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OHIO STATE 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Buckeyes looking for explosive year

Wednesday, August 30, 2017 2 Wednesday, August 30, 2017 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Galion Inquirer OSU pitches success, future to recruits By Jim Naveau Success on the fi eld and in [email protected] getting players to the NFL obvi- ously has a lot to do with it. COLUMBUS – Ohio State’s Meyer is a magnetic, some 2018 recruiting class is ranked would say charismatic personal- No. 1 in the country and its ity. Recruiting coordinator Mark 2017 freshmen were ranked No. Pantoni directs a 10-person staff 2. which relentlessly identifi es, Next year’s recruiting class evaluates and pursues the top has two 5-star recruits and gets the Ohio State recruits and 12 brand out there, including post- 4-stars so far and ing as many as 500 items a week this year’s class on social media. had two 5-stars And they all emphasize what and 17 4-stars. Ohio State can do for an athlete In Urban Mey- once his playing days are over. er’s six years as Here’s what some of the top Martell OSU’s , recruits in the 2017 recruiting he has had only class said convinced them Ohio one recruiting State was the place for them. class ranked lower Jeffrey Okudah, a 5-star cor- than No. 5 in the nerback from Texas, said, “What country. sold me was the plan they had So, how do set out for me after football. Not the Buckeyes do many schools go into that much it? What started detail. That really sold me and Okudah this tidal wave of my family. incoming talent, “They were pretty close to Don Speck/The Lima News beginning with my family. They did a really Ohio State freshman Brendon White (80) works against Shaun Wade (24) in Ohio State’s spring game. White has since the all-world class good job of recruiting everyone switched to safety from and wears number 25. of 2013, which around me. And I knew in my included players head I wanted to compete with spot.’ They knew we knew we’d Martell said he felt a connec- parents love him. like , the best players in the country. have to come in and work for it tion with Meyer. “I think we “What sold me was he told me , From the start, that always from Day 1,” he said. both have a passion for football he would help me get a job after , Darron caught my eye. Tate Martell, a 4-star quar- that is second to none. It just felt football or if I get hurt he would Wade Lee, , “The one thing I liked about terback from Las Vegas, said, “I like a perfect fi t for me,” he said. help me get a great job. If they Billy Price and Ohio State’s coaching staff was knew this was the place for me Shaun Wade, a 4-star corner- didn’t have anybody go to the ? the honesty. They never said as soon as I got offered. This is back from Florida, said, “He NFL I would still be here,” Wade And what has kept it going? anything like, ‘We’ll give you a where I wanted to be.” (Meyer) does a great job. My said.

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Galion Inquirer OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Wednesday, August 30, 2017 3 A championship season or just close? label Ohio State has heard. If the Buck- mature physically and mentally. 3. Michigan is overdue against Ohio Ohio State has talent to win eyes front line earns it, they could fi nd FIVE REASONS OHIO STATE MIGHT MIGHT State. a national title but there are themselves in Atlanta on Jan. 8. MISS THE PLAYOFFS The last time Ohio State went into the Michigan game as a clear favorite and no guarantees 3. No letdowns. No injuries. No 1. The offensive struggles could lost was 21 years ago when the Wolver- freak plays. continue. ines stunned the Buckeyes 13-9 in Ohio Pay attention. Stay healthy. Maybe 2014 J.T. Barrett is gone Stadium in 1996. FIVE REASONS OHIO STATE COULD WIN IT Don’t get fi eld goals blocked. and he’s not coming back. Maybe ALL the receivers will never live up to 4. Youthful secondary. 4. Urban isn’t messing around. their recruiting hype. Maybe Mike Replacing three starting defensive 1. J.T. Barrett turns the quarterback After OSU was shut out 31-0 Weber still doesn’t have breakaway backs might not be as easy as OSU made clock back to 2014. by Clemson in a speed. Maybe the lack of offensive it look in 2016. Especially when the Remember the school-record 34 Playoff semifi nal, it took less than line depth will catch up with the three it has to replace this year all were passes? Remember the two two weeks before it had a new Jim Buckeyes. overtime at Penn State? fi rst-round NFL draft choices. offensive coordinator and a new Naveau Remember him being fi fth in the Heis- quarterbacks coach. Lima News 2. The kicking game man Trophy voting? If Barrett plays like Sports Sean Nuernberger, who was 5. Something no one is thinking he did in 2014, OSU could win it all. 5. Bigger, stronger, faster, injured last season, was the No. 1 about. older. kicker in 2014 but lost his job to a No one saw a loss to a Penn State 2. The defensive line is as good as OSU got to the College Football Play- walk-on in 2015. Punter team that started its season 2-2 coming expected. off with a very young team last season. was a highly rated recruit but has never when the Nittany Lions beat Ohio State Best defensive line in the country is a The ones who came back are a year more been in a college game. last season. Equine SavingsMILLER Program LAWN & MILLER LAWN &

