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Ohio State football players and coaches love to say throughout the season that the next game is the most important. While every season is important to the Buckeyes, and with that phrase in mind, the 2021 season is going to be important.
Ohio State is looking to win its fifth straight Big Ten title and return to the college football playoffs for the third year in a row. While these feats have become Columbus’ expectations, they are certainly not taken for granted.
This is especially true for a team that is embarking on a new starting quarterback, who has yet to be officially named, working on some decisions on the offensive and defensive lines, finding three new starting linebackers, and trying to fix a secondary. who has struggled a year since.
Scarlet and Gray fans shouldn’t be too worried, however. Ohio State certainly has talent, we know, and one of college football’s top experts is confident that the Buckeyes will once again be one of the best teams in the country in 2021.
Phil Steele made an appearance on Bull & Fox at 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland on Thursday, speaking about college football and Scarlet and Gray. To say Steele is optimistic about the state of Ohio would be an understatement.
“You look at Ohio State, with their talent and their schedule, I actually have Ohio State favored by double digits in every game this year,” he told the hosts. Dustin Fox and Adam “The Taurus” Barley owner. “Double digits in every game, despite having to replace their quarterback. I think when you look at it at the end of the year, CJ StroudHe’s a guy who’s going to step in and be one of the contenders for Heisman at the end of the year because he throws the best set of receivers in the country. “
While Steele likes what the Buckeyes are up to ahead of the season, he, like many, still has questions about the team’s defense, especially when it comes to defensive backs. Scarlet and Gray fans will remember how the high school was torn apart in the biggest games of the year last season, against Indiana in the regular season and against Clemson and Alabama in the Playoff.
The # 1 goal this offseason for Ohio State was to improve that pass defense, get it back on track, but Steele admits that unity is a concern for him.
“I was really concerned about the defense in 2018,” he said. “Remember they gave up 403 yards, it seemed like big plays every game. Then Ryan day takes over and all of a sudden they’re only allowing 260 yards per game and I’m like “Wow, they’re going.” And then, like you said, I was surprised once again, hitting the 400-yard mark, 25.8 points per game (allowed). They have talent. I mean they have my # 4 defensive line, my # 19 DB set, and DBs are what really concerned me last year. Generally, the state of Ohio has one of the best high schools in the country. Last year they placed in the bottom 20 in Pass D.
“I just think there’s too much talent for them to be as bad as last year by Ohio State standards. I’m worried. That’s probably my biggest concern on the team. . But I think they will get better. “
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While Steele’s favorite to win the national title is Alabama, which beat the Buckeyes for the championship in January, once again it’s clear that he likes what Scarlet and Gray bring to the table at the. autumn.
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