2015 College Football Preview: Can Anyone Stop Ohio State?
The Ohio State Buckeyes were counted out after losing to Virginia Tech at home early in the season. In fact many counted them out before that when starting quarterback Braxton Miller went down for the year with an injury. Backup quarterback J.T. Barrett looked terrible in the Virginia Tech game and all looked lost in Columbus.
That was OK though. That is because 2015 was supposed to be the Bucks year anyway. They were young and inexperienced so 2014 was for learning and getting ready to make a title run in 2015. Funny thing though, Barrett played much better after the Tech game and the Bucks began winning. Every week they won. Every week they listened and watch people on TV tell them why they weren’t good enough. Then they won again.
Many felt the Bucks should not have been included in the first ever four-team playoffs. This was especially true when Barrett went down in the win over Michigan the last regular season weekend. A lot of people liked TCU more than the Buckeyes. Ohio State just kept winning. They embarrassed Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game with third string QB Cardale Jones. Nobody thought they would beat mighty Alabama. But after getting behind early, Jones kept his composure and with the help of a great game from running back Ezekiel Elliott, they upset the Tide.
Then it was time for the high-powered Oregon Ducks who blew out the defending Champion Florida State Seminoles the week before. But again the Bucks silenced all the critics with a National Championship.
Now the Bucks will have a new challenge. Can they win when EVERYONE likes them to win? We know they have the talent. In fact, they may have too much talent. They will go into the season with three quarterbacks who all feel they should start. This has been known to divide some teams. Will it be a divisive issue with Ohio State? That will only happen if they struggle on offense. If they do, then some will want a change.
If the Buckeyes stumble, who will be there to take advantage? Most folks will automatically look to the SEC for the answer. And why not? Winning the SEC many times puts you in the National Championship Game. Now of course, it puts you in the semifinals, but still in the picture.
So who will be the team to beat in the SEC? Our friends at Bonusmob.com will keep an eye on the SEC throughout the season to try and answer the question. (visit them to learn how to claim a casino bonus online). Alabama is going to be right there as they always are. They continue to dominate under Nick Saban. As long as he is the coach, they will be in he running. But a lot of folks like their arch-rivals, the Auburn Tigers, to be the SEC champs this year. Under Gus Mahlzahn, Auburn has always shown the ability to score points. They sometimes have trouble stopping people. Enter Will Muschamp. Defense was not his problem during a failed tenure as Florida’s head coach. They just stunk on offense. With those two on the same sideline, look out. Plus, the Iron Bowl is at their house this year.
So our “way too early” pick to play for the National Championship this year is Auburn vs Ohio State. We like the Tigers to win it.