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See dealer or toro.com (toro.ca for Canadian residents) for warranty details. Product availability, pricing & special promotions are subject to dealer options. 4 Wednesday, August 30, 2017 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Galion Inquirer O ense still needs playmakers By Jim Naveau expected to get most of the playing time [email protected] at wide receiver this season were nation- ally ranked 4-star recruits and so were the COLUMBUS – The search for play- top receivers in this year’s freshman class. makers at wide receiver is now into its So what are the problems? Why second year at Ohio State. haven’t the Buckeyes been able to hit big Ohio State’s best receiver last season plays in the passing game? was running back and the Some people blame quarterback J.T. deep ball was absent from the Buckeyes’ Barrett. Others say it’s the receivers. offense in most games. Receivers coach Zach Smith says it’s a There were only four receptions of combination of a lot of things. more than 40 yards by OSU players last “It’s not looking for a deep ball guy, it’s season – a 79-yard catch against Bowling looking for the offense to complete deep Green and a 75-yarder against Nebraska balls and execute them,” Smith said. by Curtis Samuel, a 47-yard catch by “We’ve had guys get open, we’ve had K.J. Hill against Bowling Green and a guys not get open. The quarterback 43-yarder by Dontre Wilson against Wis- doesn’t make a great throw, the offensive consin. line doesn’t protect. Call it the perfect It’s not like Ohio State hasn’t tried to storm,” he said. Photos by Don Speck/The Lima News address the issue. All six of the players A perfect storm that produced far from In a scene seen often last year, Ohio State missed connections in the passing game. Here Terry McLaurin just misses a throw from J.T. Barrett at Michigan State late last season. Your Community Bank Schoo Immunation

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perfect results and might have played 2016. He had 4 catches for 64 yards and a big role in a coaching shake-up that a touchdown last season. saw Kevin Wilson replace : The Akron St. as offensive coordinator and Ryan Day Vincent-St. Mary graduate was a 4-star get the quarterbacks coach job that Tim recruit who was ranked No. 23 nationally Beck had last season. among wide receivers in 2014. All 13 of Those changes came not long after his career catches came last season. He Ohio State threw for 86 yards, 124 yards will be used mostly as an H-back this and 127 yards and only one touchdown season. in its last three games a year ago against K.J. Hill: He was a 4-star recruit who Michigan State, Michigan and Clemson. was the No. 17 wide receiver nationally Here’s a look at the Buckeyes’ top in the 2015 recruiting class. He caught receivers, their credentials and their pro- 18 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown duction so far: last season. Johnnie Dixon: He was a 4-star recruit Terry McLaurin: He was a 4-star and the No. 9-ranked wide receiver recruit and was ranked No. 35 nationally nationally when he signed with Ohio as a receiver in 2014. All 11 of his career State in 2014. Knee problems have lim- catches were last season. ited him to seven catches in his career, Austin Mack: He was a 4-star recruit in six of them last season. 2016. He was the No. 11 receiver nation- Dixon, a fourth-year junior, considered ally in his class. He caught two passes quitting football after the , last season and played on special teams. but stayed and was a standout in the Jaylen Harris and Trevon Grimes: The spring game. two incoming freshmen were both 4-sar Binjimen Victor: He was a 4-star recruits. Grimes, who had ACL surgery recruit and the No. 13-ranked receiver as a senior in high school, was ranked Ohio State running back Mike Weber (25) fights for yardage in the Buckeyes’ game at Oklahoma. OSU is nationally when he signed with OSU in No. 6 nationally and Harris was No. 28. looking for more big plays from Weber, too.

