Which Power Conference Champion from 2014 Is Most Likely to Repeat in 2015?

Repeating as anything, be it divisional champs, conference champs and/or national champs, is tough. There's far more involved in winning than most can appreciate. It takes, among other things, the right talent, stability, team chemistry and even a little luck. 

If all of those things come together, it can make for a special season. To repeat all of that for a second year in a row seems more comparable to lightning striking twice. For example, Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey admitted last month at the ACC kickoff that the Seminoles' team chemistry took a step back from 2013 to '14. "I don't feel like we had that [last year,]" Ramsey said, via Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel. 

The Seminoles won all of their regular-season games in '14—26 in a row, in fact, spanning the two regular seasons—but we also saw how disjointed they looked at times, too. 

Keeping that winning edge will be one of the challenges for Ohio State, which looks to repeat as Big Ten champs (and national champs) in 2015. However, the Buckeyes are better equipped to get the job done than anyone else in college football. 

Before getting into Ohio State specifically, let's take a quick look at the other Power Five conference champions from 2014 who will try to hold on to their conference crowns this year: Alabama, Florida State, Oregon and Big 12 co-champions Baylor/TCU.

Everyone has question marks heading into a new season. Rarely, if ever, does a team come back with everyone, starters and coaches alike. But not all of those unanswered questions are created equally. Here's a snapshot of what each reigning Power Five conference champ has to replace:

Alabama: Quarterback, leading rusher in carries, top three wide receivers, leading tackler.

Baylor: Quarterback, leading tackler.

Florida State: Quarterback, second-leading rusher, top two pass-catchers, three offensive linemen, sack leader, starting cornerbacks. 

Oregon: Quarterback, top cornerback, two offensive linemen, several members of the back seven on defense. 

TCU: Top defensive tackle, top corner and safeties, top linebacker (and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year). 

That's not to say Ohio State doesn't have key players to replace. The Buckeyes' true deep threat in the passing game, receiver Devin Smith, is gone, as are defensive tackle Michael Bennett and cornerback Doran Grant. Additionally, starting defensive end Joey Bosa is one of four players who will miss the season opener against Virginia Tech with a suspension. 

But make no mistake: Ohio State is l-o-a-d-e-d. 

Bosa, arguably the best edge-rusher in college football? Back. Young defensive studs like defensive back Eli Apple and linebacker Darron Lee, who colleague Ben Axelrod calls college football's most overlooked star? Back. Two quarterbacks, J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones, either of whom could lead the team to victory? Back. Ezekiel Elliott, one of the top running backs in the game? Back. The offensive line, much maligned before turning into a powerful unit? Basically back. 

Braxton Miller, in his new spot at H-back? Back. 

As far as star power is concerned, you're not going to find a team in college football with more top-tier players at their respective positions. 

One of the things that often gets confused is that the overall talent and depth of a team is equal to its strength of schedule, when in fact this is one of the biggest fallacies in college football. As David Hale of ESPN.com tweeted, last year's Buckeye team and the 2013 Florida State Seminoles are good examples of excellent teams playing in so-so conferences and/or schedules:

Looking ahead, no reigning Power Five champion has an easier path to the playoff than the Buckeyes (albeit not by much). Using last year's rankings from Football Outsiders, we can gauge that Ohio State has the easiest schedule on paper heading into the season:

Team	S&P+ Rating
Alabama	27.7 (minus Charleston Southern)
Baylor	57.8 (minus FCS Lamar)
Florida State	55.1 (minus FCS UT-Chattanooga)
Ohio State	60.4
Oregon	52.9 (minus FCS Eastern Washington)
TCU	53.5 (minus FCS Stephen F. Austin)

Granted, this doesn't mean things can't or won't change, but it sets a benchmark heading into the year. While critics might lambaste the Buckeyes for their schedule, it doesn't mean this team is any less talented or capable of playing (and beating) anyone in college football. 

It just means the route to the final four is easier. Nothing more. Nothing less. 

What it could mean, though, is that the margin for error for Ohio State is smaller if the schedule pans out as expected. Ohio State was able to get into the playoff last year despite an early-season loss to what would eventually be a slightly above-average Virginia Tech team, but there's no guarantee a similar type of loss would have the same result in '15. 

But if any coach knows how to carry over success from one year to the next, it's Urban Meyer. From 2012 to 13, Ohio State won 24 straight regular-season games. Easily, this '15 squad is more talented. 

The one test that stands out is the Nov. 21 game against Michigan State. The Buckeyes and Spartans have exchanged blows over the past few years and, with all due respect to The Game against Michigan, it has become the Big Ten's most exciting matchup. 

However, word broke on Wednesday night that Spartans linebacker Ed Davis had been lost for the season due to a knee injury. It's a tough blow for Michigan State, which already had major questions to answer on defense. 

The Spartans have been known for stingy defenses under head coach Mark Dantonio, but it's entirely possible Michigan State has to win with offense in 2015, which it is more than capable of doing. However, Ohio State showed last season in a 49-37 win on the road that it can grab a victory in a shootout. 

Get past Michigan State again and Ohio State should be looking good to repeat as Big Ten champions. Of course, the Buckeyes will take everyone's best shot every week. This is nothing new. And if Ohio State does fall, it could fall hard. The good news for Ohio State fans, however, is that this team is better equipped to take the punches. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand.