Ohio State's offense may look significantly different in 2016 than it did in 2015 - for a variety of reasons.  Some obvious - and perhaps, some not so obvious.  It's a tough schedule - so the statistics may not necessarily go through the roof - but the Buckeyes could potentially have a very explosive offense in '16. 

Clearly, there won't be a Cardale Jones-quarterbacked offense the first half of the season. The absence of Zeke will affect the running game to at least, some degree.  Every starting receiver will be new (as a starter).  And 3/5 of the starting offensive line will be new.  So much for the painfully obvious stuff.   

As much as possible - try to think a little less about the changes in personnel for a moment - and focus more on offensive philosophy.  While, at the same time - acknowledging at least some part of that change in philosophy may, in fact, be personnel-driven. 

By many accounts, the offense for the last two games of the '15 season may have provided a glimpse of how Ohio State's offense will look in '16.  Urban Meyer has said repeatedly that the offense will be more balanced (between the run and the pass).  He has also indicated he will go with an up-tempo approach more often in '16.   

Considering quarterback, JT Barrett's value - especially, to such an inexperienced team, one has to wonder how often Meyer will want him running the ball.  It seems unlikely the read-option will continue to be as integral to the offense as it has been in the past.  So, what will take it's place besides a few more passes per game? 

While, as mentioned above, there will certainly be an increased number of passing plays called - there will still be considerably more running plays than passing plays throughout the course of a given Meyer-coached game. 

Since it appears there will be more returning experience at H-back than at any skill position other than QB - it's probably a safe bet there will be an emphasis in that area no matter who actually ends up playing the position most often. 

Along those lines, there could be more misdirection (counter action, reverses, etc.) than usual with an experienced QB and an experienced H-back in the line-up.  Not to mention even more attempts to capitalize on the advantages the Buckeyes will have athletically at the perimeter over every opponent they'll face.  These tactics could also help to compensate for an inexperienced offensive line in the early going. 

Of course, no discussion of this nature would be complete without considering what many think will be an increased role in the passing game for the tight end(s) this year - as targets!  

In the Spring Game, Barrett connected with his tight end, Marcus Baugh, seven times in one half of play.  Historically, it's not wise to read too much in to a Spring Game performance - but it's at least worthy of note.  Plus, offensive coordinator, Ed Warinner, is also the tight ends position coach this year. 

A reliable short passing game to the H-backs and the tight ends could do a lot to take the pressure off an offense with a raw o-line that won't include the real threat of a running quarterback nearly as often as it has in the past. 

A little side note here.  In this season's biggest games, there is little doubt Meyer will unleash Barrett as more of a runner than he might verses the likes of - oh, say - Tulsa, for instance. 

Much like Deshaun Watson did against Oklahoma at the end of last season, expect to see JT Barrett running wild verses the Sooners in week three - while also hitting some big pass plays as they over-compensate.  The same kind of thing could probably be said for Michigan State, Michigan and Wisconsin, for that matter.  And possibly a few others as need be. 

Naturally, Ohio State's running back(s) will continue to be one of the key cogs in the machine.  But the position may become more a part of an over-all balanced approach than it was during Zeke's tenure.  While it's probably going to be "running back by committee" at least at first, the total numbers for the position shouldn't dip too dramatically, though. 

Every starting receiver from last year's offense is currently on an NFL roster, but the passing numbers should actually improve this season - possibly dramatically.  Ohio State finished last season ranked 100th in the FBS in passing.  It wouldn't take much to improve from there. 

Meyer should finally have that two-deep rotation he's been wanting at wide receiver and H-back since his arrival at OSU.  He'll even have a little more experience returning than a lot of the "experts" seem to think. 

Neither likely starting H-back (Curtis Samuel or Dontre Wilson) really seems all that "new", do they?  And Marcus Baugh played quite a bit in the two tight end sets the Buckeyes often ran last year. 

Corey Smith will be back from injury and he actually has started several times in the past at wide receiver.  Parris Campbell started a couple of games before his injury last season, also. 

And while technically, he hasn't played a whole lot yet - everyone's eagerly awaiting the return of Noah Brown.   For that matter, other than one drop (which really would have been a pretty fine catch, had he made it) Terry McLaurin had a fine Spring Game. 

Of course, the young talent is apparently bursting at the seams.  KJ Hill, Torance Gibson and Austin Mack come immediately to mind. 

The thing is - none of these receivers has to set the world on fire individually.  Provided he has the time, Barrett's going to get them the ball.  They just have to get to the right place at the right time - which can often be surprisingly difficult for an inexperienced receiver.  The pressure will really be on receivers coach, Zach Smith, to have his guys ready this season. 

Speaking of pressure - Greg Studrawa will be taking over as the position coach for the offensive line - and he'll be reporting directly to the fellow who's done so well as the proverbial "Slob whisperer" the last four years. 

In spite of the fact there will be three new faces on the staring o-line, any percieved drop-off in performance will probably be blamed almost entirely on Studrawa - whether he really deserves it or not.  Just ask Tim Beck.  The Buckeyes have recruited very well, though.  With veterans Pat Elflein and Billy Price leading the way, the o-line should OK. 

For a variety of reasons, the offense will probably look much different than it did most of last season.  For those who followed the team closely, that's a good thing.  The defense led the '15 squad to it's 12-1 record - not the offense.  In fact, the offense was down statistically from the previous year in nearly every category - while the defense was up.  

So - expect to see the offense operating at a quicker pace for the most part.  There should be, at least, a bit more passing in general - with the H-backs and the tight ends benefitting from it the most.  The running game should see less from the quarterback - and more from the H-back - along with more misdirection as well.  

But that's just one old Buckeye's opinion -