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OHIO STATE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Buckeyes inNational reach title

August 30, 2018 2 Thursday, August 30, 2018 OSU FOOTBALL PREVIEW Greene County Group

TACKLES OHIO STATE SCHEDULE 2017 OHIO STATE Jerome Baker 72 STATISTICS Jordan Fuller 70 Sept. 1 Oregon State noon Damon Webb 61 Sept. 8 Rutgers -x 3:30 p.m. Tuf Borland 58 PASSING YARDS 56 Sept. 15 TCU at Arlington, Tex. 8 p.m. J.T. Barrett 3,053 Damon Arnette 44 565 42 Sept. 22 Tulane TBA 61 TACKLES FOR LOSS Sept. 29 at Penn State-x TBA RUSHING YARDS Nick Bosa 16.0 J.K. Dobbins 1,403 Sam Hubbard 13.5 Oct. 6 Indiana-x 3:30 or 4 p.m. J.T. Barrett 798 9.5 Oct. 13 Minnesota-x TBA Mike Weber 626 Jerome Baker 8.0 Antonio Williams 290 6.0 Oct. 20 at Purdue-x TBA 132 SACKS Nick Bosa 8.5 Nov. 3 Nebraska-x TBA RECEIVING YARDS Sam Hubbard 7.0 K.J. Hill 549 Tyquan Lewis 7.0 Nov. 10 at Michigan State-x TBA Parris Campbell 584 Chase Young 3.5 Johnny Dixon 422 Jerome Baker 3.5 Nov. 17 at Maryland-x TBA Binjimen Victor 349 Nov. 24 Michigan-x noon 343 Damon Webb 5 Marcus Baugh 304 x-Big Ten games Denzel Ward 2 PASS RECEPTIONS Jordan Fuller 2 K.J. Hill 56 Damon Arnette 2 Parris Campbell 40 Terry McLaurin 29 FIELD GOALS AP PRESEASON TOP 25 Record Pts Pv Sean Nuernberger 17/21 13. Stanford 9-5 778 20 Marcus Baugh 28 The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press preseason Austin Mack 24 14. Michigan 8-5 773 NR Binjimen Victor 23 PUNTS poll, with first-place votes in parenthe- 15. Southern Cal 11-3 543 12 44.2 ses, records, total points based on 25 points for a first- 16. TCU 11-3 533 9 place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and 17. West Virginia 7-6 511 NR 2017 final ranking: 18. Mississippi St. 9-4 450 19 19. Florida St. 7-6 384 NR Record Pts Pv 20. Virginia Tech 9-4 351 24 1. Alabama (42) 13-1 1505 1 21. UCF 13-0 312 6 2. Clemson (18) 12-2 1476 4 22. Boise St. 11-3 292 22 3. Georgia 13-2 1350 2 23. Texas 7-6 216 NR 4. Wisconsin (1) 13-1 1271 7 24. Oregon 7-6 148 NR 5. Ohio St. 12-2 1256 5 25. LSU 9-4 106 18 6. Washington 10-3 1215 16 7. Oklahoma 12-2 1173 3 Others receiving votes: South Carolina 96, Florida 68, 8. Miami 10-3 1027 13 Utah 60, Oklahoma St. 51, FAU 38, Arizona 28, NC State 9. Auburn 10-4 1013 10 10. Penn St. 11-2 1012 8 22, Texas A&M 21, Boston College 18, Northwestern 13, 11. Michigan St. 10-3 877 15 Kansas St. 10, Iowa St. 8, Houston 6, Memphis 3, Troy 2, 12. Notre Dame 10-3 804 11 Iowa 2, Kentucky 1, Arkansas St. 1, Fresno St. 1. WE PROVIDE QUALITY ANIMAL CARE WE PROVIDWEE Q PROVIDEUALITY AQUALITYNIMAL C ANIMALARE CARE Towne & Country Towne & Country • Biofield Energy Therapy AnimalClinic • Nutraceuticals Anim8a01lNC.BlrionadiSct.,Fairborn Full Service medical Surgical & dental 801801 N.N .Broad,BrDoard. SDSt.,ta.,vF FairborniadirKboorcnher, D.V.M. For - Dogs, Cats, & Small Pets Dr. DaviDdrK. Rocichhear,rDd.SVo.Meh.nlen, D.V.M. Boarding and Pet Grooming Dr.Dr.Ric Davidhard S oKocher,ehnlen, D.V.M.D.V.M. 40694941

