we’re not cherry picking things that are as easy as buttoning your shirt in the morning.
Ohio State will win the Big Ten
A lot of folks like to point to a drop off in recruiting for the 2019 class — the first class without Urban Meyer — as proof that the slide is on. The truth, is that Ohio State was never going to add a lot to that class because there wasn’t as many scholarships available like previous seasons. In fact, of the only 17 freshman that signed on the dotted line, they averaged the third best star-rating among all programs. That’s right in the Urban Meyer zone.
I say that to let you know that the talent on this roster is still extremely talented. Sure there were some key pieces that moved on to the NFL, but that’s how Ohio State rolls. You can count on one hand how many programs can reload like the Buckeyes, and there’s still four and five star players that are ready to step up.
That includes Justin Fields at quarterback, a deep and talented receiving corps, a D-line that will still be a monster, an improved and seasoned secondary, and an offensive line that still has experience.
That all translates into the Buckeyes winning the Big Ten again.
Justin Fields will be B1G QB of the year and get into the Heisman conversation
I know there’s questions about the new kid under center. People will point to his inability to take the starting job over from Jake Fromm at Georgia and Fields’ performance in the Spring Game as evidence, but there’s more to it.
Fromm was already with the program and somewhat cemented as the starter. For Fields to take that spot, he would have needed to outperform another five-star recruit that already knew the playbook and had a year of starting under his belt. That doesn’t happen very often.
Also, you can’t take a kid’s performance in a scrimmage with revised rules about tackling, etc. and project it out to how he’ll play in a live game setting. All I know is that when I turn on the tape and watch some of the plays he made when given an opportunity at Georgia — his arm strength, athleticism, and running ability stand out.
Ryan Day and staff will put Fields in a position to be successful and he’ll be fantastic this year. So much so that he’ll be an All-Big Ten performer and start to get some Heisman buzz.
J.K. Dobbins will go over 1,500 yards on the ground
We all saw what Dobbins could do his freshman season. He may not be the fastest kid in a straight-line scenario, but he’s quick, can change directions on a dime, and has great vision.
He was the No. 1 guy two years ago because of injuries to Mike Weber, and all he did was set the single-season OSU record for rushing yards as a freshman with over 1,400 yards. He’s once again expected to be the main cog in the backfield, and it’ll translate to a season even better than what we saw in 2017. Especially with the threat from Fields as a runner and the talented receivers that will keep defenses honest.
Look for Dobbins to at least top 1,500 yards on the ground and allow Ohio State to be a multi-dimensional team.
Ryan Day will win Big Ten Coach of the Year
The rest of the Big Ten and country doesn’t know it yet, but Ryan Day is a star in the profession just waiting to show. I’ve been criticized by opposing fan bases for calling him a better coach than those with experience, but since when does experience trump everything else? Nobody knew about Urban Meyer until he took Utah to a BCS game.
The reality is that Ryan Day helped orchestrate and run the offense that was so dynamic last year, he’s been groomed to be the head coach for over a year at Ohio State, and he’s shown he can still recruit at the same level as what Urban Meyer did.
On top of that, he’s genuine, has surrounded himself with great people and isn’t afraid to use their input in game-planning and development. There’s admittedly a lot of resources in Columbus that can make many coaches look good, but Day is more than that.
By the end of the season, everyone will recognize what he is, and that’s the Big Ten’s best coach and a rising star in the making.
Ohio State will make the College Football Playoff
The 2019 version of the Ohio State football team might end up being better than the 2018 version. For as good as the offense was last season, the defense had its warts that were never fully cured.
The offense will still be dynamic this year, it’ll just do it a little different than what it did with Dwayne Haskins. Add that to the fact the defense will be light years better, and this should be a more complete team than what we saw last year. A year in which OSU won the Big Ten and became Rose Bowl champs.
In the end, I think we see that this Buckeye team was vastly underrated by many. It wins the Big Ten, and finds itself back in the College Football Playoff. And when that happens, remember who didn’t sleep on what’s cooking on the banks of the Olentangy this year.
