Well Buckeye fans, that time has come where coaching changes are upon the college football landscape. Coaches have been fired, coaches have resigned jobs to take ones with other schools, and some coaches have just simply resigned.
The biggest surprise in the carousel happened in our own Big Ten when Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema left to take the job in Arkansas. He left a job where he had excellent job security for one where if he doesn't turn the program around quickly enough he will be booted out the door, no questions asked.
So now as schools are hiring head coaches that have jobs, that leaves schools with a "surprise" vacancy that they weren't expecting to have.
Here is a breakdown of the carousel so far:
Conference
Fired/Left - School - Hired
Big Ten
Danny Hope -Purdue - Darrell Hazel (Head Coach, Kent State)
Bret Bielema - Wisconsin - N/A
ACC
Frank Spaziani - Boston College -Steve Adazzio (Head Coach, Temple)
Tom O'Brien - North Carolina State - David Doeren (Head Coach, NorthernNN/AAIllinois)
Big East
Steve Adazzio - Temple - N/A
Skip Holtz - South Florida - N/A
Butch Jones - Cincinnati - N/A
PAC 12
John Embree - Colorado - N/A
Jeff Tedford - California - Sonny Dykes (Head Coach, Louisiana Tech)
SEC
Gene Chizik - Auburn - Gus Malzahn (Head Coach, Arkansas State)
Derek Dooley - Tennessee - Butch Jones (Head Coach, Cincinnati)
Joker Phillips - Kentucky - Mark Stoops (Defensive Coordinator, Florida State)
John L. Smith - Arkansas - Bret Bielema (Head Coach, Wisconsin)
Miscellaneous (Mid-level Conference Schools)
Rob Akey - Idaho - Paul Petrino (Offensive Coordinator, Arkansas)
Mario Cristobal - Florida International - N/A
Bill Cubit - Western Michigan - N/A
Dave Doeren - Northern Illinois - Rod Carey (Offensive Coordinator, Northern Illinois)
Sonny Dykes - Louisiana Tech - N/A
Darrell Hazell - Kent State - N/A
Ellis Johnson - Southern Mississippi - N/A
Gus Malzahn - Arkansas State - N/A
Mike Price - UTEP- N/A
That is a lot of unfilled positions. How will this list affect the Buckeyes?
Well first, the two Big Ten moves are important because they directly affect the competition in the conference. I believe Darrell Hazell can make Purdue into a second tier team in the conference judging by the turnaround he did at Kent State. He can recruit the state of Ohio, and while I expect Urban Meyer to be able to get the in-state recruits that he wants, Hazell should be able to get the players that Meyer is not after.
Bret Bielema leaves the conference for the Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC. This move is very important because the Wisconsin Badgers play in our division. I am sure that whoever Barry Alvarez hires to replace Bielema will keep up the tradition of a strong run game and massive offensive line. I wouldn't be shocked for an assistant coach under Bielema to be tagged for the job. Remember, Bielema wasn't a big name coach when Alvarez hand picked him as his successor.
Now, the other teams with openings could come after Ohio State's assistant coaches to fill their vacancies. I would not be surprised at all for the mid-level conference schools to try and interview some of the Buckeye staff for their vacancies. I just hope we can keep this staff intact to make a run at a National Championship next season.
I would guess that by the end of the bowl season most of the vacancies will be filled in one way or another. One thing to take note of is that so far, only one school has made an assistant coach under the departed coach the new head coach of the team (Rod Carey of Northern Illinois). So expect this list to possibly grow in the coming weeks as head coaches are poached from other schools to fill the vacancies above.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Taking A Rooting Interest in B1G Championship & Bowl Season
Listen Buckeye fans, we all need to take a rooting interest in the Big Ten Championship Game and the Big Ten bowl season. I know the rest of the fans in the conference are bitter over the Buckeyes going 12-0. I know we've been getting a lot of "What bowl game are the Buckeyes playing in? Oh yeah, their not!" garbage from the fans of teams we beat. I know the coaches didn't vote a single Buckeye offensive player for first team Big Ten.
It's true, the Big Ten doesn't have the togetherness that the SEC has. Part of what they have is because of "southern pride." You only see it in the SEC. You don't see it in any of the other big conferences. After the ACC Championship Game, you don't hear the fans chanting "ACC."
But here's the thing, we need the Big Ten to look good. We need them all to win their bowl games, especially if they are playing SEC teams.