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COLUMBUS – His dad came from “The guy who probably had the a sport where athletes go 15 rounds. best spring of anybody on our team is Dre’Mont Jones came back to Ohio State Dre’Mont Jones,” Meyer said. “He was hoping to play 15 games. outstanding. For a guy to come back Jones, a fourth-year defensive tackle, when a lot of people thought he should weighed the pros and cons of declaring leave, a lot of times we have to deal with, for the NFL draft in January but decided whether it be effort issues or ‘Why am I he needed another year of college. doing this?’ issues — zero. That was a big decision for Jones, who “If he continues his development, he some analysts predicted could have been can be one of the best in America at what picked as high as the first two rounds. he does,” Meyer said. And it was big for Ohio State. Jones said he went into what will Getting Jones back could be a key part almost certainly be his final year of col- of the puzzle if Ohio State is going to lege football determined to maintain his get to the College Football Playoff and intensity. still be playing in a fifteenth game, which “A lot of players come back and they would be the national championship feel like they have a certain agenda, like game. ‘I could have left for the NFL so you have Even with ends Sam Hubbard, Jalyn to play me.’ But that wasn’t my mindset. Holmes, Tyquan Lewis and tackles Tracy I came in and worked late like I had to do Sprinkle and Michael Hill all moving on that for a starting job.” after last season, Jones’ decision meant The 6-3, 286-pound Jones played only the Buckeyes would still have one of the two years of high school football at Cleve- best defensive lines in the country this land St. Ignatius. Even though as a child season, led by players like Nick Bosa, he used to put on an oversized T-shirt Chase Young, Robert Landers and Jones. and stuff other T-shirts underneath it like When Jones announced he was staying shoulder pads and run around inside his at Ohio State, he said raising his draft house, basketball was his first love. stock was a big factor in his decision. “I had hoop dreams. Every football “That’s a big factor for me staying, player has hoop dreams. But I realized just to enhance myself and enhance my I’m 6-4 and 250 and I can’t be a point stock,” he said. guard,” he said. was effusive in his praise Eventually he found his way to foot- Don Speck l The Lima News of Jones after spring practice for focusing ball. While he changed from basketball to Ohio State defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones(86) stops Indiana’s Mike Majette (24) in his tracks during on Ohio State, not the NFL. the season opener in 2017. Jones is expected to play a more prominent role on the Buckeyes’ defensive See JONES | 4 line this season.

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Nick Bosa (97), who along with Dre’Mont Jones will give Ohio State a strong inside-outside combination on the defensive line, combines with Sam Hubbard Photos by Don Speck l The Lima News to stop Iowa’s Akrum Wadley last year in a game in Dre’Mont Jones (86) at bottom, Chris Worley (35) and Jerome Baker (17) stop Wisconsin Jonathan Taylor (23) in the Big Ten championship game Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. last December in Indianapolis.

sional fights and seven of the losses year when he was subbed for on third- there. It’s time for me to get more expo- Jones came against world champions – Lindell down pass rush situations. This year, he sure for my talents. Holmes, Iran Barkley, Frank Tate, Nigel expects to stay on the field and use his “I’ve kind of flown under the radar From page 3 Benn, Reggie Johnson, James Toney and pass rushing skills. here and I’ve made my way to being a Gerald McClellan. “Who doesn’t want to be on the field. draft choice or a top draft pick. Being football, Jones never considered follow- “I like my face too much. I fell in love This is my hunger, this is what I want to under the radar has been pretty cool,” ing his father, Sanderline Williams, into with another contact sport,” Jones said do,” he said. “I could have been in there he said. his sport. about his decision not to get into the last year but they were doing something If Jones has the kind of season he Williams was a professional boxer ring. with the four defensive end look, which expects, he won’t be under the radar who had a 24-15-1 record in 40 profes- Jones was a two-downs player last was fine. But I feel like I need to be out anymore.

