Big Ten Football: 2016 season preview and predictions

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes shakes hands with head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after a 42-13 Ohio State win at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 01: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the sidelines during the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Ohio State is the most overrated team in the conference

This label is largely based on their spot in the AP Poll. Despite losing 15 of their starters to the NFL draft, Ohio State is ranked at number 6 ahead of Michigan. In the Coaches’ Poll, Ohio State was ranked number 5 while Michigan was number 8, but that’s because practically every coach in America hates Jim Harbaugh.

To live up to that ranking is a very tall order for a team that will be filled with freshmen, no matter how high they were ranked by scouting websites. But their high ranking is a testament to how well regarded Urban Meyer is in the CFB community, and for good reason.

We’ve seen this movie before. In 2014, guys like Darron Lee, Ezekiel Elliott, and Eli Apple were no names, while they had to deal with a season-ending injury to their star quarterback before taking the field. But all their youngsters blossomed under Meyer’s tutelage, and they went on a fairytale run that culminated in the championship.

Perhaps the AP sees this year’s team doing the same thing. A top 10 ranking would’ve sufficed, but until we actually see them play football, it’s crazy to rank them as the seventh best team in the country.

Next: Predicting Offensive Player of the Year