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
Friday, August 31, 2012
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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