For years everyone has said the Big Ten is down. That it's easy to go undefeated or suffer just one loss playing a Big Ten schedule. That if it comes to an undefeated Buckeye team and a one-loss SEC team, the Buckeyes should be left out.
And we don't play a tough out-of-conference schedule next season either.
v. Buffalo
v. San Diego State
@ California
v. Florida A&M
v. Wisconsin
@ Northwestern
Bye Week
v. Iowa
v. Penn State
@ Purdue
Bye Week
@ Illinois
v. Indiana
@ Michigan
Big Ten Championship Game (vs TBD, if we qualify)
That is next year's schedule. We need Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Michigan to look as good as possible going into next season because those are the three best teams we face. We need them ranked all year long.
So who do we want to win the B1G Championship Game? It's Nebraska vs Wisconsin, both teams that we defeated this season. Well for me, I want Nebraska to win the game. The Big Ten hasn't won a Rose Bowl Game since 2010 when Ohio State defeated Oregon. The past two Rose Bowls have featured Wisconsin getting defeated; in 2011 by Texas Christian and in 2012 by Oregon.
That's two straight years that the Big Ten lost the game. I don't think that Wisconsin will be able to defeat Stanford, the team I think will win the Pac 12 Championship and take on the Big Ten winner. I would much rather see new blood in the Rose Bowl, and that would be Nebraska. I think they could win the game, a BCS game in prime time. A game that's legendary and full of history. A game that if the Big Ten won, it would raise the Big Ten's profile.
Also, Nebraska isn't on the schedule next year so the only way we would face them would be in the Big Ten Championship Game. It would help the Buckeyes resume to make the final ever BCS National Championship Game if we defeated the defending Big Ten and Rose Bowl Champions.
Yeah, we face Wisconsin for sure next season (and every season since we share a division with them). But that's something we've done two years in a row now, and they aren't taken as seriously by the rest of the nation like Nebraska is.
As for the Big Ten bowl season, I know I won't enjoy rooting for the Big Ten teams due to how bitter their fans are. But we need to raise the profile of the Big Ten, and to do that we need the Big Ten to win some bowl games.
The only bowl eligible teams in the Big Ten are Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue, Michigan State, and Minnesota. The first four can win their bowl games, the last three I am not so sure about. If Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern can win their bowls, it will make this conference look good.
So I am going to suck it up and root for these teams to win their bowl games, knowing that next year our team can kick them in the mouth by going undefeated, and defeating all of them. And then, we can throw some salt in the wound by winning the BCS National Championship. So go Big Ten!
It's true, the Big Ten doesn't have the togetherness that the SEC has. Part of what they have is because of "southern pride." You only see it in the SEC. You don't see it in any of the other big conferences. After the ACC Championship Game, you don't hear the fans chanting "ACC."
But here's the thing, we need the Big Ten to look good. We need them all to win their bowl games, especially if they are playing SEC teams.
For years everyone has said the Big Ten is down. That it's easy to go undefeated or suffer just one loss playing a Big Ten schedule. That if it comes to an undefeated Buckeye team and a one-loss SEC team, the Buckeyes should be left out.
And we don't play a tough out-of-conference schedule next season either.
v. Buffalo
v. San Diego State
@ California
v. Florida A&M
v. Wisconsin
@ Northwestern
Bye Week
v. Iowa
v. Penn State
@ Purdue
Bye Week
@ Illinois
v. Indiana
@ Michigan
Big Ten Championship Game (vs TBD, if we qualify)
That is next year's schedule. We need Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Michigan to look as good as possible going into next season because those are the three best teams we face. We need them ranked all year long.
So who do we want to win the B1G Championship Game? It's Nebraska vs Wisconsin, both teams that we defeated this season. Well for me, I want Nebraska to win the game. The Big Ten hasn't won a Rose Bowl Game since 2010 when Ohio State defeated Oregon. The past two Rose Bowls have featured Wisconsin getting defeated; in 2011 by Texas Christian and in 2012 by Oregon.
That's two straight years that the Big Ten lost the game. I don't think that Wisconsin will be able to defeat Stanford, the team I think will win the Pac 12 Championship and take on the Big Ten winner. I would much rather see new blood in the Rose Bowl, and that would be Nebraska. I think they could win the game, a BCS game in prime time. A game that's legendary and full of history. A game that if the Big Ten won, it would raise the Big Ten's profile.
Also, Nebraska isn't on the schedule next year so the only way we would face them would be in the Big Ten Championship Game. It would help the Buckeyes resume to make the final ever BCS National Championship Game if we defeated the defending Big Ten and Rose Bowl Champions.
Yeah, we face Wisconsin for sure next season (and every season since we share a division with them). But that's something we've done two years in a row now, and they aren't taken as seriously by the rest of the nation like Nebraska is.
As for the Big Ten bowl season, I know I won't enjoy rooting for the Big Ten teams due to how bitter their fans are. But we need to raise the profile of the Big Ten, and to do that we need the Big Ten to win some bowl games.
The only bowl eligible teams in the Big Ten are Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue, Michigan State, and Minnesota. The first four can win their bowl games, the last three I am not so sure about. If Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern can win their bowls, it will make this conference look good.
So I am going to suck it up and root for these teams to win their bowl games, knowing that next year our team can kick them in the mouth by going undefeated, and defeating all of them. And then, we can throw some salt in the wound by winning the BCS National Championship. So go Big Ten!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
What Going 12-0 Means
Yesterday Ohio State did it, they went undefeated/untied for a final 12-0 record. It's bittersweet however, because the Buckeyes are not eligible to play for the Big Ten Championship or to play in a bowl game this year.
But that doesn't mean that going undefeated means nothing. It means a whole lot, in my opinion. This is the sixth undefeated/untied season in Ohio State football history. Even if they can't compete in postseason play, they still made history. Only two teams finished the season without a loss or tie, Ohio State and Notre Dame. If the Fighting Irish were to lose the BCS National Championship Game, then the Buckeyes would be the only team with that distinction this season. They could possibly win the Associated Press National Championship if the AP Poll would vote them number one at the end of the bowl season. That would give them a split National Championship with whoever won the BCS National Championship Game.
This is also big for the future of the football program. The Urban Meyer era started with a perfect season. This team showed a lot of resiliency under the watch of Meyer, something we didn't see a lot of last year with a 6-7 season after losing to Florida in the Gator Bowl.
This sets the Buckeyes up to make a run at the final BCS National Championship next season. The Buckeyes should be ranked in the top five in the nation, if not the top two. If Notre Dame can go from unranked to start the season to #1 overall going into the bowl season then the Buckeyes can move from a top five position to number one or two.
I expect this team to go into next year with supreme confidence in what they can do. I expect them to feed off of this season. I expect them to come out with a chip on their shoulders after accomplishing perfection but having to hear all the haters asking them "what bowl are you guys playing in?," or that their perfect season "doesn't count."
Going 12-0 this year means that the Buckeyes are set up to dominate not only the Big Ten for years to come with Urban Meyer captaining the ship, but be part of the National Championship picture every year too. I like the sound of that, don't you?
But that doesn't mean that going undefeated means nothing. It means a whole lot, in my opinion. This is the sixth undefeated/untied season in Ohio State football history. Even if they can't compete in postseason play, they still made history. Only two teams finished the season without a loss or tie, Ohio State and Notre Dame. If the Fighting Irish were to lose the BCS National Championship Game, then the Buckeyes would be the only team with that distinction this season. They could possibly win the Associated Press National Championship if the AP Poll would vote them number one at the end of the bowl season. That would give them a split National Championship with whoever won the BCS National Championship Game.
This is also big for the future of the football program. The Urban Meyer era started with a perfect season. This team showed a lot of resiliency under the watch of Meyer, something we didn't see a lot of last year with a 6-7 season after losing to Florida in the Gator Bowl.
This sets the Buckeyes up to make a run at the final BCS National Championship next season. The Buckeyes should be ranked in the top five in the nation, if not the top two. If Notre Dame can go from unranked to start the season to #1 overall going into the bowl season then the Buckeyes can move from a top five position to number one or two.
I expect this team to go into next year with supreme confidence in what they can do. I expect them to feed off of this season. I expect them to come out with a chip on their shoulders after accomplishing perfection but having to hear all the haters asking them "what bowl are you guys playing in?," or that their perfect season "doesn't count."
Going 12-0 this year means that the Buckeyes are set up to dominate not only the Big Ten for years to come with Urban Meyer captaining the ship, but be part of the National Championship picture every year too. I like the sound of that, don't you?
