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Northwestern

honestly, thought you guys were pretty good last year. took us to wire and had some injury bad luck. got a lot returning, including one of those all powerful qb's that's all the rage nowadays.

also, don't tell anyone, but this also makes it convenient if we lose to y'all early while still sorting out stuff, including qb. kind of a built in excuse, and when we get stuff sorted later on we deserve a rematch in cfp. and if we win, well we just beat the might #1 texas.

genuinely do think you'll be contender this year though. makes me quite nervous for our early game.

last year we lost a bunch of games that were very close

it just depends on winning the close ones this year

our defense is the key this year

just have to wait and see

that was said about UNL last season

improved from 3 wins to 4
thanks to Brian

Vis-a-vis my own team:
Ohio State's offense was great last year. They were:

• 9th in the country in YPG at 490.7. That was first in the B1G by more than 30 YPG.
• 14th in the country in passing YPG at 298.3. That was first in the B1G by 20 yards.
• They were third in the B1G in rushing YPG although I don't think they were really all that good at it. Their high relative ranking was, IMHO, mostly the result of teams having to defend tOSU's passing attack and of tOSU frequently running to kill clock while holding a large lead.

Those are very good numbers but I honestly expected a lot more. 

First, Ohio State's passing attack in 2022:


Ohio State's top three of Harrison, Egbuka, Fleming was arguably the best in the country but the expected top three of JSN, Harrison, Egbuka would have been the absolute best WR Corps ever. 

Ohio State's rushing attack:
I expected Henderson to have a major breakout year but he barely played after early October. 

I expected Williams to be a capable backup and, initially, he stepped in and kept things on track but by the last two games his injuries limited him to just 42 yards on 11 carries.

By the time Ohio State got to the last two games (the two losses), the "feature" back was a recently converted LBer. I think that facilitated both the Wolverines and Bulldogs ability to focus on slowing down Ohio State's passing attack which, by that point, was the only serious threat. 

Injuries are part of the game. Everyone suffers them. I don't mean this post as excuses or crying over spilled milk. From my perspective it is simply a what could have been. 

Last year's tOSU offense with full-strength versions of JSN and Henderson is just scary to think about. 

What I expect this year:

• The running game should be much better. 
• The passing game will have one of the best WR Corps in the country so if the young QB's look anything like their STARS say they should, the Buckeyes will be solid there.
• The defense improved substantially from 2021 to 2022 and I expect further improvement in 2023. 

Add it all up and I think that the team as a whole should be as good or better than last year. Last year's strength (the passing game) may slip but the team should be more balanced with a better running game and a better defense. 

Then I get to the hard part:
Looking at what I said above and the CFP Game where tOSU took a VERY good NC Georgia to the wire . . . I'd predict NC or at least a CFPCG appearance. 

Looking at what I said above and THE GAME where Ohio State just looked dazed . . . I don't think there is enough improvement to beat the Wolverines in their house.

Very logical.  I try the same approach, perhaps with some attention to the OL coming back, and how much the newbies played last season.  I view the OL as a "team" within the team, they have to play together well, understand assignments, etc.  (This is true for LBs and safeties of course.)

A QB who has been in the program 2-3 years and has some spot PT doesn't scare me as much as a transfer or frosh.  The Dawgs have a new OC who many say is going to "air it out" more than Moncken.

I would note that the "Alabama strategy" which so many have adopted where possible is to play so many on defense that you aren't hurt by departures, you have near starters who didn't start but played a lot coming back, and your newbies are highly regarded recruits.