Ohio State Looks to be the Real Deal

Jesus Martinez | Main Columnist

It may be the off season. But Ohio State looks scary. REAL scary.

Where does the source of the problems for every other BIG 10 team comes from?

The trenches. The big boys. It looks to be one of the best college football has EVER seen.

I could go on and on about the senior QB JT Barrett, who looks poised to take the Buckeyes back to the promised land. Or promote the inexperienced, but extremely talented WR group of Paris Campbell, Johnnie Dixon, Binjamen Victor, all highly touted prospects in their respective classes. Or even bloat about the RB duo of Mike Weber and incoming freshman JK Dobbins. But the truth here is that this isn't what will win them the National Title. The front four on the defensive line will wreck havoc on every single opponent the Buckeyes will face. Greg Schiano claimed this line to be the best he has ever coached, and these are some pretty big words from a man who has coached for the Miami Hurricanes (1999-2000: Defensive Coordinator), Rutgers (2001-11: Head Coach), and in THE NFL for the Tampa Bay Bucs (2012-13: Head Coach). With this line, the sky is the limit. Lets meet the group, shall we?


Sam Hubbard

-The Redshirt Junior looks to build upon a promising sophomore season in which he amassed 46 tackles and 3.5 sacks, while starting all 13 games last season. The defensive end broke out as a freshman, collecting 6.5 sacks on a stacked Ohio State team. Now on the radar of NFL scouts, he is poised to lead the group to the CFP, dominate the trenches, and make a name for himself.

Tyquan Lewis

-The RS Senior, one of the oldest players on the team, and the obvious leader on the line, is not a slouch either. In fact, he is one of the most productive players on the team. He made an impact for himself last season, becoming a team captain and getting All-Big 10 honors. Going from special teamer to star, he has an opportunity to feast this season. I could see him getting 10+ sacks this season and being an All-American. He missed the NFL Draft last year and opted to return for his senior year, but it is a decision that he definitely won't regret.

Nick Bosa

-For some, many know this man as the little brother of Joey Bosa. He has been living in his shadow. For myself, I am familiar with Bosa as the 5 star standout superstar at St. Thomas Aquinas, and All-American. He familiarized himself in the line last season, and this year looks to be the key piece of the line. Him, along with Jayln Holmes (who I will get to in a minute), will look to give Ohio State coaches a lot to think about in terms of their defensive formations.

Jayln Holmes

-This man has the numbers of a starting defensive end, but doesn't start. Due to the insane depth of the DE position (the three players listed above are all Ends), it would be hard for him to get playing time. But he is a useful on his own part, providing the Bucks with crazy depth on the position and playing a huge part in the rotation. Due to him and Nick Bosa's play last year, there is a lot of options to run this year for the line.

Dre'Mont Jones, Tracy Sprinkle, and Jashon Cornell

-The Defensive Tackles don't get as much love as the End position, but that doesn't give you permission to sleep on them. They all are talented, but inexperienced for the most part. In addition, they have had injury issues in past years. But with a season in which all can stay healthy, the Tackle position could be a major strength. The DE's and DT's could compliment each other beautifully. Don't believe me. Watch week one vs. Indiana. They will make their presence felt.

STRATEGY

Look for Ohio State to play the four defensive ends in some sort of formation. The line is too talented for the backups to not play, they deserve legitimate time. This year they could run more 4-6, and send more blitzes.

If Indiana has any opportunity to win vs Ohio State (which they won't), they will need to throw out of the shotgun, that ways the QB could have time to throw. But even then, Ohio State will be a force.

America, take notice.