Friday, September 7, 2012
Game #2 Preview: v. UCF
Ohio State Buckeyes versus Central Florida Knights
Ohio Stadium - Columbus, Ohio
Saturday, 9/8/2012
12:00PM
The Buckeyes handled Miami of Ohio last week once the offense got on track, and that took the first quarter. This week the face a bigger challenge as they take on the University of Central Florida, a team that has better athletes and overall players than Miami did.
What to watch for this week:
How Long Will The Offense Take To Get Going?
Against Miami (OH), the offense didn't get into gear until after the first quarter. However, once the offense got hot, it was an unstoppable force for the Redhawks.
You can attribute the slow start to being the first game in a new offense, to rust since there are no preseason games, or to nerves. I am going to say it was a combination of the first two. I don't think it was nerves, a lot of the offensive players played in games last season and Braxton Miller was a starter for most of last season.
This week however, the offense cannot afford to be slow out of the gates. Central Florida is a much better team than Miami of Ohio, and if the Buckeyes can't get into an offensive rhythm, it could spell possible disaster for the Buckeyes on Saturday.
How Will The Pass Defense Fare?
Last week, Ohio State's pass defense had the following statistics:
32/52 pass attempts for 313 yards, 1 TD, 1 Sack, 2 INT
I expected better by the Silver Bullets, but Zac Dysert might just be the best quarterback we face all season. He has such a lighting fast release that the ball is gone before you can sack him. He's going to be an NFL quarterback.
UCF didn't throw a lot last week against Akron, they didn't have to with their run game being dominant. However, Blake Bortles did throw three touchdown passes.
The Buckeyes need to tighten up their pass defense. If the offense starts slow and the defense can't stop the Knights passing game....they could be looking up at the Knights on the scoreboard before they know it.
Will Braxton Miller Put On Another Show?
Last week Miller had one heck of a game. His stat line:
14/24 for 207 yards and 2 TD; 17 rushes for 161 yards and 1 TD
UCF has a much better defense than Miami's does...will Miller be able to make the big plays that will give the Buckeyes a lead? I think he will. He's improving as a passer and is the best athlete on the team, and one of the best in the nation.
He will be making big plays again this week, just watch.
Game MVP: Braxton Miller
Score: Ohio State 43 - UCF 17
Ohio Stadium - Columbus, Ohio
Saturday, 9/8/2012
12:00PM
The Buckeyes handled Miami of Ohio last week once the offense got on track, and that took the first quarter. This week the face a bigger challenge as they take on the University of Central Florida, a team that has better athletes and overall players than Miami did.
What to watch for this week:
How Long Will The Offense Take To Get Going?
Against Miami (OH), the offense didn't get into gear until after the first quarter. However, once the offense got hot, it was an unstoppable force for the Redhawks.
You can attribute the slow start to being the first game in a new offense, to rust since there are no preseason games, or to nerves. I am going to say it was a combination of the first two. I don't think it was nerves, a lot of the offensive players played in games last season and Braxton Miller was a starter for most of last season.
This week however, the offense cannot afford to be slow out of the gates. Central Florida is a much better team than Miami of Ohio, and if the Buckeyes can't get into an offensive rhythm, it could spell possible disaster for the Buckeyes on Saturday.
How Will The Pass Defense Fare?
Last week, Ohio State's pass defense had the following statistics:
32/52 pass attempts for 313 yards, 1 TD, 1 Sack, 2 INT
I expected better by the Silver Bullets, but Zac Dysert might just be the best quarterback we face all season. He has such a lighting fast release that the ball is gone before you can sack him. He's going to be an NFL quarterback.
UCF didn't throw a lot last week against Akron, they didn't have to with their run game being dominant. However, Blake Bortles did throw three touchdown passes.
The Buckeyes need to tighten up their pass defense. If the offense starts slow and the defense can't stop the Knights passing game....they could be looking up at the Knights on the scoreboard before they know it.
Will Braxton Miller Put On Another Show?
Last week Miller had one heck of a game. His stat line:
14/24 for 207 yards and 2 TD; 17 rushes for 161 yards and 1 TD
UCF has a much better defense than Miami's does...will Miller be able to make the big plays that will give the Buckeyes a lead? I think he will. He's improving as a passer and is the best athlete on the team, and one of the best in the nation.
He will be making big plays again this week, just watch.