41016578 6 Wednesday, August 30, 2017 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Galion Inquirer Worley can play anywhere

By Jim Naveau Last year Worley had 70 tackles, 4.5 [email protected] tackles for losses and an in his first year as a starter. COLUMBUS – Ohio State middle line- He nearly became a starter two years backer has a new position before that when he battled future first- this season, which is not really a new round draft choice for a spot story. in the lineup right down to just before Actually, it’s an old story that goes all the 2014 season opener. Lee kept the job the way back to when he first arrived at for two years, but Worley’s teammates OSU four years ago. insisted there was not much, if any differ- The fifth-year senior from Cleveland ence between the starter and the back-up. Glenville started out practicing half the When Raekwon McMillan decided to time with the linebackers and half the leave OSU after his junior season to enter time with the safeties in his first training the NFL draft, Worley was on the move camp as part of OSU’s outstanding 2013 again. recruiting class. Since then, he’s played Worley, who once described himself as all three linebacker positions in Ohio “crazy confident” doesn’t expect any dif- Don Speck/The Lima News State’s defense. ficulties getting used to his new position Ohio State’s Chris Worley (35) makes an interception in the end zone to stop Michigan State’s attempt for a two-point conversion last season in East Lansing, Mich. Wishing our BUCKEYES the best this season GO BUCKS!

41017204 Galion Inquirer OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Wednesday, August 30, 2017 7

“It might sound crazy but it’s not that “Every year when Coach (Luke) Fickell much of a transition,” he said. “I’m not was here we’d all go over to his house in where I need to be in my opinion, but I’m the summer as a linebackers group. Me not too far off.” and Book would be at his house all day. Probably the next most-asked question We were in the pool wrestling. We were after that is if he has the size to play mid- playing half court basketball. We’re going dle linebacker at around 230 pounds. Once to compete until one of us taps out or again, he says that will be no problem. one of us wins or there is no more time “I’m about the same size (as last year). left.” There is not too much bulking up you Ohio State’s linebackers have a defen- can do. Fifteen pounds is not going to sive line in front of them that is being change much. It’s really not about size,” described as one of the best in the country. Worley said. If there is a question about OSU’s Jerome Baker and Worley are return- defense, it is if it will be able to replace ing starters at linebacker. But in Worley’s starters at three of the four positions in mind, OSU has three returnees at that the defensive backfi eld for a second sea- position because Baker’s chance to start son in a row. came after starter Dante Booker suffered and a strained medial collateral ligament in and safety Ohio State’s defense celebrates after stopping Indiana on a fourth-and-goal situation last season in a last year’s opener and eventually was were all NFL fi rst-round draft choices game at Ohio Stadium. redshirted. this year. “We do have to replace Raekwon but Two players seem to have clinched And Jordan Fuller and Erick Smith are be great,” Worley said. “So it’s like once technically we have three starting line- starting spots – returning starter at safe- in the running for the start at the other we can fi gure out the middle part of our backers back from last year,” Worley said. ty Damon Webb and Denzel safety position. team and fi gure out what type of people He described Booker as “one of the Ward. Transfer Kendall Sheffi eld, Damon “We have a bunch of older guys return- they are, it’s just going to build up.” fi ercest competitors I’ve ever been Arnette and freshman Jeffrey Okudah are ing and a lot of young guys who are com- Reach Jim Naveau at 567-242-0414 or on Twitter at @ around.” competing for the other cornerback spot. ing in who look like they’re destined to Lima_Naveau.

