The 3 biggest hurdles to a national championship for the Ohio State football team

The Ohio State football team has one of the most talented rosters in the country. They should have the best defense in the country. EA Sports College Football 25 certainly thinks so. On offense, the Buckeyes will also be very good, so they should be a national title contender.

What makes this team so different from last year's team isn't just the improvement in the roster. Sure, adding Caleb Downs, Quinshon Judkins, and Seth McLaughlin helps. But the change in the coaching staff also is a big deal. Having Chip Kelly calling the plays should give the Buckeyes more offensive diversity.

Even though Ohio State is very talented, that doesn't automatically mean they are going to walk to the National Championship Game. They have some hurdles that they need to get over in order to make sure that they can get to that final game in what is now a very long college football season.

There are three main hurdles that the Ohio State football team needs to clear if they want to win a national title. Most of them have to do with how good other teams are. One of them has to deal with how their own team is currently constructed. All need to be cleared.

We will rank these from three to one in terms of the biggest issues they need to clear. The first hurdle that they have to deal with is on the offensive line.

3. The right side of the offensive line needs to be settled

The biggest issue with the roster right now is the offensive line. It was the worst unit on the field a year ago and it finally reared its ugly head in the final two games. Both against Michigan and Missouri, the offensive line was a complete disaster. Quite frankly, it was embarrassing in the bowl game against the Tigers.

Ryan Day has tried to fix some of those issues. He went out and got McLaughlin from Alabama to help shore up the unit. He was the starting center in the Spring Game. The left side of the line seems settled with Josh Simmons at tackle and Donovan Jackson at guard.

The right side of the line still needs to be figured out. Carson Hinzman was the starting right guard and Josh Fryar was the starting tackle. Will it be like that in the Fall? Or will Fryar move to guard and Luke Montgomery inserts himself as the tackle?

No matter what combination the offensive line ultimately ends up being, they have to be connected and solid. How well they play could determine the ceiling of this Ohio State football team. If they are great, this team doesn't really have a weakness.

Another hurdle the Buckeyes have to clear is perhaps the best team on their schedule.