The Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to win their first college football national championship since 2002. Their run for the title begins on Jan. 1 against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Led by future NCAA Hall of Fame coach Urban Meyer, here are our top 10 reasons why the Buckeyes will win the championship for the first time in 13 years.
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10. Big-Play Offense
Despite losing Braxton Miller before the start of the 2014 season, backup J.T. Barrett helped the Buckeyes average 45.2 points per game, good for fourth in the country.
After Barrett was injured in the regular season finale against Michigan, Cardale Jones stepped in and led the Buckeyes to an overwhelming 59-0 victory over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game.
The Buckeyes excelled in making big plays having 39 plays over 30 yards, 22 over 40 yards, 14 over 50 yards, 7 over 60 yards, 4 over 70 yards and 3 over 80 yards.
9. Ground and Pound
In 2014, the Buckeyes were No. 11 in the nation in rushing yards per game (260.77).
Sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott led the Ohio State rushing attack averaging 107.85 yards per game and scoring 12 touchdowns.
8. Pass Defense
The Buckeyes were stingy against the pass in 2014 allowing teams an average of 188.2 passing yards per game.
Considering that 80 FBS quarterbacks passed for an average of over 190 yards per game, the Buckeyes pass defense was particulary impressive.
7. Balanced Offense
In 2014, the Buckeyes ranked No. 8 in the country in total offense
While being highly ranked, the offense was entirely balanced gaining 3390 yards on the ground and 3209 yards through the air. The Buckeyes also converted 51.52 percent of third downs which ranked No. 4 nationally.
6. Stingy Defense
Ohio State excelled at stopping both the pass and the run in 2014.
Just ask Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon who had a 10-game streak of rushing for at least 122 yards snapped after being held to 76 in the Big Ten Championship game.
The Buckeyes were ranked No. 15 in the country allowing a mere 328.0 yards per game.
5. Punt Returns
Freshman Jalin Marshall was electric on punt returns for the Buckeyes in 2014.
Overall, Marshall was No. 8 in the country in average punt return yardage (12.68) while scoring one touchdown. Marshall has the proven ability to keep the Buckeyes’ offense in good starting field position which leads to more scoring drives.
4. Swarming Pass Rush
The Ohio State defensive line was constantly in the face of opposing quarterbacks all season long.
In an era of college football where quarterbacks are known for getting rid of the ball quickly, the Buckeyes still managed to record 40 sacks in 13 games led by linebacker Joey Bosa who had 13.5.
3. Tackles for Loss
Look for the Buckeyes defense to be in the opponents backfield all game long.
In 2014, the Buckeyes had exactly 100 tackles for loss for a total of 416 yards. On an individual note, linebacker Joey Bosa led the team with 20 tackles for loss.
2. Ball Hawking Secondary
Ohio State finished the season ranked fourth in the nation with 21 interceptions, including seven in the last four games.
Given the fact that every team in the playoff can throw the football, having a strong secondary will help the Buckeyes compete. Defensive backs Doran Grant and Vonn Bell had five interceptions each.
1. Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer, in a nutshell, can be simply described as a winner. While at Florida, Meyer and the Gators won the BCS National Championship in 2006 and 2008.
In his first season at Ohio State, Meyer coached the Buckeyes to a 12-0 record but the team was unable to play in the postseason due to NCAA violations from a previous coaching staff.
2014 may have been his finest coaching job ever after having to juggle quarterbacks due to injuries to Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. Sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones will take the field versus Alabama on Jan. 1.