Ohio State season preview: Best and worst-case scenario

Urban Meyer will have a new quarterback leading the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2018. Can they establish themselves as National Championship contenders?

The 2017 Ohio State Buckeyes had yet another strong season in program history that resulted in a Big Ten Championship. However, it didn’t end up leaving them with a playoff spot due to a couple of losses on their schedule to Oklahoma at home and on the road to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The loss to Oklahoma ultimately ended up being to a playoff team, but their loss to the Hawkeyes on the road in blowout fashion proved to be unforgivable to the playoff committee. In the Cotton Bowl, the Buckeyes made quick work of the USC Trojans, 24-7.

They flexed the muscles of the Big Ten and showed that they are ready to roll into 2018. Heading into this season, they will have new faces in key places. Quarterback J.T. Barrett is gone after a long tenure in Columbus. Dwayne Haskins is the new man under center for the Buckeyes and they’ll look to take off under him.

Having dynamic running backs, J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber behind him will only make the transition that much easier. They also will be without star center Billy Price. A new center and quarterback combo will be one that the Buckeyes will be needing cohesion from right away.

On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State saw some big stars leave for the draft. Denzel Ward, Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard among others are gone now. Urban Meyer has recruited some big-time players at those positions and the Buckeyes still have perhaps the most vaunted defensive line in college football led by Nick Bosa.

The Buckeyes schedule in 2018 is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing in the sense that if they run through it, there will be no debate that they are a playoff team. It’s a curse because it’s a tough schedule for a new quarterback to handle. Here’s the best case scenario for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2018.

Ohio State best-case scenario

• Sept. 1 vs. Oregon State – W
• Sept. 8 vs. Rutgers – W
• Sept. 15 at TCU – W
• Sept. 22 vs. Tulane – W
• Sept. 29 at Penn State – W
• Oct. 6 vs. Indiana – W
• Oct. 13 vs. Minnesota – W
• Oct. 20 at Purdue – W
• Nov. 3 vs. Nebraska – W
• Nov. 10 at Michigan State – W
• Nov. 17 at Maryland – W
• Nov. 24 vs Michigan – W

A best-case scenario for the Buckeyes is always a perfect season. They have the talent from recruiting to be that good, but it’s certainly going to be tough. Road games against TCU, Penn State and Michigan State will give the Buckeyes big tests.

These are all games that will ultimately be used for their playoff resume. They might be able to get away with winning two out of three of those tough road contests, but the best-case scenario is to take each game. Still, one has to prepare for the worst-case scenario as well.

Ohio State worst-case scenario

• Sept. 1 vs. Oregon State – W
• Sept. 8 vs. Rutgers – W
• Sept. 15 at TCU – L
• Sept. 22 vs. Tulane – W
• Sept. 29 at Penn State – L
• Oct. 6 vs. Indiana – W
• Oct. 13 vs. Minnesota – W
• Oct. 20 at Purdue – W
• Nov. 3 vs. Nebraska – W
• Nov. 10 at Michigan State – L
• Nov. 17 at Maryland – W
• Nov. 24 vs Michigan – W

Having TCU and Penn State on the road is going to be tough for any great program. Having to face them both on the road in September when the team is perhaps still finding their way is going to make it all the more difficult.

If the Buckeyes are still figuring out an identity in September, then they could quickly have two tough road losses to great teams and find themselves out of the playoff picture before October rolls around. Taking both would set them up to run straight through the rest of their schedule all the way to a big finale with Michigan. They could survive taking one of those two September games, but then beating Michigan State on the road would be an absolute must for their playoff chances.