Ohio State Football: Depth Chart Analysis, Complete 2015 Preview and Predictions

COLUMBUS, Ohio — What a difference a year makes.

After Braxton Miller went down with a season-ending injury two weeks prior to the start of the 2014 campaign, it was hard to find anything but doom and gloom in Columbus. Coming off of consecutive losses to end the 2013 season, Ohio State had just lost its Heisman Trophy-candidate quarterback and found itself relying on an offense with no shortage of question marks and a defense installing a new scheme after a disappointing end to the previous season.

One year later, Miller is now a wide receiver, his former backups are entrenched in an unprecedented quarterback competition and the Buckeyes are the defending national champions. Bringing back a roster that includes 15 returning starters and an abundance of potential first-round picks on both sides of the ball, there may not be a team in college football history that's been as hyped as this 2015 Ohio State squad, which on Sunday was named the first unanimous preseason No. 1 team in the history of the Associated Press Top 25.

Hype, however, will only take a team so far. Despite all of the certainties this Buckeyes team appears to possess, plenty of question marks still remain.

What follows is a complete guide to Ohio State's 2015 season as the Buckeyes look to keep a stranglehold on the College Football Playoff championship.

Coaches

Name	Title	Years on Staff
Urban Meyer	Head Coach	4
Ed Warinner	Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach	4
Chris Ash	Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach	2
Tim Beck	Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach	1
Luke Fickell	Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach	14
Zach Smith	Wide Receivers Coach	4
Larry Johnson	Defensive Line Coach	2
Tony Alford	Running Backs Coach	1
Kerry Coombs	Cornerbacks Coach/Special Teams Coordinator	4
Tim Hinton	Tight Ends Coach	4

After keeping his original Ohio State staff intact for his first two seasons in Columbus, head coach Urban Meyer finds himself replacing two assistants for the second consecutive year.

Gone are offensive coordinator Tom Herman, now the head coach at Houston, and running backs coach Stan Drayton, now with the Chicago Bears, yet Meyer has managed to keep some semblance of continuity on his staff. The three-time national champion head coach promoted offensive line coach Ed Warinner to run the Buckeyes offense and brought in Tony Alford from Notre Dame to replace Drayton, who took off for the NFL after national signing day.

Another addition to the Buckeyes staff this season comes in the form of Tim Beck, who will take over Herman's role as OSU's quarterbacks coach after having served at Nebraska in the same role. Beck has already hit the ground running in Columbus, as he now finds himself overseeing the most-talked-about quarterback competition in college football between Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett.

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

"This will be it, there's no question," Beck answered when asked about the biggest quarterback battles he's dealt with in his coaching career. "This magnitude? Not to this level. Both of them have won, both of them are very intelligent, both of them understand the offense, both of them are talented."

Beck, however, won't be making the final call on who starts between Jones and Barrett, as that will fall upon Meyer. But he will be asked to provide input—along with Warinner—in a decision that could very well shape Ohio State's 2015 season.

On the defensive side of the ball, Meyer managed to retain his entire staff, although that might not be easy to do for long. Co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash's quarters coverage scheme helped transform Ohio State's defense into one of the best in the nation and could make him a hot head coaching candidate come 2016.

"I think our defense the last three games was as good as I’ve ever witnessed," Meyer said of the Buckeyes' postseason run.

With Ohio State players now no longer learning, but rather perfecting Ash's scheme, that could very well continue to be the case in 2015. 

