It's been three long years since the Ohio State football team has seen confetti rain down at the end the season. Instead, it's been arch-rival Michigan's Big Ten conference with the Wolverines winning three-straight Big Ten titles and rubbing it all in with a College Football Playoff national championship last season.
Nothing says we're close to the start of the season like watching the shenanigans at Big Ten football media days, and we're about to get a glimpse of all 18 teams next week. For the Buckeyes, there are some storylines and questions that most everyone will be interested in as Ryan Day tries to get the Scarlet and Gray back on top.
Here are three of the top questions surrounding Ohio State as we get ready for the annual Big Ten media days next week.
3. Is Will Howard the answer at quarterback?
Kyle McCord is off to Syracuse, meaning a new experiment is underway under center this fall. A starter hasn't officially been named yet by Day, but it would be a major surprise if it was anyone but Kansas State transfer Will Howard. For the Buckeyes to win the Big Ten and have a shot at a national championship, the play under center will have to be a wee bit better than what we saw last year. There are a lot of weapons, but Howard will need to show command and good decision-making for it to truly be a special year in Columbus.
2. Can the offensive line be a difference-maker this fall?
For Howard to be at his best, he'll need the Ohio State offensive line to upgrade its play this season. Things were OK last year, but not to the standard you need both in the run game and in pass protection you need to make memories. Donovan Jackson will anchor things, but he'll need those around him to play at a high level as well.
1. What about that trip to Oregon?
Yeah, yeah, the game against Michigan is always going to be circled on the schedule, but the game in Autzen Stadium vs. the Oregon Ducks might have more to do with what team gets the inside track to Indianapolis and the Big Ten championship. OSU and Oregon are both expected to be top-five type programs and traveling to the Pacific Northwest to play in a raucous environment will be a major test.