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!

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