This is a big week for Ohio State fans. Not only are the Buckeyes in the Final Four, but spring practice begins Wednesday for new football coach Urban Meyer.
Meyer's arrival has helped the program begin to get over the mess left behind by former coach Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes are on NCAA probation, are facing scholarship limits and are banned from the postseason this fall.
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Meyer's arrival also means the Buckeyes will be moving to the spread offense, which helped him win two national titles a Florida in a three-year stretch.
Ohio State at-a-glance
Coach: Urban Meyer (1st season)
Last season: 6-7, 3-5 Big Ten
Spring practice dates: March 28-April 21
Returning starters
(minimum 7 starts last season):
Offense (7): FB Zach Boren, WR Corey Brown, WR Chris Fields, G Jack Mewhort, QB Braxton Miller, G Andrew Norwell, TE Jake Stoneburner
Defense (9): S C.J. Barnett, T Adam Bellamy, S Christian Bryant, T Garrett Goebel, T Johnathan Hankins, CB Travis Howard, LB Storm Klein, CB Bradley Roby, E John Simon
Special teams (2): K Drew Basil, P Ben Buchanan |
He looks to have the quarterback he needs to run the spread in sophomore Braxton Miller. Miller is a good athlete who can hurt opponents with his running ability, but he has to get better as a passer.
One issue for the Buckeyes this spring is identifying skill-position players who can thrive in the spread. The Buckeyes lacked offensive playmakers last fall, and will be looking for a new feature back and a new go-to receiver this spring. Ohio State also needs three new starters along the line.
There are fewer issues on defense. E John Simon has All-America potential and heads what should be one of the best lines in the nation.
Some youngsters need to step up this spring and prove they can be difference-makers at linebacker.
The secondary returns four full-time starters, but that unit struggled at times last season and the new coaching staff will be looking for more consistency from the safeties, especially.
Kevin Noon of BuckeyeGrove.com – a Rivals.com website that covers Ohio State – provides a more in-depth look at spring practice.
The biggest problem: Finding some playmakers. Meyer is going to have to learn his team quickly and identify the playmakers. The team was sorely lacking those types of players last season, so players will have the opportunity to make a move this spring. Two positions that really are wide open are wide receiver, where the Buckeyes lost their only true No. 1 receiver with the graduation of DeVier Posey, and safety, where the Buckeyes showed a lot of vulnerability last season. Part of the issue at safety, though, was that Ohio State did not generate much of a pass rush and teams had plenty of time to pick the defense apart through the air.
On the spot: LB Etienne Sabino. He is going to have to come on strong with the departure of starter Andrew Sweat. Ohio State's linebackers were average last season, and Sabino never really has blossomed into the player observers thought he could be. He was redshirted two seasons ago to give him more time to develop, and while he has made some steps in the right direction, there remains a concern about some of the decisions that he makes and the angles that he takes. The Buckeyes have a lot of young linebackers, but it is unlikely any are ready to pass him on the depth chart. Still, he will be under the microscope this spring.
[ Related: Ohio State coach Urban Meyer buys expensive new house ]
On the verge: TB Bri'onte Dunn. Even though Ohio State has a crowded backfield, there is a real chance Dunn – a true freshman who enrolled in January – could get right into the mix after a tremendous winter conditioning period. He has been singled out by Meyer and some assistants for "having what it takes." The Buckeyes ran the ball by committee last season, but if a feature back emerges, he could get most of the carries and that back could be Dunn.
General overview: Anyone who believes this is a throwaway season because of the bowl ban is not paying attention. Meyer is not going to be about a "mulligan" season and is looking for players who can help him win immediately. There are real opportunities at several positions and young guys need to step up. Meyer likely won't install a huge part of his offense in the spring, but instead will be looking to see who can make plays in space as the system gets a major "flash" upgrade. With two members of the defensive coaching staff retained (Luke Fickell and Mike Vrabel), there should be some continuity on defense. Still, the secondary bears watching.
For in-depth coverage of Ohio State athletics, go to BuckeyeGrove.com
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