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Storyline Countdown No. 6: Is OSU’s Special Teams Fixed?

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PFB’s countdown to football season by counting down the 15 most intriguing storylines continues today with a look at the No. 6 storyline we’re tracking going into 2018.

Storyline rank: No. 6
Storyline: Will OSU’s special teams be better in 2018?

Why this matters: OSU hasn’t scored a touchdown in the return game since 2015, and special teams as a whole has been pretty subpar over the last couple years. Last season, ESPN ranked OSU 126th (out of 130) in overall special teams efficiency based off adjusted point differential. Not great! Getting back to sound special teams across the board — and more importantly, getting a boost in the return game — could soften the pressure the new-look offense under Taylor Cornelius may feel.

How it could play out: Starting punter Zach Sinor will likely begin the season on the bench as he rehabs from surgery. But anchoring the kicking game is Matt Ammendola, who made 23 of 29 from field goal range last season and nailed his final 11 of the season.

The big question mark is how OSU can get a boost in the return game. Dillon Stoner is the listed starter at punt return, and Landon Wolf and LD Brown are the listed kick return starters, but there’s more help if needed.

Mike Gundy’s thoughts: Mike Gundy said Friday (via the Tulsa World) that fresh bodies could be thrown in to give the unit a boost if needed — mentioning players like Chuba Hubbard, Kemah Siverand, Jalen McCleskey and J.D. King as potential rotation players.

“We haven’t been very exciting on returns in the last few years,” Gundy said. “So hopefully we can generate a little firepower. It’ll be based on the new rule. So I’m not sure how all that’s going to pan out. I don’t know how people are going to play. A lot of schools may flop the ball up in the air and just say hey, take it on the 25. So I don’t know, we’ll see.”

My thoughts: There was a general sense of unease last season in the punt return game after Jalen McCleskey bobbled a few, leading anyone else who served in that role to go into auto-fair-catch mode. To begin the season though, I suspect Dillon Stoner will be off the leash and able to showcase what he can bring to the table. I’ll be interested in seeing what happens the first time he juggles one and how Gundy handles that position as we move into the season.

At kick return is where my interest is really piqued. LD Brown and Landon Wolf are both known speedsters, Wolf with a quick twitch and Brown with a track-like burst that made him a star at DeSoto in high school. Both are fairly small in stature, however, so I can’t help but wonder if that will play a factor.

In any regard, Gundy wants speed and home-run ability at his return spots, which suggests he’s willing to take risks to get a boost in those positions. I think the return spots will be much improved in 2018.

Previous Countdowns

No. 15: How will OSU use all its running backs in 2018?
No. 14: Will Rodarius Williams and A.J. Green have to play as much as they did in 2017?
No. 13: Is Tyron Johnson the X-Factor for OSU?
No. 12: Which Cowboy Back Will Emerge for OSU?
No. 11: How does a reloading year shape expectations?
No. 10: Why is Mike Yurcich not more beloved in Stillwater?
No. 9: How much better will the offensive line be in 2018?
No. 8: Who will be “the guy” on defense?
No. 7: Which Wide Reciever Will Emerge as the No. 1 Option?

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