The Ohio State Buckeyes just missed out on the College Football Playoff this year. The Buckeyes lost just one game, but it cost them a shot at a Big Ten title and prevented OSU from having a chance at repeating this season. Ohio State loses several key players to the NFL this season, but there is still plenty of a talent and a coach in Urban Meyer who will get the most out of it. Here's how the Buckeyes rank in the way-too-early top 25 polls published by major publications:
Chat Sports
Ranking: 6
Breakdown: "Make no mistake, the Buckeyes lose a TON of talent. But Urban Meyer has recruited as well as any coach since arriving in Columbus and there’s plenty of talent ready to fill-in. For the first time in a long time, Meyer might actually get to use the underdog card. The Buckeyes are going to be a serious threat once again."
USA Today
Ranking: 6
Breakdown: "The Buckeyes’ superb recruiting efforts will come in handy for a team set for fairly substantial changes on both sides of the ball. With no unit totally immune from an overhaul, Ohio State will lean on quarterback J.T. Barrett, right guard Pat Elflein, linebacker Raekwon McMillan and defensive end Sam Hubbard to help blend new contributors into the starting lineup."
ESPN
Ranking: 12
Breakdown: "After coming up short in its quest to win back-to-back national championships, Ohio State is going to have major reloading jobs on both sides of the ball. In fact, the Buckeyes might actually take a step back for the first time under coach Urban Meyer. At least nine juniors -- including star tailback Elliott, defensive end Bosa and backup quarterback Cardale Jones -- have announced they're leaving early for the NFL draft. The Buckeyes will play a difficult road schedule, including a nonconference game at Oklahoma and trips to Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State."
CBS
Ranking: 5
Breakdown: "Urban Meyer has lost four games in four years in Columbus. A rebuilt secondary and offensive line will make it tough to get back to the top of the Big Ten. There are games at Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Michigan State. That's a big ask. But if anybody can do it, it's Meyer."
Sports Illustrated
Ranking: 4
Breakdown: "Ohio State was astonishingly lucky to not lose a single player early to the NFL draft last season after winning the national championship. That was largely due to how much of the talent still wasn’t even eligible for last year’s draft, a perk that has caught up with the Buckeyes after this season. Nine Ohio State players are leaving early for the NFL, including star defensive end Joey Bosa, running back Ezekiel Elliott, linebacker Darron Lee and safety Vonn Bell. The Buckeyes will also lose left tackle Taylor Decker and linebacker Joshua Perry to graduation, among others.
"Despite the abundance of key departures, expect Urban Meyer to still have Ohio State competing for a Big Ten title and a playoff berth. Meyer has recruited almost as well as Saban has, bringing in the eighth (2015), fifth (’14), first (’13) and third (’12) recruiting classes, according to Scout.com. Those last two classes are still not draft eligible, forcing playmakers like quarterback J.T. Barrett and linebacker Raekwon McMillan to stay in Columbus. With no QB drama this off-season, Barrett can enter Week 1 poised to lead the Buckeyes offense and take snaps from returning All-Big Ten honoree Pat Elflein, who is set to slide from guard to center. Defensive end Tyquan Lewis will be back after topping Bosa in sacks this season (eight to Bosa’s five, though that was undoubtedly due to the attention Bosa drew from opposing offensive lines)."
FOX
Ranking: 14
Breakdown: "After losing a staggering nine underclassmen to the NFL, Ohio State will return just six starters. QB J.T. Barrett could struggle early as the Buckeyes rebuild their O-line and receiving corps. LB Raekwon McMillan will anchor the defense, while DEs Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard and LB Chris Worley emerge as the next wave of stars."
Bleacher Report
Ranking: 8
Breakdown: "One of the few returning starters, quarterback J.T. Barrett is arguably their most valuable player on the offensive side of the ball and should be able to make the Buckeyes Big Ten contenders once again.
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan and cornerback Gareon Conley will be the leaders of a defense seeking eight new starters.
One of those new starters on defense will be Sam Hubbard, who primarily took the field as a situational pass-rusher in 2015. According to CFB Film Room, Hubbard generated 14 quarterback pressures during the regular season.
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