Sadly, the 2019 football season for Ohio State has come to an end. It is one that started with some pretty modest expectations — at least from the national media. In the end, it was one for the ages, but one that feels like it finished before it should have in a College Football Playoff semifinal loss.
We started the year banging out five preseason bold predictions for this team and we figured it would be worth re-visiting now that the season is over. We did the same thing at mid-season, and now we can look back and see exactly how we did.
So here it is — we are holding ourselves accountable by time re-visiting our five bold predictions for 2019. As you’ll see though, we did pretty good. Tell your friends because it’s unlikely we are this spot on like this ever again.
Next … Prediction No. 1
Ohio State will win the Big Ten
What we wrote:
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.
How it all went down:
We were spot on. Michigan wet its pants again, Penn State laid an egg, and Wisconsin tried twice to no avail. In the end, Ohio State won every game in the regular season and hoisted its third-straight Big Ten Championship trophy.
Next … Prediction No. 2
Justin Fields will be B1G QB of the year and get into the Heisman conversation
What we wrote:
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.
How it all went down:
Bingo. We were spot on. Fields was recognized as both the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. He went to New York as a finalist for the Heisman, finishing fourth in the voting. Who knew? Well, we had an idea …
Next … Prediction No. 3
J.K. Dobbins will go over 1,500 yards on the ground
What we wrote:
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.
How it all went down:
Check again. In fact, we undershot this one just a bit. Dobbins polished off arguably the greatest single season by an Ohio State running back ever. He eclipsed 2,000 yards and broke the record for the most rushing yards in a season in Columbus. Better than Eddie George, better than Ezekiel Elliott, better than anyone. At Ohio State nonetheless.
Next … Prediction No. 4
Ryan Day will win Big Ten Coach of the Year
What we wrote:
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.
How it all went down:
This was probably the boldest of all the so-called bold predictions we made because no Ohio State coach had won the award since 1979. But with how dominant the Buckeyes were, Day actually took home the award over guys like Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck and Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh (yes, that’s a joke).
Next … Prediction No. 5
Ohio State will make the College Football Playoff
What we wrote:
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.
How it all went down:
Spot on again. Ohio State made the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed and it’s no stretch to say it was the best team this year that got some very bad breaks in the Fiesta Bowl. Otherwise it could have very well won the whole thing. I’ll go to my grave believing the Buckeyes were simply better than Clemson and can — and likely should have — beaten anyone this year.
There, not bad eh? Again, don’t get used to it, but we’ll do it all again next year.
