Ohio State Football Predictions

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For the first time since 1988, Ohio State finished the year with a losing record. The Buckeyes lost to Florida in the Gator Bowl 17-24 to end the season with a 6-7 record. While they went just 3-5 in Big Ten play, they knocked off a couple of ranked teams in No. 16 Illinois and No. 12 Wisconsin. They Buckeyes also had four losses decided by a touchdown or less.

Even though Ohio State is ineligible to play in postseason play in 2012, the buzz is back in Columbus. After leaving Florida to take a year off, Ohio native Urban Meyer was named the new head coach prior to the bowl game. Meyer replaces interim head coach Luke Fickell, who will return to the team as the co-defensive coordinator with former UNC defensive coordinator Everett Withers. The new offensive coordinator is Tom Herman, who spent the last three seasons at Iowa State. Let’s take a look at what the Buckeyes will send to the field on both sides of the ball.

Offense:

The Buckeyes are very excited about the potential of sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller, who was named the Big Ten Freshman Player of the Year after throwing for 1,159 yards with 13 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Miller also led the team with 715 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. For most of the season, Ohio State really limited his attempts throwing the ball, but in the regular season finale against Michigan he threw for 235 yards. He seems like a perfect fit for Meyer’s offensive scheme.

The big concern I have on offense is the Buckeyes lack of go to guy in the running game. They lose their star back in Dan Herron, who led with 675 yards despite only playing in seven games. They get back senior Jordan Hall (408 yards, 2 TDs) and junior Carlos Hyde (566 yards, 6 TDs), and are very high on sophomore Rod Smith true freshman Bri’onte Dunn. Overall its a pretty solid core, but I think Smith or Dunn will have to emerge if this unit is going to improve.

To give you an idea of just how little the Buckeyes relied on the passing game, no one on the team had more than 14 receptions last year. With Miller being allowed more freedom throwing the ball and the return of their top three in Devin Smith (14 catches, 294 yards, 4 TDs), Corey Brown (14 catches, 205 yards) and Jake Stoneburner (14 catches, 193 yards, 7TDs), Ohio State should have one of the most improved receiving corps in the nation.

Up front on the offensive line, the Buckeyes are set on the left side with the return of tackle Jack Mewhort and guard Andrew Norwell, but they are the only two starters coming back. For a lot of teams this would be a huge concern, but Ohio State has a number of very talented players just waiting to get their shot.

Defense:

Ohio State is coming off one of their worst seasons defensively in quite some time. The Buckeyes gave up 21 ppg and 324 yards of total offense. Their biggest struggle was stopping the run, as they gave up 164 ypg in conference play. In the previous six seasons under Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes hadn’t allowed more than 15.2 ppg, 294 yards of total offense, and 110 ypg on the ground. With nine starters returning on this side of the ball, the Buckeyes figure to return to form in 2012.

The Buckeyes suffered a huge blow up front on the defensive line when starting defensive end Nathan Williams was lost for the season after just one game. Williams was a pre-season All-American candidate and the heart and soul of the entire defense. He will return for his senior season and give Ohio State a dynamic duo at end, as they also get back senior John Simon (3rd Team All-American). The Buckeyes also get back starting defensive tackles Garrett Goebel and Johnathan Hankins.

At linebacker, the only starter coming back is senior middle linebacker Storm Klein, but don’t expect to see much of a drop in production. In fact, Klein might end up losing his job to sophomore Curtis Grant, who was very impressive in spring practice. The other player to watch out for is sophomore outside linebacker Ryan Shazier, who emerged as a starter late last year.

With the struggles up front on the defensive line, it really wasn’t all that surprising to see the secondary take a step back in 2011. With one of the top defensive lines in the nation and all four starters coming back, the Buckeyes should have one of the most improved defensive backfields in the nation. The player to keep your eye on is junior free safety C.J. Barnett (2nd Team All-Big Ten, who led the team with 75 tackles a year ago.

Big Ten Leaders Prediction – 2nd Place

I don’t think there is any question that the Buckeyes are going to be the most improved team in the Big Ten this season. While there are those that will question Ohio State’s motivation with no possibility of winning the conference or playing in a bowl game, I expect this team to come out and look to get some revenge after what happened last year. Even though the Buckeyes have to play at Wisconsin and also draw Michigan State (away), Nebraska and Michigan out of the Legends division, I have them easily finishing behind Wisconsin in the Leaders in 2012.

More Resources

Big Ten Football Predictions by Team
Illinois Fighting Illini Indiana Hoosiers
Ohio State Buckeyes Penn State Nittany Lions
Purdue Boilermakers Wisconsin Badgers
Iowa Hawkeyes Michigan Wolverines
Michigan State Spartans Minnesota Golden Gophers
Nebraska Cornhuskers Northwestern Wildcats

 

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