Buckeyes Preview 9.8.16: Tulsa @ Ohio State

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE


The Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) started off the 2016 season with a bang against the over-matched Falcons of Bowling Green State. Questions surrounded the Buckeyes of whether or not they could overcome the losses in personnel from last years draft.  How quickly would the Buckeyes be able to grow up under the leadership of J.T. Barrett?  Although many questions still remain, Ohio State played very well in their first game of the season.

On the offensive side of the ball J.T. Barrett firmly placed his name in the early Heisman discussion, accounting for 7 touchdowns and throwing for 349 yards.  Barrett's favorite receiver on the day was the Buckeyes most dynamic playmaker, H-back Curtis Samuel.  Samuel caught 9 balls for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Add to his receiving production 84 yards and a touchdown on the ground and Curtis Samuel may find his name added to the Heisman hopefuls before long.

The defense of the Buckeyes gave us a couple new names to watch out for, while Raekwon McMillan continued to provide the hammer in the middle.  Malik Hooker showed tremendous range at the safety position making two interceptions, the first of which was as an athletic play as you'll see.  And while the Buckeyes might have lost Joey Bosa to the NFL, little brother Nick Bosa got his first action as a Buckeye and recorded a sack.

The Buckeyes will look to keep the momentum rolling this Saturday as they host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-0).  Tulsa is coming off of a decisive victory in their first game of the year as well.  The Golden Hurricane beat San Jose State 45-10 and posted 512 yards of offense. Tulsa's big producer was junior running back D'Angelo Brewer, running for 164 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Although senior quarterback Dane Evans didn't play poorly against San Jose State he is going to have to be better if Tulsa is going to keep up with Ohio State.  Tulsa averaged 39.8 points per game last year and typically showcases a high powered offense.  They have a difficult task coming into Columbus this Saturday and are going to need to be running on all cylinders to stay within reach of the Buckeyes.

The biggest challenge the Buckeyes may face this Saturday will be staying focused on Tulsa.  With a showdown with Oklahoma looming the next weekend, coach Meyer will have to keep his players focused on the task at hand.  If the Buckeyes get caught looking ahead it could give the Golden Hurricane an opportunity to post some points and possibly put some pressure on Ohio State late in the game.  If Ohio State can stay focused on Tulsa then it could be another lopsided victory in favor of the Buckeyes.


What:  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
When:  Saturday September 10, 2016 @ 3:30 PM ET
Where:  Ohio Stadium, Columbus Ohio
Watch:  ABC
Line:  Ohio State -29 (as of 9/6), O/U 72

Buckeyes Preview: Ohio State vs. Bowling Green

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE

After a bitter sweet end to the 2015 season the Ohio State Buckeyes are back with a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball to try and contend for a Big Ten and National Championship.  Last season ended with a historically talented team beating Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.  The Buckeyes then went on to dominate the NFL draft by having two players picked in the top 5, three more picked in the top 20, another 5 in the next two rounds, and 12 players total for the whole draft.  With all of that success comes many questions as to whether or not the youth of this football team can grow up quick enough to keep the Buckeyes in the National Championship hunt.  Here are 5 players to keep your eyes on this season, beginning with Saturdays battle against the Falcons of Bowling Green State.

1.  J.T. Barrett
With Braxton Miller and Cardale Jones moving on to the NFL the quarterback position is all J.T. Barrett's.  Barrett had his ups and downs last season but eventually settled in as the starter for the Buckeyes, but never reached his 2014 form.  J.T. is one of the few veterans on this team and thankfully for the Buckeyes it comes at the most important position on the field.

If Barrett can play like he did in 2014 not only can he keep the Buckeyes in the playoff hunt, he will put himself in the Heisman discussion.  Despite everything J.T. brings to the table physically, the skill that might be the most important this year is his leadership.  With 12 players moving on to the NFL including offensive stars Zeke Elliot, Michael Thomas and Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett will have to lead a group of talented young players through this season with minimal mistakes if the Buckeyes want to find themselves back in the playoff.

2.  Raekwon McMillan
The defense will be anchored this year by middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan.  The third year standout from Georgia is coming off of a 119 tackle season and looking to solidify his stock as the top middle linebacker in next years draft (if he decides to enter).  McMillan is everything you look for at his position and with Joey Bosa, Von Bell, Eli Apple and Darren Lee all leaving for the NFL, Raekwon will have to lead this young, but talented, Buckeyes defense.

3.  Mike Weber
Mike Weber has some of the biggest shoes to fill this season.  He will be taking over for the number 4 pick in the draft and Buckeye fan favorite Ezekiel Elliot.  Originally thought to be splitting time with Bri'onte Dunn, the running back from Michigan now has been named the starter after Dunn was dismissed from the team for domestic violence.  At 5'10 and 215 pounds he fits the build for what you are looking for in a running back.  The Buckeyes have a lot of young talented players on offense and although Weber was named the starter, don't expect the redshirt freshman to immediately have the workload, or success of Zeke.  

4.  Tyquan Lewis/Sam Hubbard
Although Joey Bosa got most of the attention at defensive end, Tyquan Lewis was able to make a name for himself as a pass rusher.  Lewis took advantage of Bosa being the center of attention last year with eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss.  Things will be tougher for Lewis this year with Bosa gone but that is something he is going to have to get used to if he wants the same accolades.

Sam Hubbard will be on the other side of Tyquan Lewis.  In a rotation roll last year he found the quarterback 6.5 times with eight tackles for loss.  Recruited to be a linebacker, the former lacrosse standout was also used and tight end in practice before the coaching staff decided to move him to the defensive line.  Now at 6'6 and 265 pounds he mixes athleticism with size and speed that you will not find in many others at his position.  Don't be surprised if sacks and TFL's double this year.

5.  Curtis Samuel
Curtis Samuel was the recipient of quite an honor from coach Urban Meyer last week.  "I think he's our No. 1 playmaker on offense right now," Meyer said.  The do-it-all H-back has the skills to give defenses headaches at running back, wide receiver, and anywhere else Meyer may want to line him up.  Despite the high praise from Meyer, Samuel will most likely split time with often injured but dynamite senior Dontre Wilson at the hybrid position.

These are just 5 player/positions I have highlighted but this team is filled with young dynamic athletes who, if they can learn on the fly, have the ability to put the Buckeyes back in the National Championship playoff.  With a tough road test against the Oklahoma Sooners early in the year, these Buckeyes will have to grow up quick.  If they can get past Oklahoma they have a great chance to run the table until a showdown against Michigan at the end of the year.


What:  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Bowling Green State Falcons
When: Saturday September 3, 2016 at 12:00 PM ET
Where:  Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Watch:  Big Ten Network
Line:  OSU -28, O/U 64