2016 Ohio State Schedule Not Short On Quality

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) rushes in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State won 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Ohio State will have plenty of challenges in 2016.

Strength of schedule has never been more important than it is now, thanks to the introduction of the College Football Playoff. The Ohio State schedule in recent years has taken some flak, thanks in large part to a weak conference slate, and non-conference matchups that did not hold as much weight as they were expected to when they were scheduled.

The 2016 Ohio State schedule will be the best that the Buckeyes have played in a while, though, which could be both a blessing, and a curse to this young football team.

Over their two year run, the College Football Playoff committee has been steadfast in their commitment to evaluating every team based on how they are playing at that very moment. They are not afraid to move teams considerably, up or down, based on how they played that previous weekend, and who they did it against. You can see a lot of moving and shaking on a given week, and teams that were not in a favorable position the previous week could all of the sudden be in the thick of things after an impressive win.

The playoff has taken a lot of the importance away from preseason polls. In the BCS era, preseason polls mattered, regardless of what people wanted to say about them. Teams in the preseason top-5 were already in a situation where simply winning games would probably be enough for them to have a chance at a national title.

While any team would still prefer to be ranked highly in the preseason polls, the playoff committee’s dedication to evaluating teams weekly means that teams will have the opportunity to make their case, regardless of were they might have started.

This is especially beneficial for the Buckeyes this year. With all of the talent that has left the program, preseason polls might not be as high on them as might be the case in most years. ESPN‘s first preseason poll following the national championship game had them ranked 12th, speculating that they could actually take a step back for the first time under Urban Meyer.

Even if Ohio State doesn’t find themselves in the t0p-10 when the 2016 season rolls around, they will have ample opportunity to play their way back into the playoffs.

In the third week of the season Ohio State will travel to Norman to take on an Oklahoma team that will be coming off of a playoff appearance. That Oklahoma team will also be returning star quarterback Baker Mayfield. That game will be one of the most anticipated matchups of the college football season, and figures to give plenty of life to the winner’s playoff run.

Win or lose, that won’t be the last time that Buckeyes have a chance to state a case to the playoff committee.

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The Big Ten conference figures to be as strong as it has been in recent memory, especially in the East division that also features Michigan State and Michigan. Both of those teams figure to be ranked in the top-15 when the preseason polls are released. ESPN‘s initial preseason poll even had Michigan in its top-5. Like last year, those two games will end the regular season for Ohio State. They will have to travel to East Lansing, but they will get the Wolverines in The Horseshoe, a place Michigan hasn’t won in since 2000.

While those games will be some of the most anticipated of the Big Ten season, Ohio State will also welcome Wisconsin and Nebraska back on to their crossover schedule. They will be on the road at Wisconsin, a place that has been a historically tough place for them to play in. Wisconsin is coming off of a win over USC in the Holiday Bowl last year, and return a lot of talent from that 10-3 team.

Nebraska’s 2015 season was about as up and down as you can get, but they were able to beat Michigan State, and they finished up the year with a win over a good UCLA team in their bowl game. As many as 15 starters will be returning, and there will be a comfort level under second year head coach Mike Riley that was not there last year. They could be a serious contender to win the West and make it to Indy, but they will be much improved from last year at the very least. Luckily for the Buckeyes, the Huskers will be coming to Columbus.

Throw in a road trip to Happy Valley that will almost certainly be a night game, and the Ohio State schedule has some serious hurdles on it that have not been there in recent years. The road slate alone will give the Buckeyes plenty of opportunity to impress the committee, and that doesn’t even factor in home games against Nebraska and Michigan.

The Buckeyes will come into the season with a lot of unknowns, but their schedule is going to demand answers. Unlike last year, this team will not be able to skate into November untested, and without an identity. By the time Big Ten play even begins, fans and analyst across the country will have a good sense of what this Ohio State team is all about.

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The combination of young team and tough schedule can be worrisome, but they will have plenty of chances to make statements on the field, and that is all you can ask for. The 2016 Ohio State schedule will provide plenty of intrigue, and it remains to be seen if the Buckeyes will be able to navigate it.

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