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@Cool Kids Resale 41016514 COOL KIDS 41016513 520 E. Center St., Marion • Office Hours: Mon-Sat by Appt., Evening Hours Available 8 Wednesday, August 30, 2017 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Galion Inquirer OSU defensive line wants to be best By Jim Naveau four standout defensive ends – [email protected] , , and Lewis. COLUMBUS – It didn’t get Hubbard and Holmes were the attention of his spread honorable mention All-Big Ten offense. It wasn’t attached to a last season and Bosa had fi ve memorable image, like saying sacks as a freshman in a season he wanted assistant coaches in which he was brought along who coached like their hair was slowly after ACL surgery his on fi re. senior year of high school. But very soon after Urban “We’ll be as good as anybody Meyer was hired as Ohio State’s in America at defensive end,” football coach in 2011, he said Meyer said during spring prac- one of the most important ele- tice. ments in building a great foot- The interior line is good and ball team was having a strong deep, too, with players like defensive line. Dre’Mont Jones, Robert Land- Seven years later, Ohio State ers and Tracy Sprinkle, a starter has a defensive line so talented until he suffered a season-end- and so deep that it has been ing torn patellar tendor injury called the best in college foot- in the fi rst quarter of last year’s ball. opener against Bowling Green. It is a label both the players Michael Hill eventually could and Meyer have embraced. join them if he returns from a “We defi nitely care about that suspension. because who wouldn’t want to It wasn’t just players that be known as the best defensive Meyer recruited to build this line, not only this year but in impressive front line of the history,” defensive end Tyquan Buckeyes’ defense. Since 2014, Lewis said. the line has been coached by Lewis, the 2016 Big Ten Larry Johnson who, like his Defensive Lineman of the current defensive line, has also Year, surprised some people by been called the best in the coun- returning for his senior year try at what he does. instead of going into the NFL He has coached seven fi rst- Don Speck/The Lima News draft. round NFL draft picks at OSU Ohio State defensive end Tyquan Lewis (59) prepares to hit Rutgers quarterback Chris Laviano during a game last season at That decision gave Ohio State and Penn State and eight of his Ohio Stadium. BE A WINNER, BANK WITH US GO Galion Building & Loan Bank 920 BUCYRUS ROAD GALION, OH 44833 | 135 SOUTH MARKET STREET GALION, OH 44833 419-462-4114 • 419-468-3113

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players have been named Big If Ohio State is going to be Ten Defensive Lineman of the the best defensive line in the Year. country, sacking the quar- Ohio State defensive coordi- terback is probably the area nator gives the where it needs to show the defensive line and Johnson most improvement. high grades. OSU’s 28 sacks last season “The defensive line is really ranked seventh in the Big Ten good. I think we have the and 58th nationally. Lewis led best defensive line coach in the Buckeyes with eight and America in Larry Johnson. Bosa’s five were second. He knows how to keep them Those 28 sacks were the all involved. We should never lowest total during Meyer’s have a tired defensive lineman five seasons at OSU an 17 out there if, God willing, we short of the highest total of stay healthy,” Schiano said. his tenure, 45 in 2014. That Despite all the talk about was two short of the school being the best, Ohio State’s record of 47. Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa (97) puts his hands up Tyquan Lewis, the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, rushes linemen say they won’t get Schiano offered the theory to try to knock down a pass by Michigan quarterback Wilton Clemson quarterback during a College Football caught up in it. during a Fox.com interview Speight during a game last season at Ohio Stadium. Playoff semifinal game last season. “We talk about it in the earlier this year that Ohio meeting room and it’s more State emphasized disrupting of a motivation thing than the pass rather than hitting hyping up our heads. Coach J the quarterback last season as (Johnson) says if that’s what a possible explanation for the they’re going to say about us low sack numbers. then we’ve got to work and Johnson said during spring actually achieve it,” Hubbard practice that his defensive said. linemen just needed to be Holmes said, “You want quicker once the ball was praise. I’d be lying to you if I snapped to pump up the said I didn’t care. But at the sacks numbers. end of the day you have to “What you saw is that we know that’s just preseason weren’t taking that first step stuff. At the end of the day fast enough across the line you want the postseason of scrimmage. At the end of awards and you don’t really the day we have to get the care about the preseason quarterback on his back. We stuff. have to rev up our pass rush,” “I feel like we’ve been keep- Johnson said. ing a real humble mind and Reach Jim Naveau at 567-242-0414 or on Ohio State defensive linemen Jalyn Holmes (11) and Dre’Mont Jones (86) put pressure on Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield working to push to be better,” Twitter at @Lima_Naveau. during a game in Norman, Okla. last season. he said.

