ScriptOhio
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FIVE THINGS THAT MUST HAPPEN FOR OHIO STATE TO WIN THE 2022-23 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
DEFENSE MUST IMPROVE SIGNIFICANTLY
Some of you might say that this should be all five items on this list. It’s undoubtedly the most important one.
The biggest reason why Ohio State didn’t play for a national title in 2021 was that it didn’t have a championship-caliber defense. While all four College Football Playoff teams ranked in the top 20 nationally in both total and scoring defense, Ohio State ranked 38th in points allowed per game (22.8) and 59th in yards allowed per game (372.6). The Buckeyes gave up more than 30 points in five games this season, and more than 40 points in each of their last two games of the year.
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C.J. STROUD MUST CONTINUE ELITE PLAY
The biggest reason why Ohio State is viewed as one of the top contenders to win the next national championship is because Stroud is returning for a second season as Ohio State’s starting quarterback.
Stroud was one of college football’s elite quarterbacks in 2021, finishing the season with the second-best passer rating (186.6) and third-most passing yards per game (369.6) in the Football Bowl Subdivision. And he got better as the season progressed – capping the year off with a school record-setting 574-yard game in the Rose Bowl – as he gained more experience and got healthier after injuring his shoulder in the season opener.
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BUCKEYES MUST BE ABLE TO TRUST RUN GAME
While high-flying passing offenses get most of the love these days, an effective running game is also crucial to winning in the playoff.
Need evidence of that? The team that has rushed for more yards has won 21 out of 24 games in the first eight years of the College Football Playoff. Ohio State’s rushing offense was certainly pivotal to its last national championship, as Ezekiel Elliott ran for at least 220 yards in each of the Buckeyes’ final three games to lead the way to a title.
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OHIO STATE MUST START SEASON STRONG
The Buckeyes’ path to the College Football Playoff quickly became more difficult this past season when they lost to Oregon in their second game of the year. They’ll face another major early-season test when they host what will likely be a top-10-ranked Notre Dame team in their 2022 season opener.
Calling that a must-win game would be too much, as Ohio State’s 2014 championship run proved a non-conference loss is not fatal to a team’s title hopes. Every game after that would become a must-win game if Ohio State loses, however, and it was clear that took a toll on the Buckeyes in 2021 as they tried to survive their way through a challenging Big Ten schedule.
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BUCKEYES MUST GET REVENGE IN THE GAME
If Ohio State can win its first 11 games of the regular season, it’s possible the Buckeyes could lose to Michigan and still have a chance to win the national championship. But that’s not a scenario the Buckeyes should entertain in the slightest right now.
Losing to Michigan crushed Ohio State’s playoff hopes in 2021, and it’s very possible they could ride on winning The Game once again in 2022. Although Michigan is losing numerous key players on both sides of the ball – and could even lose Jim Harbaugh – the Wolverines still project to be Ohio State’s top competition for the Big Ten East title.
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Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...tate-to-win-the-2022-23-national-championship
Ohio State is ranked #2 in most way-too-early polls for the 2022 season. Expectations will likely be off the charts. All the pieces are potentially there to make a strong run at the National Championship. Expectations will likely be off the charts. 2022 could be the season to grab the proverbial "brass ring".