What to Watch For on Offense

Position	1st String	2nd String	3rd String
QB	J.T. Barrett	Cardale Jones	Stephen Collier
RB	Ezekiel Elliott	Bri'onte Dunn	Mike Weber
WR	Michael Thomas	Corey Smith	Dontre Wilson
WR	Noah Brown	Johnnie Dixon	Torrance Gibson
H-Back	Jalin Marshall	Curtis Samuel	Braxton Miller
TE	Nick Vannett	Marcus Baugh	Rashod Berry
LT	Taylor Decker	Jamarco Jones	Kevin Feder
LG	Billy Price	Demetrius Knox	Matthew Burrell
C	Jacoby Boren	Brady Taylor	Grant Schmidt
RG	Pat Elflein	Evan Lisle	Kyle Trout
RT	Chase Farris	Isaiah Prince	Branden Bowen
K	Sean Nuernberger	Jack Willoughby	Tyler Durbin
PR/KR	Jalin Marshall	Dontre Wilson	Braxton Miller

The preseason chatter surrounding the Buckeyes has centered around the team's quarterback conundrum, which includes the reigning Big Ten Quarterback and National Freshman of the Year in Barrett and the winner of all three of Ohio State's postseason games in Jones. Both players possess different playing styles—Barrett is the more efficient passer and is shiftier in the run game while Jones has a stronger arm and is more of a power runner—but have each shown to be proficient in running Meyer's spread offense.

According to Meyer, he won't reveal his starter ahead of the Buckeyes' Sept. 7 opener against Virginia Tech, but ultimately, whether it's Barrett or Jones behind center for the Buckeyes may not matter.

That's because Ohio State just may possess the most potent running attack in the nation, spearheaded by Heisman Trophy front-runner Ezekiel Elliott. The now-junior rushed for 696 yards and eight touchdowns in the Buckeyes' three postseason games in 2014 and should only be better now that the injured wrist that he played through a year ago has fully healed.

"Last year playing with one hand helped me develop my game a little bit differently," Elliott said. "I had to be creative with how to break tackles and how to torque my body different ways. I think last year I was able to develop those ways and this year I can add a little more to my repertoire."

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Adding to the promise of Elliott's upcoming campaign is the return of four of five starters from an offensive line that may have been the best in country by the end of the 2014 season. Three-year starter Taylor Decker will serve as the unit's anchor at left tackle, with preseason All-American guard Pat Elflein, guard Billy Price and center Jacoby Boren providing experience inside.

The only new starter comes at right tackle, where fifth-year senior Chase Farris locked down the job during the spring after providing depth for the Buckeyes for the past few years.

Aside from the question of who will start at quarterback, Ohio State's biggest offensive concerns come at wide receiver, where the Buckeyes lost NFL draft picks Devin Smith and Evan Spencer from last season's team. But the Buckeyes return their leader in receptions from a season ago in Michael Thomas, as well as talented H-Backs Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, the latter two of which will miss the season opener due to suspension, along with wideout Corey Smith.

But between Noah Brown, Curtis Samuel, Johnnie Dixon, Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin and Torrance Gibson, Meyer likes the depth in Ohio State's wide receivers room, which now also includes Miller.

With his shoulder not healed in time to make the Buckeyes' quarterback competition a three-man race, Miller opted to make the move from pass-thrower to pass-catcher earlier this summer. With his freakish athleticism, Miller's new position seems like a natural fit for the 6'2", 215-pounder, although hamstring issues have hampered the two-time Big Ten MVP through his first few weeks of fall camp.

Just how much of an impact Miller will be able to make when the season comes around remains to be seen, but with or without him, Ohio State's offense has the talent to once again be one of the best in the nation. It may just be a matter of how the Buckeyes get the job done and whether it's Barrett or Jones running the show.

What to Watch For on Defense

Position	1st String	2nd String	3rd String
DT	Adolphus Washington	Michael Hill	Donovan Munger
DT	Tommy Schutt	Joel Hale	Joshua Alabi
DE	Joey Bosa	Sam Hubbard	Darius Slade
DE	Tyquan Lewis	Jalyn Holmes	Jashon Cornell
OLB	Darron Lee	Chris Worley	Jerome Baker
MLB	Raekwon McMillan	Cam Williams	Nick Conner
OLB	Joshua Perry	Dante Booker	Justin Hilliard
CB	Eli Apple	Damon Webb	Denzel Ward
CB	Gareon Conley	Marshon Lattimore	Eric Glover-Williams
S	Tyvis Powell	Erick Smith	Cam Burrows
S	Vonn Bell	Malik Hooker	Damon Arnette
P	Cameron Johnston	Sean Nuernberger	Jack Willoughby

With seven starters returning from a season ago, Ohio State should enjoy plenty of continuity on the defense that Meyer said was one of the best he's ever seen by the end of last year.

