No. 1 Ohio State
2014 record: 14-1, 8-0 Big Ten
Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense
2015 Outlook: There’s not much to be said about the reigning national champions that hasn’t already been said. The Buckeyes were the first-ever unanimous preseason No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll and have been at the top of every preseason poll published this season.
The biggest question heading into the 2015 campaign is which of Ohio State’s stellar quarterbacks will take the first snaps under center? With Braxton Miller moving to wide receiver, J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones have been splitting reps in practice.
Both players have said they’d rather have an entrenched starter instead of rotating reps, but coach Urban Meyer hasn’t ruled out a two or even three-quarterback system just yet.
Regardless of who starts at quarterback, the Ohio State offense might be one of the best in the country. It starts with running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was named the MVP of the national championship and rushed for 696 yards in three postseason games.
Whether Elliott will be able to continue his rushing dominance remains to be seen, but even if he can’t, the Buckeyes have other weapons in H-backs Curtis Samuel, Jalin Marshal and even Miller, and receiver Michael Thomas.
Continue Reading: No. 1 Ohio State: Buckeyes are poised to join elite club of repeat champions
