Ohio State: 5 Questions Buckeyes Must Answer For 2014 Season

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5. Will Braxton Miller return for his senior season?

Andrew Weber - USA Today Sports

This question should be answered sometime this week. Right now there is conflicting information, but it sounds like there is a good chance that Miller could return for the Buckeyes in 2014. It would be a huge boost to an Ohio State offense that will be losing some key players, including star backup quarterback Kenny Guiton. If Miller leaves, their next option would be Cardale Jones, who will be a sophomore next season. He is currently their third string quarterback and has had very little playing time yet with Miller and Guiton ahead of him. Jones has been compared to the likes of former NFL and Marshall Thundering Herd quarterback Byron Leftwich, but Ohio State’s best chance of winning a championship next season will be if their offense is led by Miller. Miller will likely be a Heisman favorite again next season barring any more injuries, which is what took him out of the running in 2013.

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4. Can offensive line protect the quarterback?

Steve Mitchell - USA Today Sports

The offensive line that did such a wonderful job of protecting Miller and Hyde, while also creating running lanes for the explosive rushing duo, will be losing four senior starters. Only sophomore right tackle Taylor Decker will be returning on the offensive line and the Buckeyes will look to him to be a leader. It will be important for them to be able to protect the quarterback, especially if it’s Miller, who will do even greater things in 2014, if he can get the protection that he needs.

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3. Who will replace Carlos Hyde?

Robert Mayer - USA Today Sports

Hyde ran for more than 1,500 yards in just 11 games this season. He and Miller made up perhaps the most explosive rushing attack in college football that was feared by many teams and difficult to stop. Even the No. 1 defense of Michigan State could not slow them down. Senior Hyde will be leaving for the NFL and fellow senior running back Jordan Hall will be gone too, so the Buckeyes will need to find good running backs to replace them. Bri’onte Dunn, Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith and even Dontre Wilson could be options to replace Hyde. Elliott is the most likely since he shows the most promise. Wilson is going to be worked into more of an all-around player by Meyer, so that opposing defenses don’t know what to expect when he comes in. He could be lined up in the backfield, at the receiver position, or just put in to block. His speed gives Meyer plenty of options. It will certainly be a battle in spring training to determine who will be Hyde’s replacement.

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2. How can defense be greatly improved?

Andrew Weber - USA Today Sports

The Ohio State defense needs much improvement if they want to be successful in 2014. The losses of star linebacker Shazier and cornerback Roby to the NFL are indeed huge losses for the defense, but the Buckeyes have plenty of young defensive players who have already proved they can step up and make plays when necessary. The Orange Bowl was essentially a peek into their future as they started six freshmen or sophomores on defense with Roby sidelined with a knee injury and Noah Spence suspended. Jamal Marcus started in place of Spence and had six tackles and a deflected pass. The toughness of defensive end Joey Bosa is something the Buckeyes desperately need defensively. Bosa showed that toughness by playing most of the Orange Bowl on a sprained ankle. Much-improved linebacker Joshua Perry could lessen the blow of losing Shazier, though they will still need plenty of improvement at the linebacker position. Vonn Bell, Tyvis Powell and Armani Reeves all show promise in a secondary that will be without Roby next season. They all started in the Orange Bowl and showed flashes of greatness. If Ohio State can concentrate on making its defense better and build on the young defensive potential it has, then it may have a shot at a championship. It wasn’t far off from it this season despite the defense playing the way it did.

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1. Can Ohio State win a championship?

Bradley Leeb - USA Today Sports

The Buckeyes will need to answer all of these questions and more if they expect to be able to win the Big Ten and compete for a national championship in the new playoff system that the NCAA will employ in 2014. Miller will provide a nice boost to the offense if he returns, as he looks to continue to make plays with his legs and improve on his passing game. The biggest question will be their less than stellar defense. If they can greatly improve their defense with some promising young players, then the losses of Roby and Shazier won’t sting as much. Meyer knows how to turn his team into a championship team, so don’t be surprised if they’re in the running for a championship once again in 2014.