Ohio State Football 2022 Season Preview: Buckeyes Are Best Team in Country, Not Alabama

Last season was a down year for Ohio State's standards, but 2022 may be the best of the Ryan Day era.

The Buckeyes have all the ingredients for a National Championship appearance: a Heisman Trophy level quarterback, a star receiver, and a revamped defense under one of the best coordinators in the country.

With one of the most talented rosters Columbus has ever seen, it's National Championship or bust, and oddsmakers are prepared for it, installing the Buckeyes as the second choice to win it all. What should we expect in 2022 after a two loss season? Let's find out.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Ohio State Football in 2022: National Championship, Big Ten, Win Total Odds

• Win Total: 10.5 (Over -250/Under +200)
• SEC Championship: -215
• National Championship: +300

Ohio State Offense Preview

This is the best offense in the country, in my opinion, mixing in NFL talent with returning production that should run circles around the rest of the Big Ten.

C.J. Stroud returns after going to New York as a Heisman finalist campaign in his first season as the full time starter in Columbus, tossing 44 touchdowns to six interceptions while passing for 4,435 yards.

Stroud had a bevy of talent at his disposal last season, including a pair of NFL first round draft picks in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but arguably the best one is still on hand in Jaxson Smith-Njigba. He had one of the best Rose Bowl performances of all time, 15 catches, 347 yards and three touchdowns that jumpstarted a dark horse Heisman campaign for himself in addition to Stroud.

Last year, Smith-Njigba had a team high 95 catches and 1,606 yards to go with nine touchdowns.

Don't sleep on the running back either. TreVeyon Henderson emerged as the lead back as a freshman, rushing for 1,248 yards and 6.8 yards per carry. The three form the most dangerous offense in the nation.

The offensive line is consistently great. Last season the unit allowed just 17 sacks last season and bring back a future first round prospect in Paris Johnson. There's plenty of size on the line that should hold up well against fearsome pass rushers that the likes of Michigan bring in the Big Ten.

Last season's offense was at the top of nearly every offensive metric, and I expect them to name their number on the scoreboard on any week.

Ohio State Defense Preview

If there is a reason for why Ohio State didn't make the College Football Playoff last year, it's the defense. The team was bullied at times and it showed in their losses to Oregon and Michigan, allowing 35 and 42 points respectively, regular-season highs.

The program made some changes, bringing in Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who built a unit that was top 10 in success rate and sacks (54) in 2021 for a Fiesta Bowl Cowboys team. The Buckeyes have plenty of talent, and also added a key cog from that Oklahoma State defense with Knowles, bringing Tanner McCalister from Stillwater to boast the secondary.

This was still a good-to-great defense, ranking 38th in yards per play allowed and 58th in success rate, but inconsistency was the issue. Under Knowles direction, Ohio State will look to find a level that can hold up over the course of a season.

The talent is there for sure, led by Zach Harrison, who steps into the lead role at defensive end. The secondary is arguably the best part of the D with Ronnie Hickman returning after recording 100 tackles in his first full season at safety. He is joined by MaCalister and cornerback Denzel Burke, who has all the makings of an NFL level prospect.

The hope is that Ohio State finds that physicality at the point of attack and limits its mistakes that plagued it last year. 76% of the team's tackles are back from last season so there is plenty of returning production for Knowles. If his track record is any indication, expect a step forward after a down year for this unit.

Ohio State Special Teams Preview

Noah Ruggles was fantastic in his first season with the Buckeyes, making 20-of-21 kicks (long of 46). He was so good that he was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award last year. The North Carolina transfer returns alongside Jesse Micro who posted a 40.9 net punt mark.

Emeka Egubka, a wide receiver, was a top 20 return man last season, and should continue to be a threat for the special teams unit once again.

Ohio State Schedule Breakdown

The Buckeyes are 14.5-point favorites against Notre Dame, a top 10 team, at home in Week 1, an indication of how the market views them this season. The Buckeyes are head and shoulders above their scheduled competition that they are set to be double digit favorites over every team on their schedule.

While there may be difficult road trips like to Michigan State and Penn State, the team draws Big Ten contenders Wisconsin and Michigan at home. No team has the mix of offensive firepower and defensive talent to match the Buckeyes on a week-to-week basis.

The odds are spot on that it's almost a formality that Day's team is in the Big Ten Championship for the fifth time in six years after missing out last year.

2022 Ohio State Football Betting Preview, Predictions, Best Bets

Ohio State is the best team in the country heading into the season.

Much will be made about Alabama and the return of Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and pass rusher Will Anderson, but the Buckeyes have the more proven talent on offense and the secondary to offset some of the explosiveness National Championship contending teams possess.

As I mentioned earlier, Ohio State is going to be a double-digit favorite in each game this season and has an easier schedule to navigate than SEC foes such as Georgia and Alabama, opening up the ability to be the No. 1 team heading into the College Football Playoff.

With Alabama +180 and Ohio State +300, I see reason to buy the Buckeyes ahead of the season before these numbers grow closer together, and possibly flip over the course of the season.

LEAN: Ohio State National Championship +300

Track all of Reed's bets at Betstamp HERE!