41016516 BIG TEN EAST DIVISION Maryland Indiana No. 18nationally provide animmediate Michigan? Will arecruiting classranked being outscored 121-6byOhioState and after givingup49sacks lastseasonand ing defensive lines andoffensive lines stop beingpushedaround byoppos- bonam, LBJermaine CarterJr. RB AnthonyMcFarland, DEJesse Anie- son, OT DamianPrince,WRD.J. Moore, defense, punter, kicker) East — Tom Allen that. We want tobeatop25defense.“ 2015 to2016.We were notsatisfied with improvement lastyear defensively, from son? dramatic improvement itmadelastsea- will thedefensebeabletobuildon decisions? With ninereturning starters, passes, 17turnovers) cutdown onbad terback Richard Lagow (19touchdown seasons in2015and2016?Canquar- who hadback-to-back 1,000-yard rushing ning backtoreplace Devine Redding, LB Tegray CBRashard Scales, Fant brook, OT Coy Cronk, TEDannyFriend, Cobbs,WRNickWest-WR Simmie defense, kicker, punter) East 10 Wednesday, August 30, 2017 The bigquestions:CantheTerrapins Players towatch: QBCaleb Hender- Returning starters: 14 (6offense,6 Last year: 6-7,3-6BigTen, fifthin Coach’s quote: “We madegreat The bigquestions:Will IUfindarun- Players towatch: QBRichard Lagow, Returning starters: 15(5offense,9 Last year: 6-7,4-5BigTen, fourth in THE THE RIGHT BANK. RIGHT LOAN. Michigan State Michigan defense, punter) East It’s agood thing.” —Jim Harbaugh is bad.Young that’s andtalented, good. time since2011? produce a1,000-yard rusherfor thefirst for job?CantheWolverines thestarting 18 touchdowns) willhave tocompete that QBWilton Speight(2,538yards, ondefense?IsHarbaughstarter serious NFL draft andhaving onlyonereturning coach despitelosing11players tothe in Jim Harbaugh’s third seasonasits add athird seasonof10winsormore Bush rice Hurst, LBMike McCray, LBDevin ,DERashanGary, DT Mau- RB ChrisEvans, WRTarik Black,C defense) East pete, to win it.” —D.J.pete, towinit.” Durkin win championships.We’re here tocom- we want tobein,whichiswe’re here to at alevel that willputusintheposition andNorthwestern?consin, Minnesota cross divisionmatch-ups are against Wis- land make madat themthat itsthree lack ofdepthin2016?WhodidMary- upgrade for ateamwhichhadglaring Returning starters: 7(3offense,3 Last year: 3-9,1-8BigTen, sixthin Coach’s quote: “Young anduntalented The bigquestions:CanMichigan Players towatch: QBWilton Speight, Returning starters: 5(4offense,1 Last year: 10-3,7-2BigTen, third in Coach’s quote:“Ithinkwe’re recruiting OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW sacks. larly ondefensewhere theyhadonly 11 play onbothsides oftheball,particu- back? Will get theSpartans better line Is BrianLewerke theanswer at quarter- teams after36winsinthree seasons? fromthe Spartans theranks ofthetop with offthefield legal issues,knocked or have lastseason’s struggles, combined still amongtheBigTen’s elite program Scott Rison, DERaequanWilliams, CBJosiah RB L.J. CBrianAllen,WRHunter Scott, LinebackerIndiana’s season.ofTegrayleaders defenseagainthis the of one be expectedto is Scales The bigquestions:IsMichigan State Players towatch: QBBrianLewerke, oces in: Galion, Ontario,oces in:Galion, Mans eld, Mt. Gilead. Cardington, Shelby, and Sandusky Tin www. rstfederalbankofohio.com Ohio State Lewis, Hubbard, DESam DENickBosa, Mike Weber, CBillyPrice,DETyquan defense) first inEast easy.” —Mark Dantonio and understand that things don’t come us. We have togo backtothat mindset by inch.There was nothing ever given to selves asachampionshipprogram inch Players towatch: QBJ.T. Barrett, RB Returning starters: 15(8offense,7 Last year: 11-2,8-1BigTen, tiefor Coach’s quote: “We our- established Galion Inquirer AP PhotosAP

41016142 Galion Inquirer OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Wednesday, August 30, 2017 11

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh talks with quarterback during last year’s Michigan State game.

