Updated JUN 15, 2015 9:16a ET Ohio State opens 2015 as the favorite to repeat as college football’s national champion. Winning back-to-back titles is no easy assignment, but coach Urban Meyer’s team is loaded with proven talent. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is a Heisman contender, and there’s no shortage of options at quarterback. The defense is also one of the best in the nation. Here’s a brief snapshot of the Buckeyes as they enter summer and prepare for fall camp. One of the nation’s most lethal offenses Urban Meyer teams move the ball and score — and that has only trended upward in Columbus. The Buckeyes should be explosive once again as they return three accomplished quarterbacks, star running back Ezekiel Elliott, four starters along the offensive line (including All-Big Ten candidates Taylor Decker and Pat Elflein), useful tight end Nick Vannett and a bevy of speedsters who can catch the ball. The best of that lot is wideout Michael Thomas, who hauled in a team-best 54 passes for 799 yards and nine scores last season. The coaches want to get even more use out of Jalin Marshall and will really be able to put pressure on foes if burner Dontre Wilson can bounce back from a fractured foot. Elliott is lined up for a monster year. The junior could approach 2,000 yards rushing — and Heisman finalist status. OSU also has another backfield weapon in Curtis Samuel, while true freshman Mike Weber could prove he deserves to see the field as well. Ohio State’s trio of standout QBs — Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett — is an embarrassment of riches but raises lots of questions as to who is most deserving of the starting job. Miller is the most accomplished, Barrett the best game manager and Jones, or “12 Gauge” as he’s known, possesses the strongest arm. All of them can hurt defenses with their feet, making this unit even more lethal. Oh, the defense is loaded, too Ohio State wasn’t impenetrable last season, but the Buckeyes were pretty darn good at slowing teams down. Opponents averaged just 5.0 yards per play, 3.9 per rush and converted just a third of a their third-down plays. Plus, the Buckeyes racked up 45 sacks and scored six defensive touchdowns. …
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