Ohio State Football: How Dangerous Can Buckeyes Offense Be in 2015?

The terrifying potential of Ohio State's offense didn't truly reveal itself until the second half of the Buckeyes' 42-24 demolition of Virginia Tech on Monday night.

There were glimpses in the first half, of course. Ezekiel Elliott's 80-yard touchdown scamper on his first carry served as a reminder of how he finished the 2014 season, when he rushed for 696 yards and eight touchdowns in his final three games.

Cardale Jones showed that he's nearly impossible to corral in the backfield, as Virginia Tech failed to register a single sack after notching seven in Columbus a season ago. Jones' arm is as strong as ever, and he showcased that with an effortless, back-footed touchdown throw to Curtis Samuel that soared 40 yards with a flick of his wrist.

But the Buckeyes bogged down after scoring touchdowns on their first two drives against the Hokies, netting just 93 yards in their final four drives while turning the ball over twice and missing a field goal.

That slump allowed Virginia Tech to take a 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.

It also woke a sleeping giant.

The Potential

Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Throughout the course of the 2014 season, Braxton Miller sat on the sideline and watched as the Buckeyes offense grew into an efficient machine.

Under the steady guidance of redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett, Ohio State attacked teams with a balanced and multifaceted attack, averaging 44 points in the 12 games he started before breaking his ankle against Michigan.

While the Buckeyes lit up scoreboards all across the Midwest, Miller knew something was missing—something he knew he could provide if he were on the field.

“We had a great season last year, but we didn’t see anyone do off-the-wall-type stuff," Miller said, according to Pete Thamel of SI.com. "I’m sure guys miss seeing an explosive, 60-yard shake-and-bake run every once in a while.”

That, in part, is why Miller made the move from quarterback to H-back—the position made famous by Percy Harvin at Florida. And in his first start at the position, Miller made good on his promise to add that explosive playmaking ability to the offense.

On the first drive of the second half against Virginia Tech, Miller got behind the defense and hauled in a 54-yard touchdown reception from Jones. But it was his electrifying 53-yard touchdown run that featured a video game-like spin move later in the third quarter that went viral.

By the end of the night, Ohio State had amassed 42 points and 572 yards against the stingy Hokies defense, averaging an incredible 10.2 yards per play.

Miller's addition to Ohio State's already stacked wide receivers corps—which features the top NFL wideout prospect in Michael Thomas, according to ESPN's Todd McShay—was a big part of that.

However, Elliott said that Ohio State is only scratching the surface of its potential because it was missing three of its most dangerous playmakers. Wideouts Dontre Wilson, Jalin Marshall and Corey Smith all sat out against Virginia Tech due to a suspension for violating team rules, so the Buckeyes weren't at full strength when they bulled over one of the country's strongest defenses.

“I think it’s kind of scary, honestly,” Elliott said, according to Tim Shoemaker of Eleven Warriors. “We were missing guys like I said and we still had so many weapons on the field today. We get some guys back next week and we all can improve on our play and we’re just very raw right now.”

Once those weapons are back and Ohio State's offense really finds its groove, Meyer's squad could put up historic numbers as it chases another berth in the College Football Playoff.

David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.