The Ohio State football team is destined to be one of the college football’s best teams in 2020, but according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, they likely won’t start as the best.
That spot is currently being held by the Clemson Tigers, Schlabach laid out in his way-too-early top 25. However, the Buckeyes, who will have the Big Ten’s most talented inbound recruiting class, come in at No. 2, the same spot they were at when the list was first released after all the bowl games.
Here’s an excerpt of what the senior writer said on the Buckeyes heading into 2020.
“The Buckeyes’ first season under coach Ryan Day couldn’t have gone much better, except for the heartbreaking 29-23 loss to Clemson in a CFP semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. With quarterback Justin Fields returning for his second season as a starter, along with five other starters on offense, Day’s second season might be just as fruitful.”
The latest Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings 🚨
Where does your team land? https://t.co/jj0raSCgw5 pic.twitter.com/mDq52fH1XG
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) February 19, 2020
Ohio State had a nearly flawless season in 2019. Day flew through the Big Ten and even overcame adversity in the Big Ten Championship Game as well.
A stinging loss to Clemson in the College Football Semifinals will haunt the program for years to come, but it was still a fantastic season no matter how you slice it.
That was the lone blemish on and otherwise stellar season.
With new players like Julian Fleming, Paris Johnson Jr. and high levels of talent returning, the Buckeyes should come out just as strong in 2020 despite losing Chase Young, J.K. Dobbins, and Jeff Okudah.
The program is clearly in fine shape under Ryan Day.
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