Ohio State Football: Clock is already ticking on the 2018 season

A look forward to the 2018 Ohio State football season.

After polishing off USC 24-7, the time has come for Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer to turn his attention to life without J.T Barrett, who might be the most polarizing player in program history.

The outcome was never in doubt and a win is a win, but the offensive performance in the second half was lackluster.

I feel like Buckeye Nation was robbed of watching a beatdown, and deep down I believe Barrett wishes his last game was better.

None of that matters. The Buckeyes beat the Trojans tilting the storied rivalry back in Ohio State’s favor.

Perhaps the coaching decision of the season came when Meyer called a time out with five and half minutes left in the second quarter.

He laid into Greg Studrawa who in turn laid into his line. I am sure Studrawa has his moments that are unsuitable for women and children that we don’t get to see, but it was refreshing to see him in action.

The Slobs subsequently had their best play of the season allowing Barrett to sprint for a touchdown run that made it 24-0.

That was enough to bury USC sending the team into winter with momentum.

The clock is already ticking on the 2018 season. There are just 244 days until the first game.

Here are a few thoughts and questions on the program and upcoming off-season.

Ohio State is blessed to have Larry Johnson. He is the best defensive line coach in college football. Any prospect with aspirations of playing in the NFL would be foolish not to consider playing for him.

I hate that Denzel Ward did not play, but the secondary’s future is bright with Jeffrey Okudah leading the charge.

It is time for Mike Weber to move on to the NFL. Good player, just not at the same level of J.K. Dobbins.

Who will take over for Billy Price? Meyer has been fortunate to plug and play with centers over the last three seasons.

It will take a minor miracle to get someone on par with Jacoby Boren, Pat Elflein and Price.

The spotlight now belongs to Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell, who are embarking on an epic position battle.

I don’t expect a starter to be named until five minutes before kickoff against Oregon State on September 1.

Let’s hope one player separates himself because the two-quarterback system never works.

More from Scarlet and Game

Outside of quarterback, the other position battle to watch is linebacker. This unit did not have a player make first, second or third-team All-Big Ten. That can’t happen again.

With Chris Worley graduating and Jerome Baker likely forgoing his senior year, expect to see Malik Harrison, Baron Browning and Pete Werner duking it out.

Is it too early to call 2018 a playoff season? Meyer would probably choke me for saying it, but this team has all the pieces to get him a fourth national championship.

The schedule is favorable with no back-to-back difficult road games. The Big Ten East will be brutal though.

Regardless, this team will enter 2018 as the Big Ten favorite and likely a pre-season favorite to make the playoff.

Next: Stellar running back group now signed and sealed

Man I hate the off-season. Is it August yet?

Home/Ohio State Football