The headliner of the group comes in the form of All-American defensive end Joey Bosa, who will also miss the Buckeyes' season opener against Virginia Tech due to suspension.

But once the Buckeyes get Bosa back, their defensive line could be as good as any in recent memory. Not only is Bosa a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, but defensive tackle Adolphus Washington also has first-round potential. The OSU staff has also raved about the offseason work of the defensive line's two new starters: defensive end Tyquan Lewis and tackle Tommy Schutt.

"He's really handled himself the right way," Meyer said of Schutt. "He's had a really good camp."

Working in on the line, especially in the absence of Bosa, will be a pair of highly touted second-year players in defensive ends Sam Hubbard and Jalyn Holmes. Michael Hill and Donovan Munger should provide depth at tackle, as should fifth-year senior Joel Hale, who heads back to the defensive side of the ball after spending last season on the offensive line.

After enduring a period of inconsistency upon Meyer's arrival in Columbus in 2012, the Buckeyes linebackers suddenly find themselves a strength on not just the defense, but the entire team. Senior Joshua Perry was a second-team All-Big Ten selection a season ago after racking up 124 tackles, while Darron Lee was the Sugar Bowl MVP and emerged as one of the nation's best players at his position during a breakout freshman campaign.

The key to the Ohio State defense, however, might be middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan, who saw significant snaps playing behind Curtis Grant a year ago, but will now be charged with quarterbacking the "Silver Bullets" all on his own.

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

"My biggest goal for me is to be the captain of the defense, to be out there when guys can trust me and look at me when we’re in hard times," McMillan said. "That’s one of my goals. One of my goals isn’t to be the best linebacker in the world, it’s together for our defense to be the best in the nation."

Much like the two units in front of it, the Buckeyes secondary possesses plenty of talent and upside. Tyvis Powell is steady and Vonn Bell has the ability to be the best safety in the country, while cornerback Eli Apple came on strong as a redshirt freshman during Ohio State's run to the national title.

The only new starter in the Buckeyes defensive backfield is cornerback Gareon Conley, a redshirt sophomore who arrived at Ohio State as a 4-star prospect in 2013.

Should Conley be able to hold his own on his side of the field while replacing first-team All-Big Ten selection Doran Grant, there's no reason the Buckeyes defense shouldn't be one of the best in the country in 2015.

Injury News

Player	Injury	Expected Return Date
Mike Weber	Torn menisucs	3-4 weeks
Dre'Mont Jones	Torn ACL	Out For Season

Aside from a few minor nicks that have resulted in missed time at practice, Ohio State has been relatively fortunate when it's come to injuries this offseason. Freshman defensive end Dre'Mont Jones arrived with a torn ACL suffered in the spring that will likely result in a medical redshirt, and freshman running back Mike Weber is expected to miss 3-4 weeks due to a torn meniscus suffered in camp.

Upon his return, which should coincide with the start of the Buckeyes' Big Ten schedule, Weber could very well find himself on the field after the former 4-star prospect got off to a strong start in his first fall camp.

"Mikey's doing very well, he's walking without crutches right now. It was a meniscal tear and he had it fixed already," Meyer said. "There's a chance we won't redshirt him. He had a really good camp."

X-Factor

There may not be a bigger X-factor in all of the country than Miller, who has the potential to once again transform into one of the nation's most dangerous playmakers. With 3,054 career rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns to his credit, the former quarterback has an uncanny ability make defenders miss while taking them on in the open field.

But through the first two weeks of fall camp, Miller's transition to wide receiver remains a work in progress. The increase in his running routine has led to hamstring issues, which have already sidelined Miller for portions of practice.

Nevertheless, Meyer remains optimistic that Miller will be able to make an impact as a wide receiver/H-Back this season, and still thinks that he can wind up being a starter in the Buckeyes' season opener.

