It’s August, which means that Ohio State feels like it’s on an inevitable collision course with the College Football Playoff.

Sure, it hasn’t always worked out, but Ohio State finds itself in the thick of the CFP race every season, despite continually having its head weighed down by the preseason crown (or something very close to it).

There’s plenty of reason to think that this season could follow that same script, whether it’s Alex Hickey’s Crystal Ball 11-1 prediction or Jeff Gilbert’s reasons for optimism. But who are the Buckeyes whose consistency and production will tell the tale of the season?

Here are 5 guesses for the OSU guys who will make the difference between 12-0 or 10-2, and being back in the CFP or just outside of it.

1) Kyle McCord

Not having a ton of QB experience isn’t really a big deal in Columbus. Two years ago, many were fretting about CJ Stroud’s 0 career pass attempts, and that worked out pretty much just fine. So some thought Ryan Day would go ahead and tap Devin Brown as this year’s Game 1 QB. But the recent announcement of McCord makes much more sense.

Given the bevy of playmakers around him, McCord will — at least initially — be something of an offensive caretaker. Hand the ball off, distribute it to any of a gaggle of open receivers and look good. Hey, OSU scripted the same thing for Stroud when he took over as an untested gun 2 years ago.

But make no mistake. Down the back end of OSU’s schedule — against Penn State, at Wisconsin, and certainly in the Big House, QB1 will have to be more than a caretaker. Now, if McCord steps in a hole and tears up his leg, Brown is certainly capable of emerging in his wake. But McCord’s seasons of experience will matter. It has given him a front-row seat to big games past, and an edge in preparation. Will McCord make the next step? The season may hinge on it.

2) TreVeyon Henderson

These matters of importance are not a question of depth. Miyan Williams, Dallan Hayden and Chip Trayanum would leave the OSU backfield in solid shape even if Henderson were entirely unavailable. But there is something to be said for having arguably the most talented all-around back in college football.

While OSU can consolidate the set of skills that Henderson possesses even without the standout junior back, it can’t really replace Henderson.

Last season, with Henderson out for 4 of OSU’s last 5 games, the ground attack was pretty “meh.”

In OSU’s 2 losses, the Buckeyes rushed for just 262 yards combined. Some of that was because of good competition, sure. Some was a loss of other backs in the rotation to their own injury issues. But some was just not having the home-run play that Henderson brings to the table. In his very first college game, Henderson caught a short pass and exploded for a 70-yard score.

In a game that is even or close to even, a big play or 2 is frequently the difference in the outcome. OSU has plenty of fine backs, but nobody is as likely to bust the big play and change the complexion of a game on any touch. That makes Henderson pretty darn important.

3) Jimmy Simmons

Ohio State returns a wealth of talent on offense, but didn’t have a left tackle after the departure of Paris Johnson to the NFL. Enter Simmons, who was outstanding at San Diego State a season ago. While he was a late arrival in Columbus and seemed likely to either fill the right tackle slot or work his way into the lineup from the bench, he’s now the opening game left tackle starter.

Simmons has the next-level athleticism that more experienced Buckeyes like Josh Fryar (who has assumed the right tackle job) may lack. He’s had a season of game action, unlike redshirt frosh Tegra Tshabola. His work protecting the blind side of Kyle McCord promises to be pivotal to this season.

4) JT Tuimoloau

In many ways, success can be a curse. For Tuimoloau, who was a late arrival as a freshman and had mostly showed moments of brilliance as a sophomore, everything else he does will always be compared to last season’s Penn State game: 6 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a touchdown. Penn State actually outgained OSU for the game, but Tuimoloau’s single-minded quest for destruction left the game securely in the victory column for the Buckeyes.

The question is where is that production week in and week out? Five times last season, Tuimoloau failed to reach 2 tackles in a given game. He had 2 sacks against Penn State and 2 the rest of the season. Despite massive talent, consistency has been an issue for Tuimoloau.

How important is a difference-maker off the edge? In its 2 losses a year ago, Ohio State gave up over 500 yards in each while allowing 45 and 42 points. The quickest fix might be getting more consistent production from Tuimoloau.

5) Davison Igbinosun

With several significant losses in its secondary, the Buckeyes needed a plug-and-play guy. They took Ole Miss’s best DB, and he may be pivotal for the Buckeyes.

A season ago, OSU allowed 300+ passing yards in 3 of the team’s final 6 games of the season. Pass defense had been a sore spot already coming off the tenure of former DC Kerry Coombs, whose defenses allowed 304 and 246 passing yards per game. 2022 saw OSU drop that total to 200 yards per game.

Adding Igbinosun will only help with that progression. A rangy 6-foot-2 athlete, he started 10 games for Ole Miss a season ago as a true freshman and proved himself an inhospitable target for opposing passes, with 5 breakups in a 37-tackle season. Given a wealth of options in that secondary, Jim Knowles may have lucked into a standout to go opposite Denzel Burke, who looked like a future NFL standout as a freshman in 2021.