Game MVP: Braxton Miller
Score: Ohio State 43 - UCF 17
Friday, August 31, 2012
Game Preview: 9/1/12 vs. Miami (OH)
Ohio State has not lost to another team that resides in the state of Ohio in over a century. This week, they will go out there to keep that streak going against the Miami (OH) Redhawks of the Mid-American Conference.
The Buckeyes also open up the Urban Meyer Era of Buckeye football on Saturday.
What to watch for this week:
The Offense
Last year, the offense at times was completely inept and unimaginative. The Buckeyes were almost shut out at home by Michigan State. They were unable to sustain drives, couldn't score in the redzone.
Now, Urban Meyer is in control of this team and we get to see how these players have taken to the new offense. I am expecting to see Braxton Miller pass the ball more than 12 times a game.
It's going to be much different from the offenses we saw under Jim Tressel. Expect a lot of spread offense with some I-formation thrown in at times.
The Buckeyes might have a few hiccups, but I think the offense is going to be strong, not just in this game but the entire season.
Braxton Miller
The offense revolves around Miller, a dual threat quarterback who's growth was held back last season due to poor game planning/play calling. Urban Meyer knows how to use his best offensive weapon, and I expect to see this in the very first game of the season.
How Miller goes is how this team will go all season long.
Dominating Defense
Last season's Buckeyes defense was good, but not great. This year, I fully expect "great" to be a word associated with the Silver Bullets. I expect the defense to come in and hold the Redhawks to six points or fewer. I expect a good pass rush, and the Redhawks shouldn't be able to run the ball to save their season against the Buckeyes defense.
Running Up The Score?
Some people think that with this new offensive philosophy, the Buckeyes will be running up the score on lesser opponents.
While I fully expect the Buckeyes to win big against teams like Miami (OH), I don't expect scores of 80-6. I don't expect Urban Meyer to be going for two point conversions while up by thirty-five. However, the goal of every offensive possession will be to score. He's going to encourage his backup players to play their best and score if they can. He's never going to tell his players to not try and score.
However, he's not going to be a jerk about it either. This week will be the first time we see how he goes about running up the score.
My Predictions
Game MVP: Braxton Miller
Final Score: Buckeyes 47 - Miami (OH) 6
The Buckeyes also open up the Urban Meyer Era of Buckeye football on Saturday.
What to watch for this week:
The Offense
Last year, the offense at times was completely inept and unimaginative. The Buckeyes were almost shut out at home by Michigan State. They were unable to sustain drives, couldn't score in the redzone.
Now, Urban Meyer is in control of this team and we get to see how these players have taken to the new offense. I am expecting to see Braxton Miller pass the ball more than 12 times a game.
It's going to be much different from the offenses we saw under Jim Tressel. Expect a lot of spread offense with some I-formation thrown in at times.
The Buckeyes might have a few hiccups, but I think the offense is going to be strong, not just in this game but the entire season.
Braxton Miller
The offense revolves around Miller, a dual threat quarterback who's growth was held back last season due to poor game planning/play calling. Urban Meyer knows how to use his best offensive weapon, and I expect to see this in the very first game of the season.
How Miller goes is how this team will go all season long.
Dominating Defense
Last season's Buckeyes defense was good, but not great. This year, I fully expect "great" to be a word associated with the Silver Bullets. I expect the defense to come in and hold the Redhawks to six points or fewer. I expect a good pass rush, and the Redhawks shouldn't be able to run the ball to save their season against the Buckeyes defense.
Running Up The Score?
Some people think that with this new offensive philosophy, the Buckeyes will be running up the score on lesser opponents.
While I fully expect the Buckeyes to win big against teams like Miami (OH), I don't expect scores of 80-6. I don't expect Urban Meyer to be going for two point conversions while up by thirty-five. However, the goal of every offensive possession will be to score. He's going to encourage his backup players to play their best and score if they can. He's never going to tell his players to not try and score.
However, he's not going to be a jerk about it either. This week will be the first time we see how he goes about running up the score.
My Predictions
Game MVP: Braxton Miller
Final Score: Buckeyes 47 - Miami (OH) 6
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Who is going to make the plays?
Buckeye fans, Saturday starts not just a new season of Ohio State football, but a new era. It starts the Urban Meyer Era in Columbus, OH.
