Having lost an unprecedented 12 starters to the 2016 NFL draft, the 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes are the most inexperienced team in college football. Only six players return from last year’s 11-1 squad – least in the entire FBS. For good reason, expectations for 2016 show great contrast from year’s past. Still, at a blue-blood program like Ohio State, where it’s Championship or bust seemingly every season, lofty expectations still remain for Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes. The College Football Playoff might be a long shot this season, but there’s no reason to believe Urban Meyer can’t coach his way to his 2nd Big Ten Title. Veteran Leadership Amid all the holes that need to be filled on both offense and defense, the 2016 Buckeyes return veteran leadership in the form of quarterback J.T. Barrett and middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan. J.T. Barrett was the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year in 2014. That year, as a redshirt freshman, Barrett broke the Big Ten record for total touchdowns with 44, while simultaneously leading his team to a 11-1 regular season record. An unfortunate ankle injury sidelined the signal caller during the Buckeyes‘ incredible postseason, as Cardale Jones wowed the nation en route to a…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Football: Why the Buckeyes will win the Big Ten Championship
