After going 12-0 in Urban Meyer’s first year as head coach, many expect Ohio State to enter the 2013 season as one of just a handful of favorites to reach the national title game.
With superstar quarterback Braxton Miller and eight other starters expected to return to an offense that averaged over 37 points per game in 2012, there’s plenty of reason for optimism in Columbus.
The one thing that could hold Ohio State back from achieving its goal, though, is its defense.
Meyer and the Buckeyes will have to replace six starters in the front seven, including all four starters along the defensive line.
Ohio State’s best player on the back end, redshirt sophomore cornerback Bradley Roby, is still pondering an early exit to the NFL. If Roby opts out of his junior season and enters the draft, it would be a devastating blow to the Buckeyes.
For now, Meyer has to worry about his defensive front.
Replacing All-Big Ten players like defensive end John Simon and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins…
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