"I want him to be," Meyer said when asked about Miller's prospects as a starter at his new position. "He's really developing his routine."

In order to earn that starting spot, Miller will have to continue to get used to life as a wide receiver, which has been somewhat of an adjustment for the lifelong quarterback. But if Miller can put it all together, he'll provide another weapon to an Ohio State offense that will force opposing defenses to pick their poison trying to stop it.

2015 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location
Sept. 7	Virginia Tech	Blacksburg, VA
Sept. 12	Hawaii	Columbus, OH
Sept. 19	Northern Illinois	Columbus, OH
Sept. 26	Western Michigan	Columbus, OH
Oct. 3	Indiana	Bloomington, IN
Oct. 10	Maryland	Columbus, OH
Oct. 17	Penn State	Columbus, OH
Oct. 24	Rutgers	Piscataway, NJ
Oct. 31	BYE
Nov. 7	Minnesota	Columbus, OH
Nov. 14	Illinois	Champaign, IL
Nov. 21	Michigan State	Columbus, OH
Nov. 28	Michigan	Ann Arbor, MI
Dec. 5	Big Ten Championship Game	Indianapolis, IN

Make-or-Break Games

Just like the past two years, Ohio State's postseason hopes will be determined by its matchup with Michigan State.

But unlike 2014, where the Buckeyes beat the Spartans by a score of 49-37 in East Lansing, Ohio State will have the benefit of home-field advantage when Michigan State comes to town on Nov. 21. That also happens to be the second-to-last week of the regular season, making the Buckeyes-Spartans showdown a likely unofficial Big Ten East Championship Game.

Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

The season opener with the Hokies could also be seen as a cause for concern in Columbus, especially with the game being played at night and under the lights of Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. Factor in that Virginia Tech was the only team to top Ohio State a season ago and that the Buckeyes will be dealing with suspensions to four key players, and it's certainly understandable why there will be plenty of eyeballs on Ohio State's first game of the year.

But as we learned a year ago, the Buckeyes can survive an early-season loss and still recover in time to make the Big Ten title game—and subsequently, the College Football Playoff. In order to do that, Ohio State will have to once again beat Michigan State, who Meyer holds a 2-1 record against as the Buckeyes head coach.

Prediction

It's so hard to go undefeated in a season, especially coming off of a long winning streak—the Buckeyes' currently stands at 13—but looking at Ohio State's schedule, it's hard to see where a loss would come from.

The suspensions for the Virginia Tech game won't help, but that opener has all of the makings of a Meyer revenge game against the only team to beat the Buckeyes in 2014. After that, Michigan State poses the biggest threat to Ohio State making the playoff for a second consecutive year, but it's hard to imagine the Buckeyes losing a game to their new rival that late in the year, especially in Columbus.

The first matchup between Meyer and Jim Harbaugh at Michigan will be interesting, but Ohio State's talent advantage should be enough to push the Buckeyes' winning streak over their primary rival to four consecutive games. Ultimately, there's a reason why Ohio State could be double-digit favorites in every game in the regular season, and it's hard to imagine the Buckeyes not repeating as Big Ten champions against a weaker representative from the West Division.

Eric Gay/Associated Press

But as we learned a year ago, the College Football Playoff doesn't necessarily favor the season's best team, but rather its hottest one at the end of the year. That just might not be the Buckeyes this season, despite all of the talent it returns from last year's title team.

Without being able to tell who else would be joining Ohio State in the playoff, however, it's hard to bet against the Buckeyes this season. Meyer has three national titles and two additional undefeated seasons on his resume, but never has he had a year where he accomplished both.

I expect that to change this year, with the Buckeyes running the table and putting together a perfect season en route to capturing their second consecutive College Football Playoff championship.

Overall Record: 15-0

Conference Record: 8-0

Ben Axelrod is Bleacher Report's Big Ten lead writer. You can follow him on Twitter @BenAxelrod. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes were obtained firsthand. All statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports.