Volumes have already been written and the off-field issues have already been analyzed to death, so I decided those issues are better addressed elsewhere. This is a preview of the 2011 season, so looking ahead will be the objective here.
The quarterback question has dominated camp. When Terrelle Pryor left back in June, I said it would be a two-man competition between senior Joe Bauserman and redshirt freshman Braxton Miller, with Coach Luke Fickell possibly using a two-quarterback system (similar to the Stanley Jackson-Joe Germaine setup used by John Cooper during the 1996-97 seasons). Coach Fickell confirmed as such during an interview on August 25. Both Bauserman and Miller bring positive attributes to the table. Bauserman, more of a drop back, pocket passer, brings maturity and leadership behind center. As he is more familiar with the system and the offensive teammates he will work with, I look for him to be the starter, at least early on. Bauserman, however, is not very mobile and did not play very well in his one extended appearance last year with a game on the line (at Illinois after Pryor suffered a leg injury). Braxton Miller has been hailed as the next version of Pryor, with a better arm, but of course, he has never taken a snap in a college game. He has shown flashes of his tremendous athletic ability during preseason camp. So, look for a two-quarterback system to start out, with Miller coming in after the first couple of offensive series.
Whoever takes the majority of the snaps will need help from a receiving corps that suddenly finds itself somewhat depleted with the graduation of 2010 MVP Dane Sanzenbacher and the 5-game suspension of DeVier Posey. However, Chris Fields (who appeared in the 4 and 5 wide out sets last year) has stepped up his play during the preseason and he and Corey Brown look to start and play in most of the offensive sets. Also, look for Verlon Reed, a redshirt freshman who was slated to be Posey’s backup, and junior Evan Spencer to be heavy contributors during the first five games at least. Without Posey, this is a young group with very little experience, so look for them to utilize running backs like Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry as well as tight end Jake Stoneburner in the 4 and 5 wide out sets. Stoneburner has it all as a tight end; a dependable blocker who has gotten more involved in the passing game. Reid Fragel also returns as the second tight end, who saw more playing time and involvement in the passing game as the season wore on last year.
The running game should still be productive despite the five-game suspension of Dan Herron. Jordan Hall and Jamal Berry are a one-two punch many conference teams would love to have. Also look for redshirt freshman Rod Smith to get quite a few carries. Smith provides a good blend of size and speed that has some people comparing him to Keith Byars back in the 80s. These three should acquit themselves well and the running game should be in good hands until Herron’s return, particularly with the return of fullback Zach Boren who provides dependable blocking and should see more involvement as a receiver out of the backfield.
The offensive line already needed to replace both guards due to graduation when they also suffered the suspension of Mike Adams. During preseason camp, it appears that sophomore Corey Lindsay and sophomore Jack Mewhort had separated themselves from the competition and they appear likely to draw starting assignments in those spots. Both saw a moderate amount of game experience last year. The good news for the line is the return of Mike Brewster (an All-American pick) and JB Shugarts (all Big Ten pick) at right tackle. Sophomore Marcus Hall saw extensive playing time last year and should do a very good job in Adams’ position. If the offensive line can jell around Brewster, Shugarts, and Hall during the first five games, the Buckeye offense will be tough to stop by anyone on the schedule.
The defensive line, at first glance, would appear to be a couple of notches lower than the past few years, with the departure of Cameron Heyward and Dexter Larimore. Looking at the replacements waiting in the wings however, causes me to issue this warning: better not sell them short. All have extensive experience and talent, beginning with DE John Simon. Simon has gotten better every game he has played and is becoming a terror for opposing quarterbacks (recording sacks on Iowa’s Ricki Stanzi, Michigan’s Denard Robinson and Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett). On his way to becoming Ohio State’s next dominate defensive lineman, he will be joined by big man (the emphasis on BIG) 335 pound Johnathan Hankins. Hankins will move over to DT, allowing Garrett Goebel to see action on the other side. Nathan Williams, a DE with excellent speed and nose for the ball, will be at the other DE spot.
The line backing corps appears depleted with the graduation of Ross Homan and Brian Rolle. However, Andrew Sweat returns at one outside spot. Sweat is known for great run support. Joining him should be Etienne Sabino in the middle and either Storm Klein or Tyler Moeller at the other outside spot. Moeller was granted a sixth year of eligibility due to sitting out most of last year and all of 2009 and appears, at the end of summer camp, to have the edge to start. Also figuring into the mix at linebacker will be true freshman Curtis Grant. A natural athlete, rated in the top five overall out of high school, Grant could be the next great linebacker out of Ohio State. Jonathan Newsome and Jordan Whiting were dependable backups last season and should get more playing time this year.
The secondary loses outstanding defenders Chimdi Chekwa and Jermale Hines to the NFL. Their experience and ability will not be easy to replace, but waiting in the wings are Travis Howard and CJ Barnett. Howard played mostly in the nickel and dime coverages last year and Barnett appears to have recovered nicely from last year’s season-ending injury. Dominic Clarke gained valuable experience subbing for Chekwa when he was banged up, and should start at one of the cornerback positions. The lone returning starter in the defensive backfield, Orhian Johnson, returns at the other corner. Also figuring in the mix should be Christian Bryant, Dionte Allen, and Zach Domicone. All three saw playing time last year in the nickel and dime packages.
The Buckeyes lose outstanding kicker Devin Barclay, but Drew Basil has been steadily improving and will take over the kicking duties. Ben Buchanan, who got better as the season progressed last year, returns at punter. The word is still out on what was a glaring weakness last year: punt and kick coverage. Normally solid in that area, the Buckeyes fell down last year, allowing a kick return and a punt return for a touchdown in the same game (Miami), and allowing another kick return for a score at Wisconsin. With a resumed emphasis on coverage, it remains to be seen how Ohio State improves in this area under Coach Fickell. The future looks bright in the return game however, as Jordan Hall had a kick return for a score (verses Michigan) and had several other long returns ( verses Miami and Minnesota). Fickell has experimented with several punt returners, most notably Jamaal Berry and Chris Fields, so a regular punt returner probably won’t be decided upon until game time September 3.
Here’s the way I see the season going from the vantage point of August 26, 2011:
HOME GAME: WISCONSIN: One could make the argument that Penn State or Michigan State could be Ohio State’s toughest home opponent. However, the departure of Tressel and Pryor, along with the return of Monte Ball and four out of five starters on Wisconsin’s offensive line, makes Wisconsin my favorite to win the Leaders Division of the newly revamped Big Ten. Assuming no upsets, Wisconsin will be only home opponent likely to be ranked higher than Ohio State when they come here (October 29). However, Ohio State will have two games under their belt with all of the suspended players back, so a home game during Homecoming, should make this game a classic.
ROAD GAME: NEBRASKA: A no-brainer here, especially with all the turmoil going on down in Miami. Coach Bo Pelini brings a Nebraska team into their first taste of Big Ten football with experience and a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball, starting with QB Taylor Martinez. He set the Big 12 on fire last year as a redshirt freshman, throwing for almost 1700 yards (in a run-oriented offense) and running for just over 900. With Rex Burkhead returning in the backfield, Brandon Kinnie at WR, and All-American candidate Mike Caputo at center leading an experienced line, they will be tough for any defense to stop. Nebraska’s defense is no slouch either, led by another All-American Jered Crick at DT. Add to that imposing lineup is the fact the game is in Lincoln and it will be the first game back for the suspended players. All in all, Ohio State will have an uphill battle here.
OSU’s OUTLOOK: 10-3 and a berth in the Outback Bowl.
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