LB Jerome Baker, LB Chris Worley, CB Denzel Coach’s quote: “We think we have a lot of Ward pieces of the puzzle in place. We only had The big questions: Will OSU challenge for a one senior on offense last year and only two spot in the College Football Playoff again? Will seniors on defense, so we were one of the J.T. Barrett be the Heisman Trophy contender youngest teams in college football.” — James he was in 2014 or the inconsistent passer he Franklin Heisman Trophy candidate Sequon Barkley looks for running room in Penn State’s game has been at times the last two years? Can Ohio against USC in the Rose Bowl. State find some productive wide receivers? Rutgers Coach’s quote: “I feel extremely strong about Last year: 2-10, 0-9 Big Ten, seventh in the top tier leadership of our team and his- East tory shows that usually indicates a good, solid Returning starters: 15 (5 offense, 8 team.”— defense, kicker, punter) Players to watch: QB Kyle Bolin, RB Robert Penn State Martin, WR Janarion Grant, OT Tariq Cole, Last year: 11-3, 8-1 Big Ten, champion Big DT Sebastian Joseph, FS Saquan Hampton Ten The big questions: Is there any way but up Returning starters: 18 (9 offense, 7 defense, to go for an offense which scored one touch- kicker, punter) down or fewer in eight games last season? Players to watch: QB Trace McSorley, RB Will receiver/kick returner Janarion Grant, , TE Chris Gesicki, WR Dae- who missed most of last season with a bro - Sean Hamilton, LB Jason Cabinda, FS Mar- ken ankle, give Rutgers a big play threat? cus Allen Can the defense, which allowed 37.5 points a The big questions: Can the Nittany Lions game last season, improve? challenge for a spot in the College Football Coach’s quote: “We’ve pressed the reset Playoff? How will they handle being the hunt- button and it’s a new team, new focus, new Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio will be trying to turn the Spartans around after a ed instead of the hunter? Who will fill the commitment, new energy and we’re excited 3-9 season last year. spot of cornerback John Reid (torn ACL)? to get going.” —

GO BUCKS!41016533 12 Wednesday, August 30, 2017 OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Galion Inquirer

BIG TEN WEST DIVISION

Illinois breaking his foot last season and again Last year: 3-9, 2-7 Big Ten, sixth in during spring practice? Can linebacker West Josey Jewell have a game day highlight Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 5 that tops proposing to his girlfriend at defense, kicker) Kinnick Stadium this spring? Players to watch: QB Chayce Crouch, Coach’s quote: “I think all of us as RB Kendrick Foster, WR Malik Turner, coaches and players feel good about both WR Mikey Dudek, OT Christian DiLau- guys (quarterbacks and ro, DE James Crawford, LB Tre Watson Tyler Wiegers) and feel like they both The big questions: Will Newark Catho- can lead us to good results.” — Kirk lic grad Chayce Crouch stay healthy Ferentz and have a big season. Crouch played in only four games last season because Minnesota of a shoulder injury. Can wide receiver Last year: 9-4, 5-4, tied for fourth in Mikey Dudek (76 catches in 2014) come West back after tearing the same ACL twice Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 5 and missing the last two seasons? Can a defense, kicker, punter) team with eight scholarship seniors and Players to watch: RB Rodney Smith, no recruits rated higher than three stars RB Shannon Brooks, WR Rashad Still, the last two years improve on last year’s DT Steven Richardson, LB Cody Poock three wins? The big questions: Who will replace Coach’s quote: “The things you should four-year starter Mitch Leidner at do, that you need to do that are neces- quarterback? Can coach P.J. Fleck turn sary behind the scenes, we are getting Minnesota into an elite program or will done right now.” — Lovie Smith his act wear thin if he doesn’t? Are Rod- ney Smith (1,158 yards) and Shannon Iowa Brooks (650 yards) the best running AP Photos Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee (13) throws during a preseason practice in Lincoln, Neb. Lee will start Last year: 8-5, 6-3 Big Ten, tie second back combination in the Big Ten? this season after sitting out last year following his transfer from Tulane. in West Coach’s quote: “My job is to bring Returning starters: 13 (5 offense, 7 national attention and national exposure dun, S Kieron Williams, CB Chris Jones Coach’s quote: “Guys are doing what defense, kicker) to the University of Minnesota.” — P.J. The big questions: Can the Cornhusk- they’re supposed to be doing.” — Mike Players to watch: RB Akrum Wadley, Fleck ers fi nish what they started, unlike last Riley OG Sean Walsh, WR Matt VandeBerg, season when a 7-0 start was followed by DE Parker Hesse, LB Josey Jewell, LB Nebraska four losses in their last six games? Will Northwestern Ben Niemann Last year: 9-4, 6-3 Big Ten, tied second Tulane transfer pro-style quarterback Last year: 7-6, 5-4 Big Ten, tied for The big questions: Who will be the in West Tanner Lee be a better fi t for coach Mike fourth in West starting quarterback and can he improve Returning starters: 14 (5 offense, 7 Riley’s system than Tommy Armstrong? Returning starters: 16 (8 offense, 7 a passing game that ranked No. 118 defense, kicker, punter) Who will replace three-year starting defense, punter) nationally last season? Will No. 1 wide Players to watch: QB Tanner Lee, WR cornerback Chris Jones, who suffered a Players to watch: QB Clayton Thorson, receiver Matt VandeBerg be limited after Stanley Morgan, DE Freedom Akinmola- season-ending knee injury this summer? RB Justin Jackson, WR Flynn Nagel, OT

