Big Ten Football: 2015 preseason power rankings
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates with Billy Price (54) and Jeff Heuerman (5) after scoring his fourth touchdown Oregon Ducks in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State may be the closest thing to a professional football team that college football has to offer this season. Urban Meyer has constructed a nearly flawless roster filled with gems at each position and, scary-enough for the rest of the conference, the Buckeyes won’t be ‘rebuilding’ any time soon, just reloading.
Must Read: 5 reasons Connor Cook will win the Heisman in 2015
While there is no clear starting quarterback right now — I think it should be sophomore J.T. Barrett over Cardale Jones — it doesn’t even matter. The Buckeyes are supremely talented at that position and they can’t lose with their two options at QB.
As for the running back situation, Ezekiel Elliott may be the top Heisman contender in the conference this season and it’s due, in large part, to his success in last year’s College Football Playoff and Big Ten title game — he rushed for over 200 yards in each contest.
The 19th-ranked defense returns seven starters. Included on that side of the ball are Joey Bosa, Darron Lee and Vonn Bell. All three of those guys have the potential to be Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year winners.
This team is loaded and it will take a lot to knock the Buckeyes out of the top spot this season.