College football returns to Columbus, OH in less than one month. Urban Meyer wants to know, “Are you ready!?!” The Buckeyes open their season at home against Buffalo on August 31. With the 2013 schedule looking less than formidable, Ohio State has a great opportunity to repeat last season’s undefeated performance.

This year’s team faces its own set of challenges.

The defense will have to find a way to produce despite losing key players. Defensive End John Simon and Defensive Tackle Johnathon Hankins are among six of the front seven that are gone from last year’s team. Coach Meyer recruited some excellent guys to take their place. Freshmen linebackers Trey Johnson from GA and Mike Mitchell from TX will be asked to contribute early on in their careers. Sophomores Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington will be relied upon heavily to lead.

What would an OSU offseason be without a little off-field garbage?

Buckeye Nation will have to wait and see how long they will be without the services of two outstanding starters from last year’s squad. Running back Carlos Hyde and Cornerback Bradley Roby were both suspended last month stemming from separate incidents occurring while each player was out partying. Replacing their skills and timely performances will be tough. Luckily, OSU is deep at running back, but Roby is one of the best CBs in the nation.

National Title Hopes

So will the Buckeyes play in the National Title game? There are two very good reasons to believe so. First, they are ranked # 2 in most preseason polls. They most likely will NOT drop if they do not lose. Second, the schedule lines up well for them. They are in Columbus seven out of 12 games this season. They do not play Nebraska. They play arguably the best OTHER team in the conference, Wisconsin, at home. It may all come down to that game in late November that defines every season. This game is an absolute MUST WIN! If the Bucs lose late in the season, we can kiss the National Championship goodbye! Strength of schedule may come back to haunt us, but only if another team besides Alabama should happen to go undefeated.

Whatever happens this year, Frog Hauling is proud of our Buckeyes! We look forward to another successful and entertaining season. We can’t wait! Go Bucs!