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Tommy Doles, DT Tyler David Blough (25 TD Lancaster, S Godwin Igwe- passes, 21 last buike year) be able to cut down on The big questions: Will turnovers? Will being young the Wildcats’ fi rst two Big and inexperienced on the Ten games against Wiscon- offensive line spell trouble? sin and Penn State be make Coach’s quote: “Offensive or break games for their line is very important for us. hopes of challenging for the We have a ways to go there. West Division title? Can I do think that we have running back Justin Jackson made improvements.” — rush for more than 1,000 Jeff Brohm yards for the fourth year in a row? How much will the Wisconsin passing game miss wide Last year: 11-3, 7-2 Big receiver Austin Carr? Ten, fi rst in West Coach’s quote: “I like our Returning starters: 19 (9 competitive depth. I like the offense, 8 defense, kicker, athleticism of the group.” – punter) Pat Fitzgerald Players to watch: QB Alex Hornibrook, RB Bradrick Purdue Shaw, RB Chris James, WR Last year: 3-9, 1-8 Big Jazz Peavy, TE Troy Fuma- Northwestern running back Justin Jackson (21) runs for a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the Pinstripe Bowl. Jackson had 1,524 Ten, seventh West galli, S D’Cota Dixon yards rushing last season. Returning starters: 16 (5 The big questions: With offense, 9 defense, kicker, eight starters back from a punter) defense ranked in the top Players to watch: QB 10 nationally, could the Bad- David Blough, RB Markell gers have the best defense Jones, RB D.J. Knox, DT in the Big Ten? Can quar- Gelen Robinson, LB Markus terback Alex Hornibrook Bailey, LB Ja’Whaun Bent- increase his production (9 ley, LB T.J. McCollum, CB TD passes, 7 interceptions Da’Wan Hunte last year)? Is Bradrick Shaw The big questions: Will a the next in a long line of new coach, Jeff Brohm, and outstanding Wisconsin run- a heavy infusion of transfers ning backs? and junior college players Coach’s quote: ““We have start a turnaround for the a really good senior class, a Boilermakers, who haven’t lot of guys that have played Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell looks to make a tackle during the had a winning record since in a lot of big games.” — Hawkeyes’ spring game. Jewell has started 30 straight games and Purdue quarterback Jeff Blough passed for 3,352 yards and 25 2011? Will quarterback Paul Chryst had 124 tackles last season. touchdowns last season for the Boilermakers.