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recruits but have not shone brightly so 5. Nick Bosa will have a Urban Meyer’s Ohio State recruiting OSU’s glass half far. If they light up stadiums this season. classes have ranked No. 2 nationally three fall, Ohio State’s offense will put With Sam Hubbard, Tyquan times, No. 3 another time and have been up big numbers. Lewis and gone, he outside the top five only once. There full or half empty? 3. J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber will get more playing time and do have always been talented replacements will have huge seasons. even more damage. waiting in the wings, but some year there Five things that could make an opti- Both of them have had 1,000- Five things that could make a might not be. mistic outlook about Ohio State’s football yard rushing seasons at OSU. It’s pessimistic outlook about Ohio 3. What if Joe Burrow was the right season come true: not far fetched to think they could State’s football season come true: choice at ? 1. Dwayne Haskins will become every- combine for around 2,500 yards James 1. OSU could pay a price for all Not saying that he was, but until it thing he’s expected to be and more. this season. Naveau the coaching turmoil. Head coach plays out, you can’t say for sure. If things go as hoped, Hoskins’ right 4. Redshirt, schmedshirt. Sports Urban Meyer was put on admin- 4. Ohio State has to play at Penn State. arm is going to take Ohio State’s passing Ohio State already out-recruits reporter istrative leave and investigated. The Buckeyes are 6-6 there since 1994. game places it hasn’t been since 2014 the rest of the Big Ten. Now a Receivers coach Zach Smith was It might be the most dangerous road trip when was going deep or new NCAA rule allows a player fired. Popular assistant coach in the Big Ten. maybe since Troy Smith in 2006. to appear in up to four games and still left to take a job with the 5. Michigan is due, probably overdue. 2. The receivers will finally earn their be redshirted. That will help the Buck- Tennessee Titans. Some year Michigan is going to break stars. eyes use more of their talented recruits 2. Recruiting rankings aren’t guaran- Ohio State hearts again like it did in the OSU’s top six receivers were 4-star sooner. tees. 1990s. Go Bucks.... Celebrating 62 Years Serving Greene and Surrounding Counties Flatter Insurance Agency Joe Flatter Auction Company 407 N. Broad Street, Fairborn, Ohio • (937)878-3444 OH-70070862 6 Thursday, August 30, 2018 OSU FOOTBALL PREVIEW Greene County Group Haskins could bring deep ball back to OSU

By Jim Naveau [email protected]

