SKULL SESSION: HOW OHIO STATE CAN WIN THE TITLE
IF...
"What does my team need to do to win a national title this season?" is without doubt the simplest, most universal offseason question a fan ponders during the offseason.
And I have to tip the cap, because ESPN did the glaringly obvious thing and turned that question into #content during the driest of times.
Here's what they came up with for The Local Team.
If ... [insert QB battle royal winner] is ready. It's a common theme: While more FBS teams than normal return their starting QBs in 2021, last year's four CFP teams don't.
Just like Alabama and Clemson, Ohio State has its choice of blue-chippers for replacing star Justin Fields. C.J. Stroud (No. 2 pocket passer in the 2020 recruiting class) appeared to be the top dog in spring ball, yet Kyle McCord (No. 5 in 2021) and Jack Miller III (No. 14 in 2020) weren't far behind. Whoever wins the job will likely play at a high level, but how quickly? With a trip to Minnesota and a visit from Oregon in the first two weeks, the Buckeyes could be vulnerable if their QB play is less than immediately excellent.
If ... Kerry Coombs adjusts. Like many first-year coordinators, Coombs struggled with all of the covid uncertainty and less in-person prep time in 2020. He deployed quite a bit of soft zone coverage, either because his personnel couldn't play the tight man coverage Ohio State is accustomed to or because he just didn't want to. Either way, five of eight opponents posted a passer rating over 145. (No opponents topped 140 in 2019.)
Corners Sevyn Banks and Marcus Williamson are back, and youngsters Ryan Watts and Lejond Cavazos (plus a couple of star freshmen) could play roles. Coombs spoke of more aggression this spring, but Ohio State's coverage needs to be both more aggressive and better.
If ... the pass rush hits fifth gear again. The Ohio State pass rush was still good in 2020 -- the Buckeyes ranked fifth in pressure rate, and the top three ends (Jonathon Cooper, Tyreke Smith and Zach Harrison) were credited with 37 forced incompletions and interceptions. But they ranked just 66th in actual sack rate and 79th in havoc rate (TFLs, passes defensed and forced fumbles per play). Smith and Harrison are back, and the latest star recruit, Jack Sawyer, is on the way. Time to dominate again.
Entire article:
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/skul...of-michigan-football-and-a-top-five-pick-in-a