Ohio State enters the 2015 season as the favorite to win the national championship once more and for good reason.
The Buckeyes return 15 starters from a team that was dominant down the stretch despite being forced to use its third-string quarterback in the Big Ten championship and the College Football Playoff.
Head coach Urban Meyer sports a ridiculous 38-3 in three seasons in Columbus, and this year’s team is looking like his best yet. Quarterbacks J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones and Heisman Trophy front-runner Ezekiel Elliott return on offense, while possible future No.1 overall NFL draft pick Joey Bosa is back to lead the defense.
Ohio State is not perfect, and there will be some challenges to repeat as the team replaces some key players while getting by some tough opponents.
Here is a look at three concerning hurdles the Buckeyes must overcome to remain atop the college football universe.
Defensive Line Depth Issues
Ohio State’s defense impressed last season, especially in the final three games.
The unit was strong and disruptive up front while displaying plenty of speed and playmaking ability throughout the linebacker and defensive back groups.
The defense finished 29th nationally in total yards in 2014, but the strength of the unit was pass defense. Ohio State racked up 45 sacks, seventh in the nation, and 25 interceptions, second most in the country.
The run defense was a slightly different…
Continue Reading: Biggest Obstacles to Ohio State Buckeyes Repeating as National Champions