COLUMBUS – As the old saying goes, the most popular player on a football team is the back-up quarterback. But Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins took that one step further on a fall afternoon in Ann Arbor last November. He actually gave OSU fans reasons to believe in him and like him beyond the usual enchantment with the back-up QB. Michigan was leading 20-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter when Haskins came into the game after OSU start- ing quarterback J.T. Barrett was forced to the sideline by a knee injury. The redshirt freshman com- pleted 6 of 7 passes for 94 yards and led three scoring drives that produced 17 unanswered points in a 31-20 Ohio State win after he replaced Barrett. It was the second pass he threw that day that marked him as a special quarterback on that day and perhaps into the future. Ohio State’s offensive line had just false started on back- to-back plays and the Buckeyes were facing a third and 13 situ- ation at their own 47-yard line Dwayne Haskins (7) carries the ball with Michigan’s Rashan Gary (3) in pursuit during Ohio State’s 31-20 win over the Wolverines last season. when Haskins dropped back and found Austin Mack for a 27-yard season. talgia for the often underappreci- has extreme confidence,” Camp- him that edge of confidence and completion. Barrett, the starter for the ated contributions of Barrett will bell said. you could tell that play did it,” If the ball had been thrown a last four years except for a few be determined on the field. He saw that confidence grow Campbell said. second earlier or later, or maybe games, left with records for total OSU Parris immediately after the pass to “I don’t think people are mak- an inch or two to the left or offense, passes and Campbell called Haskins “an Mack against Michigan and says ing too much of it (the pass to right it might have been knocked many more at OSU. But it was elite passer” at the Big Ten people are not putting too much Mack). To perform as he did on down by the defender. But like Buckeyes fans had grown media days last month. emphasis on that one play. that stage against our rivals, that Haskins knew what he wanted tired of him. There is a sense of “He’s blessed with some tal- “I think in that moment right is huge.” to do and had the arm strength excitement because of the antici- ents a lot of don’t there that got everything click- Michigan defensive back Tyree to do it. pation that Haskins will be much possess. You have great quarter- ing for him. In the huddle before Kinnel, who hit Mack as he was After beating out Joe Burrow better at throwing the deep ball backs and then you have quarter- he made that play you could tell attempting to make the catch for the starting job during spring than Barrett. backs who are just different who a little bit of nervousness had said at the Big Ten media days practice, Haskins will be Ohio Whether Haskins will light up have elite skill. He’s not a guy overcome him. You could tell State’s starting quarterback this scoreboards or create some nos- who second guesses himself. He he needed some play to give See HASKINS | 7 Greene County Group OSU FOOTBALL PREVIEW Thursday, August 30, 2018 7

Ohio State wide receiver Austin Mack (11) fights for extra yards against Army linebacker Cole Christiansen (54) during a game last season at Ohio Stadium.

OSU’s offense. “We’re still going to be a Haskins spread offense,” Meyer said. Haskins carried the ball 24 times for From page 6 86 yards last season. He also showed he could run in the Michigan game when his that Haskins “stepped up like he’d been 21-yard gain set up the go-ahead touch- playing all year.” down. As Barrett’s back-up last season, Haskins, from The Bullis School in Haskins completed 40 of 57 passes for Potomac, Md., originally committed to 565 yards and four . The Maryland before Ohio State flipped him seven passes he threw against Michigan and his high school teammate, linebacker was the third-highest total of the season , two weeks before nation- for him after the 23 he threw in a blow- al signing day in 2016. out of Nevada-Las Vegas and the eight he He committed to Maryland in May of threw against Illinois. 2015 and the Terrapins viewed him as “His skill set is very different than possibly being able to start immediately J.T. Barrett’s,” Urban Meyer said. “His as a freshman. After Randy Edsall was release, his size and his accuracy are his fired as Maryland’s coach during the strengths.” 2015 season, Haskins began to recon- Meyer said the bar is set high for sider his decision, as did Jones, one of Haskins as far as expectations in his first his best friends. year as a starter. Haskins threw for 2,217 yards and 20 “The expectation is to be the best touchdowns as a senior in high school quarterback in the Big Ten, which is very and had 1,936 yards passing and 22 TD hard to do because we (Big Ten teams) throws as a junior. He had career totals have some excellent quarterbacks,” he of 5,308 passing yards and 54 touch- said. downs. While Haskins probably won’t carry He was a 4-star recruit who was ranked Photos by Don Speck l The Lima News the ball as often as Barrett, quarterback the No. 7 pro style quarterback nationally Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins sends a throw toward the end zone during a 54-21 blowout of runs are not going to disappear from Nevada-Las Vegas last season. Haskins threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns in a back-up role in that by 247sports.com. game. 8 Thursday, August 30, 2018 OSU FOOTBALL PREVIEW Greene County Group Playoff talk always starts with Alabama

