Ohio State Football : 5 Toughest QBs Buckeyes Will Face in 2015
Ohio State will play a number of talented teams this fall, but it won't be asked to defend an array—or even a handful—of truly elite quarterbacks.
In fact, only one signal-caller on the Buckeyes' 2015 schedule—Connor Cook— finished in the top 30 in passing efficiency and passing yards last season, according to NCAA.com.
Which five quarterbacks pose the biggest threat to Ohio State's playoff aspirations?
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Determining that requires more than just a simple look at the statistics. Past performances against the Buckeyes, dynamic offensive schemes, experience and supporting casts all play a part in ranking the danger level of these quarterbacks.
5. Michael Brewer, Virginia Tech
Of all of the quarterbacks on this list, Michael Brewer is the only one who came away with a victory against Ohio State last year.
That's the only reason for his inclusion here.
If you take away that fact and look at the season Brewer had in 2014, you'd see a lot of unimpressive numbers. He completed just 59.4 percent of his passes, had an 18-15 touchdown-to-interception ratio and registered just three interception-free games.
But he overcame all of that on the road in Week 2 against Ohio State. He completed nearly 64 percent of his passes against the Buckeyes and threw for two touchdowns, one of which came midway through the fourth quarter to give Virginia Tech a lead it wouldn't surrender. He did throw two interceptions, but he countered that with timely plays with his feet, evading pressure and running for key first downs throughout the game.
Statistically, Brewer will not be one of the five best quarterbacks Ohio State will face this year. But he possesses an X-factor that allowed the Hokies to upset the Buckeyes last year, and he'll try to recreate that magic to open the season in 2015. And this time around, he'll have the home-field advantage.
4. Drew Hare, Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois has ascended to the top of the MAC over the last few years in part because of great quarterback play.
In 2013, Jordan Lynch led the Huskies to a 12-0 start and built a Heisman Trophy campaign while tearing defenses apart, throwing for 2,892 yards and running for 1,920 to complement 48 touchdowns.
Northern Illinois' current quarterback—Drew Hare—isn't that good, but he's still very talented.
Hare solidified himself as the starter after leading the Huskies to an 11-3 record and a MAC Championship Game victory over Bowling Green last season. After a rough start to the year, Hare found his bearings by October and finished with 2,322 passing yards and an impressive 18-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
But it's not just his efficiency that makes him a threat. Hare also has the ability to hurt a defense with his legs as he rushed for 900 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
3. Wes Lunt, Illinois
When healthy, Illinois' Wes Lunt is a dangerous quarterback.
Before he broke his leg against Purdue in Week 6 last season, Lunt was on his way to a special season. Through five games he had thrown for 1,569 yards and 13 touchdowns (against just three interceptions) while completing 66.5 percent of his passes.
The Buckeyes saw replacements Aaron Bailey and Reilly O'Toole in a 55-14 drubbing of the Illini last year, highlighting the desperate need Illinois has for good quarterback play.
And according to head coach Tim Beckman, that's exactly what Lunt brings to the table.
"This is a very quarterback-oriented offense. We put a lot on the shoulders of our quarterback," Beckman said, according to Bill Bender of Sporting News. "[Lunt] understands exactly where he wants to put the ball. He knows where to put our offense in situations to be successful."
The Buckeyes travel to Memorial Stadium for a November matchup with Illinois. The timing isn't perfect for Ohio State, who will likely be hosting a titanic showdown with Michigan State the following week.
If Urban Meyer brings a distracted team to Champaign, Illinois, Lunt has the skill set to do some damage.
2. Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
Despite Christian Hackenberg's disappointing sophomore season, he still remains one of the most talented quarterbacks not just in the Big Ten, but in the entire country.
Many expected big things from Hackenberg after a breakout true freshman season in 2013, and those expectations looked to be in line after he threw for 454 yards and completed 68 percent of his passes in a 26-24 season-opening victory over UCF.
But Hackenberg struggled with consistency in new head coach James Franklin's offense, registering six games with a completion percentage of 50 percent or lower.
Against Ohio State, though, he flashed the potential that terrifies opposing defensive coordinators. He was erratic early, which allowed the Buckeyes to build a 17-0 lead in the first half. But he settled down in the fourth quarter, leading two clutch scoring drives to end the fourth quarter and force overtime.
The Buckeyes bounced back then, turning to their ground game to put the Nittany Lions away in double overtime. But Hackenberg left an impression in the loss, and when Penn State comes to Columbus for a prime-time matchup October 17, he'll be looking for revenge.
1. Connor Cook, Michigan State
Cook has had the magic touch against Ohio State over the past two seasons.
During the Big Ten title game in 2013, the Michigan State quarterback put up 304 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 34-24 victory that halted the Buckeyes' 24-game win streak and spoiled their chances for a national championship.
A year later in East Lansing, Ohio State got revenge with a 49-37 victory of its own, but Cook was excellent, throwing for 358 yards and two touchdowns.
This season, he'll lead a team with championship aspirations into Columbus for his first-ever visit to the 'Shoe.
He won't have Tony Lippett or Keith Mumphery—his top pass-catchers in 2014—or Jeremy Langford—one of the Big Ten's best running backs a season ago. But he'll have Macgarrett Kings Jr. back, who could be the breakout star for the Spartans this fall.
But regardless of the supporting cast, Cook has earned his stripes against the Buckeyes and proven himself as one of the country's most effective signal-callers.
David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
