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Ohio State Football: Evaluating the 8 top CFP contenders in 2019

By Blake Biscardi

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Singer Andy Grammer performs the national anthem as the American flag waves on the field prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Singer Andy Grammer performs the national anthem as the American flag waves on the field prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 15: Interim head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during The AdvoCare Showdown against the TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 15: Interim head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during The AdvoCare Showdown against the TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes

* Projected Reg. Season Record: 11-1 (12-1)
* SOS: #17
* Postseason Projection: Playoff (No. 3)
* Key Matchups: @Nebraska, MSU, @NW (Friday), Wisconsin, PSU, @Michigan

Ohio State is replacing legendary head Coach Urban Meyer with the young, witty Ryan Day who has done a phenomenal job on the recruiting trail to begin his tenure. If it wasn’t for the two bye weeks, the Buckeyes’ schedule would be a gauntlet.

Facing Nebraska on the road at night and Northwestern on a Friday night makes me a bit uneasy, but the defense will be much improved so Ohio State should be able to pull out both games.

Transfer QB Justin Fields and an almost brand new offensive line will be two keys in the Buckeyes success in 2019. I am not so much worried about the defense as I expect the Silver Bullets of old to return and only give up points in the neighborhood of 17 per game.

A back-to-back against two rivals, Penn State and Michigan, to close out the regular season will be interesting. However, I think Ryan Day gets the job done as his Buckeyes win their third straight Big Ten title and return to the College Football Playoff.

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