By Jim Naveau [email protected]

It would be foolish to start the list of possible College Football Playoff partici- pants anywhere else but with Alabama. Alabama is the only team to have played in all four years of the College Football Playoff. It is the defending national champion and its coach Nick Saban is going for his seventh national title this season. The Crimson Tide has a bit of a quar- terback controversy between Jalen Hurts, 27-2 as a starter, and , who took over in the second half of the national championship game and played a key role in Alabama’s win. But if having too much talent at maybe the most important position on the field is your biggest problem, you don’t have many problems. Clemson might be the second most likely College Football Playoff contender. Most people think getting through the Atlantic Coast Conference is easier than AP Photo going through the SEC or Big Ten. And Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, center, congratulates his players during the second half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college the Tigers are loaded on defense, led by football game against Miami. The Tigers are pursuing their fourth straight Atlantic Coast Conference championship. a defensive line with four possible first- round NFL draft choices. or Michigan State all could put together a has to be better than the East on one day Georgia, who was last year’s national Quarterback Kelly Bryant and running playoff worthy record if they avoid disas- in the Big Ten championship game, not runner-up, lost its top two running backs, backs Travis Etienne and Tavien Feasler ters like OSU’s game at Iowa last year all season. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, but it has all rushed for more than 600 yards when and get a few breaks. The Badgers have one of the best quarterback Jake Fromme and some deep Clemson went 12-2 last season. OSU, Michigan, Michigan State and offensive lines in the country and running threat receivers back this year. An undefeated or one-loss Big Ten Penn State are all in the Big Ten East back Jonathan Taylor, who ran for 1,977 Some other teams to watch as possible team should be a playoff contender. Ohio Division. If Wisconsin doesn’t stumble in yards and had 10 games where he gained playoff contenders: Washington, Auburn, State, Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan the West or in a non-league game, it just 100 yards or more as a freshman last fall. Oklahoma and Miami.

Delores LET MY EXPERIENCE Strother HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOAL OF 937-238-0176 OWNING A HOME. Email: [email protected] • Website: http://deloresstrother.com OH-70071580 Greene County Group OSU FOOTBALL PREVIEW Thursday, August 30, 2018 9 Prince puts his critics on mute By Jim Naveau I was like, ‘Geesh.’” [email protected] Now if criticism comes his way from outside OSU’s football program, he prob- COLUMBUS – Just when ably doesn’t see it or hear about it. might think he has gotten out, they drag “I don’t read any of it. I don’t know him back into the past. But he says he what anybody says. I don’t think about doesn’t mind. it, I don’t look at it. I don’t search for Prince is a three-year starter on Ohio myself,” Prince said. “As I’ve gotten older State’s offensive line, most recently at I’ve realized the opinions of the fans right tackle, but possibly at left tackle shouldn’t bother me. The only opinions when it’s all sorted out this season. that matter to me are my peers and my But in his first year as a starter in coaches. 2016, he struggled mightily and often “You can’t care too much about mis- did that in the spotlight of big games or takes. If you make a mistake, you just important moments. have to keep on playing,” he said. Those struggles are behind him now. Ohio State has to replace two key mem- But fans and the media have long memo- bers of its offensive line this season – ries, so he is still reminded of them. Prob- center Billy Price, the ’ ably close to 1/3 of his one hour with the first-round draft choice, and left tackle media at the Big Ten media days in July , a fifth-round pick of the was spent discussing what went wrong Seattle Seahawks. and how he dealt with it. OSU hasn’t settled on an offensive Prince says he’s over the criticism now line plan yet, but one of the ideas being and even portrays it as something he looked at would move Prince from right used to his advantage. tackle to left tackle. “I don’t think I’d be having the success The adjustment to that move of a few I’m having today if I hadn’t had those feet to the other side of the line is bigger downfalls back then,” he said. “Those than most people might think, he said. downfalls set me up for my success today “It’s completely different. It’s like writ- and showed me who I am as a person.” Don Speck l The Lima News ing with your right hand your whole life Ohio State offensive lineman Isaiah Prince walks off the field with Ohio State coach Urban Meyer after He hasn’t completely erased the mem- OSU’s 31-20 win over Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., last season. and then switching to your left hand,” ory of the reactions to those mis-steps, Prince said. “Your muscle memory is com- though. That was really a low point for me – all it,” he said. pletely different. It’s backward from the “In the Penn State and Michigan games the criticism and everybody talking bad “They (his critics) actually had a fake way you think about it, the defense looks I gave up two sacks at two crucial times. about me. I didn’t know how to handle fan page about me, ‘Isaiah Prince Sucks.’ different from the other side of the field.”

