.JPG)
With Miller gone for the season,redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett will man the controls of the Buckeye offense.
While Barrett has a ton to prove,he was highly thought of entering OSU and once he gets his sea legs a bit,will be more than adequate as Miller's replacement.
Cardale Jones will see plenty of time behind Barrett,especially during the non-conference schedule and the underrated Jones might even push Barrett if the situation fell a certain way.
Running back looks to be a group of talented runners that will wait for one to break out.
Ezekiel Elliott had the edge going into the season,but Rod Smith and Curtis Samuel closed the gap and will get their chance to carry the ball.
I've always liked Brionte Dunn and hope he will find an opportunity as well.
At H-back,exciting sophomore Dontre Wilson returns and will give Barrett a top notch weapon to use.
Freshman Jalin Marshall is another star in the making behind Wilson.
The wide receivers start two seniors,but the experience drops off considerably after that.
Devin Smith and Evan Spencer are both quality pass catchers with Smith being a big play guy downfield.Junior Corey Smith adds experience behind the starters,but sophomore Michael Thomas and freshman Noah Brown will need to mature quickly to contribute.
Jeff Heuerman returns at tight end to give the Buckeyes a huge target over the middle and backup Nick Vannett is even larger than Heuerman and adds a beefy blocker to the line in short yardage spots.
Heuerman is underrated as a pass catcher,so perhaps the senior could be more involved in the passing game this season.
The offensive line may take some time to jell after losing four starters,but there are still some experienced players that are now getting a chance to start at least at tackle with senior Darryl Baldwin and junior Taylor Decker manning the outside spot.
Junior Jacoby Boren has been in a tight battle with Alabama transfer Chad Lindsay at center,so either could be the winner and both could see lots of early time to determine the winner.
The guards are younger with soph Pat Efflien at one spot and surprising freshman Billy Price has bullied his way into a starting spot.
The defense was disappointing last season,especially against the pass,where Clemson shredded the Buckeyes in the Orange Bowl.
Chris Ash was brought in from Arkansas to help Luke Fickell revitalize the defensive bunch that badly needed a turnaround.
The defensive line is the clear strength of the squad with three super players in defensive tackles Michael Bennett and Adolphus Washington along with defensive Joey Bosa.
All should be All-Big Ten contenders and when Noah Spence,who might be the best of the bunch, returns from a suspension,the line should wreak all sorts of fire and brimstone in the league.
Junior Tommy Schutt will see lots of time in the the interior rotation and would start on just about any team in the country,while senior Steve Miller will start at the other end until Spence returns..
Curtis Grant returns as the only linebacker from last years group to lead that corp.
Lots of freshmen and sophomores will battle it out in the early season to sift out the winners,but Joshua Perry and Darron Lee have won the jobs for now...
Senior Doran Grant leads the secondary that has to step their game up from last year,if the Buckeyes are going to make a title run.
Two freshmen will see time at the other corner as Eli Apple and Gareon Conley are splitting time for now.
One would think eventually one will establish himself at the position.
Vonn Bell showed me some good signs last year,but he is fighting off fellow soph Cam Burrows at one safety with sophomore Tyvos Powell at the other safety.
Junior Armani Reeves will see lots of playing time in multiple DB situations.
If this group cannot step up its game,the Buckeyes will have severe defensive problems again.
Cameron Johnston is back after a very good freshman year as a punter,while freshman Sean Nuernberger will get the first shot as the placekicker.
Just as at H-back Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall will share the kickoff and punt return duties...
Now what do I think about this years Buckeyes.
With Braxton Miller,I would have said,they run the table and make the playoffs.
Without,I'm going to say they lose one game that they might not have with Miller and add that to a loss to Michigan State in East Lansing.
Let's call it 10-2,6-2 in conference and a nice bowl bid as the Buckeyes build for the return of Braxton Miller in 2015....
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