Well, I've had a week to process it and I still have a huge smile on my face! The Ohio State Buckeyes...the team that many said didn't belong in the College Football Playoff, won the whole damn thing!
They went up against the #1 team in the nation from the mighty SEC, and knocked them off! Ezekiel Elliot ran all over Alabama to the tune of 230 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Then against the Oregon Ducks, he ran all over them for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns.
But what impressed me the most in the National Championship, was the defense. The Buckeyes were facing the team that scored quickest, and scored the most in all of college football. The Ducks averaged almost 50 points a game, and their touchdown drives averaged just over two minutes.
Would the defense be able to get a stop or two? Would they be sucking wind by the fourth quarter, allowing Oregon to just gash them?
The Buckeyes held them to 20 points, and forced the Ducks to punt more times in a single game than likely any time in the past three years.
The Buckeyes have changed the perception of their team. People now call them an "SEC team in the North," Urban Meyer has made this team into what he wanted them to be. Physical, fast, tough. They are mentally tough...losing Braxton Miller, then having JT Barrett come in and lead them to the brink of the Playoffs and losing him in the *ichigan game...third string QB Cardale Jones leading them through the Big Ten Championship, Sugar Bowl, and then caping it off with a National Championship.
There has always been a target on Ohio State's back in the Big Ten. They have won 7 conference championships in the past 13 years. If you include their vacated share of the Big Ten championship in 2010. that gives them 8 of 13. They've won a total of 24 Big Ten championships, second only to *ichigan's 42.
Now that they're the National Champions, that target is only going to be bigger.
The Buckeyes are expected to run the table this upcoming season, win the Big Ten, and be a top two seed in the College Football Playoffs.
They were there a year earlier than Urban Meyer expected. The perception of the Buckeyes now is that they could be a dynasty in the making.
I'll take that perception any time! O-H! I-O!
Showing posts with label Braxton Miller. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Braxton Miller. Show all posts
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Sunday, November 16, 2014
QB Conundrum 2015: JT Barrett or Braxton Miller?
I know this season isn't over yet, we still have two regular season games, the Big Ten Championship Game, and then either the College Football Playoffs or a regular Bowl Game.
But right now, I want to look at what's ahead after this season.
As far as anyone knows, Braxton Miller is planning on returning to Ohio State for his senior season in 2015. When he first made this announcement after it was announced that he would miss the entire 2014 season with a shoulder injury, Buckeye fans were very happy.
None of us envisioned that JT Barrett would become one of the best quarterbacks in Ohio State history. And after that loss to Virginia Tech...
9/29 for 219 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INT...sacked seven times
I think after that game Buckeye Nation felt it would be a long season and couldn't wait for Miller's return in 2015.
But Barrett took that game and used it as fuel, he learned from it. And since then, he's been unstoppable.
Against Minnesota, JT Barrett broke two of Braxton Miller's rushing records, longest run ever by a quarterback (86 yard TD run) and most rushing yards in a single game by a QB (189). Barrett also surpassed Braxton Miller's total TD pass mark in a season (29 for Barrett, 24 for Miller).
Also, JT Barrett is one touchdown pass away from tying Troy Smith's school record of touchdown passes in a season of 30 (in 2006), with two games left that record should be broken.
This is Barrett's stat line for the season after the win at Minnesota:
165/258 2365 yards 64.0% completions 29 TD 8 INT
136 rushes 771 yards 5.7 yards per carry 9 TD
That's a season for many QB's around the country, and Barrett still has two games to improve on that!
Miller's best single season stat line:
162/255 2094 yards 63.5% completions 24 TD 7 INT (2013)
227 rushes 1271 yards 5.6 yards per carry 13 TD (2012)
Both are pretty damn good stat lines that most schools would take from their starting quarterback.
So if Braxton Miller stays true to what he said, and returns in 2015 to the Buckeyes fully healthy, what the hell is Urban Meyer going to do?
Before becoming the head coach at The Ohio State University, he spent a season working for ESPN/ABC calling games. I remember listening to him just gush about Braxton Miller, and I still think that Meyer feels the same way.
I believe that part of Meyer would want to stay loyal to Miller. An old sports adage is that you never lose your job to injury, and that's why Miller isn't on the field this season. Nothing academic, no off the field scandals. Braxton Miller, from everything I have ever read or heard, is a great guy. Goes to class, does well in his classes, doesn't draw un-needed attention to himself or the school, stays out of trouble.
However, he got to watch Barrett blossom right before his eyes. Can you bench the quarterback that is likely going to hold some school records when this year is over?
Barrett holds four of the top 9 total offense outputs in Buckeye football history:
But right now, I want to look at what's ahead after this season.
