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Ohio State Football: College Football Season Preview 2021

By Blake Biscardi

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 23: Ryan Day, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes speaks during the Big Ten Football Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 23: Ryan Day, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes speaks during the Big Ten Football Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma has a lot of hype around them, but are they better than the Ohio State football program, or any other elite program? (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Oklahoma has a lot of hype around them, but are they better than the Ohio State football program, or any other elite program? (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

6. Texas A&M Aggies
* Projected Reg. Season Record: 11-1
* SOS: #44
* Postseason Projection: Peach Bowl
* Key Matchups: Alabama, @Ole Miss, @LSU

Bitter from being left out of the CFP last year, the ingredients are again in place for the Aggies to be a contender. Albeit contingent on the offensive line gelling, Texas A&M has the talent and schedule to sneak into the party.

The Aggies do, however, have to play the Crimson Tide (at home) which is the game I believe they drop, but a win over the defending champs would certainly make this very interesting in the SEC.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

* Projected Reg. Season Record: 11-1 (11-2)
* SOS: #60
* Postseason Projection: Sugar Bowl
* Key Matchups: Clemson, @Auburn, Florida

Georgia is one of the most intriguing teams in the country this season as they open against Clemson in Charlotte in a game that could already decide the fate of its season. Outside of the Tigers, the Bulldogs will travel to Auburn and collide with rival Florida in Jacksonville.

I expect both teams to have down years, so Georgia should be in a good spot with a win over Clemson and be able to earn a playoff berth even if it cannot beat Alabama for the SEC Championship.

4. Clemson Tigers
* Projected Reg. Season Record: 11-1 (12-1)
* SOS: #72
* Postseason Projection: Playoff
* Key Matchups: Georgia, @South Carolina

Strength of schedule matters, at least this year it should. It will be the aspect that either earns or withholds Clemson from the College Football Playoff this year. The Tigers may only bookend its season with ranked opponents which should certainly be a factor for the committee.

Clemson is one of the most talented teams in the sport again this year, but the all-important showdown in Week 1 will say a lot about what the Tigers’ ceiling can be in 2021. There’s no question Dabo Swinney’s group will pass the eye test, but it will need a high-quality win or two to get stand out in what is shaping up to be a crowded field this year.

3. Oklahoma Sooners
* Projected Reg. Season Record: 11-1 (12-1)
* SOS: #51
* Postseason Projection: Playoff
* Key Matchups: Nebraska, @Kansas State, Texas, Iowa State, @Oklahoma State

The Sooners have one of the best receiving corps in 2021 and are led by QB Spencer Rattler who will likely be near or atop the Heisman race all year long. Oklahoma has a favorable schedule, so as long as they avoid a slip against a team like Kansas State, Lincoln Riley should have his bunch back in the CFP assuming they beat Iowa State (possibly twice).

Many are picking the Sooners to win the National Title, however. Though Oklahoma will be talented enough offensively, it will depend on what Alex Grinch can do with the defense to stop the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, or Georgia.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes
* Projected Reg. Season Record: 12-0 (13-0)
* SOS: #47
* Postseason Projection: Playoff
* Key Matchups: Oregon, @Indiana, Penn State, @Michigan

The Buckeyes return the second-fewest production in the country. Despite that, Ryan Day has his squad in line to make the College Football Playoff yet again. Ohio State is a heavy favorite in the Big Ten and boasts the top receiving group in the country.

The Ohio State football team now has the most loaded QB room as well and a three-man battle for the starting job between CJ Stroud, Jack Miller, and Kyle McCord. Additionally, once Quinn Ewers gets on campus and begins learning the offense and playbook, he could add a fourth man worthy of the starting job.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide
* Projected Reg. Season Record: 12-0 (13-0)
* SOS: #19
* Postseason Projection: Playoff
* Key Matchups: Miami (FL), @Florida, @Texas A&M, LSU, @Auburn

Nick Saban’s defending champs appear to be the team to beat yet again in 2021. QB Bryce Young is already locking up major NIL sponsorships and poised to shine on the field to lead the Tide back to the pinnacle of college football.

Alabama does have a few tricky games on its schedule on the road against Florida, Texas A&M, and Auburn in the Iron Bowl. I expect the Tide to roll in Gainesville, but have a showdown in College Station against the Aggies. But in the end, I like ‘Bama to enter the CFP undefeated as the No. 1 seed.

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