Enemy Dispatch #13: Land Grant Holy Land Previews Ohio State

In preparation of the Big Ten’s return to the field, the B1G blogs got together and previewed our own teams. Each blog answered the same questions with the goal of informing the other B1G communities about what to watch for on the field.

My plan for these enemy previews is to share them in order of who Minnesota plays, with a summary of the remaining Big Ten teams at the end (since we don’t know who among the remaining East division teams we might see on Championship Saturday during the #BigTenBonusRound).

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Which enemy are we learning about this time?

Ohio State. If the Gophers see Ohio State in Week 9 it’s a good bet they’re in Indianapolis. Tia Johnston of Land Grant Holy Land tells us more about the Buckeyes.

List your team’s key departures (name, position, role)

• Chase Young (DE)
• Jeff Okudah (CB)
• JK Dobbins (RB)
• Damon Arnette (CB)
• Jordan Fuller (S)

List your team’s key returnees (name, position, role)

• Justin Fields (QB)
• Shaun Wade (CB)
• Wyatt Davis (G)
• Chris Olave (WR)
• Zach Harrison (DE)

List a few true freshmen or transfers that will make an instant impact (name, position, role)

• Trey Sermon (RB)
• Julian Fleming (WR)
• Gee Scott Jr. (WR)
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR)

Obviously all three WRs won’t make an “instant” impact but the hype surrounding them is pretty much equal.

Brief overview of 2020 team (a couple paragraphs about expectations, how you think they’ll perform):

This team is expected to be just as good if not better than last year’s, especially with the chip on their shoulder from the Clemson loss. Justin Fields has “improved” and his offensive line is the best Ohio State has ever seen. His receiving unit is also stacked. Trey Sermon will likely not replicate Dobbins’ output, but he’s expected to be a productive back. Shaun Wade’s return is a massive plus for an otherwise pretty inexperienced secondary group. There’s a room of veteran defensive ends who they’ll count on to collectively replace the production they lost with Chase Young’s departure. Expectations: incredibly high.

What’s your team’s biggest strength?

Offensive line, QB, schedule (lol)

What’s your team’s biggest weakness?

Secondary- young, inexperienced (aside from Wade)

Injury-prone running back group- Master Teague is coming off an achilles injury that he endured during the team’s first spring practice. Coaches have said he is more or less back to 100% headed into Game 1. Just hoping he doesn’t tweak anything during the season.

How does your fanbase feel about your coach and his staff?

I have yet to hear or read a single negative tweet, article, comment about Ryan Day or anyone on his coaching staff. He has proved to be just as good (if not better) of a coach than Urban Meyer and I’m not just basing that on production. The culture and brotherhood he’s managed to build in the just under 2 years he’s been Ohio State’s head coach, and the fact that players like Justin Fields, Shaun Wade, Wyatt Davis (who could all opt out right now and be round 1 draft picks) are staying back for one more year as Buckeyes, tells you the kind of coach Ryan Day is.

Who is your team’s MVP this season and why?

Justin Fields - Heisman candidate and incredible team leader

Predict your team’s record, its best win, and a potential surprise loss

• Record: 9-0
• Best win: Penn State/Michigan
• Potential surprise loss: Michigan State

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Thanks to Tia for helping out!