The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship story starts and ends with the group that the Buckeyes had up front.

Going into last year, Ohio State's unit in the trenches was unquestionably the best collection of linemen in the country. It likely had four draft picks, three of which were projected as NFL first-rounders. But, as every football season goes, injuries tend to write the story. 

The Buckeyes would lose two of their starters to injury, which forced Donovan Jackson to play out of position. The result was a new left tackle, a new center, and a new guard, which at the time seemed to be a dagger to their title hopes. Instead, it was the biggest blessing they could get.

Tegra Tshabola and Luke Montgomery were forced to develop, Carson Hinzman received a second chance, and many other young Buckeye linemen saw they were just one play away. 

All of the youngsters played meaningful snaps while Ohio State got nearly three extra months of football. Depth on the offensive line was developed through valuable experience.

Fast-forward eight months after the scarlet and gray hoisted the trophy, and that forced investment from last year is paying massive dividends. 

Through two games, the Buckeyes' offensive line is showing they are ready for battle this year. The group leads the country in fewest tackles for loss (2) and sacks allowed (0).

The leader of the offensive line and the entire operation is Austin Siereveld, who burst onto the scene by having one of the best offseasons of any Buckeye, regardless of position. Siereveld went from a guy competing for backup time last year to the unit's unquestioned leader and a team captain.

Next to Siereveld is arguably the best player on the line, Luke Montgomery. Montgomery, the starting left tackle, is an Ohio kid who lives and breathes Buckeyes football, and his talent matches his passion. He is incredibly intelligent and as violent as it gets.

The rest of the line is manned by Hinzman at center, Tshabola at right guard, and Phillip Daniels at right tackle. There are no weak links up front, and they are proving that two weeks into the season. 

However, while the O-line has been good, there's always room for improvement. Despite allowing no negative-yard plays in Week 1, it was essentially at a stalemate with the Texas Longhorns in the trenches. Ohio State only rushed for 77 yards on 34 carries, which is just not good enough to get the job done later in the year.

The final test of the first quarter of this season is Saturday's matchup against Ohio. Once the Buckeyes get through this week, they will be able to regroup before they begin a nine-week marathon within the Big Ten.