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Could inexperience at linebacker, defensive Jones; DE Rashan Gary, DE Chase Winovich, LB back and on the offensive line create problems? Devin Bush Coach’s quote: “The common denominator of Indiana The big questions: Will Mississippi transfer Shea every great player I’ve coached is competitive spir- Last year: 5-7, 2-7 Big Ten, tied for sixth in East Patterson be a difference maker at quarterback, a it.”— Urban Meyer Returning starters: 9 (6 offense, 3 defense) position where Michigan has struggled in the Jim Players to watch: QB Peyton Ramsey, QB Bran- Harbaugh era? Can Michigan improve on its 1-5 Penn State don Dawkins, RB Morgan Ellison, WR Nick West- record against its rivals Ohio State and Michigan Last year: 11-2, 7-2 Big Ten, tied for second in brook, WR Luke Timian, DB Jonathan Crawford State? Could Michigan have the best front seven on East. The big questions: Will Peyton Ramsey, who defense in the Big Ten? Returning starters: 10 (8 offense, 2 defense) started several games last year, or graduate transfer Coach’s quote: “He’s really getting the grasp of Players to watch: QB Trace McSorley, RB Miles Brandon Dawkins be the starting quarterback? Will the offense, that’s the biggest thing.” — Jim Har- Sanders, WR Juwan Johnson, WR DeAndre Thomp- wide receiver Nick Westbrook, who suffered a sea- baugh on his starting quarterback Shea Patterson kins, DE Shareef Miller son-ending injury on the opening kickoff against Ohio The big questions: Can the Nittany Lions chal- State in the season opener last season, be the player Michigan State lenge for a Big Ten title and a spot in the College he was when he caught 54 passes in 2016? Can the Last year: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten, tied for second in Football Playoff without running back Saquon Bark- Hoosiers replace eight starters on defense from last East ley and with only two returning starters on defense? year’s team? Returning starters: 19 (10 offense, 9 defense) Does quarterback Trace McSorley have a third con- Coach’s quote: “We went out and signed one of Players to watch: QB Brian Lewerke, RB L.J. secutive huge season in him? Will the schedule help the top recruiting class in the history of our program. Scott, WR Felton Davis, DE Kenny Willekes, LB Joe the Nittany Lions, with Ohio State, Michigan State Many of those men joined us in the mid-year.” — Bachie and Wisconsin all having to go to State College? Tom Allen The big questions: No one plays the role of the Coach’s quote: “For the first time we have an underappreciated underdog better than MSU coach offensive line that we think has a chance to be a Maryland . Can he do it again this year with strength in our program. I’m so excited about that Last year: 4-8, 2-7, tied for sixth in East 19 starters back from a team that won 10 games? Of group.” — James Franklin Returning starters: 11 (7 offense, 4 defense) course he can. Should the Spartans be encouraged or Players to watch: QB Kasim Hill, QB Tyrell worried that three of last year’s wins came by four Rutgers Pigrome, RB Ty Johnson, RB Lorenzo Harrison, WR points or fewer? Is running back L.J. Scott ready to Last year: 4-8, 3-6 Big Ten, fifth in East Taivon Jacobs, DE Jesse Aniebonam move from good to great, which would make Michi- Returning starters: 14 (6 offense, 8 defense) The big questions: Can the Terrapins keep their gan State a threat to win the Big Ten? Players to watch: QB Giovanni Rescigno, RB quarterbacks healthy after losing their top two QBs, Coach’s quote: “I think Brian Lewerke has a great Jonathan Hillman, TE Jerome Washington, LB Trev- Kasim Hill and Tyrell Pigrome, to injuries in the first future ahead of him. I think that he’s a rising star.” – or Morris, CB Isaiah Wharton four games last season? Can they