Key players: QB Drew Allar, RB Nicholas Singleton, CB Kalen King, LB Abdul Carter He appeared in just eight games last season due to a lingering foot injury that eventually required surgery and never looked comfortable. X-factor: The health of Henderson, the team's star running back. It falls to second-year coordinator Jim Knowles to eliminate big plays. In a macro sense, Day would love to match his predecessor, Urban Meyer, by bringing a national title to Columbus.Īchilles' heel: As ever, there are questions about the defense after the Buckeyes allowed 87 points and 1,063 yards in their final two games against Georgia and Michigan last season.

What success looks like: In a micro sense, Ohio State is aiming to avoid a third consecutive loss to Michigan, which hasn't won three straight games against the Buckeyes since 1995-97. Whoever wins will be under significant pressure this season. Stroud, who threw for more than 8,000 yards and 85 touchdowns, the Buckeyes are welcoming a new starter into the mix after a lengthy battle between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown stretched across the spring and into fall camp. What we're watching: After two incredible seasons from quarterback C.J. Key players: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., RB TreVeyon Henderson, EDGE JT Tuimoloau, LB Tommy Eichenberg Postseason: Lost to Georgia in national semifinal X-factor: Can McCarthy develop into a high-level passer? Will the coaching staff let him given the potency of Michigan's running game? The only Wolverine quarterbacks to throw for 3,000 yards in the Harbaugh era were Shea Patterson in 2019 and Jake Rudock in 2015.

On defense, the cornerback depth is suspect behind Freshman All-American Will Johnson and savvy veteran Mike Sainristil. What success looks like: After back-to-back losses in the national semifinals - first to Georgia in 2021, then to TCU in 2022 - Michigan is fighting to get over the hump and make its first championship game appearance in the CFP era.Īchilles' heel: On offense, the Wolverines have plenty of depth at wide receiver but lack an elite playmaker at that position. They're also chasing a third straight outright league title for the first time in school history. What we're watching: The Wolverines are seeking a third consecutive Big Ten title for the first time since the early 1990s. McCarthy, RB Blake Corum, RB Donovan Edwards, DT Kris Jenkins Postseason: Lost to TCU in national semifinal

Big ten championship game time 2019