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2016 OHIO STATE Sam Hubbard ...... 46 PRESEASON AP TOP 25 The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press preseason college football poll, LEADERS TACKLES FOR LOSSES with ’ rst-place votes in parentheses, 2016 records, total points based on Jerome Baker ...... 9.5 PASSING Jalyn Holmes ...... 8.5 25 points for a ’ rst-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and J.T. Barrett ...... 2555 Sam Hubbard ...... 8.0 2016 ’ nal ranking: ...... 226 Raekwon McMillan ...... 7.0 Nick Bosa ...... 7.0 Record Pts Prv RUSHING 1. Alabama (52) 14-1 1513 2 Mike Weber ...... 1096 INTERCEPTIONS 2. Ohio St. (3) 11-2 1414 6 J.T. Barrett ...... 845 Malik Hooker ...... 7 3. Florida St. (4) 10-3 1396 8 Curtis Samuel ...... 771 Marshon Lattimore ...... 4 4. Southern Cal (2) 10-3 1325 3 Demario McCall ...... 270 Gareon Conley ...... 4 5. Clemson 14-1 1201 1 Jerome Baker ...... 2 6. Penn St. 11-3 1196 7 RECEIVING Rodjay Burns ...... 1 7. Oklahoma 11-2 1170 5 Curtis Samuel ...... 865 Chris Worley ...... 1 Noah Brown ...... 402 8. Washington 12-2 1150 4 Damon Webb ...... 1 9. Wisconsin 11-3 926 9 Dontre Wilson...... 352 Damon Arnette ...... 1 Marcus Baugh ...... 269 10. Oklahoma St. 10-3 889 11 K.J. Hill ...... 262 11. Michigan 10-3 881 10 SACKS 12. Auburn 8-5 880 24 Tyquan Lewis ...... 8 13. LSU 8-4 784 13 TACKLES Nick Bosa ...... 5 Raekwon McMillan ...... 102 14. Stanford 10-3 695 12 Jerome Baker ...... 83 FIELD GOALS 15. Georgia 8-5 690 - Malik Hooker ...... 74 Tyler Durbin...... 17/22 16. Louisville 9-4 629 21 Chris Worley ...... 70 17. Florida 9-4 624 14 Damon Webb ...... 57 PUNTING 18. Miami 9-4 492 20 Dre’Mont Jones ...... 42 Cameron Johnston ...... 46.7 19. South Florida 11-2 327 19 20. Kansas St. 9-4 317 - 21. 10-4 240 16 22. West Virginia 10-3 207 18 OHIO STATE Sept. 30 – at Rutgers, TBA 23. Texas 5-7 173 - Oct. 7 – Maryland, 3:30 or 4 p.m. 24. Washington St. 8-5 133 - SCHEDULE Oct. 14 – at Nebraska, TBA 25. Tennessee 9-4 114 22 Oct. 28—Penn State, 3:30 p.m. Aug. 31 – at Indiana, 8 p.m. Nov. 4 – at Iowa, TBA Others receiving votes: TCU 98, Utah 85, Notre Dame 65, Boise St. 37, NC Sept. 9 – Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m. Nov 11 – Michigan State, TBA Sept. 16 – Army, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 18 – Illinois, TBA State 26, Northwestern 25, Pittsburgh 23, Oregon 21, Houston 19, Colorado Sept. 23 – UNLV, TBA Nov. 25 – at Michigan, Noon 18, UCLA 9, San Diego St. 9, BYU 5, BYU 4, Nebraska 4, Tulsa 4, Kentucky 3, Texas A&M 3, Michigan St. 1.

41015000 Galion Inquirer OHIO STATE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Wednesday, August 30, 2017 15 Playo forecasts start with ‘Bama quarterback Deondre Francois, running back is back, but coach Bob Stoops, running By Jim Naveau ALABAMA Cam Akers and others will put points on the backs and and wide [email protected] Quarterback Jalen Hurt is a year older and a scoreboard. receiver Dede Westbrook are all gone. season more experienced. The defense has Chances are good that a lot of people two returning starters at every level — line, linebackers and defensive back’ eld. The Tide predicted three of the four teams who CLEMSON WASHINGTON eventualy got into the College Football came within seconds of winning Nick Saban’s ’ fth national championship last season. The big question, obviously, is who The Huskies have quite a bit of talent back Playo§ last season. will replace Deshaun Watson at from last year’s playo§ semi’ nalist It wasn’t going out on a limb to predict that quarterback. But, as Ohio State team and a schedule that might the two teams in the 2015 championship learned, the Tigers can play a not be overly challenging until game, Alabama and Clemson, would return OHIO STATE little defense, too. November. for another round. And it wasn’t a surprise If the Buckeyes restore the deep pass to their o§ ense and ’ nd replacements for three to see the 2014 champion, Ohio State, there AP Photo defensive backs who were ’ rst-round NFL either. PENN STATE Alabama coach Nick The only surprise in the semi’ nals was draft choices, they could be contenders. Quarterback Trace Saban works with Washington. So, will this year bring any McSorley, running back his players during unanticipated playo§ teams? Or will it belong Saquon Barkley and NCAA college to the tried and true powers of the college USC football The Trojans ’ nished last season on a a good receivers group game again? make the Nittany Lions practice It would not be a shock to see the four nine-game winning streak behind redshirt earlier this freshman . one of the most explosive College Football Playo§ semi’ nalists come o§ ensive teams in college month in from this list of eight teams: Alabama, Ohio football. Tuscaloosa, Ala. State, USC, Florida State, Clemson, Penn FLORIDA STATE State, Oklahoma and Washington, who If Florida State’s o§ ensive line, which allowed OKLAHOMA have all been near the top of the preseason 36 sacks last season, plays a little better, national rankings. Quarterback Baker May’ eld

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