As far as anyone knows, Braxton Miller is planning on returning to Ohio State for his senior season in 2015. When he first made this announcement after it was announced that he would miss the entire 2014 season with a shoulder injury, Buckeye fans were very happy.
None of us envisioned that JT Barrett would become one of the best quarterbacks in Ohio State history. And after that loss to Virginia Tech...
9/29 for 219 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INT...sacked seven times
I think after that game Buckeye Nation felt it would be a long season and couldn't wait for Miller's return in 2015.
But Barrett took that game and used it as fuel, he learned from it. And since then, he's been unstoppable.
Against Minnesota, JT Barrett broke two of Braxton Miller's rushing records, longest run ever by a quarterback (86 yard TD run) and most rushing yards in a single game by a QB (189). Barrett also surpassed Braxton Miller's total TD pass mark in a season (29 for Barrett, 24 for Miller).
Also, JT Barrett is one touchdown pass away from tying Troy Smith's school record of touchdown passes in a season of 30 (in 2006), with two games left that record should be broken.
This is Barrett's stat line for the season after the win at Minnesota:
165/258 2365 yards 64.0% completions 29 TD 8 INT
136 rushes 771 yards 5.7 yards per carry 9 TD
That's a season for many QB's around the country, and Barrett still has two games to improve on that!
Miller's best single season stat line:
162/255 2094 yards 63.5% completions 24 TD 7 INT (2013)
227 rushes 1271 yards 5.6 yards per carry 13 TD (2012)
Both are pretty damn good stat lines that most schools would take from their starting quarterback.
So if Braxton Miller stays true to what he said, and returns in 2015 to the Buckeyes fully healthy, what the hell is Urban Meyer going to do?
Before becoming the head coach at The Ohio State University, he spent a season working for ESPN/ABC calling games. I remember listening to him just gush about Braxton Miller, and I still think that Meyer feels the same way.
I believe that part of Meyer would want to stay loyal to Miller. An old sports adage is that you never lose your job to injury, and that's why Miller isn't on the field this season. Nothing academic, no off the field scandals. Braxton Miller, from everything I have ever read or heard, is a great guy. Goes to class, does well in his classes, doesn't draw un-needed attention to himself or the school, stays out of trouble.
However, he got to watch Barrett blossom right before his eyes. Can you bench the quarterback that is likely going to hold some school records when this year is over?
Barrett holds four of the top 9 total offense outputs in Buckeye football history:
There is a chance that he could own the top spot in this list by the end of the season.
Miller is a weapon. He's the better runner, and likely a better overall athlete.
However, I think Barrett is the better QUARTERBACK. And honestly, I don't think anyone (including the coaches) saw this coming from him.
I think it's going to be a hard choice to make going into the 2015 season. But if I had to make the choice, Barrett would be my starting quarterback because I feel he's better at that specific job, throwing the football.
Also, Miller has proven to be injury prone. He's missed games before this season due to injuries. There's no guarantee that he can stay on the field.
And what a nightmare would it be for defenses if both Barrett and Miller were in the backfield together? A handoff to Miller? A motion where Miller takes the snap? A read-option where one or the other ends up with the ball? Miller motioning to the slot or out wide and catching a pass as a receiver? I think Miller could play a "slash" roll wonderfully.
The only thing I am absolutely sure of, is that I am glad it's not my job to make this decision. When the time comes, I won't envy Urban Meyer one bit.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
2013 Offensive Playmakers
The offense is the focus of today's Urban Warfare blog. Specifically the guys who are going to be making all the big plays.
The offense last year was heavy on the run. Braxton Miller ran 227 times for 1271 yards and 13 touchdowns. Carlos Hyde ran it 185 times for 970 yards and 16 touchdowns. That's 2241 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground.
Passing the ball, Ohio State was ranked 110th in the nation. That's 110 out of 124 total schools in NCAA Division I FBS football. This is where I expect things to change in 2013. Yes, Hyde is going to get the ball in his hands and will likely have a 1000 yard season. Braxton is going to still have some electrifying runs, however I expect him to have fewer designed runs.
Here are Miller's passing stats from the 2012 season:
148 Completions/254 Attempts
58.3%
2039 Yards
15 TD
6 INT
140.5 Rating
I expect the completions to go up, along with attempts. I expect over 60% completions. Around 3000 yards, and over 20 touchdown passes. If Ohio State is going to win a National Championship in the 2013-14 season, Braxton needs to make those improvements.
And there are players in the offensive arsenal to make this happen.
One thing we might see is Kenny Guiton, the backup quarterback, on the field with Braxton. This would be difficult to defend because both can pass, and both can run. You could hand off to either...one can run out into the flat to catch a pass, or throw to a RB or WR/TE.
