Ohio State Expected to Repeat as NCAA Champions
When a defending national champion returns 15 starters, including its quarterback(s), a Heisman-favorite running back, and maybe the best defensive player in the country, it’s safe to say it will be favored to win again.
But repeats are rare. Florida State returned almost as much last year and couldn’t do the deed. Florida brought Tim Tebow back in 2009 and couldn’t. Miami brought back an amazing squad in 2002 and couldn’t (as Ohio State fans well know). Repeats happen — Alabama in 2012, USC (sort of) in 2004, Nebraska in 1995 — but they don’t happen as often as we predict them to.
This speaks to margin for error, first of all. Ohio State barely made last year’s Playoff, and if the Buckeyes had lost the turnover battle to Alabama, they wouldn’t have made the finals. They have all the experience in the world and a navigable schedule — there’s only one projected top-25 team, Michigan State, which visits Columbus — but stuff happens in college football, and if you’re betting Ohio State vs. the field, the field is still the far safer pick. You just never know how much of a role complacency, injury, etc., will play.
Still … wow, are the Buckeyes loaded. You cannot ask for much more.
Category: Sports