In case you missed it, the Preseason Amway Coaches Poll was released for college football on Thursday, with Ohio State debuting at No. 2, just behind Clemson.
It’s about where most every other expert has the Buckeyes in the preseason and it’s hard to argue about splitting hairs between OSU and the Tigers. Both have a Heisman favorite at the quarterback position as well as a slew of talent from multiple monster recruiting classes surrounding them.
But there are also gaps to fill for the Buckeyes. The secondary lost three players to the 2020 NFL Draft, superstar running back J.K. Dobbins is now with the Baltimore Ravens, and Chase Young is ready to rip off opposing quarterbacks’ heads in Washington.
So, what exactly is behind the lofty ranking for Ohio State? USA TODAY’s Analis Bailey, Chris Bumbaca, Aria Gerson, and Scott Gleeson weighed in on all the teams in the top 25, and here’s what they said about the Buckeyes.
Next … What USA TODAY says about Ohio State entering 2020
The rationale for Ohio State’s No. 2 ranking
What USA TODAY says
2. Ohio State (13-1)
Points: 1,555 (17 first-place votes). Previous ranking: 3.
Outlook: “Second-year coach Ryan Day will have a Heisman-contending quarterback in reigning Big Ten player of the year Justin Fields (51 touchdowns in 2019). Yet a supporting cast will need to emerge in the backfield to help fill the void of J.K. Dobbins. Expected starting running back Master Teague suffered a spring Achille’s injury so the addition of Oklahoma transfer RB Trey Sermon is a needed boost. Cornerback Shaun Wade will anchor the defense. Hunger won’t be an issue for the stayovers. There’s obvious motivation from last year’s Fiesta Bowl loss to Clemson in the semifinals.”
Next … What we say
The rationale for Ohio State’s No. 2 ranking
What we say
The No. 2 ranking is about what we expected. However, you could easily make a case for the Buckeyes at No. 1. For starters, Justin Fields had a better complete body of work last year than Trevor Lawrence. It’s not really a stretch to say he’s a better college quarterback and will have a better year again.
Add that to the fact that this might be the best offensive line we’ve seen in Columbus in a long, long, time, and he’ll get plenty of time to operate and distribute the ball to game-breakers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson on the outside. And just wait to see Trey Sermon and Master Teague run behind the holes and space that will be there. Oh, and about the best incoming 2020 receiver group in the country? Yeah, there’s that too.
And while the defensive backfield might be a question mark, there’s plenty of talent to fill in the gaps and be more than respectable.
It should be a fun year on the banks of the Olentangy — if we get there.