At running back there are more options than just the powerful Carlos Hyde. You have Rod Smith, Bri'onte Dunn, and Warren Ball. Added to those three names are Ezekiel Elliott, and Dontre Wilson from the 2013 draft class. I see fresh legs all year at RB as long as guys don't put the ball on the turf and do what's asked of them. Dunn and Ball were both big names in the 2012 class and should both contribute more in their sophomore seasons. Wilson, from the 2013 class, is very intriguing because he's a very good receiver out of the backfield and can also line up in the slot...think Percy Harvin when he played at Florida.
At wide receiver you have Corey Brown and Devin Smith, both played a lot last season. Both are playmakers on the outside. Both are guys who will get a lot of looks when Ohio State is throwing the ball. In the 2013 class we get Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith, and James Clark. All three can see significant playing time, especially in multiple receiver sets.
Urban Meyer doesn't want guys who want to redshirt. Will some guys get a redshirt? I am sure there will be a few, guys who need a year of seasoning or guys that get hurt. But Ohio State will put the best players on the field regardless of class or experience. If you've earned playing time, you'll get it.
Here is what I expect the starting line up to look like at the skill positions when we take the field for our home opener:
QB - Braxton Miller
RB - Carlos Hyde
WR - Corey Brown
WR- Devin Smith
WR/RB - Dontre Wilson
I think that right there is going to be very dynamic. So much can be done with that talent. Miller can pass to any of them. A read-option with Hyde, even with Wilson. Reverses with all of those players.
Throw in guys like Ball and Dunn to keep fresh legs in at RB and this offense could do great things.
I can't wait to start the season, because I think it's going to be even more exciting than 2012 was.
O-H! I-O!
The offense last year was heavy on the run. Braxton Miller ran 227 times for 1271 yards and 13 touchdowns. Carlos Hyde ran it 185 times for 970 yards and 16 touchdowns. That's 2241 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground.
Passing the ball, Ohio State was ranked 110th in the nation. That's 110 out of 124 total schools in NCAA Division I FBS football. This is where I expect things to change in 2013. Yes, Hyde is going to get the ball in his hands and will likely have a 1000 yard season. Braxton is going to still have some electrifying runs, however I expect him to have fewer designed runs.
Here are Miller's passing stats from the 2012 season:
148 Completions/254 Attempts
58.3%
2039 Yards
15 TD
6 INT
140.5 Rating
I expect the completions to go up, along with attempts. I expect over 60% completions. Around 3000 yards, and over 20 touchdown passes. If Ohio State is going to win a National Championship in the 2013-14 season, Braxton needs to make those improvements.
And there are players in the offensive arsenal to make this happen.
One thing we might see is Kenny Guiton, the backup quarterback, on the field with Braxton. This would be difficult to defend because both can pass, and both can run. You could hand off to either...one can run out into the flat to catch a pass, or throw to a RB or WR/TE.
At running back there are more options than just the powerful Carlos Hyde. You have Rod Smith, Bri'onte Dunn, and Warren Ball. Added to those three names are Ezekiel Elliott, and Dontre Wilson from the 2013 draft class. I see fresh legs all year at RB as long as guys don't put the ball on the turf and do what's asked of them. Dunn and Ball were both big names in the 2012 class and should both contribute more in their sophomore seasons. Wilson, from the 2013 class, is very intriguing because he's a very good receiver out of the backfield and can also line up in the slot...think Percy Harvin when he played at Florida.
At wide receiver you have Corey Brown and Devin Smith, both played a lot last season. Both are playmakers on the outside. Both are guys who will get a lot of looks when Ohio State is throwing the ball. In the 2013 class we get Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith, and James Clark. All three can see significant playing time, especially in multiple receiver sets.
Urban Meyer doesn't want guys who want to redshirt. Will some guys get a redshirt? I am sure there will be a few, guys who need a year of seasoning or guys that get hurt. But Ohio State will put the best players on the field regardless of class or experience. If you've earned playing time, you'll get it.
Here is what I expect the starting line up to look like at the skill positions when we take the field for our home opener:
QB - Braxton Miller
RB - Carlos Hyde
WR - Corey Brown
WR- Devin Smith
WR/RB - Dontre Wilson
I think that right there is going to be very dynamic. So much can be done with that talent. Miller can pass to any of them. A read-option with Hyde, even with Wilson. Reverses with all of those players.
Throw in guys like Ball and Dunn to keep fresh legs in at RB and this offense could do great things.
I can't wait to start the season, because I think it's going to be even more exciting than 2012 was.
O-H! I-O!
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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