Ohio State Football: Offensive line is most important unit for Buckeyes

There will be high expectations for the Ohio State football team come fall, but much of the Buckeyes’ success depends on how well the offensive line performs.

The Ohio State football team looks really good for the 2020 season, at least on paper. While there are several changes occurring across the team, the Buckeyes have shown they retool rather than rebuild.

The defense has the most question marks and has been discussed at length. But the offense looks like it could challenge the historic offense LSU put on the field last season.

While Justin Fields and the wide receiver group will get a lot of praise and talking points (for good reason) the most important position for Ohio State is the offensive line.

Ryan Day has shown every year in which he has led the offense that the Buckeyes are willing to adapt to their players. Now, with a more experienced Fields and a new running back (presumably Master Teague) the offense will look to shift again – tailoring to the collective skill set.

The offensive line will be tasked with changing the way they shift, block and protect a new look offense. With Thayer Munford, Josh Meyers and Wyatt Davis all returning there is already a very good core of experienced talent.

Left guard and right tackle look to be areas where a newcomer will need to step in and show that they can push this group forward.

At left guard I expect Harry Miller to battle with Enokk Vimahi. Coaches were very high on Miller all through his 2019 season so I am expecting him to get the slight edge here.

The right tackle spot should belong to Nicholas Petit-Frere as he pushed for playing time last year.

This group will determine the overall success of the 2020 Ohio State offense. Allowing Master Teague to run downhill and giving Fields time to throw will be paramount to another balanced offense. This group so far looks up to the challenge, but there is a lot of spring and summer ball to go.