4. Ohio State Buckeyes
2018 record: 13-1, 8-1 Big Ten
Returning starters: Five offense, 10 defense, one special teams
Key losses: QB Dwayne Haskins Jr., DT Dre'Mont Jones, DE Nick Bosa, WR Parris Campbell Jr., WR Terry McLaurin, RB Mike Weber Jr., OT Isaiah Prince, G Malcolm Pridgeon, C Michael Jordan
Outlook: New Buckeyes coach Ryan Day couldn't have asked for a better scenario in replacing Urban Meyer, who retired after seven seasons and a 28-23 win over Washington in the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual. The Buckeyes might bring back 10 starters on defense after narrowly missing the CFP this past season.
Ohio State lost Haskins to the NFL draft, but landed Fields, the Georgia transfer who was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2018 ESPN 300. Fields is expected to appeal to the NCAA for immediately eligibility; he would battle rising sophomore Tate Martell for the starting job if a hardship waiver is granted.
The Buckeyes will have to replace three starting offensive linemen, and Campbell and McLaurin were two of their biggest weapons on the perimeter. Tailback J.K. Dobbins is coming back; Weber, who shared carries with him, has already announced he's forgoing his senior season.
The Buckeyes have a soft nonconference schedule in 2019 with home games against FAU, Cincinnati and Miami (Ohio). They'll play Big Ten foes Michigan State, Wisconsin and Penn State at the Horseshoe as well.
I’ll take it.
