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Ohio State Buckeyes: Big Ten East
Ohio State is coming off its fourth straight Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes have questions at quarterback, but they have the best wide receiver group in the Big Ten. Since his appointment as head coach at Ohio State, Ryan Day has done great things and will look to continue his success.
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Ohio State is entering the 2021 season as a heavy favorite to repeat as Big Ten champions. Let's look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
2021-2022 Big Ten East Conference preview: Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State's strengths: Ohio State has the best wide receiver room in the Big Ten. There's an argument to be made that the Buckeyes have the top receiver group in the country. Even with all the questions at quarterback, the Buckeyes have a ton of talent catching the football.
Ohio State's weaknesses: For the first time in a long time, the Buckeyes have multiple weaknesses heading into the season. Ohio State doesn't have a clear-cut starting quarterback with the season just two months away. Ryan Day knows the quarterback position better than most college coaches and will likely figure it out. The biggest weakness is that Ohio State tends to play to the level of its opponents.
Ohio State Buckeyes key players: Offense
QB: C.J. Stroud - The Buckeyes may not have made a decision at quarterback, but all signs point towards C.J. Stroud being the starter. Stroud is a former four-star recruit and has a lot in common with Buckeyes QBs gone by. Coming out of high school, Stroud was just behind Bryce Young and D.J. Uiagalelei in the recruiting rankings.
RB: Master Teague - The Buckeyes play their best football when they run the ball effectively. Master Teague has shown glimpses of greatness but has failed to get over the hump. Teague has since taken the backseat, but he has an opportunity to shine. The Buckeyes running back has rushed for 1,409 yards and 13 touchdowns on 256 carries over the last three seasons.
Ohio State Buckeyes key players: Defense
CB: Sevyn Banks - Ohio State will leaning on its top cornerback to lead the defense in 2021. Sevyn Banks is coming off a successful season, registering 19 solo tackles. However, Banks will need to show his ball-hawking ability in 2021 to improve his draft stock.
DT: Haskell Garrett - The Buckeyes lost their top defensive tackle in Tommy Togiai. Stepping in for Togiai is his running mate Haskell Garrett, and the Buckeyes should feel comfortable on their defensive line with him in the fray. Garrett has registered 23 solo tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception from his defensive tackle position.
2021-2022 Ohio State Buckeyes schedule
Week 1: Thursday, September 2, at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs. Oregon Ducks
Week 3: Saturday, September 18, vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
Week 4: Saturday, September 25, vs. Akron Zips
Week 5: Saturday, October 2, at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Week 6: Saturday, October 9, vs. Maryland Terapins
Week 7: Saturday, October 23, at Indiana Hoosiers
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
Week 9: Saturday, November 6, at Nebraska Cornhuskers
Week 10: Saturday, November 13, vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Week 11: Saturday, November 20, vs. Michigan State Spartans
Week 12: Saturday, November 27, at Michigan Wolverines
2021-2022 Ohio State Buckeyes Prediction (11-1 overall, 9-0 Big Ten)
Ohio State will lose a hard-fought battle against the Oregon Ducks at home in Week 2. The Buckeyes will win critical games against Penn State and Michigan. Ryan Day will bring another Big Ten championship to Ohio State but will fall short, losing to Alabama in the CFP semifinals.
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