put some pressure Mark Dantonio The big questions: How did Rutgers win four on opposing quarterbacks after having only 16 sacks games last season with an offense that ranked in 12 games last season? Will having five returning Ohio State No. 121 nationally in scoring and No. 129 in total starters on the offensive line mean Maryland can be Last year: 12-1, 8-1 Big Ten, won East and Big Ten offense? Can the defense, which made some major more competitive against the top programs in the Big Returning starters: 12 (7 offense, 5 defense) steps forward last season, get even better this sea- Ten? Players to watch: QB Dwayne Haskins, RB J.K. son? Has any other school except Rutgers had nine Coach’s quote: “I think we’re going to be playing Dobbins, RB Mike Weber, WR Parris Campbell, DE offensive coordinators in the last nine seasons? meaningful games in November. That’s our plan.” — Nick Bosa, DT Dre’Mont Jones, CB Damon Arnette Coach’s quote: “We’ve got to score points. It’s an D.J. Durkin The big questions: Can OSU get through the rug- area we haven’t been very good at. Defensively we’ve ged Big Ten East Division and return to the Big Ten got to stop the run and we’ve got to create more championship game and possibly the College Football takeaways.” – Greene County Group OSU FOOTBALL PREVIEW Thursday, August 30, 2018 11 Big Ten West Division preview BIG TEN WEST DIVISION The big questions: Can Minnesota find a quarter- 1,000 yards four years in a row? Who made out this back to fix a passing game that had more intercep- schedule with games against Michigan and Michigan tions (11) than touchdown passes last season? Can State back to back and games against Wisconsin and Illinois it find some playmakers to go with running back Notre Dame back to back? Last year: 2-10, 0-9 Big Ten, seventh in West Rodney Smith (977 yards) and wide receiver Tyler Coach’s quote: “It’s one thing to be consistently Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense) Johnson (7 TD catches) to jump start an offense that Players to watch: RB Mike Epstein, WR Mike a bowl team and consistently successful on the field. was twelfth in the Big Ten in scoring? Will coach P.J. Dudek, WR Ricky Smalling, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, It’s another thing to consistently compete for champi- Fleck’s rah-rah approach begin to wear thin if the DB Bennnett Williams onships. And we’re not there yet.” – Pat Fitzgerald Gophers continue to struggle? The big questions: Will a year of experience help Coach’s quote: “Last year we were not a player- a team that started 10 non-redshirt freshmen last Purdue led football team. Bad teams, nobody leads. Average Last year: 7-6, 4-5 Big Ten, tied for third in the season, including four on the offensive line? Who will teams, coaches lead. Elite teams, players lead.” – P.J. West play quarterback? Cam Thomas, the only returning Fleck Returning starters: 12 (8 offense, 4) scholarship quarterback, had five interceptions and Players to watch: QB David Blough, QB Elijah no touchdown passes last season. Can Dudek, who Nebraska Sindelar, RB Markell Jones, WR Jackson Anthrop, LB caught 76 passes as a freshman in 2014 become a Last year: 4-8, 3-6 Big Ten, fifth in the West go-to receiver again after two ACL surgeries? He says , DB Jacob Thieneman Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 7 defense) The big questions: Were the Boilermakers a he is “150 percent” healthy. Players to watch: WR Stanley Morgan Jr., WR Coach’s quote: “In an ideal world, we wanted to one-year wonder last year or is the turnaround here J.D. Spielman, DL Nick Stoltenberg to stay in coach Jeff Brohm’s second year? Will Eli- have more wins right now. But I like where we are. The big questions: Has Nebraska, which hasn’t jah Sindelar or David Blough emerge as the No. 1 Now