Logging predictions for the fast-approaching football season in hopes of proving to your friends how smart you are is as old as the game itself.
For most of us, every correct prediction (that isn't an obvious layup) comes with a handful of others that are proven wrong which we subsequently bury into our archives while trumpeting to anyone who will listen about how right we were about those 10 percent of guesses that actually came to fruition.
Despite a bevy of talent in Urban Meyer's stable, the sheer number of question marks surrounding who will even start at so many positions makes this year's exercise even more of a lottery than usual.
With that, here's some bold flavors from yours truly. Feel free to offer up your own in the comments and be sure to bookmark for January so we can see just how wrong we were way back before fall camp got underway.
MIKE WEBER WILL FALL SHORT of 1,000 RUSHING YARDS
For some of you this may not seem so bold but while it wouldn't surprise me if Weber did eclipse the 1,000 rushing yard barrier, if I had to bet $100 on it today, I'd take the under.
To be clear, this has nothing to do with Weber's talent. Obviously, none of us has seen him in live game action but I've heard enough from people I trust, not to mention the comments from Meyer himself, to believe Weber has the ability to go for a grand and then some.
That said, there's enough potential chips stacked against him to surmise there's a greater chance he'll far short of 1,000 than exceed it.
First, despite the reality he has worked incredibly hard evolving his body into a frame built to withstand a season of collegiate hits, there's not yet evidence he can shrug off the pounding required to churn out that kind of yardage in his first season playing elite level football. Even if he does show the toughness we all think he has, what's to say Meyer won't massage his carries with an eye on keeping him fresh for the back half of a grueling season featuring Michigan State and Michigan to round out league action?
Second, it is my belief even before Bri'onte Dunn was shown the door the plan was for Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson (and maybe even Demario McCall) to see a sizable chunk of rushing touches – a likelihood which was recently validated by Meyer himself.
Finally, Meyer loves to run his quarterback especially when it's someone he trusts as much as Barrett and I wonder if Meyer won't be able to keep himself from falling into the habit of leaning on his quarterback to do more than might actually be necessary.
The bonus of this whole thing is that I was also on the fence about Ezekiel Elliott being able to be a bell cow in 2014 and we see how that worked out.
OHIO STATE'S SECOND-LEADING TACKLER WILL BE...
As Eric highlighted yesterday, the defense has a ton of open starting spots that won't be filled until the end of camp and some will likely be fluid as the season progresses.
As such, while it's obvious Raekwon McMillan will lead the team in tackles barring injury, who will be the second-most prolific tackler is a bit of a crapshoot.
Though even his starting spot isn't necessarily a stone cold lock, I'm taking Dante Booker to be the guy behind McMillan in tackles when all is said and done.
Like any defense, Ohio State's depends on the linebackers to be the key guys making the bulk of the stops with help from the best safety so this prediction is based on that logic but also the fact I expect Booker to be the breakout star among the Silver Bullets not named Sam Hubbard – more on him in a second.
There is also a very real possibility that Chris Worley and Jerome Baker split time at the walkout linebacker spot which will temper their individual production and even if Malik Hooker is the best safety, to think he'll turn in Vonn Bell-type season from a tackling standpoint feels like a pretty big stretch.
So, with that, pencil in Booker for in the neighborhood of 85 tackles to finish at least 25 behind McMillan but still in the two-hole.
SAM HUBBARD GOES FOR AT LEAST 10 SACKS
While many fans are understandably consumed with Nick Bosa-mania, the reality is that the Buckeyes sport two extremely legit defensive ends already in Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis.
Lewis racked up 8.0 sacks a year ago but more impressively, Hubbard tallied 6.5 sacks despite limited playing time thanks to the presence of Lewis and more obviously, Joey Bosa.
So, while the younger Bosa's progression during camp will be a huge story, my expectation is Hubbard somewhat quietly goes on to put up at least 10 sacks which would be a single-season top 10 effort in school history while Nick fills the exact same role Hubbard played last year – coming in as a pass rush specialist lining up inside on obvious passing downs, with rotational/spot duty to keep Hubbard and Lewis fresh.
Hubbard should make a run at All-American honors and is a no-doubt All-B1G performer waiting to happen.
THE MOST IMPACTFUL TRUE FRESHMAN WILL BE...
Every year we fans get all amped up and create wild expectations for true freshmen that more often than not don't come close to reality.
This year could prove to be no different however with so many open spots, and so many unproven guys vying for those spots, you can probably make a case stronger than usual for a true freshman to be a legit impact player.
There's no shortage of candidates this season with Michael Jordan heading into fall camp as the man to beat at left guard, Austin Mack turning heads since his early arrival at wide receiver, Bosa entering camp healthy and versatile enough to make a bid for time at multiple spots along the defensive front and Demario McCall's sheer speed and elusiveness causing many to drool at what he'll become down the line.
I want to pick McCall so bad I can taste it but despite his incredible speed and elusiveness, the likely reality is he'll fall victim to the depth of Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson in front of him at the H-back spot, causing him to see limited offensive touches. That said, I do expect McCall to make a name for himself on kickoff returns and he might even get a few punt returns as Dontre's backup but not enough to be the most impactful true frosh.
Jordan could easily be that guy and I expect him to be at least a rotational guy on the line in the event he doesn't lock down the starting left guard spot but picking an offensive lineman here doesn't seem like much fun.
As for Mack, he's a star in the making but with all the depth at wide receiver, it's less certain he rises to the top so quickly.
That leaves Bosa as probably the easiest choice as the most impactful true freshman. As touched on above, despite the fact Hubbard and Lewis should see the bulk of snaps at defensive end, Bosa should qualify as a rotational guy and with the interior of the defensive line void of returning studs, Bosa will have ample opportunity to display his versatility and line up inside especially in obvious passing situations. Couple that with having Hubbard and Lewis for offensive lines to account for and Bosa could be in prime position to leap onto the scene.
WILL OHIO STATE MAKE THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF?
In a word, yes.
I've heard at least one very knowledgeable program insider project as many as four losses for this year's Buckeyes but my guess is by midseason this young team is going to be a juggernaut.
A loss at Oklahoma wouldn't surprise me in the least but a loss after with the kind of talent and coaching staff Meyer has in place surely would.
The roadie in Madison at the midway point of the regular season would normally scare me a little but with the young Buckeyes having already made a trip to Norman by then, I'm less worried. Then it's all about going to East Lansing and winning despite the fact a battle with what should be a highly-ranked Michigan team will loom just seven days later.
I know Dantonio's mark against Meyer stands at 2-2 which is damn impressive but I don't see a scenario where Urban ends up with a losing record against him at any point during either's existence. Same for Harbaugh especially with round two in Columbus.
Predicting the Buckeyes to go 12-1 through the B1G championship game, they'd obviously be a playoff lock then we'll see what happens from there.
