Ohio State Football: Ranking the 3 Best Candidates for Buckeyes' Team MVP
Ohio State's title defense didn't go as smoothly as many expected, but at 11-1 and No. 6 in the country, the Buckeyes still accomplished a great deal in 2015.
After a 42-13 demolition of rival Michigan, Urban Meyer and Ohio State are on the outside looking in on the Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoff. But with an invite to a marquee New Year's Day bowl likely, the Buckeyes still have a big game on a big stage to close out the year.
Who has been the most instrumental in getting Ohio State to 11 wins this year? The Buckeyes have gotten leadership, impact and production from a trio of players who have put their mark on the team's identity.
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No. 3: Joshua Perry
It's not just about stats for linebacker Joshua Perry.
The senior has been productive, of course, ranking second on the team with 98 total tackles to complement 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He anchors a fantastic linebacker unit that also features middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan and outside linebacker Darron Lee.
But his biggest contribution to the team isn't his production—it's his leadership. Perry was voted as an obvious team captain before the season started, and he's been the voice of a unit that ranks 10th nationally in yards surrendered.
"He's the leader of our defense," defensive tackle Tommy Schutt said, according to Bill Landis of the Plain Dealer. "He's the kind of guy that holds us together out there."
No. 2: Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa burst onto the national scene during a breakout sophomore campaign last year, when he ranked fifth nationally in sacks and tackles for loss. And while his numbers have dipped this season, he's elevated his play and become a one-man wrecking crew for the Buckeyes defensive line.
Bosa has 8.5 fewer sacks and five fewer tackles for loss than he did in 2014, but that decrease is a direct result of the attention he's receiving from opposing offenses. Bosa has routinely faced double- and triple-teams all year, and even still, he ranks first on the team and seventh nationally in tackles for loss per game.
His presence alone has made Ohio State's defensive line much more dominant, because the attention he's receiving has opened up huge opportunities for other guys. Defensive end Tyquan Lewis and Adolphus Washington have been the main beneficiaries, combining for 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Simply put, Bosa is a dominant player in his own right, but his impact goes far beyond the numbers on the stat sheet.
No. 1: Ezekiel Elliott
Ohio State's offense has ranged from downright bad to sluggish to pretty outstanding this season, but throughout the ups and downs, Ezekiel Elliott was the only constant.
The Buckeyes leaned on Elliott all year—with one glaring and obvious exception against Michigan State—and the superstar running back answered the bell. After running roughshod over Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon during Ohio State's march through the postseason last year, Elliott maintained that momentum by piling up 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground in 12 games this year.
After getting a disappointing 12 carries in the Buckeyes' only loss against the Spartans, Elliott sounded off and blasted the coaching staff and the play-calling. His message was heard loud and clear as he ran wild against Michigan a week later, piling up 214 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. He spearheaded an attack that totaled an incredible 369 rushing yards against the Wolverines' (previously ranked) No. 4 rushing defense—which accounted for 25 percent of the rushing yards Michigan allowed all season long.
After facing Elliott and Ohio State's bulldozing rushing attack, the Wolverines' rush defense plummeted 15 spots (to No. 19) in the national rankings.
That's an MVP impact.
David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.
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