There are four talented players vying for the starting quarterback job at Ohio State — but coach Ryan Day has yet to choose one. Justin Fields is now on the roster of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, and Day must choose among C.J. Stroud, Jack Miller III (both redshirts), true freshman Kyle McCord and early enrollee Quinn Ewers. The Buckeyes are high on the sports betting odds lists, but with that kind of chaos at a key position, the team has a lot of questions to answer.
Let’s take a closer look at the team’s prospect, along with the 2021 regular season schedule.
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Rebuilding the offense
In 2020, Fields had a completion percentage above 70 percent and also averaged 9.3 yards per pass attempt. Those are terrific numbers that a new quarterback will be hard pressed to replicate. The team should stay aggressive in the passing game, though, as tackles Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere are two of the top blockers on the edge in the nation. The team lost All-American guard Wyatt Davis and center Josh Myers, but Paris Johnson Jr stands ready to move into the center of the O-line. The running game will be solid, with Master Teague III at the top of the depth chart — but with five other tailbacks who can also either pound the ball or streak through the defense, including short yardage back Miyan Williams as well as true freshmen Evan Pryor and TreVeyone Henderson.
At wide receiver, the Buckeyes still have a ton of talent as well. Marvin Harrison Jr, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Julian Fleming, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are all still on the roster. Wilson can slide into the slot or burn defenders outside, as he put up 16.8 yards per reception in 2020. Olave has a knack for finding the big play at the right time. Tight end Jeremy Ruckert returns ready to put up big numbers.
Bend but don’t break: The Buckeyes defense
The secondary was a weak point at several times in 2020, but the rushing defense was stout, permitting just 97.6 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry. However, starting linebackers Pete Werner, Tuf Borland and Baron Browning have all left school, so the team will have a challenge finding three starters who can fill those shoes. K’Vaughan Pope looks like a candidate for one starting slot at strong side linebacker, Teradja Mitchell has shown considerable athleticism on the outside, and Dallas Gant has his coach’s eye as a plus replacement on the inside.
Cornerback Sevyn Banks got torched against Alabama in the national championship, but he returns with the experience to bounce back and become a shutdown corner. Cameron Brown returns from a torn Achilles and should start on the other corner, but the team could use some depth at this position. Marcus Williamson is a solid free safety who can also cover receivers in the slot, and Josh Proctor brings big hits from the strong safety position.
Making moves in special teams
Jesse Mirco and Jake Seibert are the incoming freshmen who will punt and kick PATs and field goals for the Buckeyes, respectively. Demario McCall has a sixth year of eligibility and will return kickoffs once again. He will look to improve upon his 15.6 yards per return average in 2020.
Ohio State starts with a trip to Minnesota, where several other teams got nasty surprises a year ago, and ends with a trip to Michigan. Can Ohio State win the Big Ten? It will depend on how the offense comes together and how the new defenders play.
2021 Schedule
Thursday, September 2 at Minnesota
Saturday, September 11 vs Oregon
Saturday, September 18 vs Tulsa
Saturday, September 25 vs Akron
Saturday, October 2 at Rutgers
Saturday, October 9 vs Maryland
Saturday, October 16 BYE
Saturday, October 23 at Indiana
Saturday, October 30 vs Penn State
Saturday, November 6 at Nebraska
Saturday, November 13 vs Purdue
Saturday, November 20 vs Michigan State
Saturday, November 27 at Michigan
Saturday, December 4 Big Ten Championship
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