COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Buckeyes begin their fall football practices Friday with at least two big questions looming overhead.
Not only is there a new head coach, as Ryan Day takes over the reins from Urban Meyer, but Day and his staff have to find a new starting quarterback. Georgia transfer Justin Fields is believed to have the inside track.
The Buckeyes also need to find some new offensive linemen and replenish a receiving corps thinned out by the NFL draft.
Despite the uncertainty, Ohio State is ranked No. 5 in the USA Today preseason coaches’ poll released Thursday.
Ohio State’s 2019 season opener is Aug. 31 against Florida Atlantic at Ohio Stadium (Noon/FOX).
Clemson is No. 1 in for the first time, followed by Alabama at No. 2.
Clemson beat Alabama 44-16 in the College Football Playoff championship game in January. It was the fourth straight year the Tigers and Tide met in the playoff and third time they played for the national championship. Clemson and Alabama have alternated winning the last four championships.
Georgia was No. 3, followed by Oklahoma and Ohio State.
No. 6 LSU and No. 8 Florida gave the Southeastern Conference four top-10 teams.
With Michigan at No. 7, Penn State at 14, Wisconsin at No. 17, Michigan State at No. 20 and Northwestern ranked 25th, the Big Ten landed six teams in the poll.