Ohio St Buckeyes 2020 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Ohio St Buckeyes 2020 College Football Preview

JULY 2020

OCTOBER 2020 – Schedule notes updated.

2019 Recap

Record – 13-1

ATS – 9-5

The Buckeyes ripped through the competition during the Big Ten schedule and beat Wisconsin (twice), Penn St, and Michigan by a combined score of 156-72. Destroying Michigan in the regular season finale has to be considered the highlight of the season. They won (another) Big Ten title by disposing of Wisconsin and came REALLY close to taking down Clemson in the CFP Semi Finals (lost 29-23). It’s doubtful that they could have handled LSU, but it’s worth considering that they just might have been the 2nd best team in college football last year.

Let’s see if Ohio St has another roster worthy of fighting for a National Championship.

2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

East Division – #1

Big Ten – #1

Ohio St Buckeyes 2020 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Buckeyes moved like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE last year and boasted one of the most productive offenses in the country. The averaged 47 PPG (#3 FBS) and scored over 70 points on two occasions (Miami Ohio, Maryland). You wanna talk balance? How about 267 YPG on the ground (#5 FBS) and 263 YPG via the air (#36 FBS). That’s impressive stuff. This year they return six starters on offense including their star QB Justin Fields who had a remarkable campaign LY (3,273, insane 41-3 TD to INT ratio, 10 rushing TDs). Fields is clearly one of the best players in college football. The Buckeyes will need to find a replacement for NFL-bound (Ravens) RB JK Dobbins who had an epic 2,000-yard season in 2019 (21 rush TDs). Said replacement will likely come in the form of Oklahoma transfer Trey Sermon who booked 13 TDs in a near-1,000 yard campaign in 2018. Last year’s backup Master Teague (789, 5.8, 4 TD) suffered an Achilles injury in spring, and while he appears to be ahead of schedule in terms of rehab, it’s probably not fair to expect him at 100% when the season starts. Last season’s #1 WR in terms of receiving yards Chris Olave (12 TD LY) will lead a relatively inexperienced, but talented group of receivers. The offensive line is one of the best in the Big Ten with the return of three starters including center Josh Myers and LT Thayer Munford. The Buckeyes allowed an UNSEEMLY 35 sacks LY (#12 Big Ten sacks/game allowed) and will hopefully clean that up.

The offense doesn’t appear as deep at RB and WR but they still have Fields and will be a force once again in 2020.

DEFENSE

WHOA, NELLIE.

The Buckeyes were absolutely dominant on defense last season and led the nation in total defense (260 YPG) whilst allowing a mere 13.7 PPG (#4 FBS). They were #9 in the country vs the run and NUMERO UNO in pass efficiency defense (51%, 9 TDs allowed). You know that Ohio St can recruit with the best of them but there will almost certainly be a drop-off this year with only three starters returning to the mix. And note that they lost a lot of talent to the NFL, including superstar DE Chase Young (16.5 sacks) and CB Jeff Okudah. In fact, three players from last year’s awesome secondary are NFL-bound. The good news is that CB Shawn Wade is one of the best at his position in the Big Ten. The LB unit should be fine with the return of two starters including senior leader Tuf Borland. It’s a complete new group starting up front this year, and they’ll rely upon their great combo of talent acquisition and coaching to mold the front four.

They’ll be down a notch (it’d be impossible to think otherwise) but will still be one of the top defenses in the conference.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The kicking game is in great shape with the return of PK Blake Haubeil (13/15 FG) and their excellent punter Drue Chrisman. They were average return kickoffs and punts LY.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – The Buckeyes got the ROLL TIDE treatment with the new schedule by drawing Illinois (A) and CORN (H) out of the Big Ten West. Their 2nd game of the year (at Penn St) is likely going to decide the division winner.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Michigan St (Dec 5th)

Potential lookahead spot with the yuuuuge date with Michigan on deck. Will likely be laying a big number on the road.

Season Win Total

TBD

MEGALOCKS says:

TBD

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Ohio St has scored 118 points in their last two meetings with Michigan. The last time Michigan beat the Buckeyes was back in 2011 (W 40-34).

MEGALOCKS Outlook:

This is still the best team in the conference on paper. The offense is going to be excellent yet again, but there has to be a bit of concern about a defense that lost so much NFL-caliber talent. Don’t forget that they allowed 25.5 PPG and 403 YPG in 2018. They won’t fall that far, but this is a much more beatable team than last year’s squad. It seems to us that the winner of the Ohio St / Penn St showdown will take home the Big Ten East spoils. National Title? They’re in the conversation, but not our PICK TO CLICK.

Want more Ohio St football ?

WEBSITE

https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/

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