Ohio State Season Preview: 10 Keys For BGSU And Beyond

The Ohio State football season is here! We have you covered with everything you need to know for Saturday’s game and this season.

Gameday 2016 is finally here. FoS has already brought you everything you need to know about the Ohio State Buckeyes’ offense and defense.

Now, it’s time to run down 10 things you need to know for Week 1 against Bowling Green State University and the rest of the 2016 slate. Factory of Sadness’ Ohio State 2016 Preview wraps up just in time for kickoff with our Ohio State Season Preview: 10 Keys for BGSU and Beyond!

Five Things to Watch against the Bowling Green State Falcons

1. The offensive talent graduated, but BGSU should still score

It might not necessarily be against the Buckeyes, but the Falcons should be able to replace all of the talent lost last year. MAC Player of the Year Matt Johnson not the quarterback anymore.

He was the leader of an offense that was third nationally in points scored and was largely responsible for the Falcon’s MAC title. So was coach Dino Babers, the architect of that high powered attack.

2. Speaking of weapons, Ronnie Moore is the one to watch

The leading returning receiver for the Falcons is not the same physical stature as the group from last season. In 2015, he nearly broke the 1,000 yard mark with a 954 yard, six touchdown season.

At only 5’9, Moore relies heavily on his speed and quickness to make plays. In 2015, he just happened to do that against big competition.

He had five catches and 95 yards against Tennessee and eight catches and 79 yards against Maryland. Moore also had five catches for 83 yards against Georgia Southern in their bowl game. Averaging over 16 yards per catch, Moore has big play potential against a Buckeye secondary with so many new faces.

3. The Falcons’ D is simply not good

After finishing 86th nationally last season, Bowling Green hired its new DC from a school that finished 117th against the pass. While they do return their sack leader in DE Terrence Bush, last season’s unit doesn’t inspire much confidence for 2016.

4. Ohio State should be able to establish the run

While Bush returns on the outside and there is some experience at linebacker, the interior of the defensive front is young. Last year’s Falcons gave up 161.6 yards per game on the ground.

Can you think of a better situation for Mike Weber as the new running back? Ohio State coach Urban Meyer’s scheme relies on the run to set up big plays in space. Even if BGSU’s secondary struggles, it wouldn’t matter with no Buckeyes’ running game.

5. The J.T. Barrett Show begins anew on Saturday

As hard as it is to believe, this is the first season where Barrett opens the year as the clear starter. Last year, Cardale Jones pushed him from the spot for a few games. The year before, he only started due to Braxton Miller’s injury early in fall camp. For 2016, it was Barrett’s job right out of the gate.

Barrett already has a Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award and was the catalyst for an offensive turnaround with his ability to run and convert in the red zone. Barrett is not at the top of the Heisman list, but he is clearly the best quarterback and skill position player in the Big Ten. There is no question that Barrett is underrated nationally.

Barrett will be the main cog in Meyer’s attack, especially with so much unproven talent around him. This offense is only going to go as far as he can take them.

Five Predictions For 2016

1. Ohio State will lead the Big Ten in rushing and total offense. Seems like an easy call, right? It’s a Meyer unit after all. But Weber is still a freshman and who know who will emerge at receiver to help out X-Factor Curtis Samuel. Barrett will lead the team on the ground and a collective group of Weber, Samuel, Dontre Wilson, and Antonio Williams will put together the top attack in the conference.

2. Samuel makes the All Big Ten First Team. He is the most proven receiving option for the Buckeyes. FoS’ own Eric Pitcher broke it all down as to why he is so important. If you have not read it, do it right now and then watch Samuel make big plays all season long. 3. The kids are going to be alright on defense. There are scenarios where in the flow of the game, that there could be as many as four or five freshman on the field. We’re not talking about garbage time. The two-deep is littered with first year players. There’s reason to be skeptical, but it’s going to be okay.

4. Ohio State will NOT make the College Football Playoff. In fact, there’s a chance the team loses three games on the season. Oklahoma is favored in the big week 3 match-up. Michigan and Michigan State are still among the best teams in the conference.

With such a young team, there’s bound to be another Big Ten tilt that isn’t as easy as we’d like as fans. Much of the media is high on Ohio State, as they should be, but it’s just ass likely the Buckeyes go 11-1 as it is that they go 9-3.

Not making the playoffs is not the end of the world. Take a look at the two deep. Take a look at the schedule and at last year’s NFL Draft. This isn’t the same team that won a title two years ago or even the team that rolled over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

There’s nothing wrong with that. The 2016 Buckeyes are young and inexperienced. The talent is real and Meyer’s staff will get the best out of the players on the field.

5. It just seems that the current make up of the roster is better poised for a big run in 2017 and 2018. That doesn’t make it wrong or anti-Buckeye. It is just the reality of the roster as it stands at kickoff of Week 1.

Next: OSU Is Part Of The Two Priciest Games In 2016

Final Score: 42-21 Ohio State. Barrett will get Ohio State on the board early and often. However, the defense will still give up a couple of drives and a late touchdown after the game is already settled. All in all, the Buckeyes stay in control against Meyer’s old program.

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