Fansided

College football 2018: Biggest X-factor on every Top 25 team

By Derek Grochowski

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 25, 2017. Ohio State Buckeyes won 31-20. (Photo by Icon Sportswire)
ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 25, 2017. Ohio State Buckeyes won 31-20. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) /

3. Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State Buckeyes

The offseason got a lot more interesting for the Ohio State Buckeyes this month. Urban Meyer is on Administrative leave and his future is in jeopardy. Outside of that things have been business as usual in Ohio, good players are out and good players are in.

Last season was another Big Ten Championship year for the Buckeyes but no College Football Playoff. Their only hiccups on the season came against Iowa and Oklahoma. Iowa was a stunner but as we all found out as the year went on Oklahoma was the real deal.

For the first time since 2014, Ohio State will not have J.T. Barrett. He leaves with most every Ohio State passing record and a number of Big Ten career marks as well. But now, it’s time for a new era for Ohio State’s offense to be led by this year’s x-factor, Dwayne Haskins.

If his performance against Michigan last year is a true sample of what Haskins is capable of Ohio State fans have no reason to be concerned with losing Barrett. Haskins came into the game in the third quarter after Miller was forced out due to injury. Haskins was able to put the Wolverines down in the Big House and get the win. In this rivalry game, Haskins jumped in and went 6-of-7 for 94 passing yards.

Haskins will have a great run game to lean on with JK Dobbins and Mike Weber returning and a loaded defense, led by Nick Bosa. He will be the x-factor for Ohio State this year because they will still be talented on defense. If Haskins can step in and play at a comparable level to Barrett’s last season, the Buckeyes will play their way back into the College Football Playoff.