Last season the Buckeyes had one of their worst seasons in 100 years, failing to win seven games. Luke Fickell was the interim head coach last year and the offense was pretty bad for much of the season. Jim Bollman called the offensive plays and he wasn't very trusting of true freshman quarterback Braxton Miller. Miller threw about 12 passes a game, way under the NCAA FBS average.
Now, an offensive innovator is the head coach of the team, and I believe that he's going to turn this offense (and this entire team) 180 degrees, back to a winner. Miller is a special player, and it's going to be seen much more this season.
Last year, the defense was good, but not great. I think the Silver Bullets will be back to being a great defense.
I know we cannot compete for a Big Ten Championship or play in a Bowl Game after this season, but in reality that might be a benefit. The Buckeyes can play the young players more, get them some experience that they might not have had a chance to give them because they'd be too worried about winning the division.
I say the Buckeyes will have a 10 or 11 wins season, and these are the players who I think will be making the big plays to get us there.
OFFENSE
Braxton Miller, QB: The offense is going to revolve around Miller, a dual threat quarterback who is one of the faster players on the offensive side of the football. Last season he really wasn't allowed to grow, the offense was designed to limit his mistakes. I feel Urban Meyer will be running an offense that exploits his strengths and allows him to grow as a quarterback and a complete football player. Expect his completion percentage to go up, his passing touchdowns to go up, and his rushing touchdowns to go up. Also, expect his passing attempts to go up, Meyer will allow him to throw the ball. This offense is going to be high octane.
Jake Stoneburner, WR: Stoneburner has had his position switched from tight end to wide receiver, however I expect him to line up at tight end sometimes. He's a total mismatch for many defenses. He's too fast to be covered by most linebackers, and too big for the defensive backs to successfully defend against him. I think he's going to have a great season, as long as he can stay healthy, and he might have one of the best seasons a Buckeye wide receiver has ever had. I am thinking 10+ touchdowns and over 1000 yards receiving. He'll likely be a first round pick in the NFL draft after this season.
Devin Smith, WR: Smith became a favorite target of Braxton Miller last season, hauling in a team leading 14 receptions (yes, TEAM LEADING!). He also had four touchdown receptions. I think in the new offense that Meyer is bringing in, Smith's speed is going to show and he's going to be a go to target out wide for big plays. Devin Smith was the wide receiver who caught the game winning touchdown pass against Wisconsin last season.
Carlos Hyde, RB: Yes, the offense is going to pass the ball a whole lot more than they did last season. But that doesn't mean that they are going to get away from running the football. It's a staple of Ohio State football, and Meyer isn't going to just throw that in the garbage can. Last season, Hyde had just 566 yards rushing, but he averaged 5.3 yards per carry. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield, so look for him to be a safety valve for Miller when there's nothing deep. It's better to dump down to the RB and let him get something then getting nothing or worse, getting sacked. I expect 900+ yards and 9 touchdowns from Hyde this season.
DEFENSE
Ryan Shazier, LB: Shazier is going to be an absolute beat this season, I fully expect him to lead the Silver Bullets in tackles. He's got a nose for the football and loves to hit. Shazier is the definition of a Buckeye linebacker. Expect to hear his name a whole lot this season, and for all the right reasons. Last season he had 15 tackles against Penn State, 8 against Michigan, and 10 against Florida in the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl.
John Simon, DE: Towards the end of last season, Simon was starting to become unblockable. He had seven sacks last season, and I fully expect him to lead the team in sacks this year. I think he's going to be a dominating pass rusher, wreaking havoc in opposing backfields all season long.
Jonathon Hankins, DT: I sure don't hope teams plan on running against the Buckeyes, because stopping the run all starts with Hankins, who is going to be stuffing the run all season long on the interior of what should be one of the better offensive lines in the country.
Bradley Roby, CB: Roby is going to be showing the nation this season that he's one of the best cornerbacks in Big Ten if not the entire country in 2012. I am expecting around seven interceptions from him, and he should also lead the team in passes defended.
Noah Spence, DE: I have a feeling that we are going to be seeing a lot more of Noah Spence this season than many people think. I think we will see him in obvious pass rush situations and that he may possibly become a starter opposite John Simon if Meyer feels that is his best combo at defensive end at some point this season.
Well Buckeye Nation, if the Buckeyes are going to have the big year so many of us think and hope they will, these players will be the main reasons why.
