The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the 2022 college football season with high expectations. The Buckeyes have high expectations most seasons, but for 2022 the expectations are very high. Ohio State expects to have one of the best offenses in the country and an improved defense. Oddsmakers such as BetMGM have Ohio State with the second-best odds to win the national championship. The only team ranked in front of them is Alabama.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one key returner for Ohio State
The Buckeyes return most of their starters on the offensive side of the ball. This includes quarterback C.J. Stroud, wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Julian Fleming. Harrison and Fleming are expected to make an impact, compared to last season when did not play much. Three offensive linemen also return along with running back TreVeyon Henderson. It will remain to be seen how the defense will perform until the first game. Most of the defensive coaching staff has been replaced with new coaches to rebuild.
The Expectations and How to Achieve Them
The Buckeyes are favored in every game this season and expected to go 12-0. They can make that happen if the offense can have a balance between the rush and the pass. In 2021, the running game was very predictable because of certain formations, including under center and pistol. Defenses could then see what was coming and stop it.
The defense will also need to improve from last year. Most of the players were inexperienced and need to perform better this year. This year, with more experience and a new defensive scheme, the defense should become more balanced with the offense. With the start of the season a month and a half away, we should expect to see a talented football team.
