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Ohio State Buckeyes 2014 NCAA Football Gambling Odds & Predictions

2014-15 Football Previews – (Big 10) – Buckeyes

Ohio State started last year 12-0 before losing their last two games of the season to Michigan State and Clemson. For a team with such lofty expectations, even a 12 win season felt like a bit of a disappointment.

Big Ten 2014-2015 College Football Preview – Ohio State Buckeyes (Link)
Head Coach: Urban Meyer
2013 Record: 12-2
Ohio State Odds to win the National Championship: +1,300
Season Win Total: 10.5

Ohio State and Urban Meyer definitely aren’t used to losing two games in a row, and losing them at the end of the season was particularly disheartening.

Ohio State returns a very talented team led by senior quarterback Braxton Miller. The defense is still a question mark, but they should certainly be better than last season. The Buckeyes schedule looks relatively easy, outside of their trip to East Lansing to take on the Spartans.

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There are plenty of spots where the Buckeyes could lose, but there’s no doubt that Ohio State has chance to be a contender in the race for the four playoff spots.

Team Strengths:

You have to start with Braxton Miller here. He is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, and he has matured in a big way in the last couple seasons. Miller is a much better passer than he was when he showed up in Columbus. He can still use his feet when needed, but I expect to see less designed runs this year.

Ohio State doesn’t have much depth behind him, so Miller really needs to stay healthy. Miller is one of the nation’s most electrifying players.

Ohio State’s defensive line is one of the best in the country. Joey Bosa is a freak of an athlete packed into a 6’5 285 pound frame. I expect him to pile up the sacks this year and make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. NFL scouts are extremely high on defensive tackle Michael Bennett. He’s a great run stuffer.

Adolphus Washington and Noah Spence are also high quality players. The Buckeyes have great depth on the defensive front as well. This group should be excellent in 2014.
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Ohio State has had some issues at the wide receiver spot in the past few years, but this is the Buckeyes best group of receivers in several seasons. Look for big things from Dontre Wilson, who is one of Meyer’s favorite players on the team.

Corey Smith and Devin Smith will be the other starters, but keep an eye on Michael Thomas who was redshirted last year and Jeff Greene who was Georgia Tech’s best receiver in 2012 before transferring to Ohio State.

Team Weaknesses:

As good as Ohio State should be, the Buckeyes do have two glaring weaknesses. The first is on the offensive line. The offensive line was Ohio State’s best in many years last year, but they instantly turn into a question mark as they lose four of five starters from a year ago.

Alabama transfer Chad Lindsay should be solid at the center spot, but the two guard spots are major concerns.

Ohio State’s secondary was awful a year ago. The Buckeyes might have been undefeated and playing in the BCS Championship game last year if it weren’t for their awful play against Michigan State. They followed that up with another terrible performance against Clemson.

Those weren’t the only bad games for this group. I do expect them to be better this year, but how quickly do they improve? Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell must be good at the safety spots, but they are inexperienced. Doran Grant is a quality corner, but the other corner spot is a question mark.

2014-2015 Ohio State  Football Prediction: 12-2

I’m calling for another 12-2 season from Ohio State. As a Buckeyes fan myself, I hope the Buckeyes get into the four-team playoff, but I’m a little skeptical.

The offensive line and secondary are two big question marks, and there isn’t any depth behind Braxton Miller.

This is definitely a top ten team, but are they top four?

OSU Football Schedule

  • 8/30/14 12:00 PM ET @NAVY
  • 9/6/14 8:00 PM ET VT
  • 9/13/14 TBD KENT
  • 9/27/14 6:00 PM ET CIN
  • 10/4/14 TBD @MD
  • 10/18/14 3:30 PM ET RUTG
  • 10/25/14 8:00 PM ET @PSU
  • 11/1/14 8:00 PM ET ILL
  • 11/8/14 TBD @MSU
  • 11/15/14 TBD @MINN
  • 11/22/14 TBD IND
  • 11/29/14 TBD MICH

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By Kyle Hunter

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