Ohio State Football: Evaluating the AP Top 10, contenders or pretenders?
No. 2 The Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State, like LSU, boasts the most impressive resume midway through the season as they have two marquee wins away from Columbus in TCU (in Arlington) and on the road against Penn State. The Buckeyes have another opportunity to pick up a huge road win this weekend against an undervalued Purdue team.
Dwayne Haskins has elevated the Ohio State passing game to new heights and he is on pace to shatter just about every single season school record. The concerns about the Buckeyes however are their struggle to run the football efficiently like they usually do, their inconsistencies on the offensive line and giving up big plays on defense.
Ohio State must fix those problems if they wish to compete for a National Title and I believe the coaching staff will figure out solutions. The Buckeyes are one of college football’s elite programs and part of being elite is being able to make adjustments and overcoming adversity. Like accounting for not having the best player in college football on the field due to an injury.
The Buckeyes have been in this situation before where they lost their best player(s) to injury during the season. Their depth is their saving grace although the defensive line unit and team as a whole need to rise to the challenge and play for their brother Nick Bosa.
Contender
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide
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Alabama with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback has been the most overpowering and dominant team in college football this season. Tagovailoa is leading the Heisman race while sometimes only playing in the first half of games.
The Tide has not really played a worthy opponent, especially one that’s strong on defense, but that’s not to discount what they have been able to do thus far.
The Tide is elite on offense and special teams and complete hard on the defensive side of the ball. A typical Alabama team prides themselves on defense and running the football, but this year the philosophy has been flipped on its head.
It is almost as if it wouldn’t matter if the Tide had a viable defense because the offense is firing on all cylinders.
Next. Will Buckeyes get the running game going?. dark
In two weeks Alabama heads south to the bayou to take on LSU and that game will more likely than not decide the SEC West title and a playoff spot. The Tide is the most complete team in the country right now, but we will get the proper evaluation in Baton Rouge on November 3rd.
Contender