I think they will struggle to put it together this year along with Wisconsin. They struggled last year with an NFL ready roster...what makes you think they won't struggle again with a depleted one?
OHIO STATE
tOSU has it's hardest schedule in probably 2-3 years this year. I see 6 teams that could give them trouble. There are so many new starters on the lines on both sides of the ball, new LBs and secondary...how long will it take them to come together and feel comfortable? That secondary will be tested often and early with top 20 passing offenses playing them in the non conference. They have to play Oklahoma at home...and the Sooners are 90-8 the last 17 seasons at home.
As I said, both of their lines lose quite a bit, both safeties gone, they're breaking in tons of spots with new guys which provides more questions than answers. Don't take my word for it though, check out the two deep with experience here:
http://nationalchamps.net/2016/earlybird/teams/ohiostate.htm