The pressure never lets up at Ohio State, especially after three consecutive losses to archrival Michigan.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is likely to have an elite team in his ranks again this season, and with the Wolverines unable to rely on JJ McCarthy at quarterback and Jim Harbaugh no longer on the sidelines, the Buckeyes could well have the advantage again.
There have been dramatic changes within the Big Ten this year, and Day has to deal with all of those changes, but a meeting with the Wolverines on the last day of November is still in the back of his mind.
Before Ohio State hosts Michigan this year, there are 11 regular-season games left, and the Buckeyes will likely be favorites in all of them—with the possible exception of the Nov. 2 game at Penn State.
The key for Ohio State, Day and his coaching staff is to put the best team on the field all season long. As the Buckeyes prepare for their season opener on Aug. 31 at the Horseshoe against Southern Miss, there are several X-factors to consider.
No, we’re not talking about junior running back Quinshon Judkins. He’s expected to play a major role after transferring from Ole Miss. Judkins was a star for the Rebels, rushing for 1,567 yards in his first season at Ole Miss and then rushing for 1,158 yards and 17 TDs.
Judkins is not an X-factor, he is just a star in the making for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State X-Factor No. 1 – Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith
If there’s one thing Ohio State has been known for over the past few decades — and maybe even longer — it’s that the Buckeyes always have elite wide receivers on their roster. Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are just a few of those top receivers.
The supply seems to be inexhaustible and the new star will likely be freshman Jeremiah Smith. He has been one of the most touted players in the country and is currently listed as the team’s starting X-receiver.
The Buckeyes will certainly rely on the return of star wideout Emeka Egbuka, and they also have Carnell Tate. Egbuka caught 74-1,151-10 in the 2022 season and followed that up with 41-515-4 in 10 games last year. Tate has been used less heavily. Last year he caught 18 passes for 264 yards and 1 TD. It’s clear that much more is expected this season.
Related newsArticle continues below
Smith, who is 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, had a brilliant final season at Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Opa Locka, Florida, catching 88 passes for 1,376 yards and 19 touchdowns as his team won its third straight state title.
Ohio State X-fact0r #2 – MLB CJ Hicks
CJ Hicks has waited patiently for his chance to play for the Buckeyes. Record-breakingly, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Hicks has 14 tackles in his first two years with the team. But now it’s his turn to become one of the team’s most reliable defensive players.
The Dayton, Ohio, junior was the nation’s top linebacker recruit in 2021. He had 84 tackles this season and could do big things for the Buckeyes and help them build a defense worthy of an elite spot in college football’s postseason structure.
In addition to his tackling ability, he is also athletic enough to quickly read the play, get to the ball carrier and make a big hit. The Buckeyes expect great depth and consistency from Hicks.