Last season the Buckeyes had one of their worst seasons in 100 years, failing to win seven games. Luke Fickell was the interim head coach last year and the offense was pretty bad for much of the season. Jim Bollman called the offensive plays and he wasn't very trusting of true freshman quarterback Braxton Miller. Miller threw about 12 passes a game, way under the NCAA FBS average.
Now, an offensive innovator is the head coach of the team, and I believe that he's going to turn this offense (and this entire team) 180 degrees, back to a winner. Miller is a special player, and it's going to be seen much more this season.
Last year, the defense was good, but not great. I think the Silver Bullets will be back to being a great defense.
I know we cannot compete for a Big Ten Championship or play in a Bowl Game after this season, but in reality that might be a benefit. The Buckeyes can play the young players more, get them some experience that they might not have had a chance to give them because they'd be too worried about winning the division.
I say the Buckeyes will have a 10 or 11 wins season, and these are the players who I think will be making the big plays to get us there.
OFFENSE
Braxton Miller, QB: The offense is going to revolve around Miller, a dual threat quarterback who is one of the faster players on the offensive side of the football. Last season he really wasn't allowed to grow, the offense was designed to limit his mistakes. I feel Urban Meyer will be running an offense that exploits his strengths and allows him to grow as a quarterback and a complete football player. Expect his completion percentage to go up, his passing touchdowns to go up, and his rushing touchdowns to go up. Also, expect his passing attempts to go up, Meyer will allow him to throw the ball. This offense is going to be high octane.
Jake Stoneburner, WR: Stoneburner has had his position switched from tight end to wide receiver, however I expect him to line up at tight end sometimes. He's a total mismatch for many defenses. He's too fast to be covered by most linebackers, and too big for the defensive backs to successfully defend against him. I think he's going to have a great season, as long as he can stay healthy, and he might have one of the best seasons a Buckeye wide receiver has ever had. I am thinking 10+ touchdowns and over 1000 yards receiving. He'll likely be a first round pick in the NFL draft after this season.
Devin Smith, WR: Smith became a favorite target of Braxton Miller last season, hauling in a team leading 14 receptions (yes, TEAM LEADING!). He also had four touchdown receptions. I think in the new offense that Meyer is bringing in, Smith's speed is going to show and he's going to be a go to target out wide for big plays. Devin Smith was the wide receiver who caught the game winning touchdown pass against Wisconsin last season.
Carlos Hyde, RB: Yes, the offense is going to pass the ball a whole lot more than they did last season. But that doesn't mean that they are going to get away from running the football. It's a staple of Ohio State football, and Meyer isn't going to just throw that in the garbage can. Last season, Hyde had just 566 yards rushing, but he averaged 5.3 yards per carry. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield, so look for him to be a safety valve for Miller when there's nothing deep. It's better to dump down to the RB and let him get something then getting nothing or worse, getting sacked. I expect 900+ yards and 9 touchdowns from Hyde this season.
DEFENSE
Ryan Shazier, LB: Shazier is going to be an absolute beat this season, I fully expect him to lead the Silver Bullets in tackles. He's got a nose for the football and loves to hit. Shazier is the definition of a Buckeye linebacker. Expect to hear his name a whole lot this season, and for all the right reasons. Last season he had 15 tackles against Penn State, 8 against Michigan, and 10 against Florida in the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl.
John Simon, DE: Towards the end of last season, Simon was starting to become unblockable. He had seven sacks last season, and I fully expect him to lead the team in sacks this year. I think he's going to be a dominating pass rusher, wreaking havoc in opposing backfields all season long.
Jonathon Hankins, DT: I sure don't hope teams plan on running against the Buckeyes, because stopping the run all starts with Hankins, who is going to be stuffing the run all season long on the interior of what should be one of the better offensive lines in the country.
Bradley Roby, CB: Roby is going to be showing the nation this season that he's one of the best cornerbacks in Big Ten if not the entire country in 2012. I am expecting around seven interceptions from him, and he should also lead the team in passes defended.
Noah Spence, DE: I have a feeling that we are going to be seeing a lot more of Noah Spence this season than many people think. I think we will see him in obvious pass rush situations and that he may possibly become a starter opposite John Simon if Meyer feels that is his best combo at defensive end at some point this season.
Well Buckeye Nation, if the Buckeyes are going to have the big year so many of us think and hope they will, these players will be the main reasons why.
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