Optimism accompanies Ohio State football like beautiful leaves accompany the fall. The Buckeyes are always good, always title contenders.

But …

Buckeyes fans often guard their optimism, especially after consecutive losses to Michigan.

Pick a thing to be optimistic about, and plenty of fans will say, “Yeah, but … .” They will focus on that aspect of the team that, if it falls through, they expect to ruin the season.

So here are but 5 of a plethora of reasons to be optimistic that Saturday Tradition’s Ohio State Crystal Ball prediction of an 11-1 regular season will happen. And if any of these don’t pan out, don’t worry OSU fan. It doesn’t necessarily mean the sky is falling into a maize and blue sunset.

It might. But not necessarily.

1. Marvin Harrison Jr. and his pass-catching buddies

The best receiving room in the country is more of a given than something to be optimistic about.

Harrison carries labels of best offensive player in the Big Ten and best player in the nation. He could get a trip to New York in December to the Downtown Athletic Club.

But this room is a penthouse suite. Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming are future NFL players.

Receivers coach and new offensive coordinator Brian Hartline isn’t one to rotate receivers. But true freshman Carnell Tate might cause at least a slight rethinking of that paradigm if the praise for him coming out of camp is to be believed.

And don’t worry too much if one of them gets injured. They overcame the loss of Jaxon Smith-Njigba quite seamlessly last season. The loss of Harrison against Georgia surely hurt, but the experience factor for everyone else would soften a blow like that this season in a big game.

2. Sonny Styles

The 18-year-old, second-year Buckeye has the physical attributes to redefine the safety/nickel/slot corner position. He stands 6-4, weighs 230 pounds and has long arms usually reserved for receivers and NBA big men. DC Jim Knowles was thinking out loud last week when he said he might call Styles’ position The Strike.

Styles reclassified as a senior for what should have been his junior year of high school. He played in 12 games last year on defense. Knowles says his ability to cover all types of receivers against 11, 12 and 13 personnel will keep him on the field for every down, unlike the typical nickel or slot corner.

He played point guard at Pickerington Central in suburban Columbus and helped the Tigers win a Division I state basketball championship in 2022 alongside OSU basketball incoming freshman Devin Royal.

3. Healthy TreVeyon Henderson

The top-rated running back in his class dealt with an injured foot last year and played in only 8 games. He didn’t play against Michigan or Georgia.

As a freshman he rushed for 1,248 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. Last year he gained 571 yards. Now he’s being overlooked. Every top-10 list of the best rushers in the country either ignores him or ranks him no higher than 7th.

With good reason, Michigan’s and Penn State’s backs are getting a lot of attention. And the Buckeyes’ RB room is seen as deep. But a healthy Henderson should get a lead-back number of carries and finish much higher on the postseason top-10 lists.

4. D-line depth

Ryan Day keeps saying he is optimistic about his QBs, but that you never know until they play in games. However, there is enough game experience for JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer. And there is enough positive talk by Day and line coach Larry Johnson to reasonably expect Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry to be quality contributors in the rotation.

The group accumulated only 34 sacks last year, but they did put pressure on QBs. This group could easily get home more often and push that sack total into the 50s or 60s.

5. Quarterback

Yes, quarterback. It doesn’t matter if it’s Kyle McCord or Devin Brown. Day is confident in both quarterbacks, and Day doesn’t miss on quarterbacks.

The prevailing theory all along has been McCord will win the job. But Day said last week it’s too close to call. Like the receivers and the running backs, concern about the QB room is likely worrying about nothing.

If any part of the offense is a concern, it’s the line with 3 new starters. The last 2 years, the big men up front protected CJ Stroud well. Where they fell short was run blocking in the big games when it mattered most.

Yes, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about one of the most talented teams in the country. And at the skill positions, no matter who plays QB, this might be the most talented group anywhere.