Before I progress into my early predictions for the 2016 Ohio State football season, I want to take a few moments to congratulate the twelve young men who were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, as well as the three young men who signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott, Eli Apple, Taylor Decker, Darron Lee, Michael Thomas, Vonn Bell, Adolphus Washington, Braxton Miller, Nick Vannett, Joshua Perry, Cardale Jones, Tyvis Powell, Jalin Marshall, and Chase Farris – thank you for all of your contributions to Ohio State football, from 2012-2015. Best of luck to you all in what I hope will be lengthy and successful NFL careers…#GoBucks
Here’s a tweet that I am not sure if Ohio State fans have truly contemplated…The first time since 2008 that NO member of the Boren family will be on the roster.
2016-17 will be 1st time in 8yrs a Boren won't suit up in S&G. @ZBoren44 @Jboren50 @JBoren65 #RecruitKalie4Softball #BorenBros Amazing fam.
— BuckeyePlanet (@buckeyeplanet) May 1, 2016
Below are some other impressive tweets that detailed the impressive 2016 NFL Draft for Ohio State…
Theory or testimony?
The nation-best 12 #Buckeyes taken in the #NFLDraft definitely ain't theory.#DevelopedHere https://t.co/1OOAjNN5ss
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 1, 2016
The story of the greatest recruiting photo in Ohio State football history https://t.co/UCY16kkVgm
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) May 4, 2016
Record 10 Buckeyes go in the first 3 rounds. Ohio State had as many picks as Big 12, Pac-12. https://t.co/MoHWw9H7nv pic.twitter.com/S8OlpoLZKu
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 30, 2016
Can't say enough about what @EzekielElliott has meant to the @OhioStateFB program. pic.twitter.com/QfDEmzFRik
— Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) May 3, 2016
Here's the contract value breakdown by college for the new batch of NFL rookies: https://t.co/cMjdrmNcft pic.twitter.com/PGIyq8kbIR
— Forbes SportsMoney (@SportsMoneyBlog) May 3, 2016
Ohio State's Draft Class Is The Most Impressive In Modern NFL History https://t.co/qFcxlBPfK7
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) May 4, 2016
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“ Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something…†~ Thomas Edison
Leave it to Thomas Edison, an Ohioan and considered “The Father Of Invention”, to appropriately summarize the goals for the 2016 Ohio State football team. No rules – just accomplish something.
“Something” is a pretty vague and open concept. Considering how much talent Ohio State lost to graduation and the NFL Draft, considering how I have written throughout spring practice about how 44 players on Ohio State’s roster are either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen…Damn right, Mr. Edison. There are no rules. Ohio State fans are just looking to see what this team can accomplish against a much tougher schedule in 2016 than 2015, with tremendously talented, yet inexperienced, players.
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Tulsa Golden Hurricane (Game 2)
2016 OSU Opponent Ranking: 12 out of 12
Players Recruited By Ohio State: N/A. To the best of my knowledge, there are no players on Tulsa’s roster that Ohio State actively recruited or offered a scholarship.
Game Date: September 10, 2016
Kickoff Time: TBD
Location: Ohio Stadium
Rationale For The Ranking: Offensively, Tulsa is led by senior quarterback Dane Evans. Evans had a solid 2015 season, throwing 25 touchdowns and 4332 yards. Defensively, Tulsa surrendered points quite easily in 2015, averaging 40 points a game to the opponent in 2015. For a young team such as Ohio State, this game certainly will be an opportunity to work on every aspect offensively, before the big test down in Norman, Oklahoma, on September 17th.
Prediction: Tulsa’s head coach Phillip Montgomery did a solid job with the Golden Hurricane in 2015, leading them to a 6-7 record. Montgomery is a former Baylor offensive coordinator under Art Briles, meaning the Buckeyes can expect to see Tulsa throwing it all day long in Ohio Stadium on September 10th. With Ohio State having a young but talented defensive line, and inexperienced secondary, there may be some anxious moments, but look for Ohio State’s superior talent to be able to pull away in the second half. There is an old coaching axiom that a team makes its biggest improvement from game one to game two. Guess when these two teams meet? Game two, on September 10th.