Ohio State fans start the season with high expectations

Before, during and after the Ohio State Football season, we here at Land-Grant Holy Land like to ask and answer questions about the team, college football, and anything else that concerns us to varying degrees. If you have a question you’d like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.

We did it, friends. The first week of play of the Ohio State football season is finally here. The Buckeyes take on Akron on Saturday, and that means we can finally put aside all the contrived, silly talking points and focus on what’s in front of us.

But before we get into game weeks, we need to revisit the results of last week’s fan poll, where we asked about OSU’s game plan and each position group on the team this year. We’ll be doing these fun little polls every week of the season, so if you’d like to participate, click the link below.

Question 1: What game other than Oregon or Michigan are you most looking forward to this season?

With all due respect to the environment in Happy Valley, I just can’t bring myself to play the Nits until they prove they’re capable of taking a massive step forward and doing something. The Buckeyes have lost to PSU a total of five times this century (and not since 2016), and only two of those games have been in State College (and one of those was in the first year of the century).

While I respect the tradition and passion in Happy Valley, you won’t get me overly excited about a game there until James Franklin lets himself go and actually lets his team win a big game.

While I could have made a case for this weekend’s game against Akron because it’s the opening game of the season, I’d go with Iowa. It will be the first (and probably best) test for OSU’s offense to face a dominant defense before the postseason, but it also gives Ryan Day, Chip Kelly and the players plenty of time to make adjustments. So I’m looking forward to the Oct. 5 game against Iowa because it will be a window into how good the offense is and how far it still has to go.

Question 2: Which Ohio State position group will end up having the best season?

I love how close these two position groups are because I have no idea how to choose between them either. If I had to choose, I would probably go with the wide receivers simply because I think there is a small chance that more guys from that room will get important plays.

The defensive backs are led by Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock, Lathan Ransom and Caleb Downs, and barring injuries, I don’t think many of the other players will be used frequently in high-pressure situations.

However, at wide receiver, I think people are dramatically overlooked by both Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss because of the talent of Emeka Egbuka and the potential of Jeremiah Smith. Then throw in guys like Kojo Antwi, Jayden Ballard, Mylan Graham and Bryson Rodgers and I think there’s a real chance for those guys to step up in important situations.

While I expect both units to be absolutely incredible this year, I’m going with the wideouts.

Throughout the year we ask questions to the most connected Ohio State Fans and supporters across the country. Register here to participate in the weekly surveys sent by email.