Ohio State Football: 2 keys for Buckeyes to win Big Ten East

Since the Big Ten split into two divisions in 2011, Ohio State has at least tied for first in their division (originally Leaders, now East) every single season. But many pundits expect the Michigan Wolverines to finally overtake the Buckeyes this year in the highly competitive East. 

With the extraordinary success the Ohio State Buckeyes have had winning their division outright in 2012 (ineligible for postseason play), ’13, ’14, ’17 and ’18, winning the East is nearly expected. What do the Buckeyes have to do to continue that success in 2019?

Here are two keys for Ohio State to win the East once again.

1. Wins over Michigan State and Penn State

In the seasons when the Buckeyes did not play in the Big Ten Championship Game (2015 & ’16) they lost by six points combined to the Spartans and Nittany Lions.

Of course, Michigan is the most important team to beat, but being as big a rivalry as it is that goes without saying.

Penn State is expected by many to have a down year after losing Trace McSorley but will still be a force to be reckoned with. A stingy defense and young but talented receivers (especially speedster K.J. Hamler, who shows shades of Rondale Moore, will help Penn State stick around against Ohio State.

Michigan State should improve from last year’s down season (7-6 record, 7-6 loss to Oregon in their bowl game) with eight starters returning on a defense that ranked first in the nation in stopping the run in 2018. On offense, work needs to be done but nine starters returning should help with that process.

In ’15 and ’16, the Buckeyes went away from how they were playing that season (everyone remembers the lack of ‘Zeke in 2015) against Sparty and the Nittany Lions.

If Ohio State can hone in on these opponents, with Michigan State between road trips to Nebraska and Northwestern (bye week before Northwestern), and Penn State lined up the week before The Game, Ohio State will be well on their way to another Big Ten East title.