Ohio State Football: 4 Burning Questions Ahead of the Buckeyes' Bowl Game

It's not the College Football Playoff showdown it was hoping for, but Ohio State drew one of the most intriguing matchups of the postseason when it was slotted against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

The game will pin two of the most storied programs in college football history against each other, and it'll give both teams the opportunity to end their seasons on a high note. 

With the highly anticipated showdown looming, here are four burning questions for the Buckeyes.

Will the Passing Woes Continue?

Ohio State's struggles in the passing game have been well documented this season, but J.T. Barrett and a talented and dynamic receiving corps will get one more chance to redeem themselves on New Year's Day. 

It looked like the aerial attack was getting on track when Barrett was named the starter midway through the season. On the road at Rutgers in Week 8, Barrett completed 77.8 percent of his passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns (against no interceptions), using a combination of perimeter passes and deep balls to slice through the Scarlet Knights defense.

But when Barrett was suspended for the Minnesota game for operating a vehicle while impaired, the passing attack lost its rhythm and averaged 125.8 yards per game in its final four games.

The Buckeyes will need to make a big leap to bring balance to what has been a one-dimensional offense all season. That'll be tough against Notre Dame—a team that ranks 28th nationally in pass defense.

Will Tommy Schutt Be Ready to Go?

Ohio State was dealt a heavy blow on December 10 when All-American defensive tackle Adolphus Washington was arrested for solicitation and then later suspended for the Fiesta Bowl.

The Buckeyes' depth on the interior of the line was thin without Washington, but it might get even thinner if nose tackle Tommy Schutt can't bounce back from a foot injury that he suffered last week.

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Reserves Joel Hale, Michael Hill and Donovan Munger would need to step up if Schutt can't go, but the interior could also get a boost if the coaching staff slides superstar defensive end Joey Bosa inside on occasion.

That's something Ohio State did with regularity throughout the season in an effort to get more pass-rushers into long down-and-distance situations. But Bosa is strong enough to handle himself on the interior as a regular defensive tackle, so if Schutt can't go, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Bosa lining up on the inside. 

Can the Buckeyes Stop Will Fuller?

Ohio State faced three receivers who finished the regular season in the top 15 for receiving yards in 2015, and the secondary held up decently in those matchups.

In Week 3, the Buckeyes were tasked with stopping Western Michigan's Daniel Braverman (10th nationally, 1,270 receiving yards) and Corey Davis (11th, 1,253). Braverman torched the Buckeyes for 125 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions, while Davis was held in check with six receptions for 42 yards. Nine weeks later, Ohio State held Michigan State's Aaron Burbridge (13th, 1,219) to 62 yards on four receptions.

The Buckeyes are set to face another elite pass-catcher in Notre Dame's Will Fuller. The dynamic junior led the team and ranked 16th nationally with 1,145 receiving yards to complement 13 touchdowns. He eclipsed 100 yards receiving in half of Notre Dame's games this year and had three multi-touchdown performances.

Ohio State has one of the strongest secondaries in college football, but Fuller will challenge the unit in the Fiesta Bowl.

Will This Game Jump-Start J.T. Barrett's 2016 Heisman Campaign?

It was 10 years ago when Ohio State's last Heisman Trophy winner launched his campaign in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame.

That distinction belongs to Troy Smith, who gashed the Fighting Irish for 408 total yards (342 passing, 66 rushing) and two touchdowns in a convincing 34-20 win. That win and performance set Ohio State up as the No. 1 team going into the 2006 season and put Smith on the short list of Heisman contenders.

Barrett will have the same opportunity against the Irish.

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Working as Ohio State's clear-cut No. 1 quarterback, Barrett will have the luxury of building chemistry with his receiving corps during bowl prep and throughout spring and fall camp this offseason. That alone should reflect positively on Barrett's play, but it should also help him return to his 2014 form.

During his breakout freshman campaign a season ago, Barrett was unstoppable as he broke the Big Ten record for total touchdowns that was held for 14 years by former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees.

If Barrett returns to form against Notre Dame, he'll certainly enter the season with all the momentum needed to shine in 2016.

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