that’s behind us.” – Lovie Smith won a league title since 1999, finally found a coach quarterback or will they share time? How much will in former Cornhuskers quarterback Scott Frost who the departure of four of the top five defensive line- Iowa can bring its program back to national prominence? men, two of the top three linebackers and the best Last year: 8-5, 4-5 Big Ten, tied for third in West Except for standout receivers Stanley Morgan Jr. (61 defensive back on last year’s team affect this year’s Returning starters: 11 (7 offense, 4 defense) catches) and J.D. Spielman (55 catches) almost every- defense? Players to watch: QB Nate Stanley, TE Noah Fant, thing is a question mark. Who will play quarterback Coach’s quote: “I know the expectations are high- WR Nick Easley, C Keegan Render, DE A.J. Epenesa, and how to fix a defense that gave up 36 points a DE Parker Hesse, CB Matt Hankins game are two of the biggest questions. er this year. But our players are looking forward to it The big questions: Can the combination of quar- Coach’s quote: “We’ve got to get Xs and Os and they’ve worked hard.” —Jeff Brohm terback Nate Stanley, who had 26 touchdown passes installed. We’ve got to change the way guys think. and only 6 interceptions in his first year as a starter We’ve got to make sure we’re getting to work in the Wisconsin last fall, and his top two receivers, Nick Easley (51 weight room, that we’re in better shape, that we Last year: 13-1, 9-0 Big Ten, first in West catches) and Noah Fant (11 TD catches) recruit better.” – Scott Frost Returning starters: 13 (10 offense, 3 defense) compensate for the lack of a proven running back? Players to watch: QB Alex Hornibrook, RB Jona- Will a dominant defensive line allow three first-year Northwestern than Taylor, WR Quintez Cephus, WR A.J. Taylor, OL starters at linebacker to grow into their roles? Last year: 10-3, 7-2 Big Ten, second in the West , LB T.J. Edwards Coach’s quote: “The obvious thing we’re lacking is Returning starters: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense) The big questions: Could Wisconsin have the best experience at running back. We like our players there. Players to watch: QB , RB Jere- offensive line in the country? Can quarterback Alex They just haven’t played very much.” – Kirk Ferentz my Larkin, WR Flynn Nagel, WR Bennett Skowronek, Hornibrook fix his problem (34 touch- DE Joe Gaziano, CB down passess and 22 interceptions the last two sea- Minnesota The big questions: The health of quarterback sons)? Can Jonathan Taylor (1,977 yards last season Last year: 5-7, 2-7, sixth in the West Clayton Thorson (2,844 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman) rush for more than 2,000 yards? Will Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense) last season) is by far the biggest question for North- Quintez Cephus, who missed several games because Players to watch: RB Rodney Smith, WR Tyler western after he suffered a torn ACL in the Music of an injury, give Wisconsin a deep threat at receiver? Johnson, DE Carter Coughlin, LB Thomas Barber, City Bowl. Will the Wildcats’ running game drop off Coach’s quote: “This year could be fun.” — Paul DB Antoine Winfield Jr. without Justin Jackson, who rushed for more than Chryst 12 Thursday, August 30, 2018 OSU FOOTBALL PREVIEW Greene County Group

Cornerback Damon Arnette (3) will be one of the leaders of Ohio State’s defense this year and could join the long list of recent OSU defensive backs who have gone to the NFL.

Photos by Don Speck l The Lima News Brutus Buckeye tries to fire up the crowd during a break in the action during a game last Ohio State receiver Terry McLaurin (83) stretches to try to make a catch in a game against Army last season in Ohio season. Stadium.

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