The Ohio State football program has one big issue that needs to be fixed

If Ohio State can clean up this issue, they have a really good chance to repeat as national champions.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (11) makes a touchdown catch during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (11) makes a touchdown catch during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ohio State football program is still one of the teams that has the best chance to win a national championship this season. Along with Texas, they have the best odds to win it all. Those two teams play each other in the first game of the season in the Shoe.

While Ohio State has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball returning for this season, they also have a decent number of players who have left. Because of that, there is one big issue that the Buckeyes must still fix. That issue is figuring out a good defensive rotation on the defensive line.

For years, the Ohio State Buckeyes rotated a lot of players up front on the defensive line. They didn't do that as much over the last couple of years because of Jim Knowles' influence. With Knowles gone, that rotation might start back up. They have to figure out what that rotation might be, now.

The Ohio State football team must figure out its defensive line rotations

As we saw in the Spring Game, there is still a massive issue when it comes to Ohio State and getting pressure up front on the defensive line. The Buckeyes were able to add Beau Atkinson to help with that, but they still have some problems getting players to rush up the middle.

Ohio State is still hoping that someone will emerge up front, but how will the rotation work? Will Jason Moore get work in behind Kayden McDonald? Will Joshua Mickens be in the rotation at defensive end at all? Or has the addition of Atkinson closed the door on that?

These are the questions that the defensive staff must answer before the season starts. Figuring out that rotation before the Buckeyes play Texas is going to be key for them to do.