Guest Panel-Week 1

Please note that I will not be tabulating the standings for the Guest Panel. I will accept picks as comments to this post and I will publish the comments on Thursday night. I will not send out an email to Guest Panel members. Good luck!

Games for this week:

1. Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech (Monday)

2. Wisconsin vs. Alabama

3. Michigan vs. Utah

4. Texas vs. Notre Dame

5, Bowling Green vs. Tennessee

And the oddball game this week:

6. Florida A&M vs. South Florida

Scouting the Hokies

Virginia Tech jumped into the rankings last season after its second week victory over top-ten Ohio State. The Hokies were unable to maintain the momentum and finished with a 7-6 record last season.

Offense
Michael Brewer returns for his second year as the VTech QB, after transferring from Texas Tech. Last year he completed 59% of his passes for 2692 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. This season the Hokies will work to reduce the number of interceptions and sacks of Brewer. Back at receiver are Isaiah Ford, Cam Phillips, and TE Bucky Hodges. At running back will likely be J.C. Coleman and Trey Edmunds.

Defense

The defensive line will be a strength of this team, as the defensive ends Dadi Ncolas and Ken Ekanem return after combining for 18.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss last year. The secondary is anchored by All-American corner Kendall Fuller, but there are some question marks with previously injured cornerback Brandon Facyson returning as a starter and safety Chuck Clark who is likely changing positions.

OSU 2015 Roster

QB

J.T. Barrett
J.T. Barrett took over during preseason camp last year and lead the Buckeyes until he was injured during the season finale against Michigan. In his twelve games last season he completed 64% of his passes for 2,834 yards and 34 touchdown passes. On the ground Barrett rushed for 938 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He set school and Big Ten records in most of those categories. Barrett struggled against Virginia Tech, but he redeemed himself as the season progressed, but most notably in the Michigan State game passing for 300 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Cardale Jones

Cardale Jones played limited minutes leading up to the Michigan game, when he stepped in for the injured J.T. Barrett. In those three postseason games: (1) he completed 12/17 for 257 yards and three touchdowns against Wisconsin; (2) he completed 18/35 for 243 yards with one touchdown and one interception against Alabama; and (3) he completed 16/23 for 242 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Missing in those statistics are how his cannon like arm opened up the running game.

RB

Like Cardale Jones, Ezekiel Elliott built his legacy in the three post season games last season. He ran for 220 yards and two touchdowns against Wisconsin, 230 yards and two touchdowns against Alabama, and 246 yards and four touchdowns against Oregon. Those postseason numbers put him over 1800 yards for the season, second only to Eddie George. That total is more impressive considering his lingering wrist injury and how he split carries with Curtis Samuel and the halfbacks Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall early in the season. Throughout the season Elliott also shared running duties with the quarterbacks.

This season he will get most of the touches, but backing him up will be Curtis Samuel, Bri'onte Dunn, and Warren Ball. Unfortunately freshman Mike Weber tore his meniscus and will miss a number of games. Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall will miss the season opener as punishment for a team violation, but look for them to be a factor running the ball. Braxton Miller will also see some time at halfback running the ball.

Receivers

Ohio State will miss the deep threat of Devin Smith, especially if Cardale Jones is in at QB. Ohio State will be without the services of Dontre Wilson, Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith in the opener due to a team violation. Also missing will be Noah Brown who suffered a leg injury in preseason camp. Michael Thomas will be the main threat due to his size and speed. Braxton Miller will be available as a halfback. The remaining receivers are unproven, but highly hyped, Johnnie Dixon, Paris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, James Clark, Alex Stump, and K.J. Hill.

O-Line

Returning as starters are Jacoby Boren, Taylor Decker, Billy Price, and Pat Elflein. Chase Farris is expected to be a starter as well.

D-Line

Gone are Michael Bennett and Steve Miller from last year's solid unit. Two returning starters are Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington. Bosa was a beast, selected as an All-American. He had 55 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks. Bosa will miss the Virginia Tech game due to a team violation. Washington had 48 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Some players competing for a starter position are Tommy Schutt, Michael Hill, Tyquan Lewis, and Darius Slade.

Linebackers

Back at linebacker are stars Joshua Perry and Darron Lee and Raekwon McMillan. Perry led the team with 124 tackles last year. Lee is a converted QB who as a redshirt freshman last year recorded 81 tackes, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. McMillan will be a full-time starter this year, but even when sharing minutes he had 54 tackles last year. There are a number of exciting players available in the reserves.

Defensive Backs

Returning at safety are Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell. Returning at defensive back is Eli Apple, but gone is Doran Grant to graduation. Gaeron Conley is expected to start opposite of Eli Apple. This unit intercepted the ball 19 times, including seven in the postseason last year.

Kicker

There is a competition currently between Sean Nuernberger and Duke graduate transfer Jack Willoughby. Nuerenberger handled placekicks last year and Kyle Clinton handled kickoffs, but Clinton graduated. Nuernberger was only 13 of 20 in FGs. Willoughby averaged 65.4 yards/kickoff but he never attempted a PAT or FG at Duke. It is possible Willoughby will fill the same role as a kickoff specialist, much like Clinton last season.

Punter

Cameron Johnston returns as the punter.