Ohio St Buckeyes 2019 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Ohio St Buckeyes 2019 College Football Preview

2018 Recap

Record – 13-1

ATS – 6-8

Ohio St did what Ohio St does. Win games and titles, baby. They missed out on a college football playoff berth but still managed to finish with a record of 13-1, beat the stuffing out of Michigan for approximately the 78th time in a row, win a Big Ten Championship, and taste victory in the Rose Bowl. A 49-20 road beating at the hands of Purdue ultimately cost them a shot of going to the playoff but, all things considered, Urban Meyer’s final season with Ohio St has to be categorized as a success.

Ryan Day takes over the HC duties from the legend Urban Meyer. Those are big shoes to fill but he steps into a good situation.

2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

East Division – #2

Big Ten – #2

Ohio St Buckeyes 2019 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Buckeyes had the #2 offense in the FBS a year ago whilst putting up an impressive 42.4 PPG. QB Dwayne Haskins was absolutely fantastic racking up video game numbers in the passing game (4,831, 70%, 50-8 TD to INT). Highly-regarded recruit Justin Fields transferred from Georgia and will be the MAN this season in Columbus. Expectations are high, and it will be interesting to see how quickly he can start dominating the opposition. The passing numbers will be down this season (how could they not be?) but the QB run threat is back in town, yo. That should keep this offense humming.

Junior RB JK Dobbins is poised to tally big numbers (1,053, 10 TD LY) with more focus being placed on the running game and with their fine back-up Mike Weber off to the NFL (Cowboys). The Buckeyes look to be fine in the depth department at RB as per usual. There are a few very talented youngsters ready to do damage when called upon. Three of the top four WRs from last year’s squad depart but they do bring back the reliable KJ Hill (70, 885, 6TD). There is a TREASURE TROVE of talented young WRs waiting to make their mark and the TE position looks solid as well. The offensive line is a bit of a question mark after paving the way for just 4.2 YPC last year (#10 Big Ten) (!) and they also lose key pieces from last year’s line.

Ohio St put up over 40 PPG in each of the past two campaigns. Our BIG TEN STATISTICAL INSIDERS project something closer to the figure from back in 2016 (39.4 PPG).

DEFENSE

The Ohio St defense was uncharacteristically soft last season as they allowed 25.5 PPG and saw their total yards allowed per game shoot up from 301 to 403 (!). The Buckeyes yielded 5.8 yards per play and that was the most since 2013 (5.3). The good news is that they bring back nine starters and a lot of talented players to the mix. The DL lost a pair of players to the NFL including a first round DC (Nick Bosa) but look to be an improved unit. Recall that DE Chase Young led the team in sacks (10.5) and TFL (15.5) a season ago. The Buckeyes also return their top-5 (!) tacklers including MLB Tuf Borland and 2nd Team Big Ten honoree FS Jordan Fuller who tied for the team lead in tackles in 2018.

We expect a much better season from the Ohio St defense and would be shocked if they allowed more than 20 PPG. There’s too much raw ability and experience on hand to think otherwise and these guys have a way of consistently getting PENETRATION (40+ sacks four of last six years).

SPECIAL TEAMS

The kicking game is in great shape with their excellent PK and P duo of Blake Haubeil (10/13 FG LY) and Drue Chrisman (41.8 net) back for duty. The return units were disappointing last season and could use some additional spice.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – It looks pretty manageable. They start out with four games that should all result in “Ws”. They follow that opening with a tough road game at Nebraska (September 28) but then look to have smooth sailing (?) all the way to November 30 when they travel to face Michigan. Oh ya, and they also have byes on October 12 and November 2 (!).

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Penn St (November 23)

The Buckeyes are 0-6 ATS the last six years the week before the Michigan game.

Season Win Total

Over 10 -115

Under 10 -105

MEGALOCKS says:

That feels like the right number. A bit of LEANAGE to the over as the schedule looks pretty easy. It’s very possible that the team total result comes down to the final game at Michigan.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Despite the immense success of the football program, Ohio St has a pedestrian 24-25 record in bowl games (one win was vacated).

The Buckeyes boast 10 unbeaten seasons. Four of those were under the watch of legendary HC Woody Hayes.

MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Neutral

“It’s like deja vu all over again” <Yogi Berra>

Stop us if you have heard this before. The Buckeyes look like one of the prime contenders in the Big Ten and one of the most talented teams in college football. However, it’s not a team without question marks. Can Justin Fields be a top-notch QB right out of the gate? Will the defense be back to its normal self? How much will the departure of Urban Meyer impact their success?

Ohio St posted a record of 48-44 (52%) under HC Meyer. This team is loaded for battle but will be need to cover a lot of big point spreads this season if they want to be a money-maker. We will take a neutral stance on their overall ATS prospects for now.

Want more Ohio St football ?

WEBSITE

http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/osu-m-footbl-body.html

FORUM

http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/forums/buckeye-football.2/

http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Board/Ohio-State-Buckeyes-Football-Message-Board-Forum-121

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/forum/ohio-state-football

http://www.scarletbuckeye.com/index.php?forums/football-talk.2/

http://forums.theozone.net/

https://ohiostate.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-horseshoe-lounge.14/

NEWS

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football