Ohio State is the only team I can think of where players are actually opting back in!!!!  This isn't happening anywhere else!!!

This guy could be that diamond everyone dismisses early on but shows bright in the end.  Hope he takes a page out of JK's book where he used all the doubters as fuel and he wound up having a monster season.  Hope he's able to contribute this year!

If Justin Fields can replicate  what he accomplished last season then yes...you could make a strong argument that he is the best.  

Right now, he's just in the conversation.  Justin Fields is among the best QB's in OSU history.

I didn't realize Cade Stover made the switch to TE.  I just hope he doesn't get lost in the shuffle of position changes!  I had envisioned him like Sam Hubbard.  Let's hope he is able to have some success with the Buckeyes.

He may want a Naty...but he's done so much for Ohio State...It's time he went to the next level and make that money!  Definitely is one of the all time great Buckeyes!!

I know Wade is not coming back...kinda wish he would though.

While I love JK and his performance on the field this season.... I think it's best for him to go pro. Running backs have a short shelf life anyway.  Dobbins is a a physical runner.  He's done everything he needs to showcase his abilities.   

The only caveat to this is if the Buckeyes are unsuccessful Saturday...he may want to come back and finish his career with a national championship.

I think there's going to be a lot of individual battles that could shape this game.

1. Can Thayer Mumford hold up at LT?

2. Can Tuff Borland keep up with Travis Etienne?

3.  Can someone outside of Chase Young consistently apply pressure on the QB?

4. Can our TE's make plays in the passing game?

Stroud winning the Elite 11 after being an after thought to many is impressive. I see no advantages for either guy.  Both will benefit greatly from 1. playing behind Justin Fields for a year. 2. Receive top notch coaching from Ryan Day.  

I also see the loser of the battle transferring...That's just the way it is in college football these days.

Go Bucks!!!

On top of LSU winning most of the awards JK Dobbins didn't make 1st team Walter Camp AA team, nor the Doak Walker award...It will definitely fuel JK going into the playoffs!!!!  Go Bucks!!!

I do like it that virtually all of the national pundits are picking Clemson to win the game.  In that regard it is reminiscent to what the Buckeyes faced heading into the national title game against Miami or in 2014 against Alabama.

It's time to shock the world again!!!! Go Bucks!!!

Agree I'd rather play Clemson first but my rationale is a bit different.  I do believe Clemson is the toughest of the 3 possible opponents, however, it's similar to the way it was in 2014 when Alabama was the toughest opponent for the Buckeyes.  I really want them to beat the best right off the bat.  If they can beat Clemson, we know they can win it all. Plus...we REALLY do own them an L, preferably a beatdown...however, I don't think that's going to happen.

A final with Burrow and LSU would be huge!   

I just think it's important to beat Dabo and his crew 1st so we can make them put some respek on our name!!! Much sweeter to beat a team that doesn't really respect you or your team.

Go Bucks!!!

I agree.  I thought it worked well for the Buckeyes in 2014 playing Alabama first.  Plus, Ohio State should REALLY want to play Clemson given the history of the two programs in the past.

FYI....speaking of Harbaugh news...on ESPN's Get Up show resident football genius Rex Ryan said Clemson would beat Ohio State the same way the Buckeyes always beat Michigan because of their talent disparity.  I understand Clemson is talented but more talented in 2019 than THIS Ohio State team?!!! I don't think so.

As others have mentioned cut down on the turnovers and the Buckeyes win comfortably.  However, you can't expect the weather to cooperate this time of year. If the Buckeyes look solid in winning they should regain the top spot in the playoff rankings. 

1. OSU (Simply the best team in college football)
2. LSU (Has the best victories in college football)
3. Clemson
4. Georgia
5. Alabama (would probably beat everyone below them)
6. Minnesota (better than I gave them credit for...not sure they're really 6 though)
7. Oregon
8. Oklahoma
9. Penn State
10. Baylor

Jonathan Taylor is a great back...however, this has to add fuel to JK Dobbins fire.  JK is going to run like a man on a mission next week.  I have a sneaky suspicion that the Ohio State D is going to want to make sure that JK has the best numbers of the two backs next week.  Go Bucks!!!

It probably is a bit nitpicking to point out Borland's weaknesses in a game where the team dominated on both sides of the ball...however, it does appear for whatever strengths he brings to the team (toughness, leadership, getting D in the right position), his individual play does appear to be a weak spot in the defense.  It's not really as much that he's not playing well but his teammates have raised their level of play much higher than Borland has from last year to this year and I think it shows on the field. Tuf indeed makes plays unfortunately it's pretty obvious when he doesn't.  It's not a knock on Borland but, Browning is clearly better and so is Harrison and Werner.

I'd like to see Ohio State average 200-250 yards passing and 200-250 yards rushing every game with Dobbins getting about 1,400-1,500 yards rushing.

This would make for a versatile offense that can pound with Fields and Dobbins or burn teams with the passing game when defenses stack the box.

I look for Dobbins to have a big year.  The ability for Fields to run the read/option should give Dobbins more opportunities to make big plays running the ball this year...unlike last season where defenses could more easily key on him.

Hope it goes well for Baldwin.

As for Fields this could be a blessing in disguise for him.  Like Haskins last year, he will get all the first team reps which should speed his development under Day's system.  I have faith that Day will modify his offense where Fields can be successful.

I know this was back in HS but I was impressed with Fields' Elite 11 video where he outplayed Trevor Lawrence.  It shows you what he's capable of doing.  Again, I have faith in Ryan Day's ability to develop QB's.  Go Bucks!!!

A big part in the majority of Ohio State's players' calculus in deciding to play at here is to help to be prepared to play at the next level.  If you can compete and succeed at a place like Ohio State that improves your chances to play in the NFL.  If Ohio State wants to continue to be the type of program that plays at the level of the Alabama's, Clemson's, Oklahoma's and Georgia's of the college football world then it has to be open to going after guys like Justin Fields.  It might not be fair to guys like Baldwin but, it's the reality of college football at the highest level currently.  Additionally, getting back to my original point, making an NFL squad is highly competitive and if your goal is to play there schools like OSU and the others I mentioned before are where you best experience what it's going to be like.

I know for a fact that Kalil Branham, a top 5 recruit in Ohio has decommitted from the school up north. At this point it looks as if he's looking at SEC schools at the moment.  I know the family hasn't had a lot of love for the Buckeyes...I just wonder with a guy like Al Washington on staff and a position coach like Brian Hartline on staff, there might be a prospect for change...the kid is talented.