Even with Meyer on paid leave, expectations high for Buckeyes

COLUMBUS » Coach Urban Meyer’s future at Ohio State might be in doubt, but the talent level on the field for the Buckeyes certainly isn’t a question.

Meyer was put on paid leave Aug. 1 — two days before preseason practice opened — while the university investigates his handling of domestic abuse allegations against fired assistant coach Zach Smith.

Ohio State says it hopes to finish up the probe within the week, which would give the team a couple weeks to get used to the new normal before they open Sept. 1 against Oregon State. Coaches and players have been off-limits for interviews, so progress reports have been hard to come by.

But this we know: The Buckeyes have a new starting quarterback, and the Dwayne Haskins Jr. era at Ohio State will start with the same sky-high expectations typical in Columbus. It helps that he is surrounded by a deep, experienced wide receiver corps and a tandem of running backs that might be the best in the nation.

Here are some things to watch with the Buckeyes in 2018:

That new QB

The major obstacle to Haskins becoming Ohio State’s next starting quarterback was erased when Joe Burrow decided to transfer to LSU after spring practice rather than battle it out with Haskins in fall camp.

Haskins — who already secured his place in Buckeyes lore by winning last year’s Michigan game — takes the keys from fouryear starter J.T. Barrett.

The redshirt sophomore is a pass-first, pro-style QB with a rifle arm who brimmed with poise when he spelled the injured Barrett and led Ohio State to a come-from-behind win over Michigan last November.

“He has a little different way of doing it, but he’s earning the respect of our players and our staff,” Meyer said last month.

Redshirt freshman Tate Martell moves into the backup role.

Bosa’s swan song

Defensive end Nick Bosa is looking for the kind of monster year that will keep his NFL draft stock high.

Following his brother Joey, now a star with the Los Angeles Chargers, Nick is one of the top defensive linemen in the sport going into his junior year. He’ll be a first-round draft pick just like his brother, unless something drastic happens.

Part of a ridiculously deep defensive line rotation last year, Bosa didn’t get as many snaps as he would have liked, finishing with 34 tackles and 8½ sacks. With less depth this season, he’ll be on the field more.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins scrambles to the one-yard line against Michigan in November. The major obstacle to Haskins becoming Ohio State’s next starting quarterback was erased when Joe Burrow decided to transfer.