60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less): Ohio State

Ohio State University

2018-19 Record: 20-11-5 (13-7-4, 1st in Big Ten)
Head Coach: Steve Rohlik, 7th Year
Top returning scorer: Tanner Laczynski (10G-20A)
Top returning goaltender: Tommy Nappier (Jr.)

Without fail, a team or two each year peaks too early and wishes the season ended in February.

This year, Ohio State comes to mind. The Buckeyes enter 2019-20 in the best shape in program history. OSU built off its 2018 Frozen Four appearance by being the Big Ten's lone dominant squad. When things went right, Ohio State was a veteran team using its experience and a season-long goalie platoon of Tommy Nappier and Sean Romeo to its advantage.

As every other school beat up on one another for hard-earned splits, Ohio State was trading in sweeps. During a three-month stretch, the Buckeyes went 15-2-3 and Steve Rohlik's team looked to be the conference's best hope at another Frozen Four.

Instead, Ohio State's year ended on a 1-7-1 skid which began when Minnesota came into Columbus and swept the Buckeyes, and concluded at the West Regional with Denver shutting out OSU in only its second game in four weeks. With times looking like 2018-19 being Ohio State's year to make a national title run, the Buckeyes march on trying to prove the window is not closed.

What's New: Not scheduling the other two Ohio schools. What in the name of Sloopy is going on?

The Buckeyes are not guaranteed to face either Bowling Green or Miami. Ohio State does participate in the Ice Breaker tournament the Falcons host, however, the two don't face one another in the opening round. OSU also travels to Las Vegas for the Fortress Invitational with Army, Providence, and Cornell.

Ohio State rewarded Rohlik with a contract extension through 2023-24. Among this year's rookie class is 2019 3rd round pick Layton Ahac (D) and Michael Gildon (F).

Last but certainly not least, Ohio State gets to raise a regular-season banner. The only other time the Buckeyes won a regular-season title was the CCHA's inaugural year in a four-team league.

Closing Thoughts: Ohio State finds itself in a weird spot. After four seasons moving up the Big Ten standings, the Buckeyes reached the top. There's nowhere to go up. Some big-name schools would be happy with three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and a Frozen Four appearance.

The challenge now is maintaining that success without taking a step back following Big Ten career leading scorer Mason Jobst, Dakota Joshua, Sasha Larocque, Romeo and several key players graduating. Tanner Laczynski remains one of the league's top players and Gustaf Westlund looked like he was ready at times to take the next step. He'll get that chance.

In a way, the Buckeyes were the Dads of the Big Ten. When the rest of the league were out late scoring goals and being as entertaining as possible, Steve Rohlik made sure OSU was responsible with the car and play in 3-1 games. Ohio State does not need to tinker too much to keep being in good shape, unlike other B1G schools. Several veterans plus the majority of its defense and Nappier, who likely gets a bigger role in goal after posting a .926% save percentage, return.

That's the good news as long as the team didn't miss the timing to buy a sports car before it appears to be a midlife crisis.

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