In 1996, the Nebraska Cornhuskers garnered the number one spot following their National Championship drubbing of Florida 62-24 in ’95. That year’s Cornhuskers’ team may statically be the greatest ever (53.2 points per game and 14.5 allowed per game) and had one of the greatest college football quarterbacks ever in Heisman winner Tommy Frazier. With the loss of him, a roster where at least 70 percent of the players were freshman or sophomores and a new, inexperienced quarterback, there was absolutely no way Nebraska deserved the number one spot. Six years later, the Miami Hurricanes were coming off an equally dominate season (42.6 points per game, 9.75 allowed per game, average margin of victory of 32.9 points, and set the NCAA record for largest margin of victory over ranked teams, winning 124-7, while beating Nebraska in the National Championship 37-14) as they too were voted number one by the AP. Miami lost valuable NFL talent, only to reload with future NFL talent as they steamrolled their way to a second consecutive national title game appearance, this time against Ohio State. Credit to the Buckeyes who played Miami close all game long, but the game’s defining moment came down to a very questionable pass interference call that ultimately cost Miami their shot at repeating.
Unlike the aforementioned teams, all three starting quarterbacks will likely be returning and under one of the winningest coaches since 2000 (142-26, 3 National Championships) in Urban Meyer, they have yet to let winnable games slip away (I’ll let the Virginia Tech game slide as it was only J.T. Barrett’s second game as a starter).
Their situation at quarterback will undoubtedly be the biggest storyline this offseason, but will have no impact on their success. Braxton Miller, Barrett, and Cardale Jones have proven themselves to be winners (side note: had Miller started and won at least 11 games this season, he would be the school’s all-time winningest quarterback). Should Miller or Barrett transfer, Jones will continue to be the stronghold of the position. Ezekiel Elliot and his outrageous production from the previous year (1,878 yards, 6.9 yards per carry, 18 TDs) is returning, and boasts a defense with 7 returning starters.
While the loss of Doran Grant and Curtis Grant will be big holes to fill, expect Armani Reeves to shift over from nickel back to cornerback to fill Doran’s spot and sophomore Cam Burrows to start at nickel back. Five-Star freshman Raekwon McMillian should earn the starting job at middle linebacker in place of Curtis Grant and have an impact similar to Darron Lee’s last year as a redshirt freshman (81 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions). The offensive side took some hits as well with the loss of wide receiver Devin Smith, whose playmaking ability (28.2 yards per catch) and production (933 yards, 12 touchdowns) will be missed, tight end Jeff Heuerman, and offensive coordinator Tom Herman who took the head job at the University of Houston.
However, playmakers Evan Spencer, Michael Thomas, and Corey Smith all return and all combined for 89 receptions, 1,203 yards and 12 TDs (34% of all completions, 32% of total passing yards, and 29 % of total passing touchdowns) along with left tackle Taylor Decker and sophomore sensation Billy Price, who started all 13 games at guard for the Buckeyes last year. While the loss of Smith will be noticeable, Ohio State may have his equal in Jalin Marhslall. Marshall scored seven touchdowns on offense last year, returned a punt return for six points, and was even listed as Cardale Jones’ backup on the team depth chart; look for him to line up in the slot, at H-Back, and at running back. His versatility is uncanny. Continuing the plethora of playmakers is sophomore Curtis Samuel. The good sized, speedy back (5’11” 196lbs., 4.36 40) from New York ran for 383 yards and 6 TDs on only 58 carries (good for an average of 6.6 yards per carry). Combine those offensive pieces with future first rounders Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington (94 tackles and 18 sacks combined in 23 out of 28 combined games) on the line with arguably the nation’s top line backing core along with a solid secondary, and you have a complete team.
The Buckeye’s schedule is also set up very favorably to where they should be a mainstay at number 1. They play Western Kentucky and Central Michigan, two rather solid teams, and the underachieving Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at home. The earliest test comes in week 1 when they travel to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech in an effort to avenge their only loss from last season. They have home games against conference opponents Maryland, Penn State, and Minnesota, who are all losing major talent in the draft (Stefon Diggs, Deion Barnes and Donovon Smith, and Maxx Williams respectively). The fate of the season rests on two weekends in November when they take Michigan State on the 21st and travel to Ann Arbor to face the Wolverines on the 28th. While Harbaugh appears to be the savior at UM, they have yet to figure out their quarterback situation and weren’t a very talented team last year as it stands. The matchup against Michigan State could very well be a battle of one vs two. While MSU loses stars Jeremy Langford at running back and shut down corner Trae Waynes, First Team all-Big Ten defensive end Shilique Calhoun and two time Second Team all-Big Ten, 2013 Big Ten Championship MVP and 2014 Rose Bowl MVP quarterback Connor Cook return. Should Ohio State escape that game still undefeated, I have no doubt that they will repeat as National Champions.
