Ohio State Football: A new kind of pressure for C.J. Stroud

Every single year, the Ohio State football program is expected to compete for a national title. The Buckeyes had the best offense in the country a year ago under first-year starter C.J. Stroud. Stroud ended up being a Heisman Trophy Finalist even though Ohio State didn’t make the College Football Playoff.

Now, Stroud has a different kind of pressure on him this season. A new kind that he hasn’t had to deal with before. Now, Stroud has to be the best player on the field at all times. Stroud will be expected to be the type of leader that he wasn’t last season.

Stroud was sensational in the last game he played in 2021. At the Rose Bowl, he was the best player on the field and led the Ohio State football team to victory. In 2022, Stroud will be counted on to be the same kind of player in every game the Buckeyes will play.

Ohio State’s defense isn’t a championship defense. Not yet. That will take a couple of years under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. But the defense doesn’t need to be a championship defense yet with how much talent the offense has.

Stroud is the leader of that talent. He can make all of the throws necessary to be the best player on the field against every team that they play. No one on their schedule has an individual player that can match Stroud’s combination of talent and influence because he touches the ball every play.

The new kind of pressure that Stroud has to face and rise above will be paramount in how deep the Buckeyes are able to advance this season. If Stroud can rise above that pressure, they have a chance to win a national title, and very well might be the favorites to do so.