As anyone who follows Ohio State football knows, the Buckeyes are losing a lot of starters from last season's team to the NFL this year. In fact, they could break the all-time record for players drafted from one program in the same year (set by Ohio State a decade ago, incidentally). With only three starters returning on offense – and three on defense, a number of fans seem to have a rather pessimistic outlook toward the '16 season. But that may not be entirely justified.

Most followers of the sport would probably agree that even with a very inexperienced squad, the Buckeyes should be able to make it through the first two games on the '16 schedule without too much trouble. While Bowling Green had a good season by their standards in '15, they'll be breaking in a new head coach. Plus, they'll be replacing some key players from last year's team – including their starting quarterback.

Tulsa will have a little bit more of a stable foundation – but the Golden Hurricane really weren't that good to begin with. Very suspect defensively.

The simple truth is that neither team will have anything approaching the same level of talent on the field as Ohio State. One of the few things that could keep either game from being a complete blow-out might be the Buckeyes' general lack of experience. It's probably safe to say most objective observers would agree with that assessment.

On the other hand, it seems many people believe a loss in the third game, to Oklahoma, is practically a foregone conclusion. However, no matter what happens verses the Sooners, the outcomes of key games within the B1G East division will almost certainly carry more significance for the Buckeyes.

In the first two years of the College Football Play-off format, every participant has been a Power-5 conference champion. Obviously, the Ohio State vs Oklahoma game will have no bearing on that. While OU will certainly be a major game, the fact is, the Michigan State game will have more of a direct effect on the Buckeyes' championship hopes.

But like Oklahoma, the Spartans will be playing at home and they'll probably be fairly highly ranked when they square off with Ohio State. To make matters worse – the Buckeyes have lost two of their last three games against MSU. In fact, two of Ohio State's four losses since Urban Meyer's arrival as head coach have come to Michigan State.

Considering how inexperienced this year's team will be, revenge in East Lansing verses the defending B1G champions is far from assured. However, Michigan State is losing some experienced talent, too. They're not losing as much as Ohio State, of course. No Power-5 program is. But they are losing several key players at some critically important positions.

MSU is losing eleven starters from their 2015 team. Six of them were All B1G selections. Again, in raw numbers, that doesn't compare to Ohio State's losses - at least, not on the surface. But looking a little deeper, it's apparent the Spartans could have more difficulty than the Buckeyes filling their vacancies with the kind of talent they'd like.

Connor Cook, MSU's starting quarterback over the last few years, is off to the NFL. Coming out of their spring game, there is still a fair amount of uncertainty regarding his replacement. Right now, it appears red-shirt senior, Tyler O'Connor, is the front-runner, but he has not been named the starter even though he had a pretty good Spring Game. There's been a little buzz about the progress of Brian Lewerke. But Damien Terry and Messiah deWeaver remain in contention at QB as well.

Running back LJ Scott looks to be very solid and virtually unchallenged at running back.  Their depth should be OK, but nothing remarkable.

Michigan State is losing three starters from their 2015 offensive line, including a likely first round draft pick at tackle. Sound familiar? Unlike Ohio State, MSU's options for a replacement don't look so promising.

Junior, Dennis Finley, is expected to step in at tackle – but he's being pressed hard by a red-shirt freshman named Cole Chewins. The remarkable thing is that Chewins is “only” 6'7”- 265lbs. While it's somewhat unlikely Chewins will bump Finley, that's light for an offensive tackle at a major program. The idea that it's even a possibility says something about their depth at tackle. 

Imagine for a moment what Ohio State's defensive ends might do to an inexperienced tackle who's no bigger than they are. Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard could have an absolute field day.

The Spartans are returning two rather journeymen-like seniors at tight end. There are reports a red-shirt sophomore, Matt Sokol, is also in contention.

There's been some excitement about a few very young but talented wide receivers in East Lansing this Spring. Apparently, early enrollees, Donnie Corley and Cameron Chambers have really been tearing it up. They're saying red-shirt freshman, Darrell Stewart, has been coming along nicely as well.

That's important for MSU since they're losing two standout wide receivers in Aaron Burbridge and Macgarrett Kings Jr. 

By the way, if the name sounds familiar, Ohio State recruited Donnie Corley.  Hard.

Michigan State could have some major problems on the defensive line on '16. The lone returning starter, Malik McDowell is very good but it doesn't seem there will be much talent of note around him. Expect to see him moving around quite a bit in an effort to keep teams from constantly double-teaming him this season.

There's some promise from red-shirt freshman tackle, Raequan Williams - a fairly athletic 300 pounder. But it's plain to see they are really searching for answers on the line. Also, a couple of D-linemen they were counting on for depth suddenly left the program recently “for personal reasons”.

Compare that to Ohio State's situation on the defensive line. The starters for the opener are almost certain to be the same four who played most of the Fiesta Bowl together.  The depth, especially at end, should be solid as well.

The Spartans are returning two of three starters from a sound group of linebackers in '15. A Dantonio-coached team will always feature fine linebacker play. Any Buckeye with a sense if history should be aware of that.

Michigan State will be replacing a starter at corner and a starter at safety. Red-shirt sophomore,Vayante Copeland, appears to be the leading candidate at corner. And Drake Martinez (brother of Nebraska's Taylor Martinez) is the leading candidate at safety. They're saying Martinez may be the fastest player on the team, incidentally.

Like the Buckeyes, MSU will be replacing their long-snapper - and returning their punter and their place-kicker.

Having finished off their season with two impressive wins, the Buckeyes will be starting 2016 on a bit of a roll. Conversely, Michigan State is coming off a devastating, 38-0 loss to Alabama in their appearance in last season's college football play-off. In spite of the new faces, it's not unreasonable to think there could be some lingering effects - in either case  -